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    Zinno M3 Project

    Well, my initial intent was to have a blog dedicated to the restoration of my e30 M3. That fell apart quickly, because frankly I'm too usually too busy working on the car than to take pictures let alone write about it. I also like to tinker on all my vehicles which makes it hard to keep track of every little bit of work I do. So, I'm hoping maybe this can be a bit update when I do take pics and upload them.

    A bit of history of the vehicle.
    Good
    • Original registration date 1988.02.17
    • Zinnoberrot exterior, Natur leather interior
    • ~135,000 original miles (odometer still works)
    • 1,200 mile service inspection record at 1,362
    • There is documentation from 51,637 in 1995 all the way to 100,631 in 2000.
    • All electronics work
    • AC was converted to R134a from R12
    • Original radio with code
    • Original OEM wheels included
    • Extra OEM spoiler
    • OEM Style 4s, I didn't like them original, but they've grown on me. New tires on them as well.
    • Clutch feels good, a lot better than the e30 clutch pedal feel.
    • Aftermarket cup holder that sits below the radio. Really handy for long trips


    Bad
    • Primarily Pennsylvania owned (I don't hate PA, but there is this thing called rust that sucks).
    • No documentation between 1,362 and 51,637 miles
    • No documentation between 100,631 and 117,xxx miles. During which there were Pennsylvania inspection stickers on the vehicle
    • Rust behind passenger wheel arch. It looks superficial and not structure related
    • Busted exhaust hanger(s)
    • Needs a suspension refresh
    • Rust by driver's side front window (common)
    • Surface rust on corners of doors, etc. nothing major - More on this later.
    • One or both half shafts are toast. Luckily I have at least one good one laying around.
    • Repainted on one side, not by the Previous Owner, but perhaps the one before him?
    • Rear spoiler is ugly, but there is a backup
    • Interior needs a cleanup along with new floor mats that don't slide
    • General cosmetic issues (needs new roundels, etc.)
    • Needs to be buffed.


    I bought the car a little over a year ago. I believe June 8th was the actual date. I had a buddy of mine contact me about a guy thinking of selling his e30 M3 in Maryland. I got his number, got some pics, and talked for a long while. I told him I was interested in coming up to see it in a few weeks. Within that time I had to jump on it due to some potential offers on the vehicle. After punching numbers I decided to pull the trigger and make an offer. Luck have it my cousin was getting married in PA the weekend I wanted to see the car. So, I hitched a ride with another cousin and we had a brief rest in Maryland while I did a test drive. Drove it, liked it, saw things that needed work and made a slightly adjusted offer from the one over the phone. We settled and decided I'd pick it up on my way back from the wedding.

    Here is a picture of the day we agreed on a purchase price. The wheels are off an e38 for those wondering.


    I picked up the vehicle on a Sunday (I had Monday off from work) thanks to my buddy who told me about the car. After a brief cruise down some back roads he took some pictures prior to my night drive back.




    Like I said, I decided to head back home that night. I live in North Carolina and enjoy doing night drives. I also didn't want to deal with DC traffic on a Monday morning/early afternoon. Screw that shit.

    First fill up in VA (couldn't be helped...the fill up that is)


    I made it back and started to work on title transfer and titling. Like all my cars a name was necessary. Talking with my girlfriend one night she suggested the name Elsa. I liked it and after trying to think of alternatives I thought it was fitting. A pretty name for a pretty car.
    1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
    1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
    1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

    Manual or STFU

    E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
    E30 Oktoberfest 2017

    #2
    Like I said originally I wanted to have a blog about this, but it fell apart quickly. So, I had taken some original pictures the way I had gotten it and I was going to take pictures as it transformed over time.

    4 shots showing all sides prior to me messing with anything.








    I believe I did this after coming home late from work. Anyway, euro grills and remove of the front plate since NC doesn't have front plates (yeah!) Note the oxidation in the paint due to a leather front bra.


    This was just the start. I decided to order all new fluids, filters, and a bunch of other parts that were worn out and easy to fix.


    Doing spark plugs with the OEM tool. Yeah, who cares if they're $200 or whatever on eBay. I wasn't going to wait for the aftermarket one.


    Nothing out of the ordinary.


    New exhaust gaskets
    Last edited by enigmaticdream; 06-28-2013, 07:31 PM.
    1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
    1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
    1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

    Manual or STFU

    E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
    E30 Oktoberfest 2017

    Comment


      #3
      My plan original for this project was to do OEM+. However I found a hell of a deal a few weeks after doing some initial work on the car that I couldn't turn down.

      I was hanging out with a buddy and we were a guy's shop. He use to work on a lot of e30 M3 race cars and now works on restoring cars in general. We were talking and he mentioned he had an exhaust for an e30 M3. I was interested and he pulls this out. It is a Raven race exhaust, 55mm dual pipes with two resonators. I offered him $200 for it and he takes it. He even offered to drop it off at my place with some wheels. Awesome deal considering Raven doesn't make exhausts anymore for e30 M3s.





      Here is the "OEM" exhaust? I'm not sure if it is OEM, but it broke apart while I was removing it.


      1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
      1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
      1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

      Manual or STFU

      E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
      E30 Oktoberfest 2017

      Comment


        #4
        Car looks familar. It was a S14 car correct? Dump the E38 wheels heavy and ugly IMO.

        You can't go wrong with a Stromung and VSR center section.
        https://www.facebook.com/BentOverRacing

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by M-technik-3 View Post
          Car looks familar. It was a S14 car correct? Dump the E38 wheels heavy and ugly IMO.

          You can't go wrong with a Stromung and VSR center section.
          It is still a S14 car yes. I would never buy an e30 M3 with a swap. If you're swapping you don't get the point of the car.
          1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
          1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
          1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

          Manual or STFU

          E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
          E30 Oktoberfest 2017

          Comment


            #6
            I mentioned before about keeping this project OEM+. After owning the car for about two months more or less that decision changed quickly. I found out the rust in the rear passenger wheel well was not as easy to fix as I thought. Apparently the car had been in an accident at one point in its life. Regardless of the clean title, it had definitely had body work. It would explain why one side was resprayed, the passenger side door against the body doesn't quite follow the line like my 325is, the screws in the c pillars and door cars in the rear, and a few other saddening things. This was pointed out by the guy who I bought the exhaust from. Like I said, he offered to deliver the exhaust and some wheels that I got from my buddy to my place. I asked him if he would take a look and give me an opnion on the severity. He said he didn't think it was structural, just superficial. **Sadly though I'm pretty certain that either a. my rear subframe is bent or the body. This is due to some things I eventually run into when doing a rear suspension overhaul. I'll save it for another post**

            So, with the heartbreaking news I decided to say screw OEM+ and do what I want to do the car. I had been wanting to build a car that was meant for weekend/track toy/etc. but was slowlying losing interest in my e46 M3 for those functions. Roughly, I decide to do the following before Bimmerfest East 2012.
            • Refresh rear suspension bushings.
            • Replace the rusted out OEM exhaust with the Raven Exhaust
            • Replace style 4 wheels with white e38 bottlecaps
            • Refresh shifter bushings
            1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
            1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
            1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

            Manual or STFU

            E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
            E30 Oktoberfest 2017

            Comment


              #7
              The initial work on the car was supposed to be maintenance until I got the Raven exhaust. Once I pulled off the rusty OEM exhaust I decide to start living the mantra of "while you're there". Hence the decision to redo the shifter bushings and replace all the subframe bushings. Please note, I also checked the guibo and CSB but I had documentation that it had been done by the previous owner. I checked regardless because I had perfect access to replace the parts if either was worn.

              One thing I did quickly after getting the exhaust was polish the exhaust tips. Really easy to do with the right machine.


              I also threw the wheels on briefly to see what they'd look like before I pulled the rear subframe out. Red with white wheels is always a good combo.


              Interior shot while work on the shifter. Note the crack free dash ;)


              The passenger tail light was leaking water into it. So, I picked up a used one that was in better condition.


              After many hours of hammering and frustration I got the rear subframe out.


              Block of wood to hold the driveshaft up. Worked perfectly for the month? The subframe was out.


              Roughly what the shifter looks like except the shifter is backwards. The e46 grill that is green was broken and I was fucking around as a joke.


              Breakdown of an e30 M3 shifter setup.


              Tool for trailing arm bushings. It has worked on two subframes so far. The weak point is the rod though, but it is cheap to replace.


              New hardware compared to old and new subframe bushings.


              Powercoated the subframe satin black.


              Guibo and CSB look good other than the BOLTS BEING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION! I fixed this prior to reassembling everything.


              1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
              1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
              1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

              Manual or STFU

              E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
              E30 Oktoberfest 2017

              Comment


                #8
                I dig this, keep up the good work man!
                I Say... that is some awesome shit!

                '86 325e- (parts car)
                '89 325i- DD and project aka "Shirley"

                Progress thread for Shirley

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by SirWolfian View Post
                  I dig this, keep up the good work man!
                  i concur, awesome comparison pictures!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    wish I was home to do the work to my e30 m3..nice progress btw
                    sigpic

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Good to see you got some documentation going here. This car is in good hands. Bravo John. :up:

                      COTM

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I like this.
                        View my build thread. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=287724

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Bimmerfest East went well. The second year was better than the first. More vendors, more cars, etc. Here are three pictures captured of my car and another e30 M3. A guy named Brandon has owned it for 10+ years. Super clean and he sold me on Recaro SRDs after sitting in his.






                          I also purchased NOS fogs for the car from GPS at Bimmerfest East. Both of mine were toast.


                          I had the WIP on my windshield for many months until my most recent bit of work where I finally felt proud enough to remove it.

                          Sortly after getting home from Bimmerfest East a rocker arm decide to break on my 325is. So, that started a massive overhaul of that car. I didn't do a whole lot during the 2-3 months the 325is was being worked on. I did have a few things to install here and there like a VAC Motorsport oil pan baffle and new O2 sensor. Also a DSSR from AKG.


                          New on the left, old on the right


                          Good enough upgrade that I got one for the 325is as well.


                          I also picked up a set of these that I'll be working on refinishing.


                          Frozen Zinno M3
                          1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
                          1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
                          1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

                          Manual or STFU

                          E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
                          E30 Oktoberfest 2017

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by SirWolfian View Post
                            I dig this, keep up the good work man!
                            Thank you.

                            Originally posted by E30stan View Post
                            i concur, awesome comparison pictures!
                            Danke

                            Originally posted by pilotskillse30 View Post
                            wish I was home to do the work to my e30 m3..nice progress btw
                            I like working on S14s more than M20s. More room in the engine bay.

                            Originally posted by N2MYE30 View Post
                            Good to see you got some documentation going here. This car is in good hands. Bravo John. :up:
                            Thank you sir. You've seen it already become what it is today :)

                            Originally posted by Link View Post
                            I like this.
                            1986 911 Supercharged Frakenstrat/Stripped
                            1987 325is Delphin/Black (Olga)
                            1988 M3 Zinno/Natur (Elsa)

                            Manual or STFU

                            E30 Chapter of BMW Car Club of America
                            E30 Oktoberfest 2017

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Beautiful car! I know a guy with Zinno and Natur car too just like yours. :)
                              88 M3 Diamantschwarz
                              89 M3 Zinnoberrot
                              56 Isetta

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