So set off from Manchester for the drive down to have a look at it. After about an hour of looking around it, taking it for a pretty extensive test drive I knew it was for me. I know the paint work it shot (perhaps a machine polish may help?!?!?) and the interior needs attention, but driving it put a massive grin on my face. Anyway the deal was done and a couple of hours later it's back home.
Here is a brief spec from the advert, it was the e46 rack, z3 gear lever mech and M3 bushings that sold it to me, plus the recent service/cambelt, oh and the fact it was a Touring!
146600 Miles
M20 2.5ltr Engine
5 Speed manual gearbox
15" BBS Alloys with a set of Khumo's bought in November - all with lots of life and no uneven wear
Fully serviced in April, about 2000 miles ago, including cam belt
New windscreen for the MOT
Check control panel
Electric front windows
Electric Sunroof
Quick rack from an E46 (50% faster!)
M3 front wishbone bushes to increase castor
Lowered slightly all round
Z3 Short throw gear lever
Fog lights
Projector headlamps
Original luggage cover
Leather MTech steering wheel
Cloth sports interior
Rear headrests
The overall condition is very solid, the worst rust being on the rear valance. I've not had to touch this over winter as it hasn't got any worse. All the common spots like the body assembly mounts are okay as far as I can tell. The arches are sound with just a little chipped paint on the near side front arch - again this has not been getting any worse.
The drivers seat has suffered the usual damage over the years and is looking poor, a new centre cushion would fix this. The headliner has been recovered with a nice foam blacked cloth material. It’s really common for touring headliners to sag as the foam degrades ”“ this car should be good for another 25 years.
The car drives brilliantly, the slightly lowered springs, M3 bushes and fast rack combining to make the steering really precise, making the whole car very nimble.
This is going to be a slow build but I will try and keep this thread up to date.
C&C Welcome
(Pics are from the previous owner apart from the last couple of crappy iPhone pics, not had chance to get some proper pics of it. )
BMW E30 325i 003 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
BMW E30 325i 009 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
BMW E30 325i 010 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
BMW E30 325i 012 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
Sunday was the first good day I got to work on the car so we (me my bro and mum - she likes cleaning cars haha!) gave it a good clean inside, painted the exhaust tips black and revived the black plastics with a trim restorer.
IMG_1574 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
IMG_1575 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
IMG_1579 by Matt Cup, on Flickr
Oh and a pic my bro got back on the way home from the seller.
E30 Touring in motion by Matt Cup, on Flickr
Things to sort out first are :-
Replace Clutch Reservoir cap
Sort the tappets out
There is a blow on either the exhaust manifold or the downpipe which needs sorting.
Sort out interior namely the driver seat fabric replaced.
Generally tidy it up.
C&C welcome.
, it's just a vinyl wrap as apparently it had been poorly painted satin black underneath.
