E30 318is

[philohlean]

Why thank you! I have quite the laundry list of plans for her. As you can see, I'm already getting started on the interior. I'm in the process of tracking down houndstooth interior panels and seats, and that's going well. I'm going to refinish the carpet, redo the headliner. Revamp the sound system. Bag suspension. Wheels. I've got euro spec smileys I'm waiting to put on. I need to track down a short shifter. Poly bushings everywhere. Oil pan skid plate. And that's all before I start any of the performance stuff I'd like to do. haha.

Solid plan, I like it. Ambitious haha. Houndstooth is the bomb. I am excited to see this come together, big time. If outside input is worth anything, I would urge you not to bag it. I understand that you can't ride as low static, and bagging them is increasingly popular and more "usable", but a properly sorted car with poly bushings and nice coilovers has a driving dynamic that simply can't be substituted for. But it's just my random internet-person opinion. Any ideas on wheels?

[dharker]

Subbed

[car_gal_jenni]

Solid plan, I like it. Ambitious haha. Houndstooth is the bomb. I am excited to see this come together, big time. If outside input is worth anything, I would urge you not to bag it. I understand that you can't ride as low static, and bagging them is increasingly popular and more "usable", but a properly sorted car with poly bushings and nice coilovers has a driving dynamic that simply can't be avoided.But it's just my random internet-person opinion. Any ideas on wheels?

Random internet-person, your opinion is completely valid. Right now, she's currently sitting on H&R springs & Bilstein shocks, and the ride is just amazing, so poly bushings throughout and a good set of coils seems like it would be just amazing. As far as wheels, I have NO friggen clue. haha. She's got factory BBS wheels right now, and like how it sits. But I'm pretty open-minded for era-correct-ish wheels, so any suggestions are welcomed.

[dharker]

1552 has some cool looking wheels

[philohlean]

Random internet-person, your opinion is completely valid. Right now, she's currently sitting on H&R springs & Bilstein shocks, and the ride is just amazing, so poly bushings throughout and a good set of coils seems like it would be just amazing. As far as wheels, I have NO friggen clue. haha. She's got factory BBS wheels right now, and like how it sits. But I'm pretty open-minded for era-correct-ish wheels, so any suggestions are welcomed.

Well thank you! There are a lot of great commercially available options for e30 coils, and I know that they handle fantastically even without them. What's more, coils are cheaper than air! Always a bonus. I am a big fan of BBS RM's with a nice healthy tire size. They are only available in 15's as far as I know, but with a nice 50 series they look great, and aren't as common as the RS (but honestly, if you like BBS RS, do it anyway. They are popular because they look fantastic on e30's). Semi-period correct, ACT ronal SX also look great, sets can be had in 16" which is probably the most popular size. If you want monoblock, 16" e38 style 5's are also a great OEM+ look. If it isn't obvious, I think about building an e30 A LOT.

-random internet person

[jalenda9]

i think the weds bavarias look rad on e30's like the one in the recent stancework feature. sick car!

[car_gal_jenni]

Well thank you! There are a lot of great commercially available options for e30 coils, and I know that they handle fantastically even without them. What's more, coils are cheaper than air! Always a bonus. I am a big fan of BBS RM's with a nice healthy tire size. They are only available in 15's as far as I know, but with a nice 50 series they look great, and aren't as common as the RS (but honestly, if you like BBS RS, do it anyway. They are popular because they look fantastic on e30's). Semi-period correct, ACT ronal SX also look great, sets can be had in 16" which is probably the most popular size. If you want monoblock, 16" e38 style 5's are also a great OEM+ look. If it isn't obvious, I think about building an e30 A LOT.

-random internet person

Haha. You're the kind of person I wouldn't mind picking your brain on certain things since I've never had an e30 before and have a lot to learn.

- newb e30 owner

[philohlean]

Haha. You're the kind of person I wouldn't mind picking your brain on certain things since I've never had an e30 before and have a lot to learn.

- newb e30 owner

I'm not nearly as experienced as many of the people here on SW, but by all means feel free to pick away! I am on this website entirely too much haha.

[car_gal_jenni]

A friend of my roommate took these shots the other day, and I loved how they turned out. Yes, I already know that I need a new lower valance and some Euro fogs; I'm working on it

[car_gal_jenni]

Here's a few more photos of my lil' lady

[AtlantisTouring]

Nice e30, and lovely colour!

[car_gal_jenni]

So, thanks to a fellow forum-er (from a different forum), I have some lovely new interior pieces. Makes me blatantly aware that I need to do something with the seats... haha.

Fronts before::



Fronts after:: (yes, I know.. I'm still missing the window crank covers...)




Rears before::



Rears after::



I also discovered, by a purely accidental split second of my evening last night, that I have THIS::



All this time, I've been getting asked what front valence I have, and now I know that I've got a real Hartge front valence!! I was super excited last night.

I also have this::



I don't know what strut bar I have; can anybody shed some light? Sorry for a relatively low-quality photo; I was in the middle of a project yesterday. I could take some better photos of it this afternoon when I get home if need be. I'm just curious if it's a well-known one, or a custom-made one.

[foxster]

That houndstooth is money!
Always glad to see a local build, I'll give you a headlight honk if I see you about

[car_gal_jenni]

That houndstooth is money!
Always glad to see a local build, I'll give you a headlight honk if I see you about

Random question:: were you at, or drive by, Fest @ Griot's on Saturday?

[philohlean]

Still jealous of your e30 things, I need to either start caring about my car again or buy a new project. Congrats on the hartge find, hold on to that thing!