1987 325is Zinno Restoration - Mark II

[Richter]

great build thread
nice job restoring this beauty.

early on you mentioned you got a e46 power steering resivoir

any reason for this compared to stock or e36 bottles?

Thanks for the compliments!

I heard that the e46 PS reservoir was a decent upgrade due to the filter that's in the bottom of the tank. Not sure if it's confirmed but the system seems to be running good with it.

[Zeemz]

Wow impressive! Awesome work and gorgeous car!

[iwantspeed]

Thanks for the compliments!

I heard that the e46 PS reservoir was a decent upgrade due to the filter that's in the bottom of the tank. Not sure if it's confirmed but the system seems to be running good with it.

same dimensions for the hoses that plug into the bottom?

[Richter]

same dimensions for the hoses that plug into the bottom?

Yea same hoses, everything matched up nicely, I used my original hoses and just replaced the hose clamps with new OEM crimp rings.

[Richter]

Finally!!!!! After almost 8 years of devotion, countless hours laying on the garage floor, sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and tears, the restoration of my 1987 E30 BMW 325is nears completion! Du bist wunderschön!





I was thrilled this weekend to take her out on her maiden voyage, and complete my first Road Rallye through the beautiful roads of Blairstown, NJ. She runs like a dream! I think for a second it took on the shape of a unicorn! Although we came in 12th place, it was an awesome journey! Looking forward to the roads ahead and hopefully another road rallye with the motorsports club of north jersey mcnj.org

Here’s more about the build:

It was crunch time over the past few weeks, I made a big check list to conquer what needed to be completed in order to be good to go for the rally.

I tackled the license plate lights and got them installed, it wasn't easy and not perfect but they are fully functional. That allowed for a quick paint touch up and rear bumper trim installed




Installed some euro grilled for that touch of aggressiveness.




A coat of paint and some clear on the jack and wheel choke




Took a gamble and drove it to work last Friday so I could stop for a wheel alignment on the way home.





Going old school, brought "the club", I've been saving this thing since '96, figured it would be a nice deterrent




I decided on Euro Tire in Fairfield, NJ for the alignment, I've heard a lot of good things. I was able to watch the full process and they dialed her in nice and straight.





It was a surreal feeling on rallye day, knowing that I was about to embark on an incredible adventure in an e30





Waxed and polished to brighten that zinno. Figured it was the best time to enhancement the shifting experience with an OEM shifter knob/boot combo, worth every penny I saved for it.





I was pretty nervous at first, listening to every noise, but started to build confidence that she was solid, all my hard work paid off and she was ready to rock! She just kept saying give me more!

My smile was ear to ear the entire day!




She handled the roads beautifully, sounds incredible! I brought a trunk full of tools incase she broke down but she ran true a strong, and made it home safely!






I have a few issues to address and more finishing touches ahead, totally stoked on the progress I've made. Can't wait for the next drive!

[cheffy30]

beautifully done... clearly well worth the time spent...

[Eric Giles]

Thanks for the update...the car looks excellent! Red, either Zinno or Brilliant, is the best E30 color in my opinion.

[oekundar]

Very well done!


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[Bearmw]

Nice car. There's nothing like an E30 brought back to its former glory.

[Richter]

Took her out yesterday for a drive in the nice weather, hoping to get a few more drives in before the roads are ridiculously coated in sand and rock salt...








Also added some finishing pieces to the trunk

[Court M3]

Beautiful car....where'd you get the one piece shift boot combo from?

[Richter]

Beautiful car....where'd you get the one piece shift boot combo from?

Thanks!

Got it on a flash sale at ECS Tuning a few years back and of course now the prices keep climbing, But worth every penny in my opinion

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/m3-shifter-boot-and-knob/25112225873/

I also have the matching OEM leather ebrake boot, hoping to install that soon

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/leather-parking-brake-boot-black/34412230012/

[Court M3]

^^Thanks for the link!

[Richter]

Finally woke up Rose Red from a long winters nap!

Kept a battery tender while in storage, she fired right up!






I also got around to ordering my BMW Classic Certificate from Germany, kind of pricy but well worth adding to my collection of documentation.






I'm really looking forward to taking her out for some long drives and maybe a car show this year.

[TheWipprSnappr]

I cant imagine putting all that work in, just to have it erased in the blink of an eye. Major props for bouncing back and doing it all again. Excellent work, she is a beauty!