Hi all - have been a lurker for a long time, and figured I should start a build thread for my main project, #mostlycalypso

Little background: We bought our first E30 4 or 5 years ago for my better half as a simple, cheap daily driver. One of the most solid E30's I've ever driven - quiet, reliable, drama-free.

I decided we needed another one. Couple years later (August 2014) I picked up a '91 325i as a project to compliment my DD at the time (MKV GTI). Turns out, not all E30s are created equal.

Things wrong:
Things right:
Bought it anyway, and had it trailered to Das German in Franklin, TN for a 5 speed swap and timing belt job. This is where the learning bit comes in. My car repair skills before this point were... limited. Changing spark plugs and air filters were roughtly at the top of my mechanical abilities list. Time to learn by doing right? Right.


Without knowing where to really start, I took a crack at some cosmetics. Basic theme of this build: Can't get any worse?
Painted the valve cover

Replaced the airbag wheel

Pulled out the core support a bit with all the proper tools...

Cleaned and dyed the carpet


Snagged a front bumper on ebay, rattle canned to a close (read: not close at all) match

Did the same to the hood

Then I started digging into the mechanicals a bit. Ended up giving it a bit of a baseline. Changed all fluids, replaced motor+trans mounts, thermostat, expansion tank cap, handbrake cable, fan clutch, and a bunch of other things - basically just throwing parts at it until it got better. It kinda did.
Installed some fun suspension bits:
H&R Race springs, billy sports, e90 drop hats


Stocker on the right:

Finally starting to enjoy driving it, rather than noticing everything that's wrong with it

Junkyard cat is the best cat:

That winter I was able to pick up a pair of recovered vinyl sport seats at the E30 shop. I also took a crack at installing an E46 center console. This was a pretty nasty project that took way too long. Happy to say it came out alright - I was just happy to have an armrest again.

Also managed to swap out the stock S4.10 unit with a S3.73. Much happier on the highway

Took a crack at some paint correction, despite not knowing a thing about it. Buffed out relatively nicely considering, but with the failed clear coat, results didn't last very long. Also installed some sable side skirts because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Drove it as is for a few months after replacing some other suspension bushings, brakes, belts, etc, and just enjoyed it for a while.

Little background: We bought our first E30 4 or 5 years ago for my better half as a simple, cheap daily driver. One of the most solid E30's I've ever driven - quiet, reliable, drama-free.

I decided we needed another one. Couple years later (August 2014) I picked up a '91 325i as a project to compliment my DD at the time (MKV GTI). Turns out, not all E30s are created equal.

Things wrong:
- Was in a fender bender - front and rear bumpers were cracked to hell
- Auto trans was shot
- Interior was rough
- Exterior was rough
Things right:
- The engine ran
- It was $600
Bought it anyway, and had it trailered to Das German in Franklin, TN for a 5 speed swap and timing belt job. This is where the learning bit comes in. My car repair skills before this point were... limited. Changing spark plugs and air filters were roughtly at the top of my mechanical abilities list. Time to learn by doing right? Right.


Without knowing where to really start, I took a crack at some cosmetics. Basic theme of this build: Can't get any worse?
Painted the valve cover

Replaced the airbag wheel

Pulled out the core support a bit with all the proper tools...

Cleaned and dyed the carpet


Snagged a front bumper on ebay, rattle canned to a close (read: not close at all) match

Did the same to the hood

Then I started digging into the mechanicals a bit. Ended up giving it a bit of a baseline. Changed all fluids, replaced motor+trans mounts, thermostat, expansion tank cap, handbrake cable, fan clutch, and a bunch of other things - basically just throwing parts at it until it got better. It kinda did.
Installed some fun suspension bits:
H&R Race springs, billy sports, e90 drop hats


Stocker on the right:

Finally starting to enjoy driving it, rather than noticing everything that's wrong with it

Junkyard cat is the best cat:

That winter I was able to pick up a pair of recovered vinyl sport seats at the E30 shop. I also took a crack at installing an E46 center console. This was a pretty nasty project that took way too long. Happy to say it came out alright - I was just happy to have an armrest again.

Also managed to swap out the stock S4.10 unit with a S3.73. Much happier on the highway

Took a crack at some paint correction, despite not knowing a thing about it. Buffed out relatively nicely considering, but with the failed clear coat, results didn't last very long. Also installed some sable side skirts because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Drove it as is for a few months after replacing some other suspension bushings, brakes, belts, etc, and just enjoyed it for a while.
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