1990 Sterling - 333i Sport?

[JungleGus]

So, following on from my car history here: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=244934

the most recent acquisition is up and running!

FS Ad:



She was running reasonably well, but I wanted to make her as nice as possible, so off to Barry. After rebuilding a coupe of E30's, I simply don't have the time, space, tools, so it's been a real luxury having someone else do the work! And better than I would have, being honest...

List of parts replaced is pretty extensive, thanks Barry for ensuring I didn't have to lie underneath the car for weeks!

Newish Mtech springs, shocks and struts from the old car
Full new front control arms, track rods, E30 M3 bushes, drop links, new BMW standard exhaust (I LOVE this thing), BTB manifold (unfortunately it was advertised as having a BTB which turned out not to be true), BBTB (thanks Byron!), new WMS discs (the old front R had malformed and cracked coming off, ouch), new Toyo Proxes all round, Inspection II, bonnet foam, gearbox seals, guibo & CSB, gearshift knuckle, cambelt/waterpump, a wheel bearing, 25mm Master Cylinder and numerous new clips, etc.

Replaced the speakers and stereo, a few more things on the checklist but otherwise she's running well and loving her. Need to get the wheels straightened and then can start worrying about whether to 2.8/3L her or not...

I really love the blue leather!





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[lyricalnut02]

beautiful.

[steve_k]

Looks really good in that colour

Any idea what the paint code is?

[JungleGus]

I lie - it's Sterling Silver - that's embarrassing.

From a grainy pic of the paint sticker - 244/7

[kangman]

Looks lovely, didnt it once have HLWW??

[Speedtouch]

Looks great, but the rocker cover and inlet manifold could do with cleaning up a tad.

[lyricalnut02]

Looks lovely, didnt it once have HLWW??

yes it did kangman

[JungleGus]

It did indeed - removed and sold since they weren't working and the tubing was a bit of a mess.

Rocker cover and inlet manifold DEFINITELY need tidying...on the list with a bigger engine!

Although I love the idea of putting an S14 in...we can safely assume I can live without being fast (I did buy an E30) and I love the 4 cylinder balance. Not cheap though...

[SStuart]

that is one clean car.. good look!

[biggill]

Very nice

[Automaton]

I have ordered a set of black premium BMW speaker shells, just like in the picture above, is that how they are fixed? Sideways?

I thought they will be vertical with the smaller speaker closer to the rear screen and the bigger speaker towards the headrest.

[Gert_8]

That looks very tidy, indeed!

[SStuart]

are you planning on doing anything to it?

[csl]

I have ordered a set of black premium BMW speaker shells, just like in the picture above, is that how they are fixed? Sideways?

I thought they will be vertical with the smaller speaker closer to the rear screen and the bigger speaker towards the headrest.

Yes,this is how they are fixed. If your shelf hasn't been "beasted" you may be able to see the perforations that are the cut lines for them.

Nice Sport

[emdog16]

Wow she's a beaut!!!

[bss325i]

It certainly feels and drives how an E30 should compared to how it was.

Glad to see you've finally posted some pics Gus.

[Pud237]

Beautiful car - what make is that exhaust manifold? It looks like a real nice bit of kit.

[sweep]

is that howards old car?

[jimbom30cab]

Ajay's old sport

[Gert_8]

Ajay's old sport

I thought as much. It's a lovely car which he didn't keep for very long.

[jimbom30cab]

. It's a lovely car

It is now, looks like Barry has been a busy chappy

yer, i'd love to have that

[bss325i]

is that howards old car?

Ajay's old sport

It was Howards aka Howy T before Ajay's.

[sweep]

howard spent the money on this car then.

[bss325i]

howard spent the money on this car then.

Not on maintenance....

Or a BTB as stated!

[JungleGus]

Thanks guys! Barry was indeed busy....wait till I get my hands on stroker bits. 2.8 or 3.0 is on the cards in the next year or so.

Automaton - for the speaker shells, have a look in the E30 Livin' thread - I basically put a pioneer 13cm speaker in there, had to cut the tweeter a bit to fit but it wasn't too bad. Happy to describe how if you want.

Pud237 - It's a BTB2 I believe. Much nicer than the other 6 branches I've seen, managed to pick it up 2nd hand so not outrageously priced.

Currently enjoying replacing every small part humanly possible (door brakes, washers, etc.). And trying to avoid wanting more power too much.

[sweep]

does it have upgraded brakes etc? im sure he did the odd trackday.

[JungleGus]

Yep WMS 280mm kit I believe. Still need to test em out on my own track day

[polsta]

Currently enjoying replacing every small part humanly possible (door brakes, washers, etc.). And trying to avoid wanting more power too much.

makes a car so much nicer in the detail and to work on/maintain

car looks super, is all the shadowline/black work and screen trim, scuttle vents,wiper arms etc nice and black ? - that also makes a lovely difference to an e30 when its nice, good work gus

[Automaton]

Thanks CSL:
Will look into the parcel shelf and check. It's one of the few areas the earlier owners didn't bother about too much and is in decent condition.

JungleGus:
Any pictures of the speaker install? Especially where you had to cut/adjust the tweeters.
I'm looking at Blaupunkt CX 170 component speakers if they fit into the shell.

[TPS]

Thats a stunning car, Indigo Leather as well, very nice.

[JungleGus]

Well...that escalated.

After replacing a LOT of bits and pieces here and there...Barry made me an offer I couldn't help myself on. Cue M52, Z3 Rack and E30 M3 5 Lug. To outline my reasoning - I always wanted a BIT more power (after a 300hp iS turbo, I was happy with low 200s), and the E36 rack wouldn't fit with the BTB2. The 5 Lug just seemed nice to have for the brakes - witness the WMS after going round Donington with a British GT driver passengering (with a lot of "encouragement" to go quicker). And as much as I loved the beautiful new stock Mtech shocks and springs...I just needed something a bit lower and stiffer, hence the Eibachs and Bilsteins. I LOVE the Eibach anti-roll bars and strongly recommend them for anyone - they really fix the 325i balance, and help with controlling it sideways a bit. Threw in a few new bits like braided lined, UUC DSSR, discs/pads and new bits here and there + fluids.

The M52 - the kicker for me was the Alloy block saving 20-30kg over the M20. I would have loved an S14...but big £ and not a ton of power, and tough to find. M52 replacements are cheap...this one was a well done conversion, had a lot of new bits, and had the M50 manifold so making around 210hp or so....will find out on the dyno day. Ended up using the ZF and E30 M3 driveshaft and 3.25 M3 LSD (although with a whiny input shaft, the box needs to be switched at some point in the future). DanThe loom looks slick and manifolds are mated to the new stock M20 system I have.

next up...a decent photo shoot....S52 cams at some point (no rush)....maybe some spare weaves (painted matt black or dark anthracite) with Toyo R888's, do a cold air box, put sump baffle in and replace oil level sensor, look at Pagid Blues after the next track day, replace ZF, liquid leather the interior and maybe a new windscreen. nice to have a "short" to-do list!

Also - I REALLY want to go around Silverstone and Brands Hatch in the next month or few (or track within 2 hours of London) so if anyone's keen to get round, hit me up.

Cheers,
Gus

[LondonTom]

Nice car mate.

Bedford is well worth considering for a track day local to town and has plenty of run off.

[JungleGus]

Went around Silverstone this week....awesome track, very quick. Had a blast.





although after a few laps:



Suggestions for upgraded brakes (E30 M3) being taken...

[polsta]

looks the tits with the tech 1 spoiler guss, really suits

[JungleGus]

Cheers! It's always nice to have a chance to change...I THINK I prefer the MTech2, but the 1 is a little more subtle.