Bagged E30, S52 swap, never ending build - Shaved bay + more

[NickL]

Hi, I'm Nick.

Thought I would toss up a build thread here. This is my E30, 87 325is. Ive been building it since the beginning of this year when my father handed it down to me. The car currently sits on a set of refinished BBS RS's by me, and is bagged with Airlift Universal front struts and Air House II rears.

My plan was originally to M50 swap the car eventually, The timing belt snapped recently so ill be rebuilding the head for the winter then begin to rebuild the swap.

I figured a build thread would be a nice way to display my progress of the of the build.

Heres some recent pictures of how the car sits.













Heres how the car currently sits haha.

Coming home


Timing belt carnage, actually broke down near the crank



Got a super nice deal on these seats locally and tossed them in only 3 days before this happened. Almost wish I had the cash back now to help fund the motor, but oh well.



Plan as of now is to head to the local junkyard the unloads M50's complete for 250$. Then just piece everything else together slowly while rebuilding the motor.

Ill keep the thread updated as I go, and I'm sure Ill have some questions to ask about everything as well.

[A_Whelan]

Great looking car. I'm halfway through my swap (never have the time) and I'm already dreaming of bags ahah. Looking forward to the progress.

[david2991]

Love your car and the story behind it. Can't wait to see the swap happen. Enjoy the process!

[ak-]

Car looks so awesome. Please keep the bumpers!
One of the best rear valances I've ever seen.

I'm assuming a properly tucked and shaved bay is in order?

[camberwears]

Sucks about the timing belt... car looks great

[Eric535]

i love this car.

[NickL]

Great looking car. I'm halfway through my swap (never have the time) and I'm already dreaming of bags ahah. Looking forward to the progress.

Haha go for it man you won't regret them.

Love your car and the story behind it. Can't wait to see the swap happen. Enjoy the process!

Thanks man!

Car looks so awesome. Please keep the bumpers!
One of the best rear valances I've ever seen.

I'm assuming a properly tucked and shaved bay is in order?

Haha thanks man the bumpers aren't going anywhere. Tuck yes, shave probably not because I don't want to respray the bay. But who knows once I get the motor out haha, that could change.

Sucks about the timing belt... car looks great

i love this car.

Thanks guys.

[Dirtboy]

Good Lord!!! I just soiled myself... Very nicely done sir!

[A Sucked Orange]

tucked bumpers are gay. nice work otherwise.

[bassboy3313]

go suck an orange! ^^^

This thing is HOT!!!

[dmoney(AB)]

Car looks great but I have to say it
Maintenance before mods

:(

[Vivek]

I think a rear bumper strip on the front bumper of this car would look super good.

[NickL]

Well I guess I can go ahead and update this. Being 19 years old and a full time student is time consuming but things are starting to slow down so I'm gonna pull the trigger on the swap before this season starts. Picking up an S50 this weekend. Heres what the car looks like now. Shadowlined trim, Corbeau seats are sold as of this week as well. They were nice but not really for me.

I did get the car running again because I wasn't sure when I was going to be able to do the swap. Scored an 885 head off here, did a new timing belt, head gasket, head bolts etc. runs good but its time for a change.





Stay tuned for the swap, I'm gonna document every step.

[ak-]

What's your average driving height?

[NickL]

I don't have any pictures but I drive stupid low haha. Right now the pan on the M20 has a hairline crack in it actually.