[Alex@Helix]

So after a while of wanting one, I finally did it. I bought myself an e30 which had enough stuff wrong with it to keep me busy, but nothing, hopefully, that will make me crazy and cost me loads of money. The paint is chipping, the interior is shot, the motor is ok, the roof had a bunch of tape over it and the car has more door dings then I have ever seen. All stuff I can correct on a low budget. So here is my step by step build. Ill update it frequently when I get more things done. I have a few things en route so it should be fun. Plans for the car are: motor servicing (she runs great so far but ill do a full service and tune up), get door dings out, lower (after the winter), new wheels and finally vinyl in matte grey.


Page 1- Step one- Interior


I figured because its the part of the car I need to interact with the most, it would be a good place to start. I never liked Tan interiors so that had to go. I used Dupli-color Vinyl and Fabric and painted the carpet, doors, rear panels, and the part that goes up and down for the convertible top. The interior was pretty grimy so I rented one of those super expensive carpet cleaners and went to work. The Dupli-color paint is amazing for this application. The doors dont feel like they were painted at all, still soft-ish (for vinyl) and look new. Carpet is a little bit different, not so soft to the touch, but its good enough.

I also ordered new leathers to re-upholster my seats so I can take those cheap seat covers off. Psyched to get those in and have the interior complete. SO here are before and afters.


Before:












AFTER

Carpets- I started running low on paint so I sprayed where the carpets would be seen. I will go over the parts like under the seat later in the future.




My e92

[e90fun]

good god thats one hell of a great job.

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[apc3libras]

Nice cars! I have been thinking about getting an E30 since it was the first BMW I loved when I was a kid. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[iBoost]

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[CPWINCH]

why not go for the M?

[rollinstone157]

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[whoosh]

Nice pick-up. I wish my seats were in as good condition as yours. Lol

Would appreciate info on your leather/covers that you have inbound. I'd like to keep my seats and just pit a nice cover on. I think Bav Auto has some options, but like everything else they sell, it's $$$.

Oh yeah, here's the obligatory "water pump and timing belt service" comment, just so it's out of the way.

[Hisam135i]

in

[silkye90]

Great Info Bro! I am working on a white 89' 325is myself.

The E30 was my first BMW and I became a beliver ever since.

[Alex@Helix]

Originally Posted by whoosh

Nice pick-up. I wish my seats were in as good condition as yours. Lol

Would appreciate info on your leather/covers that you have inbound. I'd like to keep my seats and just pit a nice cover on. I think Bav Auto has some options, but like everything else they sell, it's $$$.

Oh yeah, here's the obligatory "water pump and timing belt service" comment, just so it's out of the way.

The seats that i am picking up are from a place called creative options. Speak to Kevin and tell him I sent you. His email is: info at creativeoptions dot info

For both the fronts and rears, custom made are 650$ in vinyl and like 1100$ in leather. Im doing the vinyl.

Lol I already got a tune up kit with water pump and timing belt. I know its like number one on my motor service list.

[Alex@Helix]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

why not go for the M?

I didnt go for the M because its WAYYYYY to expensive for what I was looking for.

[1ForAll]

Alex, It's looking good. Think I am going to p/u an E36 instead.... Keep up the good work!!

[CJ421]

It keeps looking better, Alex ... interior looked really good when I was at the shop yesterday.
I bet you'll be tempted to drive this in the spring/summer instead of the E92 because you can put the top down. I know I would be.
Subscribed.

[E90 87ss]

Looks good, love older cars.

[amanuuh]

i really want

[kdbryce]

amazing... i've always wanted the e30 vert.. i wish they made an m3 vert

[Alex@Helix]

Well after its all fixed up I may be selling. Keep an eye out, Ill post it on here as well. There will a few hundred hours of labor into this thing by then so she will be a solid buy. Ill update with my next step.

Alex

[Alex@Helix]

Step Two: Motor Tune up and Valve Adjustment

So I bought a tune up kit on eBay for about 250$ which included a bunch of parts including: spark plugs, cap and rotor, timing belt, ac/ps/ alternator belts, thermostat, water pump, valve cover gasket, Air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, and new radiator hosing. I looked up a bunch of threads and DIY's and got to work. The whole process was great and gives you a great sense of accomplishment when you finish and everything works the way it should (well at least most of it ) I had problems bleeding the coolant system but after a bunch of bleeds through the top of the thermostat and going on a 2 hour drive all the air got out of the system and everythings working as it should. I even added a ziptie to the throttle cable to elevate the slack so now my throttle response is back on par. I need to lube or replace my throttle cable as its still a little hard to press the accelerator pedal and when I get in my e92 its a big adjustment. I keep flooring it thinking I have to push down on the pedal to get the thing going lol

First off, here is the picture that was mentioned earlier in this thread. I bought it from a black woman named Donita Williams and I guess she forgot the picture of her weirdo son in my sun visor.




I cleaned up the valve cover, Deleted the AC (as it didnt work and im in a vert so who needs it) and scratched off MOST of the coolant that had crusted on everything in the engine bay.










My finished Interior (minus new seat covers coming in about 2-3 weeks)
More on the radio I installed later.




UP NEXT: Cleaning the engine bay, Installing JOM coilovers, replacing headlights, replacing stereo, re-upholstering the seats (front and rear), Body prep and then color change ( <-- this one will be a good one!)

Step Three: Body Work
So, the body work has begun.. I have never played with body filler before but I think it came out OK. I know my technique was probably shit but in the end I think it will be just fine. There were a few door dings as well as a bunch of pitting on the hood and front bumper.The next step was vinyl. I use 3M scotchprint for all my wrap jobs because its what im used to. Today I did the hood, a front fender, a little bit of the front bumper and the trunk. The color im using is a matte dark grey. I like how its turning out.

[jonnylin1]

e30s <3

[bmerxix]

sub'd

i miss my e30

[edirtaynine]

sick!!!

[Cuba]

this is gonna look great. will need some nice rims though