I’m back… up to date advice needed please..

[Paul325i]

Hi all, after a short break of something like 15 years I’ve returned to E30 ownership and reactivated my zone login.

Having spent huge amounts of time on the zone as we built the original community back in the early 2000’s I then dropped out and moved on to work, kids, lots of other cars…

I’ve succumb to the urge and just bought a ‘91 facelift 25 cab, switchable in Mauritius blue and want to get some up to date info on what’s been learnt since I left!

What should be top of my list to get for it? The real must have mods or upgrades?

It’s completely stock at the moment and I want to keep it looking mostly that way, already has some of the key items, mtech 2 wheel, heated natural leather, new hood, just had cambelt and water pump.

Electric hood doesn’t work… horseshoe does.. where should I start?

Need a set of 15” bbs with centre caps… I see they have increased in price a little since the days of scrap yard looting them.

Where is best place to buy parts like rear ash tray, IS lip spoiler?

Suspension wise any preferred brands for a 25-40mm kit these days?

Thanks in advance and hopefully I’ve not posted in the wrong area.. remember that problem well!

[flybynite]

Welcome back,

In reality not a lot has changed stuff learned 20 years ago still valid, Bit more of a 'stanced' scene in places, but the price that originality fetches makes needless modifying a bit less popular on good original cars. IMHO on a 325 all you need is

Arms, brakes. bushes, belts etc etc all refreshed if needed
15" Style 5
Bilstein B12 kit (B8 + Eibach)
Eibach ARBs
Purple tag rack
Z3 shifter

Enjoy it

Cotswolds still do parts but sit down when you get the price for an IS lip

[martauto]

Hi Paul and welcome home mate
If you wish to keep the value then keep it stock, end of !!
But at the end of the day it`s YOUR car so do what the hell you like to it as long as you enjoy it
The wanted section is still here and so is E-Bay but be scared at some prices, be very scared !!
Just one point not mentioned is that Pics of cars are now mandatory !!!!
Would be great to see her and loads of them too lol.

Cheers Mart.

[Paul325i]

Welcome back,

In reality not a lot has changed stuff learned 20 years ago still valid, Bit more of a 'stanced' scene in places, but the price that originality fetches makes needless modifying a bit less popular on good original cars. IMHO on a 325 all you need is

Arms, brakes. bushes, belts etc etc all refreshed if needed
15" Style 5
Bilstein B12 kit (B8 + Eibach)
Eibach ARBs
Purple tag rack
Z3 shifter

Enjoy it

Cotswolds still do parts but sit down when you get the price for an IS lip

Thanks for the reply, agree on the BBS wheels, needs a set back on it asap.

I’m about to start trawling through to mechanically but so far just manifold gaskets (sheared stud) and icv hose vac leak. Rest of it appears mint.

Suspension is definitely the original so very soft dampers now, I’ll look at the Bilstein kit, want something like -30mm. And arbs.

Is the quicker rack an easy swap? I remember that just starting to be a thing but racks were a lot back then.

[Paul325i]

Hi Paul and welcome home mate
If you wish to keep the value then keep it stock, end of !!
But at the end of the day it`s YOUR car so do what the hell you like to it as long as you enjoy it
The wanted section is still here and so is E-Bay but be scared at some prices, be very scared !!
Just one point not mentioned is that Pics of cars are now mandatory !!!!
Would be great to see her and loads of them too lol.

Cheers Mart.

Thanks!

Yes I prefer the stock lock, classier. Not 19 years old anymore and sliding them round car parks!

Also not climbing on them stacked two high in scrap yards. I remember taking a full set of mint sport leathers out of an mtech 1, diff was already gone, it was crushed the following week. When the guy in the yard used to have a box of obc’s a pile of bbs wheels and the original head units were stacked in the corner.. if only I knew!

[fixedwheelnut]

Welcome back,

In reality not a lot has changed stuff learned 20 years ago still valid, Bit more of a 'stanced' scene in places, but the price that originality fetches makes needless modifying a bit less popular on good original cars. IMHO on a 325 all you need is

Arms, brakes. bushes, belts etc etc all refreshed if needed
15" Style 5
Bilstein B12 kit (B8 + Eibach)
Eibach ARBs
Purple tag rack
Z3 shifter

Enjoy it

Cotswolds still do parts but sit down when you get the price for an IS lip

Thanks for the reply, agree on the BBS wheels, needs a set back on it asap.

I’m about to start trawling through to mechanically but so far just manifold gaskets (sheared stud) and icv hose vac leak. Rest of it appears mint.

Suspension is definitely the original so very soft dampers now, I’ll look at the Bilstein kit, want something like -30mm. And arbs.

Is the quicker rack an easy swap? I remember that just starting to be a thing but racks were a lot back then.

Purple Tag rack is fairly easy but you will need some extra parts that @Danthe supplies on here, pressure hoses and a steering coupling

his FaceBook shop is here all good quality stuff. https://www.facebook.com/bmconversionsuk

[flybynite]

Is the quicker rack an easy swap? I remember that just starting to be a thing but racks were a lot back then.

They come up now and again, but make your life easy and get a set of pipes from DanThe on here