Nicademus' 1986 325e Journal

[Nicademus]

Those seats are the sh$t. My brother has a pair of recaro's in his GTI that I'm gonna have to steal. They don't look as good as those though. Nice price too.

They're in really good condition too. I wish I had the headrest for the blue one, but I can't really complain for that price ($60).

[Gobig_us]

Those seats are the sh$t. My brother has a pair of recaro's in his GTI that I'm gonna have to steal. They don't look as good as those though. Nice price too.

[alpinaclone]

I love those seats, I have never seen that fabric before, super 80's style. It's even kinda cool that they aren't the same color.

I don't really know what is up with your glove box, but I am fairly certain that the dashes are the same.

[Nicademus]

sweet seats man! i'm assuming you're going to locate a new headrest for the blue one?

Yeah thats the plan but I have no idea where?

Dash Install from Hell!!!!:

Sooo the removal started yesterday, went pretty well and finished up earlier today with the removal process. Then began the install......

I can't for the life of me get the glove compartment to fit. If the rear hinge part is attached then it won't close. The glove compartment is from my original dash (1986 325e) and the new dash was out of an 89'-91' E30. Does it really matter? I know my glove compartment doesn't have the locking mechanism (Euro handle or whatever). :( !!Please Help!! :(

[e30nub]

sweet seats man! i'm assuming you're going to locate a new headrest for the blue one?

[Nicademus]

Dash Removal: Not as easy as it was on the 91' I removed my new dash from :(

So I started taking my dash out last night and finished today. These instructions are quite good, however they lack some important info towards the end such as:

- How do I get the 2 wire bundles out that are routed through the center of the dash?? (I ended up hacking the crap out of it and then turned to popping the HVAC tubing out which is the best way I could tell to do it.....actually once removed I noticed that there were screws holding the tubing that I may or may not have been able to get to while still installed.

- I believe there were two other things the author did not cover. Some sets of screws here and there. For instance I recommend removing the steering column plastic and I don't think he tells you to.

- Not the author problem but: There is an Ungo alarm installed in my car, so I have a jumble of wires and two boxes and a control unit to deal with. I'd like to just chop it out but it appears to be connected to the ignition and I don't want to ruin my wiring....I may just tuck it back in behind the new dash?

I recommend using these two dash DIY threads:

#1 This one is really nice, step by step
#2

*EDIT*

So i got the dash back in and slightly bolted on, on the left side. The rats nest of wires is intimidating.

[Nicademus]

Well I just picked up my new big chimpin seats!!! I think they're some version of Recaro LN seats, but I could be very wrong. All I know is they're two different colors and I LOVE them!!!! They look brand new and have been in storage for years. Did I mention they have no tears?...well there is a tiny hole in the black seats headrest and the blue seat is missing it's headrest. I can't complain though since they were only $60 :D











Some guy sold a one Recaro Trophy seat out from under me that I was going to buy for $110 this past Friday. I was pissed but now I'm kinda glad I didn't get it. I love my unique, inxpensive, Recaro seats.

All in all today was a good day. I picked up Recaro's and BBS' and the new issue of S3Magazine arrived at my house with the article I wrote and my picture in it (my first published work :) s3mag.com)!! What more could one want?.....well I suppose I would have preferred one of my wheels wasn't dented.

Anyone know a good/inexpensive wheel refurbishing place in the Northwest? (Seattle area preferred)

[Nicademus]

Yeah. I think Levent has a set for sell. PM ZM Blue Devil
Just search up euro bumpers man you'll find it.

84-87 E30 produced anywhere but here.
And nice wheels! I searched for a long time to find a decent set not at rape pricing..

Whats a non rape price for BBS RM 16"x6.5"??? Hope I didn't over pay and unknowingly got raped

[scabzzzz]

Yeah. I think Levent has a set for sell. PM ZM Blue Devil
Just search up euro bumpers man you'll find it.

84-87 E30 produced anywhere but here.
And nice wheels! I searched for a long time to find a decent set not at rape pricing..

[Stephen]

Here is my new stuff (Wheels and E36 switches):









What years/models did they come on? There was a Euro 84' I think on Craigslist for a few hundred bucks earlier this week but it sold quick.

Nice wheels! If im not mistaken in europe they switched to plastics in 88, so every year up to then i believe...

[Nicademus]

Here is my new stuff (Wheels and E36 switches):

Just keep your eyes open for people selling locally, they pop every so often.. importing is probably tons of cash [someone correct me if im wrong]

What years/models did they come on? There was a Euro 84' I think on Craigslist for a few hundred bucks earlier this week but it sold quick.

[Stephen]

Where does one get the thing euro metal bumpers? years? Is that whats on the car in the picture, because I really like how it looks.

I'm picking up Recaro's and BBS' today.....actually the BBS' are sitting next to me now

Just keep your eyes open for people selling locally, they pop every so often.. importing is probably tons of cash [someone correct me if im wrong]

[Nicademus]

Looks good man.

Keep the DB's and rock the look of ldsbeaker on here..
Go with Ground controls and slam it. Keep the bottle caps if you have to.
Nice interior... To fix that worn out bolster on the cheap, just go to a fabric shop and match it up to some similiar fabric. Stitch a patch over it. Wont look 100% but for sure 100% better.

Dont do a plastic swap on this car wahtever you do... It will never look right..

Go with the thin euro metal bumpers bro. You'll thank me. I wouldnt normally respond to these threads but I'm biased towards early Eta's.

Where does one get the thing euro metal bumpers? years? Is that whats on the car in the picture, because I really like how it looks.

I'm picking up Recaro's and BBS' today.....actually the BBS' are sitting next to me now

[scabzzzz]

Looks good man.

Keep the DB's and rock the look of ldsbeaker on here..
Go with Ground controls and slam it. Keep the bottle caps if you have to.
Nice interior... To fix that worn out bolster on the cheap, just go to a fabric shop and match it up to some similiar fabric. Stitch a patch over it. Wont look 100% but for sure 100% better.

Dont do a plastic swap on this car wahtever you do... It will never look right..

Go with the thin euro metal bumpers bro. You'll thank me. I wouldnt normally respond to these threads but I'm biased towards early Eta's.

[Stephen]

Nice progress!