E30 project car for son and I to work on together

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

My son gets his license next month (he'll be 17 in June). He's smitten with BMW's (my second car was an E21). Today we found an 89 E30 - 125K miles, new AT 30K miles ago. Looks like some minor body work, but engine is very clean and interior is in amazing condition for a 19 year old car.

So we went in 50:50 on the car so he has some skin in the game. And tomorrow we'll get her up on jack stands so he can learn about safety checks, replacing brakes, plugs, oil, etc. We have Wayne's 101 3 Series book (Xmas present) and are looking forward to 1st making it safe; and then some tasteful mods. The local BMWCCA has a great car control course, that will be next on our agenda.

While he is cleaning it up, I'll be in the next bay starting the 60K service on my 993.

How cool is this!

Nostril Cheese · 03-10-2007, 07:05 PM

first project.. 5 speed swap. MUCH more fun

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I figure it is a 2 year car. Then with more experience and a couple of track sessions under his belt, we'll be in the market for one with a 5 speed... Maybe Spec E30?

jim72911t · 03-10-2007, 08:05 PM

Congrats to you and your son, Don! E30's are great cars; fun, great handling, reliable, easy to work on, etc. You are doing your son a HUGE service by putting him through the CCA car control course, as well.

Have fun, I know I've enjoyed mine.

Jim

VincentVega · 03-10-2007, 09:43 PM

Next step 5 speed conversion and suspension mods for spec e30

Have fun

cantdrv55 · 03-10-2007, 11:02 PM

E30s are cool. I wanted to get one for my son but couldn't find one in decent shape in our price range. I was looking for a '91 318i or 325es for the airbag.

Jims5543 · 03-11-2007, 06:17 AM

My favorite body style.

A couple of nights ago I was picking up my son up late from a field trip. I drove the 911, there is another dad there with a 82SC but that is another story.

There is a beautiful E30 M3 in red parked out front and just then one of the dads pulls in in a brand new M5. I kept my mouth shut because I thought the M3 was much better looking and had my attention more than the M5.

But then again I have a soft spot for older cars.

Good pick on a 1st car for your son and really cool that he is invested in it. I would continue the investing right through all the repairs/safety/upgrades so he appreciates how much goes into making a car 100%.

m325ix · 03-11-2007, 10:04 AM

join www.r3vlimited.com and http://www.e30tech.com/forum/

lot's of usefull info there

I have 5 speed tranny for sale

E30s are awesome !

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

don check the AX/track board for a Sears roll call this fridee.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

what, no pics?!?!?

fastpat · 03-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Plumley
My son gets his license next month (he'll be 17 in June). He's smitten with BMW's (my second car was an E21). Today we found an 89 E30 - 125K miles, new AT 30K miles ago. Looks like some minor body work, but engine is very clean and interior is in amazing condition for a 19 year old car.

So we went in 50:50 on the car so he has some skin in the game. And tomorrow we'll get her up on jack stands so he can learn about safety checks, replacing brakes, plugs, oil, etc. We have Wayne's 101 3 Series book (Xmas present) and are looking forward to 1st making it safe; and then some tasteful mods. The local BMWCCA has a great car control course, that will be next on our agenda.

While he is cleaning it up, I'll be in the next bay starting the 60K service on my 993.

How cool is this!

I'm assuming that it's a 325i coupe? Except for the timing belt, and a couple of other more minor issues, the M20 engine is rock solid.

I'm still toying with the notion of rebuilding mine into a NA 3.0 liter torque monster, but for now I'm just enjoying the driving, particularly since top down weather is almost here.

I do have a set of H&R lowering springs and Bilstein sports sitting in the den, awaiting installation. Maybe this year.

Moses · 03-11-2007, 07:03 PM

Great choice, Don.

Do you have any info on the BMWCCA course?

fastpat · 03-11-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses
Great choice, Don.

Do you have any info on the BMWCCA course?

In the SF Bay area, the Golden Gate chapter of BMWCCA is the largest in the nation, well over 4000 members I last heard. I don't get their monthly newsletter any longer, more of a magazine in its' own right, but it had all that info in it. The chapter is very active in DE and track events.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

www.bimmerforums.com

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Spent the morning scrubbing and showing the boy the finer points of a shop vac and Lexol. I pulled the rear interior out to clean the seats up. The inside of the car looks like new:

If you look carefully, you can see the hood of my 993 open in the background - that's pretty much as far as I got...

And here's the proud co-owner:

Gotta figure out the 4x4 ride height.

After the cleaning, put it upon jackstands for a safety check. Looks like front pads and an oil change out of the gate - I'm waiting for records to see about the last big service. Only one worrisome problem (so far), after filling it up with gas, it leaks a fair amount of gas after a right hand turn. I'm tracking that down on bimmerforums and have ordered a Bentley from Pelican.

Fun!

fastpat · 03-11-2007, 08:33 PM

That's a really clean interior, Don. Mine's still so bad, I'm too embarassed to take a picture of it.

It looks like a 325iS, is it?

MotoSook · 03-11-2007, 09:03 PM

Nice choice, Don (and son)! I just picked up another E30 Saturday. And funny enough my father came over today and asked me to find HIM an E30 with an automatic. He's to old to want to deal with a stick I guess.

The E30 can be a lot of fun, with less impact on the wallet. I'm a Porsche parts junkie, so I had to find another brand/vehicle to get my jones off of when buying parts. There's a nice size E30 used and aftermarket parts market. Not as big as it is for 911's, but the E30 parts are about 1/3 of Porsche parts....sometimes.

Check out E30tech.com and R3Vlimted.com in addition to the links posted above.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Pat, it's a 325i, not an S. My '80 E21 was an S - recaro seats, bbs wheels. I also had a member's only jacket at the time too - ha!

Souk - you are right about parts. Four Pagid front pads for $39! Oil filter $6.00.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

damn, that's the car i should have bought after my accident. Hmm....

fastpat · 03-12-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Pat, it's a 325i, not an S. My '80 E21 was an S - recaro seats, bbs wheels. I also had a member's only jacket at the time too - ha!

Souk - you are right about parts. Four Pagid front pads for $39! Oil filter $6.00.

Gotche. Looks like the PO added the S rear spoiler, bumpers, and front valence. BMW made running changes, so at least the front valence cold be stock.

That's a sharp car, your son better look out for females looking for "rides".