Neil1138's E30 Project FTW

Neil is doing an e30 project you ask? Why yes, I managed to pick up a 1990 bmw 325i for $400. Read on

I found this beauty listed on craigslist for $600. I hesitated and watched the listing for a couple of days. It dropped to $400 and that was just too cheap to pass up.

Overall, the car is fairly sound. Strong motor and transmission, the body panels are all straight except the drivers door and part of the fender. My friend has an extra fender and door so I'm not too worried. Unfortunately the paint on the car is completely shot. Definitely needs a repaint and it's going to get one

When I bought it, the owner told me that the master cylinder was bad and there wasn't one in the car. He showed me 3 used (presumably broken) master cylinders in the trunk and there was a new one in a box. Since we thought it had no master cylinder (wouldn't go into gear), we towed the car home. Yes I could have driven it with no clutch but there were no brakes (no brake fluid). But to our surprise, there was already a good master cylinder in place and the car was just low on brake fluid. Topped it off and the car and the clutch feel great. Owner

The front shocks need to be replaced, some shift linkage parts, a new tire among other small items. The car sat outside for nearly a year (with gas in the tank) so we are worried that the gas tank might have rust in it. I need to check tomorrow....

This car is going to be restored for the most part. It's getting all of the crap parts replaced, a completely new black interior (yes, another interior project), new tires and new paint. Luckily my friend and e30 god grant, has every single e30 replacement part. We shall see how many things we can replace and see if we can get this car 75% completed within 3 weeks. I'm still on the fence if I should just do an M50 swap since they aren't that much money, we'll see.

Photos day after we got it:

























Currently I have pulled the entire interior, thrown away the crap seats and door panels. I removed and cleaned the front carpet, which is getting dyed black tomorrow. The seats will be replaced with black sports seats that are in exceptional condition and I have some black door panels to put in there as well. The paint... we'll you guys will have to tune in tomorrow

Yes, another E30 project but not to worry, epicness will ensue. Stay tuned my friends

sick find man! GL with the project cant wait to see what comes of it!

AWESOMEEEEEEE.
In for amazing thread of Neil.

Can't wait to see the E30 restored properly! Maybe you'll give me some motivation to tackle my own later on.

Good luck with the project I like the color! And why the heck cant I find a deal like that!!!

neil...in for pics

what color are u gonna paint it?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

<3

looks like shit

I can't wait to see this project done. I have a feeling it will be epic

EPIC it shall be

Nice score!

Thats awesome. Are you going to do the paint prep yourself? As far as sanding down and stuff goes? Seeing these E30s pop up I really want to get one. I might make a project for a winter beater myself

Pretty good deal. GL

Originally Posted by firefirefire90

looks like shit

the trunk lid roundel is in good shape.
looks like fun to rebuild. ($$$)
good luck bro.

Subscribed. You guys are giving me the itch to sell the truck and get an E30. I need another project like I need a hole in the head. I'm thinking REAL hard on it.

I will be keeping an eye on this as well. thankfully being poor and in college (read barrow garage time) has kept my hands empty and I wont succumb to getting an e30 project too.

Originally Posted by NorthJersey 3er

Thats awesome. Are you going to do the paint prep yourself? As far as sanding down and stuff goes? Seeing these E30s pop up I really want to get one. I might make a project for a winter beater myself

Yes, I wanted to get started on sanding today but I might not get to it until tomorrow. But yeah, you can find e30s for so cheap these days.

Pulling the interior



the carpet was friggin nasty. Took it to a carwash and pressure washed the hell out of it, win





e-fowdy secks





ready to scrub the inside down and start taping off

stop buying cars, and move out of your damn house!

this thread is already a win

Cool.