RainyDayHero drift E30 build thread!

[RainyDayHero]

Hello everyone! So this is my first post as well as the beginning to my E30 drift build thread. Let me start by introducing you to my E30 with some pics of what she looked like when I got her.








Sorry for the bad pictures I was having trouble getting my camera to focus for some reason

Its a 1991 318is with 180,000 miles running good and shifts smooth (95% of the time lol). I picked it up for $3,500 which I know I overpaid a bit but I don't regret it because I'm just glad to have it :D. mechanically its in good working order but it does have some problems including....

Windows stopped working the day after I bought it (at least I have a working manual sunroof haha)

Gas gauge doesn't seem to work or at least not well haha

Wipers only work on high

Some of the other electrical items are well um... interesting....

Grinds in second when down shifting when warming up (not consistently but occasionally)

Some other little things

Overall I am very happy with it and look forward to the monster that it should become :nice:

My plans for this car for the near future
xxr 531 rims (should get here today)
tires Achilles ATR Sport 205/55/16 (coming soon)
BC racing coilovers 10k Front 12k Rear
Racing Seats/Racing harness although the performance seat covers I have now are puuurty niiicceee lol
Welded medium case diff? Can my small case handle being welded or will it go boom? Possibly 2 way LSD but thats down the road.

Eventually
S50 swap
Z3 steering rack
possible wisefab kit?!?!?!?

And I'm sure I'll come up with things along the way

This project will take a long time but I'm in it for the long haul and excited to enjoy the finished product.

Thanks for reading I'll try my best to keep this thread up to date.

Now feel free to express your opinions concerns or advice!

[JinormusJ]

318iS never came in 4-door

[E30_pilot]

Get some roundels first. And wear it badge with pride.

[iamsam]

What's "RDH"?

Also, you can weld the small case just fine. Why don't you build a drift car from a cheaper E30 like a 2 door early model?

[travish325]

What's "RDH"?

Derp derp...


User name

[iamsam]

Derp derp...


User name

That conclusion was certainly not obvious to me, as I have never seen anyone make an acronym out of their username and then use that acronym as an adjective in their thread title. I thought maybe a misspelling of "RHD" as in "right hand drive".

[dothadance]

and didn't they come pre-shadowlined?

[JinormusJ]

^
Same; came in expecting Euro interior RHD edition
Saw US spec 4-door 318i..



Sorry to inform OP, but this is not an iS
Either you got swindled or didn't do enough research; or both

Nice color though. Diamantschwarz is my favorite late model color, right next to Lachssibler

[iamsam]

and didn't they come pre-shadowlined?

yes, the 318is did. However, this car is not a 318is.

[lambo]

That conclusion was certainly not obvious to me, as I have never seen anyone make an acronym out of their username and then use that acronym as an adjective in their thread title. I thought maybe a misspelling of "RHD" as in "right hand drive".

You weren't the only one...

[RainyDayHero]

I'm glad to see this forum is active!

That conclusion was certainly not obvious to me, as I have never seen anyone make an acronym out of their username and then use that acronym as an adjective in their thread title. I thought maybe a misspelling of "RHD" as in "right hand drive".

You weren't the only one...

^
Same; came in expecting Euro interior RHD edition
Saw US spec 4-door 318i..



Sorry to inform OP, but this is not an iS
Either you got swindled or didn't do enough research; or both

Nice color though. Diamantschwarz is my favorite late model color, right next to Lachssibler

Thanks man I like the color too. Sorry to those of you that though I meant RDH like Right hand drive and if I knew how to change the title I would haha

You are absolutely right that I did not do enough research I was planning to get a 240sx like everybody that wants to get into drifting but then I saw this E30 come on craigslist and fell in love. I've always loved E30's but there was never any good ones in my area, So I didn't research them much and the small amount of knowledge I have learned from researching has basically come after I picked up the car.

Get some roundels first. And wear it badge with pride.

I 100% agree and thats on my list of "To do's" the previous owner took them off because he liked the "blacked out look" though the car isn't even black...

[/QUOTE]Also, you can weld the small case just fine. Why don't you build a drift car from a cheaper E30 like a 2 door early model?[/QUOTE]

Thats good to hear will be doing that soon then!
I love 4 doors and there isn't too many E30's to choose from and even less that are rust free(Pacific Northwest), drive straight, and in decent condition.

yes, the 318is did. However, this car is not a 318is.

I'm sure your right but I am curious how you know?

[doucy2]

That conclusion was certainly not obvious to me, as I have never seen anyone make an acronym out of their username and then use that acronym as an adjective in their thread title. I thought maybe a misspelling of "RHD" as in "right hand drive".

+1 I too was quite confused.

[iamsam]

I'm sure your right but I am curious how you know?

Biggest clue, it's got 4 doors and plastic bumpers. The 318is only came in 2 doors while the 318i only came in 4 (we are talking late models here, i.e. '90-'91, M42 powered. Early 318s, '84-'85, were M10 powered, and only came in "318i" models and were both 2 and 4 doors and had diving board bumpers).

Also, you can change the title by hitting "edit" then "advanced".

A couple "drift car" tips. Pull as much weight out as possible, esp from the rear, weld the diff, and get super stiff swaybars and suspension. At that point you can probably even drift w/ the stock M42 motor.

[ClausE30]

Welcome to E30's.. Photos taken at Alderwood Mall? I've got some upcoming m42 parts for sale local, including a 4.10 lsd. PM me if you're interested.

[RainyDayHero]

Wheels showed up!

Pretty impressed with them with the exception of one that seems to have some black flakes in the paint. Currently contemplating sending it back or not...
But overall I'm very excited :up: