Author Topic: Spec's E30 (Read 12560 times)

Spec 2 · « **on:** November 02, 2007, 03:31:40 PM »

I'll be keeping this thread updated as time goes along.
***Updated pics at bottom***

It's been a long venture with this E30. I picked it up in 2005 as a new daily driver with only 85,6xx miles on it, mint condition, 100% stock from the 1st owner. I planned on selling it as soon as I worked a few things out but ended up loving it. I crashed this car in December, 2005 and have slowly rebuilt the entire thing by myself - a major feet for me. This car has been my first BMW, pushing me to buy an E39 next. I recently opted *not* to sell my E30 for an E39, and instead buy the E39 in another year or so and throw some cash into the E30 to make it nice.

I have a number of things in the mail now, so I wanted to take a few pics of the 'before' status. Here they are for now, including a couple older pics as time has progressed.

Give me your opionions, thoughts, and whatev - keeping in mind this car is under construction.

*Updated List*
Parts installed:
M-technic front bumper
Taurus skirts
Smoked Euro smiley elipsoids
55w 550k Apexcone HID
Euro Grilles
Magnaflow muffler
Koni Adjustable shocks
Vogtland Springs
M3 Control Arms
M3 Bushings
Cross-drilled rotors
High performance brake pads
17"x7.5" Kopi Alpina rims
Full 3M 12% tint
Debadged
Full-red tails
Black vinyl Door panels
Dual 12" JBL 1000w subs
1000w Kenwood Monoblock amp
Sony Deck w/ aux
Pair of 5.25" Bazooka speakers in front
Pair of 5.25" Infinity speakers in rear
iPod connection
Sound insulation
Full OEM pulleys/belts
Fluids for full system flush

Parts currently in the works:

S52 Engine drop
Body Work
Full repaint
Rear Mtech skirt
Mtech 2 spoiler
Custom Grille

Early 2007:

Mid 2006:

And here's my bike for good measure

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2007, 03:44:10 PM »

woot Portland Oregon! Welcome to the Club! I live in Hillsboro/Beaverton! Tell me how those springs turn out i almost bought them today.

n2motorsports · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2007, 04:32:47 PM »

i thought vogtland's would have dropped it a lot more

did you buy the springs for the m42 or m20? What size wheel and tires is that in the picture?

jpod999 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2007, 12:20:55 AM »

Quote from: n2motorsports;37065

i thought vogtland's would have dropped it a lot more

did you buy the springs for the m42 or m20? What size wheel and tires is that in the picture?

Those parts are in the mail...

Welcome to M42club.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2007, 05:29:01 PM »

Welcome to the club! I'll soon have taurus skirts like yours, they look good. I'm just too lazy to finish all of the sanding... looks like the passenger one is falling off a bit, though

Spec 2 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2007, 02:13:22 PM »

Quote from: EN318isPDX;37064

woot Portland Oregon! Welcome to the Club! I live in Hillsboro/Beaverton! Tell me how those springs turn out i almost bought them today.

I will. I ordered the full VOgtland kit from Purems.com . They include the Vogtland springs and adjustable Koni's. I'll be updating with pics here once they're installed. I'm also down for meeting other locals so let me know

Quote from: n2motorsports;37065

i thought vogtland's would have dropped it a lot more

did you buy the springs for the m42 or m20? What size wheel and tires is that in the picture?

Current pics include stock springs. Vogtlands are in the mail....
I have 16"s on the car currently. I really like the size but am going for a bit more of a "stuffed" look with 17's. I'm not sure as to the width... Been a couple years since I put these on. I'll check.

Quote from: gearheadE30;37098

Welcome to the club! I'll soon have taurus skirts like yours, they look good. I'm just too lazy to finish all of the sanding... looks like the passenger one is falling off a bit, though

Thanks! I really like the Taurus skirts. They flow with the body lines I'm trying to create very well. I think once everything is complete they will be perfect. Yea that passenger side front needs to be screwed into the fender well. Just haven't messed with it yet.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2007, 04:58:32 PM »

Right on bro! My name is Ian and I work in Hillsboro! im 21 years of age and have owned E30's for going on 5 years now. Let me know when you can show me your little rig ive wanted to see those skirts up close!

jpod999 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2007, 06:54:46 PM »

Why does your grill look different to me?

Spec 2 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:10:18 PM »

/\ it was missing a headlight? And the aftermarket fender, soon to be replaced with OEM, is slightly ill fitting.

Updates for what's happened through November:

Found a steal for an amp and box on Craigslist, so I pulled out the subs I had and started putting things together. I'm a big music guy, and this E30 seems to have somewhat poorly designed audio composure - in terms of location and size. I'll be fabricating some 6x9's into the rear and tweeters up front eventually, but until then, I needed some bass to go with the Bazooka 5&1/4"s around (looking at replacing with Focal).

Had some JBL GT4 12"s with a gooooood size magnet beneath

Not optimal box but it works for the time being. I'm matching these up to a Kenwood 1000w Monoblock amp.

Went and pulled the rear seats, and noticed the ski pass was only spot welded on there. After unsuccessfully trying to kick it out from the trunk, I hammered right through from the rear seats. Placed the subs behind the seat - might get a sawzall and drill a couple holes. I thinned the padding where the skipass is on the rear of the seats so there was less for the sound to travel through.

Turned around and took a photo of my interior - sorry for the dusty dash! My interior is actually in great condition. I've got some black vinyl door panels on the way to match with the tan handles to make a nice two-tone interior (replacing seats in future?)

Spec 2 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:11:10 PM »

Headlights and Euro grilles came in all the way from Germany! Installed them during my lunch break. I think they look pretty good. Going from stock sealed beams to Elipsoids. They're smoked, with 'smiley' and crosshair options.

Still have the H1 halogen bulbs in for now as the HID kit hasn't arrived yet. Here are a couple pictures showing contrast and one once completed:

Spec 2 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:12:08 PM »

More updates! Tonight's project: All red tails.

I started with these amber turn signals which I wasn't really a fan of. If you've watched the buildup of my machines, you'll have seen I'm a fan of character through simplicity. The amber signals were one too many colors. I bought some Duplicolor Metalcast paint and pulled out the tails. I sanded down the amber and taped off what I didn't want sprayed. I ended up applying 2 light coats of red followed by one medium coat. Once dried, I applied to coats of clearcoat to the portion just painted to give it a gloss like the rest of the taillight. Finally, I removed the tape and sprayed the entire light with two coats of enamel to match everything together and protect it down the road.

Victory! Turned out great! Would have thought I'd have paid $350 for a new set. Total cost to me: $7! I didn't have room in the garage so outside she went with plastic bags to protect it overnight from the elements.

Spec 2 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:12:47 PM »

Updated front & back photos

Also look at the new suspension bits! Adjustable Koni's and Vogtlands. Mmm mmm good!

jpod999 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2007, 06:06:21 PM »

Quite a bit of work you've done there. Smileys look awesome. I see what you mean about the ill fitting fender.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2007, 09:25:18 PM »

wow, nice work. Those smoked smileys look great!

Spec 2 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2008, 02:20:25 PM »

Today is a bit more of an update, though pictures aren't provided for everything. I've got my winter steelies on right now, so all of the cool brake goodies can't be seen, and the drop looks ghetto without rims but... meh. Consider it a temporary teaser. Car is also VERY dirty.

Parts added since last update:
Koni adjustable shocks
Vogtland Springs
M3 Control Arms
M3 Bushings
Cross-drilled rotors
New brake pads
New brake sensors
New emergency brake pins/backing plate
Full flush of every fluid in the car
Replaced every belt
Infiniti rear speakers
Two-tone door panels

On to the pictures. I replaced the tan cloth door panels with black vinyl ones, and switched out the handles to create a bit of a two-tone environment in the cabin.

Koni adjustables, Vogtland springs, M3 control arms, M3 bushings complete the new suspension setup (sorry for the 14" steelies):

Began fiberglassing the Mtech 2 valence onto the front bumper to create a 1 peice setup.

Oooo... 17" Kopi Alpina rims... waiting for my baby

Removed the two rear Bazooka speakers and replaced them with a better quality Infiniti set

That's the teaser for now...