Project Log: 1987 325i Vert.

[Seph]

I had a thread in GD awhile ago but I figured this was the better forum for keeping track of what had been done. SO I present to you my $500.00 project car. My daily driver is either my 97 honda 1100cc motorcycle, 91 MB w124, or 06 camry. They wife usually drives the camry as I hate the feel of it. I prefer german cars personally :hitler: . I have already read so much of this forum I think I ended up with more questions than when I started.

Goals:
1) Mechanically solid first!
2) Repair body damage and get plastic bumpers
3) Paint it back factory color
4) Update the interior and stereo
5) Convert to 5 lug and update the suspension

Completed:
-Brakes/Rotors $150 installed
-Set of used tires for the moment $60
-Throttle body boot(I think that is what it was called). It was cracked and caused the engine to stall if it sucked in air. $20
-Rebuilt Transmission $500 parts and labor installed
-Flushed every fluid and replaced every filter $120
-Timing belt/Water pump/Pulleys/Gaskets/Seals/Fan clutch/Thermostat $480 parts and labor
-Converted AC to 134a $21
-Found crack in valve cover - replacement bought from here $30 shipped

Total: $1881

[e30nub]

Glad to see it coming back to life! Keep up the good work!

[Stevie30]

Good looking project you have going there. Keep everyone posted on your progress.

[Eric Giles]

You definitely started off the right way by taking care of the major maintenance and mechanicals first. The paint condition looks to almost exactly like the '87 325is I purchased last week-nice and faded!

Great find for $500 and you are off to a good start. What condition is the top in?

[EGoman]

nice seat covers :)

[Seph]

What condition is the top in?

Laughable :( I've been watching for a good deal. The frame seems to be in good shape though. Also looking for a hardtop but that is on the bottom of the list. Once I have this car mostly done I intend to sell the w124 and take a roadtrip to wherever the hell I can find a top from. Hopefully far far away LOL!

[Seph]

nice seat covers :)

Free! Just using them because the current seats are NASTY. My wife steers it in and out of the garage and it was the only way I could get her in it at the moment!

[Dave]

Looks a little worse off than my old vert when I got it back in 2000. But same color - royalblau over pearl beige.

If I could find one for $500, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

[Seph]

*Update!*

I finished up replacing all the hoses for the cooling system. I also received my new valve cover compliments of e30this. Good seller and prompt shipping! I cleaned it up, painted with high heat grill paint and sanded down the lines and logo, and got it installed.


After taking a test drive I know that next on the list will be shocks/struts/springs. I was hoping to wait on this but I might as well do it before I begin the body work. Off to list more junk on ebay LOL.

[Nicademus]

Looking good :) Keep up the good work. I still need to do all that maintenance stuff to my $500 car.

[Seph]

Just got back from passing emissions! Waiting on the insurance people to add it to my policy. $160 every six months seems fair for full coverage! I've been reading through the vert suspension thread but I'm always open to ideas. I want the best of both worlds of course, ride and performance. This car will spend a fair amount of time in the north Georgia mountains so it must stick! I hope everyone else is having a great Friday and looking forward to the weekend .