My first bmw 325e, slow poke build

[86beast325e]

Howdy Y'all, I am new to the BMW world but I have always been a big fan of E30s so I sold my RSX and picked one up. I have a lot of things that I want to do such as engine work, paint, bumpers and all everything else in the book. I havent had much free time so this is probably going to take longer than originally anticipated.


photo (12) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

First off it had some rusty window seals and I wanted to keep it chrome because I like the older look so I had them changed out and took the tint off all of the windows.


photo (16) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (18) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (21) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (39) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (37) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (51) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

Interior was in good shape as far as the seats and doors go but the dash and buttons were pretty dinged up. So I replaced the window switches, the car cigarette lighter, the radio, ac button, interior mirror covers, center console, and finally the dash


photo (24) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (30) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (31) by Luisdecenteno, on Flick
photo (56) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickrr

photo (52) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (55) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr
And the semi-installed dash.

photo (58) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

Before all this cosmetic stuff I ran into some heating issues, had to replace all the belts, the water pump, the thermostat, all the hoses, and finally the radiator. I even replaced the fan clutch just to be on the safe side. This is after all the routine stuff such as cables, plugs, cap, rotor, battery, oil, fuel filter, air filter and holy shit has pelican parts been getting my money.

photo (41) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (42) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (46) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (44) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (47) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

photo (49) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

I was starting to think the little car hated me. Had to replace a few vac hoses, the cat, the air intake boot, 02 sensor, and run sea foam through the whole thing to get it to pass smog.

[86beast325e]

So I think that this thread is in the wrong area. I think it would be better served in the member showoff area, any way that moderators can move it?

[86beast325e]

More updates, even though no one seems to care....

Got some more parts in the mail, small parts, steering wheel, euro bumpers etc.



IMG_0169 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0142 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0141 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0140 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0139 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

Next, I got it ready for paint. Switched out the door and hood for some that were in better shape.


IMG_0123 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0122 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0121 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0112 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

Some teaser picture I got back from my paint guy...


IMG_0194 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0197 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[MJCRO]

Looks solid man! Nice to see you spruced up the interior nicely, I gotta get a new dashboard myself eventually lol.

[86beast325e]

Thanks man! I have really done a lot of work to get it back to factory condition with some minor tweaks. I need to take some better shots of the interior soon.

[ak-]

My goodness, did you say you bought new Euro bumpers for it? From ECS I see?
That's some determination. Car is looking good. Nice progress!

[86beast325e]

First day back from paint and time for some installs...


IMG_0242 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0224 (2) by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0243 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0247 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0246 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0258 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[86beast325e]

Thanks AK, Yea...Wait till you see how much it has progressed. For being my first E30, I think I have doing pretty well.

[86beast325e]

So, I decided to take the bumper back off and put some yellow tint on just for good measure...

Here is what the car looks like as of now.



IMG_0311 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0312 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0322 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0321 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0317 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr


IMG_0327 by Luisdecenteno, on Flickr

[MJCRO]

Holy crap, that paint looks rad. Yeah, you're definitely doing it right for it being your first E30 haha. Any future plans engine or suspension wise?