This little project has been in the works for a few years. I've always had an end goal in mind for my cars, and while this wasn't quite the direction I originally had intended, I'm happy with what the end result will be. I always really liked a well sorted plastic bumpered early model, so that was my original goal. Never was real big on the late arches and big tail lights. Of course, an S50/52 was the only reasonable option for me (power vs. cost reasons) and it had to be 5 lug. I had the perfect parts car for it, so the search began for a clean, stock early model car that I could hack up and otherwise destroy :)
I bought this car from RyanG in 2013. It's an '89 325is with a fresh professional respray in Lachssilber. I wasn't thrilled about it being a late model, but with how nice the body and paint was, in addition to the price being right, I jumped on it. It was parted out, due to failed smog/inspection, courtesy of an OBD1 S52. I was quite nervous about buying a car sight unseen from 600+ miles away (never have done that before and since this car), but all in all, I got a fair deal. It saved me from having to have my red car repainted (that's another ordeal in itself), and ultimately, left me with a much, much nicer car.
Here's the important stuff.
210k mile 03/1989 325is.
Brand new Euro M-Tech 2 kit (eventually will have the kit painted, but I'm really liking how it looks without it).
NOS Smoked Euro smileys
NOS Bosch non smoked smileys
NOS ZKW fogs
New Sport EVO hood seals
iS lip/iS skirts/MT1 wing
30% tinted windows
Drivetrain
S50B30 US with 160k, completely regasketed from top to bottom
TRM tune
Dinan CF intake
21# injectors
low miles G260
brand new driveline from I5 drivelines
UUC DSSR/EVO3, all new bushings
Supersprint headers/OBD2 cats/UUC System U box
M20 fly/starter, new clutch
low miles 373 LSD w/ M coupe rear cover
Suspension
E30 M3 5 lug front/rear
Koni SA dampers
GC coilovers 350/500
GC touring camber plates
E36 M3 steering rack with custom linkage
New poly RTAB/SF bushings
New axles
New control arms
New tie rods
New ebrake cables
Rebuilt calipers
All new wheel bearings and hubs (E30 M stuff is $$$$$$$, jesus)
All new brakes
SS lines
Interior
black E30 M3 front heated/rear seats
new MT2 370mm wheel
new ZHP knob
new OE E30 M3 shift/ebrake boots
early model anthracite carpet (darker than late model stuff)
perfect dash
refurbished cluster w/ red needles, silver trim rings and new SI board
Alpine HU/Alpine component speakers/MTX 12" sub/Lukebox/PG 900.5 amp
map light mirror
custom ashtray gauge pod for volt meter, oil temp and oil pressure
VDO vision gauges (probably holding off on these for a bit)
Racing Dynamics dead pedal
ACS pedal set
Unfortunately, it must just be in my blood to procrastinate everything. I really didn't even start in on this car until about March. I figured it was more than enough time to get the car finished for the weekend of fun at the E30 picnic. I was right, but it was close. I actually drove it for the first time the day before we left for picnic. From there, I drove it 400+ miles to Tacoma and back without a single issue. I couldn't be happier. This is the car I've envisioned as my dream E30 for the last few years, and I'm glad it's finally on the road.
Pics during the build.
Interior was in, but no drivetrain or suspension at this time.
S50 from my red car. Needed an oil pan and a clutch.
In the process of rebuilding E30 M3 brakes
M coooooop diff cover
S50/G260 ready to go in!
S50 in!
E30 M3 5 lug installed.
Roller shots my brother took the night before Picnic.
And, finally at the picnic. Photo credit to "hankolerd".
It's been quite the journey, but as Klaus Meine (Scorpions) once said, "we've only just begun, and the best is yet to come."
I bought this car from RyanG in 2013. It's an '89 325is with a fresh professional respray in Lachssilber. I wasn't thrilled about it being a late model, but with how nice the body and paint was, in addition to the price being right, I jumped on it. It was parted out, due to failed smog/inspection, courtesy of an OBD1 S52. I was quite nervous about buying a car sight unseen from 600+ miles away (never have done that before and since this car), but all in all, I got a fair deal. It saved me from having to have my red car repainted (that's another ordeal in itself), and ultimately, left me with a much, much nicer car.
Here's the important stuff.
210k mile 03/1989 325is.
Brand new Euro M-Tech 2 kit (eventually will have the kit painted, but I'm really liking how it looks without it).
NOS Smoked Euro smileys
NOS Bosch non smoked smileys
NOS ZKW fogs
New Sport EVO hood seals
iS lip/iS skirts/MT1 wing
30% tinted windows
Drivetrain
S50B30 US with 160k, completely regasketed from top to bottom
TRM tune
Dinan CF intake
21# injectors
low miles G260
brand new driveline from I5 drivelines
UUC DSSR/EVO3, all new bushings
Supersprint headers/OBD2 cats/UUC System U box
M20 fly/starter, new clutch
low miles 373 LSD w/ M coupe rear cover
Suspension
E30 M3 5 lug front/rear
Koni SA dampers
GC coilovers 350/500
GC touring camber plates
E36 M3 steering rack with custom linkage
New poly RTAB/SF bushings
New axles
New control arms
New tie rods
New ebrake cables
Rebuilt calipers
All new wheel bearings and hubs (E30 M stuff is $$$$$$$, jesus)
All new brakes
SS lines
Interior
black E30 M3 front heated/rear seats
new MT2 370mm wheel
new ZHP knob
new OE E30 M3 shift/ebrake boots
early model anthracite carpet (darker than late model stuff)
perfect dash
refurbished cluster w/ red needles, silver trim rings and new SI board
Alpine HU/Alpine component speakers/MTX 12" sub/Lukebox/PG 900.5 amp
map light mirror
custom ashtray gauge pod for volt meter, oil temp and oil pressure
VDO vision gauges (probably holding off on these for a bit)
Racing Dynamics dead pedal
ACS pedal set
Unfortunately, it must just be in my blood to procrastinate everything. I really didn't even start in on this car until about March. I figured it was more than enough time to get the car finished for the weekend of fun at the E30 picnic. I was right, but it was close. I actually drove it for the first time the day before we left for picnic. From there, I drove it 400+ miles to Tacoma and back without a single issue. I couldn't be happier. This is the car I've envisioned as my dream E30 for the last few years, and I'm glad it's finally on the road.
Pics during the build.
Interior was in, but no drivetrain or suspension at this time.
S50 from my red car. Needed an oil pan and a clutch.
In the process of rebuilding E30 M3 brakes
M coooooop diff cover
S50/G260 ready to go in!
S50 in!
E30 M3 5 lug installed.
Roller shots my brother took the night before Picnic.
And, finally at the picnic. Photo credit to "hankolerd".
It's been quite the journey, but as Klaus Meine (Scorpions) once said, "we've only just begun, and the best is yet to come."
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