BMW E30 325i Touring
Discussion
Ok, I've had this car a LONG time now. It's probably a bit much of a shed for this forum - but I'm fond of it!
It was my daily driver for a fair few years up to about 9 years ago. I then stuck it in a garage for about 5 years - I've always looked after it - obsessively waxoyled it (it's the only one I've seen with no rust). I then recommissioned it 5 years ago thinking i'd use it in the summer - new hoses, radiator, petrol tank etc - but only really did a few hundred miles a year... It's in really good condition, but somehow I'd always choose the newer touring for all the long journeys... Anyone who thinks it's easy to use a 24 year old car regularly in the muddy, mucky lanes of rural England clearly is made of sterner stuff than me - and I'd have though the old bus would die in about 6 months... Anyway, this year, i'm determined to drive it more, so have just sent it off to have another refresh.
It is still running the original M20 2.5 engine. It has already Bilsteins, Eibachs, 6 Branch manifold, custom SS system, and i'm getting the following done at the moment:
Rebush generally to sharpen up
Cam and inlet valve
Larger Air Flow Meter
Short shift kit
I'd welcome any other suggestions...
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/AvSkztGw[/url][url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/03pUuZwZ[/url]
It was my daily driver for a fair few years up to about 9 years ago. I then stuck it in a garage for about 5 years - I've always looked after it - obsessively waxoyled it (it's the only one I've seen with no rust). I then recommissioned it 5 years ago thinking i'd use it in the summer - new hoses, radiator, petrol tank etc - but only really did a few hundred miles a year... It's in really good condition, but somehow I'd always choose the newer touring for all the long journeys... Anyone who thinks it's easy to use a 24 year old car regularly in the muddy, mucky lanes of rural England clearly is made of sterner stuff than me - and I'd have though the old bus would die in about 6 months... Anyway, this year, i'm determined to drive it more, so have just sent it off to have another refresh.
It is still running the original M20 2.5 engine. It has already Bilsteins, Eibachs, 6 Branch manifold, custom SS system, and i'm getting the following done at the moment:
Rebush generally to sharpen up
Cam and inlet valve
Larger Air Flow Meter
Short shift kit
I'd welcome any other suggestions...
[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/AvSkztGw[/url][url]|http://thumbsnap.com/03pUuZwZ[/url]0a said:
What a lovely little BMW - great looks, straight 6, and rwd! Getting rare now.
It is surprising how E30s have all but disappeared from the roads! They are absolutely in sub £500 shed territory at the moment... i suspect they will always be there - except for e30 M3s of course, Aloinas and 325i Sports. It is amazing how M3 prices have rocketed. I had an E30 M3 - sold it in great condition for about £8k about 13 years ago - same car now would be £20k ish
0a said:
billywhizzzzzz said:
It is surprising how E30s have all but disappeared from the roads! They are absolutely in sub £500 shed territory at the moment... i suspect they will always be there - except for e30 M3s of course, Aloinas and 325i Sports. It is amazing how M3 prices have rocketed. I had an E30 M3 - sold it in great condition for about £8k about 13 years ago - same car now would be £20k ish
I think honest 6 cylinder cars are on the up. In my view the 325 is a classic and brilliant combination, the lowish and declining number of estates mean honest examples are going up in value. Look at what has happened to e30 sports recently. E30 m3 prices are mental, I have no interest in these cars at their current level unfortunately
e30s are an absolute bargain at the moment - i'd probably get about £2k for mine, tops, which is why I've never sold it! I doubt they will ever be mega money though - by comparison, however nice they are, e21s are still rock bottom and e24 635s don't go for much...
Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Sunday 26th January 20:53
Thanks for all nice comments! It's still being sorted - turns out that a poor quality head repair I had done 12 years ago had damaged the cam and exhaust valves - so I needed a new head casting, and it's now being completely rebuilt. The bottom end was fine - bore honings still visible - but the top end is being completely rebuilt. Really itching to get it back now and try it out with the new 272 cam, inlet valves etc. It already has a chip upgrade, and a custom 6 branch and stainless system. I'm having an 3.73 LSD fitted too, and a shifter from a Z3M (sorry may have said all that in my first post). Will report back when I get it back, but it the meantime, the roads are a little more suited to the 2003 2.7t (V6 twin turbo) Audi Allroad I picked up today for the other half. Here's a couple more old pics...
So, here it is, back from a £5k freshen up...
Head rebuilt with new casting, 272 cam, bigger valves
New discs and green stuff pads with braided hoses
3.73 Limited slip diff
Rebushed throughout
Short Shift Kit
Plus a few other bits and pieces - a LONG invoice over 2 sheets of A4.
It already has a chip, Bilsteins, Eibach springs, Air filter, Stainless 6 branch plus full custom system.
Completely standard outside and in.
Should be sitting at my desk, but slunk off for a quick blast as the weather is so good, and god it's lovely! It's so tight, rorty and nimble. So much fun.
So strange that it has gone from being my shed for well over a decade while other far more exotic things came and went, and now it's my treasured high day and holidays car...
Definitely a keeper now.
Head rebuilt with new casting, 272 cam, bigger valves
New discs and green stuff pads with braided hoses
3.73 Limited slip diff
Rebushed throughout
Short Shift Kit
Plus a few other bits and pieces - a LONG invoice over 2 sheets of A4.
It already has a chip, Bilsteins, Eibach springs, Air filter, Stainless 6 branch plus full custom system.
Completely standard outside and in.
Should be sitting at my desk, but slunk off for a quick blast as the weather is so good, and god it's lovely! It's so tight, rorty and nimble. So much fun.
So strange that it has gone from being my shed for well over a decade while other far more exotic things came and went, and now it's my treasured high day and holidays car...
Definitely a keeper now.
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