Tony's 325i Touring daily driver...

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:29 pm

Hi guys, just realised that I've never uploaded any pics of any of my E30s! Clearly that's got to change, so here is my 145k miler 325i Touring in Malachite green that I use to commute to work in evry day. It's pretty much standard other than the 16in Hartges. Spec is pretty basic, but it has got black sports leather plus a Tech 1 steering wheel. And it's very original too, right down to the Blaupunkt radio...

Plans include a total suspension rebuild to start next week with Eibach springs and ARBs, Bilstein B6 dampers, poly bushes all round (M3 eccentric wishbone bushes), new drop links and various other bits and pieces. In the long term, I want to drop an M52 2.8 in there, but here she is - this is a 'before' shot and I'll upload more once the suspension is done:

Enjoy!

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:42 pm

Clean, straight and with some nice detailing!

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:44 pm

Nice Rimz

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:50 pm

Thanks guys, glad you like

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:02 pm

Very nice colour. Good to see more E30's in our corner of the coteswolds too!

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:04 pm

Thanks, I have always liked Malachite and I do think it really suits a Touring. Speaking of which, I do see a white 325i Touring smoking around Cirencester quite regularly.

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:16 pm

Looking good Tony, a nice straight clean car with a nice history. Give me a shout when the re-build begins! Hopefully see you soon.

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:19 pm

Very nice,smart

Post Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:36 pm

Thanks guys! Paul, should see you next week some time

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:02 pm

Well day 1 of the suspension refurb is complete and I'll upload the pics when I can. I started at the rear of thecar and am pretty much finished, so onto the front tomorrow! Everything came apart very easily apart from the rear damper bottom bolt, which is NLA so I have to be very careful. I've put loads of penetrating oil into it so fingers crossed it soaks in over night. Once that's complete I'll start on the front. I've loosened everything that I can get to already, so fingers crossed! Pics to follow

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:34 pm

To those who don't know Tony or his previous cars - this will be unexpectadly epic! Your 320is spec and setup was one of the best I have come accross!

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:43 pm

Great colour, same as mine but ive beige leather.

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:52 pm

Malachite is my new fav colour on E30, love your car and Ciren is one of my fav places as my nan lives there lol many happy summers in the Abbey grounds lol

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:52 pm

Thanks Paul, that IS was rather cheeky, although you only saw it during work in progress! Looking forward to catching you at the weekend

Post Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:19 pm

Nobby_N wrote:Malachite is my new fav colour on E30, love your car and Ciren is one of my fav places as my nan lives there lol many happy summers in the Abbey grounds lol

Happy days = good memories

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:56 am

That looks a really nice car!

I dont think i could bring myself to fit an m52 in that but good luck with it fella.

Malachite is a lovely colour.

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:58 pm

Well 50% success so far with the suspension rebuild.... I started on the rear of the car and took my time. Everything came apart pretty easily and it wasn't surprising to see how knackered it all looked:

One of the drop links snapped in my hands! Don't know my own strength and all that...

So we now have new Bilsteins, Eibach springs and ARBs, E46 cab top mounts, new drop links, new bushes, spring pads and bump stops and lots of new nuts and bolts:

Another interesting point was the rear dampers - I'm wondering if they've ever been replaced as they are BMW/Boge stamped:

Passenger side complete:

It was all going too well and too easily..... I started the front and went to split the steering arm balljoint on the driver's side and guess what? Totally stripped to f*ck

So I've ordered a new pair of steering arms and balljoints which should be here soon!

Check it out now - you can see that it looks lower at the rear, but not too much:

Many thanks to Pacerpete and Meatballs 82 for all the help on parts

I'll update you all once I've finished the front - can't wait!!!

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:00 pm

csl wrote:That looks a really nice car! I dont think i could bring myself to fit an m52 in that but good luck with it fella. Malachite is a lovely colour.

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:01 pm

Sanchez wrote:Great colour, same as mine but ive beige leather.

Very

What suspension are you running with?

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:15 pm

Standard shocks and a 60-40 drop in that pic.

Since then ive put new mtech saloon(yes i know) springs on the back and bilstein b4's.

Front will be getting new Mtech front springs and b4's when i finish refurbing the spare set of struts, got my e60 tophats and 3mm front pads to go on.

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:18 pm

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:34 pm

Your springs are new so they will drop a little more over time.

Post Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:40 pm

Yes they'll take a little time to settle, I only did a quick run around the block to make sure all was well before that photo was taken. I'm sure they'll drop a little more soon!

Post Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:14 pm

Nice tourer, that colour really suits the e30. where abouts were the photos taken btw? looks like the military families quarters near me

Post Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:31 pm

Looking good mate!

Post Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:33 pm

smithysmith wrote:Nice tourer, that colour really suits the e30. where abouts were the photos taken btw? looks like the military families quarters near me

No, coincidence maybe? I live in Gloucestershire.

Post Thu May 10, 2012 8:49 pm

Well here's a little update - but I got so busy that I forgot to stop and take pics along the way as I was doing the front

Nice shiny new Bilstein B6 dampers, E46 cab rear top mounts, covers and front camber correction top mounts:

The business end:

New top mounts fitted:

It's fair to say that the front bump stops were past their best: