Slowly but Surely- 325iX, 325iS, and E30M3 resurrection

[Shipman]

I'll believe it when I see it

[Big_Jim]

Originally Posted by Shipman

I have to respect that you put just as much work into your write ups on this dead ass site as you do to the cars themselves lol.

Originally Posted by blue91lx

Haha thanks man- I feel like I owe it to TST to follow through with at least one of the cars contained in this build thread .

A good thing for the five of us still on here though is once this car us done I have to sell my silver iX after I fix a few things, and then I can get to the M3!

I appreciate your writeups.

[Foolinaround]

I appreciate all the write ups still done. I'll be here even if it's just like a dozen people.

[DocWalt]

Same, I like reading the writeups too. If it wasn't for reading member journals I wouldn't bother visiting TST anymore, tbh.

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by Shipman

I'll believe it when I see it

I can't blame you for this. When/if I do finish things, I sell them. Not this time...

maybe...

not...

....this time

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

I appreciate your writeups.

Originally Posted by Foolinaround

I appreciate all the write ups still done. I'll be here even if it's just like a dozen people.

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Same, I like reading the writeups too. If it wasn't for reading member journals I wouldn't bother visiting TST anymore, tbh.

I try to document things well, especially because it's helped me reference things in the past, help enthusiasts with certain tasks, etc.

It seems to be a common theme among car guys of a certain mindset- it's a huge part of the craft for me- implementing the same detail in documentation as I try to with the mechanicals.

Let TST live on!


To accompany all this text, here is my complete front and rear E30M3 suspension all sorted out. Housings, tie rod levers, dust shields, new OEM f/r bearings and hubs. This should be a fun/satisfying upgrade, as it's the 'holy grail' of E30 suspension mods.

The housings are going out to ground control this week to get new sectioned/reinforced/powdercoated strut tubes and some shortened custom valved Konis.

Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

[mckpat03]

Originally Posted by blue91lx

Let TST live on!

HEAR, HEAR!

Originally Posted by blue91lx

To accompany all this text, here is my complete front and rear E30M3 suspension all sorted out. Housings, tie rod levers, dust shields, new OEM f/r bearings and hubs. This should be a fun/satisfying upgrade, as it's the 'holy grail' of E30 suspension mods.

The housings are going out to ground control this week to get new sectioned/reinforced/powdercoated strut tubes and some shortened custom valved Konis.

Dang, man. That suspension setup is sick! Or will be when it's done, I guess.

[DocWalt]

Why is the E30 M3 setup considered to be the holy grail? Is it totally different geometry or something?

I don't know my BMW stuff well, so excuse me if it's a silly question

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by mckpat03

HEAR, HEAR!

Dang, man. That suspension setup is sick! Or will be when it's done, I guess.

I think it'll really complete the project! This car is really turning into something neat, despite how simple it all is. I'm convinced OEM+ is the best way to go for something like this.

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Why is the E30 M3 setup considered to be the holy grail? Is it totally different geometry or something?

I don't know my BMW stuff well, so excuse me if it's a silly question

Not a silly question at all! So, the E30M3 had 5 lug suspension and slightly larger brakes than a regular E30. E30s suffer from 4 lug syndrome, so everyone likes to convert to 5 lug. However, all five lug setups from E36 and E46 cars move the wheel all around, change suspension geometry, push out offset like crazy etc. AKA, there is a significant compromise any way you look at it with those setups.

However, the E30 M3 suspension is just a five lug version of an E30 strut housing with some slight modifications, so it bolts right up to a regular E30, uses the same E30 strut, etc all while maintaining the proper offset to fit every good looking OEM 5x120 wheel set.

Also the tie rod lever, as it's referred to, is detached on the bottom of an E30 M3 stut (where the tie rod and ball joint bolt to), so when lowering the car you can space down the tie rod lever and correct all of your bumpsteer issues, which you cannot do on a regular E30, or an E30 with E36 or E46 five lug suspension.

Basically, it's the BEST option period for modifying your E30 suspension, but each strut housing is $1600 (right and left), tie rod levers are NLA and impossible to find (also $$$), dust shields are $100ea, rear hubs are overpriced, etc etc etc, so unless you get lucky and find a set like this, it's getting nearly impossible to obtain this stuff (much like the E30M3 as a whole).

[DocWalt]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like a pretty important part to making the car work properly when modified.

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Thanks for the info! Sounds like a pretty important part to making the car work properly when modified.

It is! Unfortunately for me it's worth too much money so I'll likely sell it once it's all shiny

Also, I made a really good $800 purchase today. 138K, one owner.

IMG_2454 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2457 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

[DocWalt]

Wow, that rides high from the factory, haha. Looks like a steal though!

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Wow, that rides high from the factory, haha. Looks like a steal though!

Oh yeah it does! It's an iX so it's the tallest 3 series on the lot. It's nice enough I may give Bring a Trailer a shot this time around.

[empera]

sell me that white car!!!

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by empera

sell me that white car!!!

Man, I wish it weren't an iX for your sake.....unless you want an iX? Parts are getting really hard to find (and $$$).

On a similar subject, this is for sale in Schwenksville....

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=422782

[empera]

Give me a price and i may want an iX

[empera]

And damn thats a really nice SR swapped e30....What year is that iX?

[mckpat03]

Dang, that iX looks so great!

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by empera

Give me a price and i may want an iX

Originally Posted by empera

And damn thats a really nice SR swapped e30....What year is that iX?

I sent you a PM!

Originally Posted by mckpat03

Dang, that iX looks so great!

It's a clean little car- if I were more experienced in rust repair I have a patch panel for the only rust on the car. Once I put a trans in it I think I'll cruise it around for a bit.

[blue91lx]

I haven't made much progress due to parts cars and liquidation- I'm working on getting rid of my inventory in preparation for E30M3 maintenance. I also had to put a new roof on my garage which was a fun learning experience.

BUT tonight I finished up quite a few odds and ends on Linda that I've been avoiding for a while.

1) I filled/bled my power steering. It works!
2) I ran and hooked up all of my ABS sensors.
3) I put together my interior that's been apart since 2016.
4) I ordered a wood shift knob from IE and sent an email to Matt-B to order some boots.
5) I adjusted the coilovers/rideheight so the car is ready for its alignment!
6) I put on a new brake sensor so I finally have functioning brake lights.


I'm going to get it aligned next week (still have to put the hood on) and once it's aligned I'll drop it off at my buddy's for exhaust work, and then I promise I'll roast a set of spare bottlecap tires for you guys once I iron out whatever kinks may arise after driving it around for a bit.

I took off work already in early August and will be road tripping with the iS out west, so ultimately she needs to be ready to go by then. I'm considering putting AC on for that since I have all of the necessary parts.

Does this ride height look okay? Going for a low but conservative look. I'm at roughly 24" from fender lip to ground at each corner, with the front 1/2" lower than the rear.

Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr


Hoping a pencil eraser does the trick so I don't have to look at this anymore.

Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr


All back together

Untitled by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

[DocWalt]

Ride height looks spot on, IMO.