Conversion yes or no?

Post Tue May 07, 2013 5:23 pm

I've been toying with the idea of an m50/52 conversion for a while now. I have a low mileage (64k) IS which is in very near concourse condition (previous owner spent all his cash on polish not petrol) and also mechanically sound, new bushes etc.

Ideally I'd like to keep the IS and build up another car with the 24v but funds (wife) will not allow this.

So I have a budget of about 1200-1500 quid. Is this enough to build a decent conversion out of the IS. Or do I sell it and start over. Bearing in mind a decent 2 door is a rare find these days?

I don't really think the IS will ever be worth that much but could always return it to oem if prices suddenly went up but I very much doubt it.

Discuss

Post Tue May 07, 2013 5:29 pm

Use the iS if it's solid. There's nothing that's irreversible with an m5x conversion so if you can keep the standard engine it's easy to change back to standard.

£1500 will get you there if you do all the work yourself. I have probably spent £2.5k + but that included a few while I'm there upgrades and things like AKG mounts which bump the price up

Post Tue May 07, 2013 6:41 pm

2.5k? I'll probably wait a bit then and increase the budget. I don't want to do a half arsed effort, it wouldn't do the car justice. Maybe start picking up a few bits through eBay over the summer.

Post Tue May 07, 2013 6:44 pm

if its as god as you say, i would sell it and start again

Post Tue May 07, 2013 6:51 pm

smithysmith wrote:2.5k? I'll probably wait a bit then and increase the budget. I don't want to do a half arsed effort, it wouldn't do the car justice. Maybe start picking up a few bits through eBay over the summer.

Bear in mind that included things like paddle clutch, lightened flywheel, £200 mounts, Samco hoses etc etc. More than you would need for a normal road car anyway.

Post Tue May 07, 2013 7:24 pm

andyp wrote:if its as god as you say, i would sell it and start again

I'm certainly considering that option, I think realistically the car should fetch 3-3.5k but finding another one in the same nick to start the project could prove difficult. It would need to be another IS or 325 otherwise ill need to change the struts and sort rear discs too. But I would have about 5k to play with.

Post Tue May 07, 2013 7:27 pm

64k mint e30's are now like rocking horse shit. I can sell you a good m52b28 steel linered block but it would come with the advice to sell the iS and buy a project car using the funds from the iS to finance it.

Post Tue May 07, 2013 7:52 pm

The only thing that worries me is finding a decent two door to use and I reckon I could end up using a lot of the profits from selling the IS to get it up to the same standard, leaving myself with the same sort of budget I have now.