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So after a while of wanting one, I finally did it. I bought myself an e30 which had enough stuff wrong with it to keep me busy, but nothing, hopefully, that will make me crazy and cost me loads of money. The paint is chipping, the interior is shot, the motor is ok, the roof had a bunch of tape over it and the car has more door dings then I have ever seen. All stuff I can correct on a low budget. So here is my step by step build. Ill update it frequently when I get more things done. I have a few things en route so it should be fun. Plans for the car are: motor servicing (she runs great so far but ill do a full service and tune up), get door dings out, lower (after the winter), new wheels and finally vinyl in matte grey. Please offer any advice you'd like, I am very new to the e30's since I have an e92 that I will show below. Thanks for looking!
Page 1- Step one- Interior
I figured because its the part of the car I need to interact with the most, it would be a good place to start. I never liked Tan interiors so that had to go. I used Dupli-color Vinyl and Fabric and painted the carpet, doors, rear panels, and the part that goes up and down for the convertible top. The interior was pretty grimy so I rented one of those super expensive carpet cleaners and went to work. The Dupli-color paint is amazing for this application. The doors dont feel like they were painted at all, still soft-ish (for vinyl) and look new. Carpet is a little bit different, not so soft to the touch, but its good enough.
I also ordered new leathers from Kevin from creative options. Psyched to get those in and have the interior complete. SO here are before and afters.
Before:
AFTER
Carpets- I started running low on paint so I sprayed where the carpets would be seen. I will go over the parts like under the seat later in the future.
My e92
Step Two: Motor Tune up and Valve Adjustment
So I bought a tune up kit on eBay for about 250$ which included a bunch of parts including: spark plugs, cap and rotor, timing belt, ac/ps/ alternator belts, thermostat, water pump, valve cover gasket, Air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, and new radiator hosing. I looked up a bunch of threads and DIY's and got to work. The whole process was great and gives you a great sense of accomplishment when you finish and everything works the way it should (well at least most of it
) I had problems bleeding the coolant system but after a bunch of bleeds through the top of the thermostat and going on a 2 hour drive all the air got out of the system and everythings working as it should. I even added a ziptie to the throttle cable to elevate the slack so now my throttle response is back on par. I need to lube or replace my throttle cable as its still a little hard to press the accelerator pedal and when I get in my e92 its a big adjustment. I keep flooring it thinking I have to push down on the pedal to get the thing going lol
I cleaned up the valve cover, Deleted the AC (as it didnt work and im in a vert so who needs it) and scratched off MOST of the coolant that had crusted on everything in the engine bay.
My finished Interior (minus new seat covers coming in about 2-3 weeks)
More on the radio I installed later.
UP NEXT: Fixing my leaky roof, Cleaning the engine bay, Installing JOM coilovers, replacing headlights, replacing stereo, re-upholstering the seats (front and rear), Body prep and then color change ( <-- this one will be a good one!)
Page 1- Step one- Interior
I figured because its the part of the car I need to interact with the most, it would be a good place to start. I never liked Tan interiors so that had to go. I used Dupli-color Vinyl and Fabric and painted the carpet, doors, rear panels, and the part that goes up and down for the convertible top. The interior was pretty grimy so I rented one of those super expensive carpet cleaners and went to work. The Dupli-color paint is amazing for this application. The doors dont feel like they were painted at all, still soft-ish (for vinyl) and look new. Carpet is a little bit different, not so soft to the touch, but its good enough.
I also ordered new leathers from Kevin from creative options. Psyched to get those in and have the interior complete. SO here are before and afters.
Before:
AFTER
Carpets- I started running low on paint so I sprayed where the carpets would be seen. I will go over the parts like under the seat later in the future.
My e92
Step Two: Motor Tune up and Valve Adjustment
So I bought a tune up kit on eBay for about 250$ which included a bunch of parts including: spark plugs, cap and rotor, timing belt, ac/ps/ alternator belts, thermostat, water pump, valve cover gasket, Air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, and new radiator hosing. I looked up a bunch of threads and DIY's and got to work. The whole process was great and gives you a great sense of accomplishment when you finish and everything works the way it should (well at least most of it
) I had problems bleeding the coolant system but after a bunch of bleeds through the top of the thermostat and going on a 2 hour drive all the air got out of the system and everythings working as it should. I even added a ziptie to the throttle cable to elevate the slack so now my throttle response is back on par. I need to lube or replace my throttle cable as its still a little hard to press the accelerator pedal and when I get in my e92 its a big adjustment. I keep flooring it thinking I have to push down on the pedal to get the thing going lolI cleaned up the valve cover, Deleted the AC (as it didnt work and im in a vert so who needs it) and scratched off MOST of the coolant that had crusted on everything in the engine bay.
My finished Interior (minus new seat covers coming in about 2-3 weeks)
More on the radio I installed later.
UP NEXT: Fixing my leaky roof, Cleaning the engine bay, Installing JOM coilovers, replacing headlights, replacing stereo, re-upholstering the seats (front and rear), Body prep and then color change ( <-- this one will be a good one!)
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