E30 Zone

Hello everyone! I just thought that I'd stop by and introduce myself and my lucky lady to the community. My name is Jennifer, and I'm from Seattle, WA. I am the proud new owner of a 1991 318is 5sp (whom I've already dubbed Michaela). I am excited to learn and grow within the community!

This first post will stay as up to date as I can keep it about any mods I've done with her, and some of my favorite photos of her. The rest will serve as my normal build thread

I've got a LOT to learn about this car, and the platform as a whole, so at any point in time, if you have questions, comments, concerns, tips, tricks, etc., I'll gladly accept them! Otherwise, enjoy!!

Here's a few photos of the day I brought her home (4Aug15):

Hi Jennifer, welcome to the zone. That's a lovely looking car. What colour is it, I love it!

Welcome to the Zone

/edit images fixed

Love that colour! Welcome!

The colour is very different but I like it

engine bay pics ?

Welcome to the madhouse, nice colour

The colour a˜aa˜a

I've already been at it, making her my own.

That under dash panel is almost as hideous as the airbag steering wheel

DanThe wrote:That under dash panel is almost as hideous as the airbag steering wheel

which panel? what's wrong with it? lol (new owner, still learning nuances of the e30)

The panel that is above your knees when sitting in the driving seat. Airbag equipped cars use that bulbous monstrosity, while the one fitted to non airbag cars is shallower, and curves backwards from where it fits at the front, instead of forming a pelmet.

Spot the difference

DanThe wrote:Spot the difference

OH!! I do see the difference. Hmm... Now I'll be on the hunt for one of those. haha. Thanks!

Nice looking car.


Sport seats would really add to the look and they are A LOT more comfortable.


Who said Ze Germans have no sense of humour, comfort seats my arse!

bab-91 wrote:Nice looking car.


Sport seats would really add to the look and they are A LOT more comfortable.


Who said Ze Germans have no sense of humour, comfort seats my arse!

I'm actually in the process of trying to track down sport houndstooth seats, so.... yeah!

Ahh! The connoisseurs choice, I approve!


Depending on how much you're spending, retro fitting some heated seat elements wouldn't be a bad decision!


Best of luck!

bab-91 wrote:Ahh! The connoisseurs choice, I approve!


Depending on how much you're spending, retro fitting some heated seat elements wouldn't be a bad decision!


Best of luck!

Money has never been an object to me when it comes to my build. Those heated seat elements sounds like a LOVELY idea! It gets chilly here in the fall/winter, and heated seats are ahhhhmazing. I shall have to look into that!!

There should be a write up in the Zone wiki. Switches and electrical bitz/wizardly are still available from BMW or at least they were when I bought mine, two maybe three years ago. You will need a new handbrake console unless you want to just cut holes in your existing one.

To save money I'd opt for universal elements and then hand the seats to an upholsterer to fit the elements. It looks like a fiddly job!

bab-91 wrote:To save money I'd opt for universal elements and then hand the seats to an upholsterer to fit the elements. It looks like a fiddly job!

I was planning on handing over all my seats to an upholsterer anywho so I could get some fresh fabric on a good set of seats. What a great time to do the heated seat install too. haha.

Hi! Your pics have just proved that Americans really cannot do without cup-holders in their cars....!

Gert_8 wrote:Hi! Your pics have just proved that Americans really cannot do without cup-holders in their cars....!

..... I hate having them in my car.... I don't allow food or beverages in my cars. Those cup holders were something the previous owner put in, and that I will be tossing straight to the trash as soon as my new door cards come in (they're shipping tomorrow, so I'll have them next week some time).

Nice car,what is the color name?

bimanut wrote:Nice car,what is the color name?

I actually have no idea what the name is. It's not the factory color; the previous owner had her resprayed this color from a so-so quality paint shop chain here in the states, and that's the color he chose. He said he tried to get it as close to a factory color as he could, and that's the end result. Either way, I love the color

Would that be Kandy paints by any chance? There colors are amazing! Kandy brandy wine being my favourite

bimanut wrote:Would that be Kandy paints by any chance? There colors are amazing! Kandy brandy wine being my favourite

I don't think it's a kandy color, but it's very metallicy in the sunshine. I'm working on getting a few of my photog friends to do some good shots of her so she can really shine.

A friend of my roommate took these shots the other day, and I loved how they turned out. Yes, I already know that I need a new lower valance and some Euro fogs; I'm working on it

I've spent way too much time lately trying to track down a different front valence, and have, as a result, researched a bunch of different kinds. With the new knowledge in hand, I discovered that my current valence looks to be a Hartge valence. I don't know for 100% certain, but it sure looked like it to me. I'll know more when I take this one off to do a repair on it and give it fresh life. If it is a Hartge one, I am stoked and definitely will be keeping it

Here's a few more photos of my lil' lady

Hi Jennifer,
All moved in now?

Rav335uk wrote:Hi Jennifer,
All moved in now?

Lol, yes, I'm all moved into my new house, and I love it. I've got so much more room to work on my car; It's awesome.

So, thanks to a fellow forum-er (from a different forum), I have some lovely new interior pieces. Makes me blatantly aware that I need to do something with the seats... haha.

Fronts before::



Fronts after:: (yes, I know.. I'm still missing the window crank covers...)




Rears before::



Rears after::



I also discovered, by a purely accidental split second of my evening last night, that I have THIS::



All this time, I've been getting asked what front valence I have, and now I know that I've got a real Hartge front valence!! I was super excited last night.

I also have this::



I don't know what strut bar I have; can anybody shed some light? Sorry for a relatively low-quality photo; I was in the middle of a project yesterday. I could take some better photos of it this afternoon when I get home if need be. I'm just curious if it's a well-known one, or a custom-made one.

Good luck on the Hartge juorney.

The strut bar is made by BMP Designs.

So, my heart broke a little yesterday....

Someone backed into me while I was parked at work...






Fortunately for me, the damage isn't too terrible. SUPER fortunate for me, the guy who did it left his business card on my windshield, and is willing to work with me to get her all put back together.

I got a repair estimate done as soon as I discovered this and left my building. Can you believe that this relatively small amount of damage is going to cost close to $2,100 to fix completely? Sure glad it's not coming out of my pocket!!

I think it's time for me to do Euro bumpers and grills....