1990 325i Sport Restoration

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks guys.


Shakeel - I will pm you. No I didn't put that M3 rear bench in, and its long sold. I was thinking of getting full M3 leather door cards for mine, not sure I want to make it too unoriginal though.

Ollie - Haha, I like the head unit as it gives such a good sound and has a lot of features.

Theo - Thats nuts, I didn't think even BMW would charge that.

[Royalratch]

Get the same Head Unit in black then - change it and the interior will be spot on.

[Jones]

Been doing some more work lately so thought i would let you see it.

The head went, so i have eneded up doing a rebuild.

The 'new' head is at a machinists getting pressure test (passed), skimmed, new valve guides, seals and valves, and i am fitting rockers and cam i removed from my sport (very minimal wear) so all in all should be very smooth.

I have also fitted a new water pump, cambelt, tensioner pully, numberous rubber hoses and cleaned out everything.

Hope to finish engine saturday.

The pannels are all brand new genuine BMW (bar wing, second hand), also got a scuttle but its not pictured.

Enjoy!!





















In primer:









Lots more to come!

Paul

havent finished reading this yet, quite enjoying the thread, i love tec 2 sport in dolphin grey. want one next year.

in the pic with the car in the air is that an M50 engine on a stand in the background??

cheers Jonesy

[bmwe30mtech]

Yes thats an M50 on a stand, nothing to do with me though.

Thanks

[Jones]

ow right just thought there might have been an m50 making its way in lol

Car looks amazing, very jelous as I have always wanted a dolphin grey m tec 2, every since I was about 12 lol

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks Jones

Just a small change. I have changed the wheels for some new BBS. Two are brand new, two were made in 2005, and all caps are nearly new, so they look pretty nice.

I have never had new wheels before and they seem to 'glide' better than any sets I have had before!

Also fitted Z3 re-inforcement plates to the M3 cab rear topmounts, and some chrome exhaust trims.

Next thing is to get the rear subframe bushes done again as they are knocking.

Plans for the summer include a full engine bay restoration, for which I am already collecting the parts, and the slam panel and engine bay stripped back and sprayed by a bodyshop.







Don't ask why the boots open, no reason! Sitting low as it's on a slope.

[dimebag_from_hell]

Anymore updates?

[Royalratch]

Nice.

I bought 4 x brand new 15" BBS from BMW about 10 years ago - they were £1000 with caps.

Not bad considering. It;s these or Alpinas for me - only wheels allowed on an E30.

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks for bringing this back up guys.

Not much has changed on the car during the last year, so no big update I'm afraid.

I have, however, fitted a pair of band new headlight wiper motors and a set of fairly new OEM headlights. I also sold on that console and handles and fitted original OEM black leather motorsport consoles and door handles/pockets. I also bought a new all-in-one illuminated gear knob and correct wiring loom.

Probably lots of other little things, like new number plates, but I can't remember them now.

It is my only car, but don't drive it that often as I catch a train every day, but it is frequently washed down top and underside and resides in a heated garage! It is kept well waxoyled behind door cards and boot carpet etc.

Just to add, the bodywork looks as good as the day Matt did it, excellent work Matt, the metal-work is a great advert for what you can do.

Cheers,

Paul

[winx]

Just spent a while reading this, some fantastic work there!

Quick question, is no1 or 3 the underseal you used the second time around?

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks, it was number 3 - excellent stuff.

[Simon13]

certainly is

[winx]

nla

[NIX]

Blimey mate! That's impressive!! Got to be one of the most complete and mint sports on the zone.

Well done!!! Am very jealous

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks NIX, not seen you on here in a while, but then again I don't get on here much either! Hope all's well. It's probably one of the most specced up Sports out there, and up among the best ones, but I know of a couple in better condition, Barry's and Kieren's spring to mind as being better examples.

Cheers

[NIX]

Hi mate!

I've been around but had the car off the road for a long time but am now back with it looking a little different than before... some pics up in the photos section Quite satisfied but would really love the underneath and interior to look like yours

[Gun]

It gives me a great buzz to see what you have done with this car Paul and I still miss it after all this time. Well done and I'm chuffed it's being looked after so well.

[svenga]

Loving this!

I hope after some small work and lots of detailing and OEM mine can be just as clean

Kudos to you! this is how a sport should be!

[bmwe30mtech]

Good to hear from you Jeff, thanks, it's come a long way from when I bought it nearly four years ago now. If your ever in the area give me a shout before hand, your welcome to see it again.

Thanks svenga

I just went on a bit of a road trip to Wales with some mates (got back today) in the Sport, covering about 600 miles and it ran perfectly.

I drove up into the black mountains and through Brecon Beacons National Park, where there are some fantastic roads. I took a quick picture.



We then drove down to Cardif for a couple of days, and then Bristol, before returning to Kent.

Paul

[csl]

Looks well in that picture Paul ,as it always does.

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks Ash

I haven't done a huge ammount to the car in the last year or so (just maintenance really) because I have a plan to fully restore it one day, totally blank canvas job, but it will be a couple of years away I think, and certainly doesn't need it. I can't see me ever parting with it though.

On another note, I have owned three other E30's alongside this one, that I haven't mentioned; a 1988 Pre-Facelift 320i Convertible, a 1990 320i SE 2-door and a 1990 325i SE 4-door.

[bmwe30mtech]

After years of loving ownership I have decided to sell my 325i Sport. I have written an advert in the for sale section, and will be uploading lots of detailed pictures tomorrow afternoon. I have done a lot to the car since last updating this thread, and it has many new parts.

Thanks guys,

Paul

[bss325i]

Made your mind up then!

[bmwe30mtech]

After a lot of hard thought yes, but it wasn't an easy decision! The economy of my E46 320d is brilliant though. I will always own my other E30 though, for the rest of my life

[bss325i]

After a lot of hard thought yes, but it wasn't an easy decision! The economy of my E46 320d is brilliant though. I will always own my other E30 though, for the rest of my life

Glad to hear that, its a nice one!

[anothere21323i]

After a lot of hard thought yes, but it wasn't an easy decision! The economy of my E46 320d is brilliant though. I will always own my other E30 though, for the rest of my life