So this is a pretty simple project, but it is always fun to document online for others to see. I got this little E30 in a business trade a month or so ago, and have just put it together with some fun parts I have had laying around the shop.
Quick Specs:
1989 325i
Delphin Grey Metallic (absolutely love this color) :p
Origninal drivetrain, 5 spd. 212K miles
Standard comfort vinyl interior, very good condition. Crack free dash :o
Got it bone stock, completely blown struts/shocks, worn bushings, etc. Still ran and drove nicely. I have been in a lot of E30's but it is always a pleasure to get behind the wheel of a new one. I think I have an addiction haha.
When she showed up, dirty engine bay and all
Spent a day degreasing the bay, and doing a whole pile of engine maintenance. All filters, fluids, belts, etc. Feels good to have everything gone through. This was one of the most original cars I have worked on. Every factory clamp and hook was still in place. No zip ties! (not that zip ties are all that bad I guess)
I've had some brand new BC racing coils sitting on the shelf from an older aborted project a while back. Decided it was high time they were put to use. I grabbed a set of spare strut housings and brought everything over to my good friends place. He is a fabricator by trade, so I have the utmost confidence in his cutting and welding abilities
He got them chopped up in no time. Cleaned up the hubs (actually ended up sandblasting them) before pressing the coilovers on and then TIG welding the bases. Turned out great
I've had these E38 style 5's hanging out for quite a while. I have never been a fan of black wheels, but as soon as I saw one installed on the delphin car I was in love. This is what she looked like after fitting the coils and wheels. Perfect match IMO. For the wheel nerds, they are 16x8 ET23. 20mm spacer in the rear, 8mm in front. Super tight fitment, but these coils are great and I barely have any rubbing issues. Only rubs in the rear under hard cornering or big dips on the freeway. Rolled fenders front and rear
Also ended up shadow lining the trim to go with the rest of the dark theme.
Bumpers and grilles off for cleaning and polishing
I had a big stack of goodies show up. Complete set of bumper trim with euro corners from Blunttech, euro grilles and black kidney from Abraham. M tech wheel and plate filler from my stash. Also from my stash, but not pictured is the Sparco Sprint seat. Make spirited driving so enjoyable
Threw some yellow LaminX on all the lights. I love all yellows
The first real shakedown other than a few laps around the shop was a trip up to Tacoma, WA for a show. It made the ~6 hour round trip without issue
Barely had the car all back together in time, between dialing in the suspension and having to do a midnight alternator swap.
Quick once over on the way home
It was a huge hit at the event. Also had the convertible there, it was great to have them parked in the middle of the whole show side by side.
Since then it has just been a fun car to hop in and rip around in. Next up on the project list is to rebuild the front end. I have new control arms, M3 offset CABs, tie rods, etc to go on. Trying to decide whether I want to do full Poly on everything.
I won't be able to keep this car forever, but I think I have a good friend of mine talked into buying it, which would be perfect, still keeping it in the family.
Quick Specs:
1989 325i
Delphin Grey Metallic (absolutely love this color) :p
Origninal drivetrain, 5 spd. 212K miles
Standard comfort vinyl interior, very good condition. Crack free dash :o
Got it bone stock, completely blown struts/shocks, worn bushings, etc. Still ran and drove nicely. I have been in a lot of E30's but it is always a pleasure to get behind the wheel of a new one. I think I have an addiction haha.
When she showed up, dirty engine bay and all
Spent a day degreasing the bay, and doing a whole pile of engine maintenance. All filters, fluids, belts, etc. Feels good to have everything gone through. This was one of the most original cars I have worked on. Every factory clamp and hook was still in place. No zip ties! (not that zip ties are all that bad I guess)
I've had some brand new BC racing coils sitting on the shelf from an older aborted project a while back. Decided it was high time they were put to use. I grabbed a set of spare strut housings and brought everything over to my good friends place. He is a fabricator by trade, so I have the utmost confidence in his cutting and welding abilities
He got them chopped up in no time. Cleaned up the hubs (actually ended up sandblasting them) before pressing the coilovers on and then TIG welding the bases. Turned out great
I've had these E38 style 5's hanging out for quite a while. I have never been a fan of black wheels, but as soon as I saw one installed on the delphin car I was in love. This is what she looked like after fitting the coils and wheels. Perfect match IMO. For the wheel nerds, they are 16x8 ET23. 20mm spacer in the rear, 8mm in front. Super tight fitment, but these coils are great and I barely have any rubbing issues. Only rubs in the rear under hard cornering or big dips on the freeway. Rolled fenders front and rear
Also ended up shadow lining the trim to go with the rest of the dark theme.
Bumpers and grilles off for cleaning and polishing
I had a big stack of goodies show up. Complete set of bumper trim with euro corners from Blunttech, euro grilles and black kidney from Abraham. M tech wheel and plate filler from my stash. Also from my stash, but not pictured is the Sparco Sprint seat. Make spirited driving so enjoyable
Threw some yellow LaminX on all the lights. I love all yellows
The first real shakedown other than a few laps around the shop was a trip up to Tacoma, WA for a show. It made the ~6 hour round trip without issue
Barely had the car all back together in time, between dialing in the suspension and having to do a midnight alternator swap.
Quick once over on the way home
It was a huge hit at the event. Also had the convertible there, it was great to have them parked in the middle of the whole show side by side.
Since then it has just been a fun car to hop in and rip around in. Next up on the project list is to rebuild the front end. I have new control arms, M3 offset CABs, tie rods, etc to go on. Trying to decide whether I want to do full Poly on everything.
I won't be able to keep this car forever, but I think I have a good friend of mine talked into buying it, which would be perfect, still keeping it in the family.
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