'90 US Spec E30 M3 Restoration

[zed8]

[zed8]

Purchased the car last summer in July. The first picture was taken on the first day I purchased. Fourth picture was taken on the first day of restoration in October and the last picture was taken in April 2013. From April I'm keeping the car in my garage. I'm waiting for the body shop to be ready for the spray. All the body parts are replaced with genuine BMW parts. Now waiting for the engine to be completed. Purchased most of the parts from VAC Motorsports. Upgraded oil pump, CP forged and ceramic coated pistons, ceramic coated bearings etc. I will keep you posted.

[macfly]

What color are you going to paint it? I'd do BMW Motorsport livery, white with 'Martini' stripes.

That really is a full on rebuild, fantastic project, bravo!!

[zed8]

I will stick on the original color, diamond black. But I will upgrade the seats to Sport Evo seats.

[Norcal]

Wow, that is some serious body work.... Will be a sweet car when it's done, congrats. How much do you think the total restoration will cost? Wouldn't it have been cheaper to start with a more expensive, but cleaner example? Just wondering.

[jawz]

Beautiful! But doesn't it now qualify as a "new" car with all the work that went into it? Great project and thanks for the pics.

[zed8]

Wow, that is some serious body work.... Will be a sweet car when it's done, congrats. How much do you think the total restoration will cost? Wouldn't it have been cheaper to start with a more expensive, but cleaner example? Just wondering.

Actually there were no other car for sale. This was the only option. Most of these cars were severely crashed or totaled. This one had a big crash from the front right corner. All the damaged parts are replaced. Expected total cost will be around $40k.excluding the car itself.

[zed8]

Beautiful! But doesn't it now qualify as a "new" car with all the work that went into it? Great project and thanks for the pics.

The shell is completely replaced and the core is mostly untouched. Only couple of parts are replaced. May be we can call it semi new

[Norcal]

I dove a friend of mines a couple years ago. About 30000 original miles. I think he sold it for around 50k. Fun car, no z8 in the power department, but fun for sure, and I love it anyway.

[Z8Mania]

Very nice! Why go with US spec?

[zed8]

Very nice! Why go with US spec?

There were no other options This was the only M3 for sale in the whole country. It is a grey market car imported from US back in 1990.

[Z8Mania]

Very nice. Did you go with the US spec just to keep it original? I mean, you could have gone with the Euro spec since you rebuilt it- isn't that a higher power spec?

[zed8]

Jerry major differences between Euro and US spec are the cluster and the marker lights on the bumpers. I keep the cluster but will purchase the Euro bumpers. Also during the production US spec cars were equipped with much more accessory. When a euro car had an AC there was no sunroof or vice versa.
There was no power issue for the E30 M3. US spec E36 M3 had less power.

[Z8Mania]

Makes sense. I thought there were motor differences too....

[Norcal]

Yes, throttle body or intake, primarily. The US spec had 210 HP, and the euro spec was about 230 or 250, I think.

[Z8Mania]

I say go for the best spec you can find and build it to that. The car will be wicked fun either way. Very cool project!

[Charles]

Beautiful project! I am impressed with your ability to get parts and your time line on such a massive undertaking.

I have thought about getting my beloved 320 restored for its 30th birthday. No value, just pure love and ease of driving due to familiarity. Except for raw speed and power, few cars can match us in traffic. But seeing all that just scares the bejesus out of me. I am not sure it would be the same car, and I am afraid she would become a stranger.

I do need to get the motor rebuilt (along with the might as wells), and have no problem putting much more into her than market value, but am afraid to ship it off to Korman or one of those specialists. I hear they shave the vins off - gasp! I am hoping the mechanic that has done magic with her over the years will soon give me a rebuild estimate.

[zed8]

Restoration is over. The car is back on the road. Almost everything new and fresh.

[macfly]

Wow, great job, bravo!!

[Z-acht]

A tremendous job with a smashing result....enjoy!

[Musta10000]

That looks great !!! Congratulations.

[Norcal]

Looks amazing!

[01BlueZ8]

That's fantastic! The E30 M3 is a legend. How was the driving experience after restoration?

[Kevin]

Looks AMAZING, hope you enjoy it!

[zed8]

Thank you guys. It`s an amazing car. I`ve been driving for the last 2 weeks and I can not leave it. Now it is my daily drive. The cars fits like a glove. Everything is manual that everything is under my control. No electronic gizmos between us. Very light weight and crisp.