M30 project in Australia

[mybmw6]

Okay after reading all these posts about the m30 swap I've decided (with some motivation from m10man - another Australian) to start the conversion. I've been reading up on all the info from http://www.e30.de/ and all the various posts on here and I think I've got the plan worked out. I've got the donor car - a 1991 e34 535i for a good price (believe me in Australia this is good) Au$2400. A guy who was wondering around the auction has already put dibs on a few panels and offered $1000 so that brings the price down to $1400. Then I've got the Auto transmission, diff, rear lights, rear bonnet, leather interior, OBC, mtech2 wheel and all four doors with power windows to try to sell to put money back into the project. I've got a 6.2x7.3m shed I'm half way through building to put the car in while I strip it (hoping to have the shed errected this weekeend).

Unfortunately its not all great news - the e30 323i car I was going to buy with 3.64 ratio diff and sunroof (I want a sunroof) I discovered has been flatterned by the wrecker - nice one! thanks for that so i need to find another -I've got a 325i but its my daily driver and I don't want it to be off the road. Besides I've spent way too much on the standard engine - performance camshaft, new gaskets, seals, etc etc. So the hunt is on for another 323 - they are actually very common over here - talk about the irony. The car thats hard to find I get, and the car thats common I can't find...?

hope this works but here are some pics
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n264 ... terior.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n264 ... 30back.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n264 ... /mym30.jpg

I'll post some more when I make progress - Take note I'm no mechanic and generally speaking I've taught myself everything I know so thats going to be the rate I work at .....

[m10man]

$2400! You got that at a great price (for here in Australia) - we envy you UK guys who buy whole cars for GBP150!

Hey Matt, are you after a 2 door or 4 door? I have a really good 4 door shell with sunroof.

[Sanchez]

Good luck say hi to my sister if you see here!!!

[jon_pure_british]

i bought a whole 323 car the other month for 170 quid

but that has also been flattend

[mybmw6]

Hey Duane, I'm definately after a 4 door but how would you get it to me? Does it have the diff still in it..

[mybmw6]

I was surprised I got it for that, the guy that got the panels from me said he saw an 89 I think 5 series go for about $4500. Like I said in the PM I had to battle two euro wreckers and another guy. Once the hammer fell all I could think [in an expression] was....

[m10man]

Yes mate, when I saw the photo of it I thought it would go for around the $4000 mark, so you have every right to dance around like a freakin banana!

We might be able to work something out with the 323i shell if you want - it is Zinnober Red and virtually rust free. I can do some of the wiring, drive shaft etc and then get it freighted to you. I dont know really, we can discuss it via email if you want. It will all depend on whether we can do it all so it works out cheap enough for you.

[mybmw6]

Good luck say hi to my sister if you see here!!!

Its not everyday you have someone asking to say hi to their sister, whats the catch.... If she's attractive... Nah just joking [I hope my girlfriend hasn't worked out how to use the computer yet... lol ]

[oze30]

Good luck say hi to my sister if you see here!!!

Its not everyday you have someone asking to say hi to their sister, whats the catch.... If she's attractive... Nah just joking [I hope my girlfriend hasn't worked out how to use the computer yet... lol ]

magte,

Oz is a HUGE.. and I mean HUUUUUUGE place! The UK fits into NSW almost!

But like mybmw6 said.. Is she attractive? ( though Im in Uk instead of oz now!)

Where you Aussie guys from anyways? Was originally from Sydney

[Andy335Touring]

Cool, another 335 project

[gareth]

$2400! You got that at a great price (for here in Australia) - we envy you UK guys who buy whole cars for GBP150!

my E32 735i cost me Ԛ£100 and had a full bmw history to back up the 98000 miles!!!

how do the exchange rates compare?

[DRIFTBOY]

I was ripped off then!
My manual E34 535i cost me Ԛ£234 off Ebay with 186000 miles and no tax or mot!

Only had to go 5 miles from home to get it though.

[SPADGE]

Lol you were all robbed
535i SE manual with black leather , new Bilstein suspension (currently on Ebay ), sports exhaust , new induction kit , taxed and mot'd and currently being used as my runaround bought for Ԛ£100

[Andy335Touring]

Lol you were all robbed
535i SE manual with black leather , new Bilstein suspension (currently on Ebay ), sports exhaust , new induction kit , taxed and mot'd and currently being used as my runaround bought for Ԛ£100

A nice car in it's own right, never mind all this 335 lark !

[SPADGE]

Its a great car Andy and fortunatly i have my m30 stuff already from my other donor car so no rush to pull this one appart The Bilstein suspension is already over what the car cost me and i have the suspension off my other donor car to replace it with if i decided to keep this whole

[Andy335Touring]

They handle very well for a big car with the right suspension, i had some uprated springs/shocks with front and rear M5 ARBs, my only regret is that i never had an LSD on it.

[E30BeemerLad]

Spadge, that's a hell of a bargain! Good work fella!

The Australian guys, hat goes off to you for the money you guys have to spend, then you get the wrath of the inspector before you can put the car on the road don't you

You guys go on euroca?

[gareth]

spadge, is that uprated billies? may be tempted for the wifeywagon M50 E34 sport. ebay link?

[m10man]

how do the exchange rates compare?

with the current exchange rate $2400 is about GBP940!

You guys go on euroca?

Sometimes, but no 335 conversions happening. Its not as good a forum as this one. I am going to post my project on there and see if I can get some interest happening over here with the 335 conversion. Matt, you should post yours on there aswell.

The Australian guys, hat goes off to you for the money you guys have to spend, then you get the wrath of the inspector before you can put the car on the road don't you

Yeah I think that is what puts most guys off this sought of conversion.

Where you Aussie guys from anyways? Was originally from Sydney

I am from Northern NSW near the QLD border, a place called Burringbar. I have one of the best test tracks around just close - The Burringbar Range - just have to watch out for the boys in blue though

[mybmw6]

$2400! You got that at a great price (for here in Australia) - we envy you UK guys who buy whole cars for GBP150!

my E32 735i cost me Ԛ£100 and had a full bmw history to back up the 98000 miles!!!

how do the exchange rates compare?

As m10man wrote - we envy you UK guys who have access to loads of cheap and easy parts. 100GBP - I can't even get a clutch for that price let alone a whole car But thanks everyone for letting me know how cheap and easy it is for you... lol.

Spadge, that's a hell of a bargain! Good work fella!

The Australian guys, hat goes off to you for the money you guys have to spend, then you get the wrath of the inspector before you can put the car on the road don't you

You guys go on euroca?

Spadge that is a bargain, why don't you take some simpathy on me and send it over here - it'll only cost you 600 GBP (for shipping that is )

Thanks E30BeemerLad. Yeah it sucks having to go through an inspection especially because they charge you each time they look at it. I sometimes go on eurocca but like m10man said its not as good as this site.

m10man - I'll put mine up on there but I'll wait till I've got a bit further. Still haven't recieved the car - should be Tuesday. The tow truck guy is only charging me $80 and I live over an hour away... My girlfriends dad has a flattop truck - he said it would probably be $100 just in Fuel.... Dont tell the tow truck guy. I live in the Adelaide Hills, it has lots of nice fresh air.

On another note I got my shed frame up (about time) So only the roof/and rear wall left before its finished and I can move my cars in there! I'll post some picks on it later.

[gareth]

some parts still cost us though. my clutch cost Ԛ£90 (cheap!!!!). they're usually Ԛ£160. my manual box cost Ԛ£200, flywheel Ԛ£50. it's funny in a way that the cheapest bit was the engine and whole donor car!

[m10man]

some parts still cost us though. my clutch cost Ԛ£90 (cheap!!!!). they're usually Ԛ£160. my manual box cost Ԛ£200

Yes that is cheap for a clutch kit! Even GBP160 is cheap - that is around Aus$410 here the Sachs clutch kit for the single mass flywheel is Aus$565! I had a good dual mass flywheel so I installed that and got the LUK clutch kit for Aus$365. The single mass flywheel clutch kit is a lot dearer than the twin mass flywheel clutch kit.

I bought my 260/6 box from the UK and it cost me GBP250 - but it is in very good condition and came with a 6 month warranty. Over here the same box they want Aus$1500 or GBP585 (sorry cant find the pound key).

[SPADGE]

Sorry it just occured to me that i came on to your thread and bragged about my bargain e34 without wishing you luck on your project I hope it all goes well for you mate

[mybmw6]

Sorry it just occured to me that i came on to your thread and bragged about my bargain e34 without wishing you luck on your project I hope it all goes well for you mate

Thanks Spadge, I was starting to feel ripped off..... Nah not really, I knew when I started this project that it wasn't going to be cheap or easy. But thanks for the well wishes!

[djs325]

There is a 335i thread just started on eurocca.net
Melbourne Australia.
My dad has been finding some cheap E30s atm to use for spares for our race cars.
He also just bought a 1991 525i for an engine. 1 small problem though: went down to the workshop to steal the engine - and its an M50, and we can only use M20s

[gareth]

that's a shame... is it racing regs that stop you dropping the M50 in?

[djs325]

yeah - its an e30 racing series, not a go for broke series

[gareth]

no sneaking an extra 12 valves in then!

[djs325]

pretty much

[mybmw6]

Okay I had the day off today, spent most of it building my shed (to put the car in). And after having the police turn up 3 times in as many days I had to move my donor car (was located on my block but because it was away from the house with no number plates I got tired of trying to explain to everyone the whole story). Wasn't too hard to get it moving, just had to remove the front brake caliper and swap the rear wheel with the front wheel (the mag was pressed against the strut and wouldn't move - so I put a stockie from the rear on the wrong way and with the caliper removed it gave just enough clearance for a quick drive up the driveway - only just made it too

On a good note I found heaps of reciepts for the car in the glove box. $4320 worth of work in the last 6 months - including a secondhand engine from a reputable place here in Adelaide. Couldn't believe my luck - crossed off about $700 from my project budget because he had already replace parts so recently - senders, water pump etc.

I'll be doing a bit more work on the car on Monday and Tuesday. I'll drain the coolant remove the radiator and hoses and start to remove the wiring loom. I might be getting the e30 donor car next week, have to check with the owner over the weekend.

[m10man]

Nice one Matt, you scored well with that car . You must have some suspicious neigbours in your street. I bet you were a little worried having the boys in blue show up a few times . Its all looking good if you have found a donor car.

[mybmw6]

Tell me about it, not only that but I was also worried about vandals and thieves - my house sits next to a main road. I had a few people stop on the side of the road looking at it.... I'm just glad its up my driveway under the carport now.

Yeah I hope so, have you had any luck with the gearbox? The flywheel is not such a problem, a friend of mine knows someone who does custom flywheels for around $300 so thats a bargain. Still checking on the exact details of it.

I spoke to a guy on ebay about getting me a gearbox yesterday (he had an m3 gearbox for $1500) he came back offering an e28 535i box for a $1000 - think I'd rather spend an extra $500 for the m3! Unfortunately I can't afford either

I'll send you an email tomorrow - I've got a few questions before I get stuck into it on Monday.

[m10man]

I spoke to a guy on ebay about getting me a gearbox yesterday (he had an m3 gearbox for $1500) he came back offering an e28 535i box for a $1000 - think I'd rather spend an extra $500 for the m3!

Is that the guy in Hobart? He is dreaming with his prices! I bet the guys over there (UK) have a laugh when they see those prices . Have you thought about using the 240 box out of an M10 engined 318i? I think it is Gunni here on the zone that used that box. I will contact the guy about the e28 box over the weekend and try and get him down to a realistic price.

[mybmw6]

Yeah thats the guy, he's listed a set of e30 m3 struts and calipers for $2300 or something - Haven't seen a lot of his parts moving.... anywhere

Looks like the donor car search is back on. I called the guy who had the car. It was an 84ish 318i with power windows and sunroof. I said I'd give him $400 for it (only want the shell) and he thinks hes going to get $250 just for each of the window regulators.... Bullsh** he is. That conversation lasted all of "yeah ok thanks". Bet I call back in 6months to find he's sold maybe a front panel...

I've thought about using the 240 but ultimately I'd like to use a larger box, its all well and good to say that it'll work but in the end I'm the one who's going to have to go through all the hassle of swapping it over if it fails. Because its not my daily driver I might go the turbo route too so then I'd definately want the larger box.

That'd be great if you can try to get the guy down in price, I'm not paying any of the prices I've got so far from ASV, the Hobart Guy or the other wreckers. Unless some madman comes along and throws money at me to take the e34 shell my budgets fairly limited. I've got enough work to keep me going for the moment.

ASV's quote on most [not all] the parts I need came out at around $3300 and then they want to buy the e34 shell from me - sure for $3300 they've got a deal

[m10man]

Yeah, like I said in the email I would prefer to have the bigger box in - especially if you are thinking of turboing it. Let me know if and when you are serious about that as I know an M30 specialist in Sydney who knows what he is doing with M30 turbos. He has a couple of street registered Turbo E34 535i's putting out 1000hp. He told me with a low blow turbo he can get around the 500hp mark . Its a shame you are so far away as you could have my good shell for $350.