Larry's '89 Zinno E30 M3 build

[f50nut]

Hey StanceWorks community.

Been a BMW fanatic and SW lurker for a while now. Since I was a kid, I always wanted an e30 M3. It wasn't until a year and a half ago I got really serious about finding one. I've been documenting my progress for months and figure it's time to start sharing the pics here.

As most of us do when we're looking for the "perfect car" I looked at tons of M3s for sale. Some were in my price range, most weren't. The trouble is, so many of these cars have been wrecked, turned into racecars, or in the Northeast where I'm from they have serious rust issues.

The perfect car (for me) showed up on eBay and 2 or 3 months after the auction didn't meet reserve, I went down to the DC area to check out the car.



Here's how it looked when I bought it. A basically perfect body with everything I wanted. Original S14 with some goodies. Black interior, Zinnobberrot, although I didn't really care what color I ended up with as long as it wasn't a rotbox.

[f50nut]

Here are some pics of the car the first time I saw it in person at the previous owner's house.



He also owns an immaculate Z8 so I knew the M3 was well taken care of.







These chrome exhaust tips have to go. They're just cheap extensions that are held in place by a set screw. I have a feeling this isn't the OEM muffler.







The seats are original from 1989. They show some wear but aren't ripped. I'll eventually find a nice set or have these recovered.



This one still has the black American tow hook covers next to the fog lights. I actually think they're pretty cool.

[f50nut]

It didn't take much convincing. This was the nicest M3 I've looked at by a long shot. I really couldn't find any major flaws other than the interior and a few odds and ends which I'll get to. We agreed on a price and I told the owner I'd be back in a couple of weeks with a trailer. He didn't even ask me for a deposit.

Pretty thick fog on the way down to DC.



Loaded up on the trailer. Wish I could have found a nicer one. This was back in December and we were expecting snow the following weekend so I settled on this.



Constantly checking the rear view. Making sure she hasn't fallen off.









After 8 hours on the road and traffic through the city, I got the car home and in my driveway. Finally.



Tucked away in the garage.

[Steve.]

Aw man, I'm upset to see another E30 M3 leave Maryland, but its great to see one go to another owner who appreciates them for what they are. Any plans?

Also I think I've seen that Z8 before.

[dillon7]

The things I would do for an e30 m3. Can't wait to see updates, what are the plans?

[f50nut]

Started taking pics of anything that needed replacing. Sent these pics to Levent at Guten Parts so we could start looking for replacements.

The original center console has the cassette holder and this Blaupunkt remote attached. Under the remote there are some holes drilled, so need a new console.



WTF battery tie down.



Missing this plastic nut for the tool tray cover.



Missing hood cover pins.



Old / brown / cracked coolant and washer bottles. Missing harness cover.



Missing trim ring on driver's low beam.

[f50nut]

Aw man, I'm upset to see another E30 M3 leave Maryland, but its great to see one go to another owner who appreciates them for what they are. Any plans?

Also I think I've seen that Z8 before.

The things I would do for an e30 m3. Can't wait to see updates, what are the plans?

Really wanted to lower it on Group N suspension and install Evo 3 front splitter and rear spoiler. It's a huge PITA to find these parts.

[Miles.]

Sounds like this build will take patience. But with a car as rare as this, i'm sure it'll pay off.

[Mike36]

In for updates!

[f50nut]

I ordered this M-tech 2 before I even picked up the car. The original M-tech 1 has seen better days.

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[Rubens]

That's a dreamcar sugahsnaps

[animal]

you lucky bastard!!!

[Pseudonyms]

Bummed to see it leave Maryland, but if this means it'll be driven then that makes me happy.

Can't wait to see what you do to it!

[AlpineE39]

omg! This is my dream car right here....too bad i cant afford one right now....cant wait to see what you do with it....

[f50nut]

Bummed to see it leave Maryland, but if this means it'll be driven then that makes me happy.

Can't wait to see what you do to it!

Thanks. Driving it as much as I can but will be putting it away first time the roads are salted.

Pretty much all of this work has been done. I took so many photos I wanted to put them up here and then post current updates after that