Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » So Dave? What'd YOU Do With Your Tax Return?

Jan. 28, 2009 3:19 p.m. Black Stig Reader

Well . . .I took a trip with my pops up to Atlanta.

And came back with this . . .

It's an 86 325ES, runs a little rough right now and has some issues, but those will get sorted out with the help of some GRM/BMW friends (any takers?).

The best part? She's got those wheels, I like em a lot . . .and she was only 1300 bucks. I've seen worse shape BMW's go for more. I'll keep a project thread going on how she comes along.

She's going to be my daily driver, but she's a bit of a way from daily drivability, once I get that sorted out . . she'll be on the road again.

-Dave
Jan. 28, 2009 3:25 p.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher

Congrats! Gotta love E30's.
Jan. 28, 2009 3:27 p.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

ive got the same year 325e and have been hunting my own drivability issues.

what are the problems?
Jan. 28, 2009 3:29 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Nice. Nice shot with Dad, too. Know what's funny? That neighborhood looks like my brother's old neighborhood, but sadly much of Atlanta now looks the same. (I lived in an old house downtown so I can be snooty and say that.)
Jan. 28, 2009 3:57 p.m. Black Stig Reader

David S. Wallens wrote:

Nice. Nice shot with Dad, too. Know what's funny? That neighborhood looks like my brother's old neighborhood, but sadly much of Atlanta now looks the same. (I lived in an old house downtown so I can be snooty and say that.)

HAHAHA! Yeah, my dad and I are CLOWNS! People always ask "where do you get your personality from" then they meet my dad and see how we act around each other and are like "Ohhhhh, okay . . makes sense now!"

I like the neighborhood, but suburbia does get a little annoying from time to time

Apexcarver wrote:

ive got the same year 325e and have been hunting my own drivability issues.

what are the problems?

Right now:

She hesitates really bad when cold and not so bad when warm.

The odometer doesn't work

The temp gauge doesn't work (engine not outside)

the windshield wipers move SLOOOWWWLLY

That's about it . . .

I think the hesitation will go away with a good thorough tuneup and some fuel system treatment. The odometer doesn't bother me but the temp gauge does. Is that a sensor I can replace or do I have to do like all new wiring? If it requires a lot of work, I'll just buy an aftermarket gauge.
Jan. 28, 2009 4:00 p.m. poopshovel Dork

"Tax return." Man, that's funny.
Jan. 28, 2009 4:03 p.m. EastCoastMojo Dork

Nice! I have always liked that model.
Jan. 28, 2009 4:47 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Well, you probably have more restaurant choices that we do. We have both Applebe's and Chili's. You guys have BBQ Kitchen down by the airport. Yummy.
Jan. 28, 2009 5:01 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

Order new gears for the odometer. Fixed mine. They all melt.
Jan. 28, 2009 5:36 p.m. Black Stig Reader

Really? Melt? Wow, I wouldn't have even pictured that . . .hahaha, that has to look funny.
Jan. 28, 2009 5:46 p.m. EastCoastMojo Dork

Black Stig wrote:

Really? Melt? Wow, I wouldn't have even pictured that . . .hahaha, that has to look funny.

Probably not as funny as the first pic you posted
Jan. 28, 2009 5:50 p.m. dyintorace HalfDork

I want to join your family. You guys look like fun.

Must remove ///M badge though!
Jan. 28, 2009 5:54 p.m. Woody Dork

UP to Atlanta?!

Ugh.....(continues shoveling snow)
Jan. 28, 2009 7:18 p.m. gamby SuperDork

$1300 seems like a great price. Even w/ all the issues getting ironed out, it sounds like a Challenge-friendly get.

I can't tell how the paint is because of the rain, but the body looks more than decent. BMW paint buffs out really nicely, anyway. I did Sonic's black E30 years ago and it was alarmingly nice when I got done w/ it. A few hours of lovin' should make yours look killer, as well.

The wheels look right for the car--vaguely "period correct". A drop would make the whole thing look killer. I'd just worry about that muffler deafening you.

Good luck with it...
Jan. 28, 2009 7:20 p.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

I'd say it's well bought at 1300. Nice car!
Jan. 28, 2009 7:42 p.m. Black Stig Reader

dyintorace wrote:

I want to join your family. You guys look like fun.

Must remove ///M badge though!

YES and YES! I will definitely be doing that ASAP!

Woody wrote:

UP to Atlanta?!

Ugh.....(continues shoveling snow)

Yeah, Douglasville, GA is where I reside, so I travel slightly North-East to get to Atlanta.

gamby wrote:

$1300 seems like a great price. Even w/ all the issues getting ironed out, it sounds like a Challenge-friendly get.

I can't tell how the paint is because of the rain, but the body looks more than decent. BMW paint buffs out really nicely, anyway. I did Sonic's black E30 years ago and it was alarmingly nice when I got done w/ it. A few hours of lovin' should make yours look killer, as well.

The wheels look right for the car--vaguely "period correct". A drop would make the whole thing look killer. I'd just worry about that muffler deafening you.

Good luck with it...

HAHAHAHA! I'm thinking the 20XX challenge wouldn't be out of the question, but would definitely make this less of a daily driver . Not out of the question though, HAHAHA! I really feel like I got a decent deal, I just hope I don't get in over my head trying to make this a daily driver. I really like it and I am SOOOO glad to have another E30 in my life. My first 3 BMWs weren't enough, LOL!

Tom Heath wrote:

I'd say it's well bought at 1300. Nice car!

Thank you thank you. . . I like it a lot, I can't wait to tear into it.

-Dave
Jan. 28, 2009 7:51 p.m. aussiesmg Dork

Just tell me you didn't eat those awful nachos in her....
Jan. 28, 2009 7:56 p.m. Black Stig Reader

ROFLMAO!

I love ya, man! Never!!!!
Jan. 28, 2009 8:41 p.m. AngryCorvair Dork
Black Stig wrote:

HAHAHAHA! I'm thinking the 20XX challenge wouldn't be out of the question, but would definitely make this less of a daily driver . Not out of the question though

recipe for challenge success with daily driver:
1. carefully remove interior and leave it at home. (non-spirit suggestion: "sell" interior to "friend", then after the challenge "buy" it back. only to be used in life-or-death situation.
2. the newest hoosier A6 tires your budget will allow. this is life-or-death.
3. good brake pads.
4. the best dampers your budget will allow.
5. cut springs.
6. junkyard swaybars from something newer and heavier, but about the same width / shape. goal is to use stock mounting points rather than fab. or get aftermarket bars from BMW club or forum.
7. nitrous for drags -- use it if you dare!
8. cheap drag tires. trust me, even an underpowered car can boil street tires or autocross tires at the drags.
9. checkered flag graphics.
looks like a nice ride.
Jan. 28, 2009 8:52 p.m. z31maniac HalfDork

Coolant temp sensor, ICV would be my first places to look at the driveability issue.

Congrats on the purchase!
Jan. 29, 2009 3:02 a.m. Wally SuperDork

Let's see

Miata: Check

E30:Check

Dad has the P71 bit covered. So, when are you building the trebuchet?
Jan. 29, 2009 9:15 a.m. Black Stig Reader

HAHAHAHAHA As soon as we can stop devoting time to project cars

You'll need to log in to post.