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Thread: 1 Year to completion - 1988 325iS

  1. 10-19-2010, 04:22 PM #1
    DinanM3atl
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    Default 1 Year to completion - 1988 325iS

    After 2 different E36 builds over the course of almost a decade of BMW ownership I lucked into an E30. Luck struck twice since my first E30 was stupid cheap(free) but I simply wasn't in the place to 'build' a car. Well this time when I found a 2 owner California car I jumped on it. So... onto the E30 action!

    *Warning* Bunch of build photos in thread. If you want to fast forward the pics from today in a 'done' state are at the end. There are some fun pictures and commentary along the way and I put a lot of time/work into the build so far so if you have the time... enjoy the read/photos.



    Seller Photos:




    1988 325iS. 145,000 miles. Clean. Low Miles. I had to have it. Off to Mississippi in the vert(now gone). Quick day trip and we brought here home... The plan was a 24v swap and basic shocks/springs, plastic bumpers and some euro goodies. I started stockpiling parts to get this thing up to speed:


    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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  2. 10-19-2010, 04:22 PM #2
    DinanM3atl
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    Decided that it would be good to prep for audio install and get those parts:





    Fun parts started to arrive and I picked up a local deal that was unplanned(this is where the budget was adjusted and dumb stuff started happening). I realized the IE3 and Bilstein Sport just wasn't going to work for me. Handled/felt great but the front just wasn't at the proper height. Needed more spring rate as well...





    And the motor came out... and more parts...


    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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  3. 10-19-2010, 04:24 PM #3
    DinanM3atl
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    Local 24v swap heros from here on the forums really helped with the actual swap. With work and my limited garage space and horrible driveway they knocked out the physical swap... progress photos...





    Enjoy the time lapse...



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9iA8uyxMyk



    And she runs... and drives... And what would be the BEST thing to do? Drive her home and rip the whole thing apart right? Totally... best idea ever. So we did work. Also all trim was removed for cleaning... 48 hour this thing must get back together:






    It all got back together. And all was well. Except I sold my suspension so it sits and waits. More things get cleaned. Awaiting the new suspension. Did some minor upgrades:







    Since the car was down waiting on suspension I dove into the Audio:



    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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  4. 10-19-2010, 04:24 PM #4
    DinanM3atl
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    Cleaned/Painted to make it look nice!







    And we have goodies!







    And we start the install...







    Final cleaning...



    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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  5. 10-19-2010, 04:25 PM #5
    DinanM3atl
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    So it is together and 'finished' so I took it on a break in run...


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86CaamuNlQ



    But she really isn't finished yet... MORE goodies and the final touch:







    And there you have it. Finished. It runs great. It drives great. It stops great. It slides great. It is just so much damn fun. The final touches are still in the works. A couple more things to make it a little more different and a little personal input. Also the real kicker will come when a supercharger kit deal pops up... :shifty


    For now... enjoy! I know I am! Before someone says anything. The front is down a LITTLE bit from the first set of photos. 2nd set shows current height. Total mileage is ~200 miles. Waiting for them to settle. Then they will come down just a little more.


    Basic Rundown:

    1988 325iS
    OBD1 M52 - TRM 93 Octane Tune
    ZF320 Trans
    UUC flywheel/segmented Kevlar Clutch
    Cardinal Interior Swap
    Ground Control(550/750) w/ Koni Race Inserts/Shocks
    Rota Slipstream 16x8 et20 w/ 225.45.16 KDW2
    UUC Big Brake Kit



























    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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  6. 10-19-2010, 04:55 PM #6
    msanch24
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    holy damn that thing is precious.
    CD5 Accord
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  7. 10-19-2010, 04:57 PM #7
    -EnVus-
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    looks good
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  8. 10-19-2010, 05:04 PM #8
    2turbo4u
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    looks great, i just love the interior the most
    zoom-zoom-zoom
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  9. 10-19-2010, 05:12 PM #9
    dz332005
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    u are one sick man....that thing is dope great work!!!
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  10. 10-19-2010, 06:19 PM #10
    nreggie454
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    Very nice work. Looks like you have built an all-around fun car.
    UGA: Everybody is laughing at us this year.
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  11. 10-19-2010, 06:29 PM #11
    91LudeSiT
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    So much win!
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  12. 10-19-2010, 07:03 PM #12
    civic gsr
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    this is a sick 325
    (((((No more 4 door))))))
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  13. 10-19-2010, 07:07 PM #13
    mistergou
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    looks great!!!!
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  14. 10-19-2010, 07:49 PM #14
    Josh...
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    My favorite E30 on here by far.
    Quote Originally Posted by xtquickgt00 View Post
    my car is an automatic my overdrive button wasnt working during the dyno i fixed it afterwards. i live out towards cartersville and me and ted were messig around the hole way to powder springs so he converter was hot also... after i dynoed it i puyt it back to stock and it felt stronger and my wheels bent on the pass. side hell fr what it was ying on th dyno ican still manage to get a 14.00 in the 1/4
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  15. 10-19-2010, 08:01 PM #15
    K24cb7coupe
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    damn nice
    About to approach beast mode
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  16. 10-19-2010, 08:12 PM #16
    blown_ss
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    i cheated and went to the end. hands down one of the cleanest e30s.
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  17. 10-19-2010, 08:46 PM #17
    skate4life
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    the cleanest e3s ever 100% win
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  18. 10-20-2010, 04:59 AM #18
    1989_crx_si
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    WOW!
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  19. 10-20-2010, 11:12 AM #19
    RUFFIAN
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2turbo4u View Post
    looks great, i just love the interior the most
    X2
    N/A>>><<<BOOST
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  20. 10-20-2010, 12:45 PM #20
    Genji-Sama
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    Hot dayum, you just made me a fan of E30s, that is gorgeous
    BUILT NOT BOUGHT .........
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  21. 10-20-2010, 09:48 PM #21
    96civexguy
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    damn dude.. thats sexy.. love the interior
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  22. 10-20-2010, 10:19 PM #22
    Dev
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    your a real car enthusiast! looks damn good!
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  23. 10-20-2010, 10:48 PM #23
    thesammy
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    Pretty awesome. Lots of time and money to a worthy cause
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  24. 03-21-2011, 12:18 AM #24
    DinanM3atl
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    Forgot to even follow up with thread. Thank you to all the positive comments. Was a really fun car! I actually sold it to someone in Chicago and picked up a 1997 M3 4 Door. Playing with it now.

    Looking to do another E30 but want to do an 86 325eS. Finally found a candidate I believe.
    1997 M3/4/5
    2004 X4 4.4i
    1987 325iS 24V 6speed

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