Dirty E30 Project

[MrSector9]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

C) race engine... 2JZ

http://youtu.be/YwJztAViSJo

[CGDoig]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Just a question here, if you're going to spend this much money on an e30, and by now we all know you have enough. Why not buy a mint e30 M3 and call it good? It's far more unique and far more likely to be worth more after purchase.

[MrSector9]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

oh, yeah I read where you are ok with $10,000 for a body restore buy an e30 m3 and have something that will technically be an investment while being the most bad ass of the e30's

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

oh, yeah I read where you are ok with $10,000 for a body restore buy an e30 m3 and have something that will technically be an investment while being the most bad ass of the e30's

10k is the cost. I'm in no way ok with that, likely spending 2k to clean up the rust.

An E30 M3 in good shape is 30-40k is it not? I didn't want to spend anywhere near that. I just wanted a classic german car I could cruise in and keep the miles off my S4 with. The 325is makes me quite happy as is, it sounds great, it's a riot to drive, and it turns heads. I'd really just like to stop the rust. I am on the prowl on E30 forums for used turbo bits. Some guys have scrounged an entire turbo kit together for 1500, and I'm party to that!

[hooddub]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

No offense, but why does this need two threads? Could you have not posted all of this in your other thread?

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

No offense, but why does this need two threads? Could you have not posted all of this in your other thread?

Yeah, probably. I keep forgetting rides gallery doubles as build thread to be honest. My bad.

[dave335]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

For the 10K to restore, you can pick up a pristine 1991 318IS in the US for $18.9k. Yes, E30s have risen dramatically over the past year along with Porsches of similar vintage. Turbocharging and swapping engines simply de-value the vehicle. I attached a link of an E30 M3 with a S52 swap and you can see how the value is significantly lower than a stock m3.

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...1#.U65O1vldW6U
https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/1991-e30-...-m3-motor-swap


https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/1988-m3-1

Just some food for thought.

David

[Danaldson]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

while it seems like money is no obstacle here, why not instead of restoring a regular e30 with a lip kit..... ditch this one and hold out for a nice e30 m3?

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

while it seems like money is no obstacle here, why not instead of restoring a regular e30 with a lip kit..... ditch this one and hold out for a nice e30 m3?

Because I don't want to spend 30-40k. I'd rather spend 2k cleaning up the rust in one spot and being happy.

Going off what David said... Maybe it's best to leave the motor (maybe do a cam?), and just clean up the exterior and track down some new front seats.

[CGDoig]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

You're seriously going to end up putting that into restoring this one in the end. It'll end up being a 30 thousand dollar e30 worth 10.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I'm not letting it get that high. I put a few grand aside for it, like I said, just gonna clean up the rocker panel rust.

[eddycooper]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I'm not letting it get that high. I put a few grand aside for it, like I said, just gonna clean up the rocker panel rust.

Whatever you do, it's your car and you get to make the decisions. This is a car hobby, and it's far from rational. If you like your car and it makes you happy, then get the work done knowing that it's been done right. You clearly want to drive your E30 a lot. Leave the pristine examples for the guys who just want to leave it in the garage until the weather is perfect.

I'm in the process of spending a bunch to get rust fixed on my E34. I have 4 new doors, 2 new fenders, and new weather stripping and trim for them. I'm worried I might need the rockers as well, like you. My investment will pay off by me keeping the car forever and enjoying it.

[jacktown]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Ima just leave this here:

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?f...1D=18&1574_0=1

[dave335]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

A lot of those vehicles have been sold I believe. I think only 1 E30 M3 remains. They go quick.

Forgot to mention that if you are looking to get more power from the M20, one of the best builders is Metric Mechanic. They are very expensive as to get 205HP, the stroker engine is listed at $6,995 plus shipping but if you talk to any BMW CCA race guys, the engines are very durable and keep their value.

It is just like Dinan. Everyone complains about cost but the amount of R&D that goes into the various modifications is eye dropping. It takes years to get a good software tune that they are comfortable with. I asked Steve last year whether he had a lot of warranty claims and he is said that overall, you do have some but he stands behind his products as the only vendor that will match BMW warranty. It is just unfortunate that they have not kept a lot of the E30 stuff available.

David

[P Arkus]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

We all know that putting money into cars is a waste of money for the most part. You now own a car that has the potential to be an investment. This is the part where you have 2 choices. You can treat it as an investment, where I would advise you to keep the car clean and as stock as possible. You may break even or even make some money in the future. Or you can treat it like a car you want to drive and dump money into. Most likely you will lose money, but you can do whatever you want with it.

I've had NUMEROUS people tell me not to mod/swap my E30 because it will ruin it. I don't care. I purchased the car so I can enjoy it, not as an investment. What I paid for the car I consider lost already. I will make it up in the value of my happiness it provides and plan to drive the **** out of it.

Make the choice deep down of WHY you bought the car, and then decide what you wanna do with it.