I'm in need of some serious counselling.

[Norm]

I have a serious fascination with BMW's and in particular the E30 model, of which I have a two door 325i as my daily drive and is in exceptionally good, original condition. Now this in itself isn't an issue, however, I have a strong desire to restore and modify one... And I don't have the budget to have two 'nice' cars.

Oh no, I hear you thinking; he's considering selling the Porsche to fund a restoration. Well, you're right. It's not a strong thought but one that has been in the back of my mind for some time and pops up from time to time.

Now, before you tell me I'm crazy let me provide some background.

I'm 41 and grew up following touring cars as my staple and only diet of motor racing. And growing up in a working class family and school, Australian built muscle cars were the only thing that mattered. Anyhow, group A started in ''85 and along came the E30 M3, which I thought was the best looking car sedan and a sedan was something that was something people could buy. At that age I didn't even dream of ever being in a position to buy a Porsche. So I drooled over group A Commodores and even more so, M3 Beemers.

As history shows, the M3 immediately dominated and held its own when the turbo Sierra's and Skylines were developed. And it blew away the Commodores, which at the time and in my eyes were the toughest and fastest thing in my eyes. Then Brocky drove started racing them and if there was any need for vindication (there wasn't) this was it.

Now I kind of like the stock two door E30's as I like the styling and they are understated. I also love a straight 6. They are just such an inherently torquey motor and smooth to drive.

Before buying the Porsche I considered an engine conversion for my Beemer but just couldn't get a decent BMW specialist to commit, or even return my calls. That's another story but needless to say they were busy and weren't chasing the work. It was quite annoying so I turned my back on BMW and made my dream purchase, a 911.

The thing is I really love the looks, dynamics and handling of my Beemer. What I would love to do is a full body strip down, seam weld the body for additional torsional strength and reprint. The suspension and interior have already been restored. The other expensive mod is fitting a newer (90's) 2.5 or 3.0 litre six, or even an 6cyl M3 engine.

This would give me a very quick and good handling car that I could drive daily. I currently don't drive the 911 daily.

My dilemma is, it would be a 25k plus job and at the end of the day it's just a Beemer. and although the E30 is a bit of a cult car, it will never be a 911.

Do I just need to get over it?

I know it's a long winded thread and thanks for taking to time to humour me!

[BAFE]

Hey Norm,

 

If you are going to keep the bmw for a long long long time then maybe it will work.

 

however

 

if you heavily modify the bmw then i think its unlikely to really appreciate in value as people tend to look for originality don't they?

 

Can you DD the 911 while you work on the bmw and then swap later and keep the 911 for "special" ?

 

I know what you are going thru, I recently had to part with my last fun car as I came to the conclusion that in the next 4 years it would need a full body respray and an engine rebuild...

 

And after I had spent that money I would still be left with the original car, all be it in better condition but still a 1970 Cooper S that now will have cost me nearly the same as the Porsche

 

If you can't have both the BMW and the 911...

 

I'd keep the 911 as it will almost certainly be the better car and will hold its value

 

thats my $0.10 worth it will of course be up to you.

[wasserkuhl]

Norm, I share your passion and I am the same age. I have a penchant for the E30 M3's and the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16 (and the 2.5 EVO)

 

If you can do most of the work yourself then it could make sense and be a rewarding project, but not be worth much more than it is now. Of course it would be a corker to drive though.

 

Have you had a look at the real E30 M3's for sale at the moment? I'd suggest that if you were to sell yours and buy a Real E30 M3, you'd end up in a more positive cash position and a car you can drive (as opposed to a car thats in pieces in your shed!)

 

Do a cursory search on BMW forums and you will find many un-finished projects such as you describe. There also seems to be many E30's that have been fitted with Nissan Motors(SR20??? I don't know what they are....!!)

 

When I was at the Nurburgring, there were two types of cars. Porsches and BMW E30's. LOADS of each!

 

Perhaps watch the market. I am of the opinion that, If you can buy a real LHD E30 M3 and register it in your state(I think you can in WA) then go for it. Avoid the softer Jap market M3's though.

 

Here's one that I like. Remember its a buyers market at the moment.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-M3-1987/SSE-AD-2030334/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

[Rossnall]

Have you considered a genuine E30 M3?

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?q=((Service%3d%5bCarsales%5d)%26(((((SiloType%3d%5bBrand+new+cars+in+stock%5d)%7c(SiloType%3d%5bDealer+used+cars%5d))%7c(SiloType%3d%5bDemo+and+near+new+cars%5d))%7c(SiloType%3d%5bPrivate+seller+cars%5d))%26((Make%7b%3d%7d%5bBMW%5d)%7b%26%7d((Model%7b%3d%7d%5bM3%5d)%7b%26%7d(Series%7b%3d%7d%5bE30%5d)))))&sortby=TopDeal

[JustJames]

Norm, play the long game.

Keep your eyes open for somebody who has a similar but opposite dilemma. Sooner or later, somebody who loves E30's as much as you do will need to sell one. A really good one.

With absolutely any car, the selling price between a good car and an exceptional one is usually minimal. So hang on to your 3.2 and wait for the right E30 to come up for sale.

[randall]

This is one of those heart versus head decisions and IMHO life is too short to be sensible.

 

My attitude is if you have an itch scratch it.

It will cost a bit and you likley will not get your money back but it is a very satisfying thing to do. I went through a similar process myself and often (half) joked that it was still cheaper than paying a counselor/psychiatrist.

 

Would love an E30 with a N52 transplant myself.
  
Here is some encouragment for you, it is not an inline six (would be  great project that) but it does have correct badge on the bonnet.
 
I started off with this
 

 
 
 
and after many hours spent in the garage ended up with this.........
 
 
 

[randall]

This one has a 6 in it already...................

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nolla...b23/1028868666

[SteamWolf]

If we didn't waste money on stuff, we'd never have anything to talk about

[webrest]

Norm, play the long game.

Keep your eyes open for somebody who has a similar but opposite dilemma. Sooner or later, somebody who loves E30's as much as you do will need to sell one. A really good one.

With absolutely any car, the selling price between a good car and an exceptional one is usually minimal. So hang on to your 3.2 and wait for the right E30 to come up for sale.

+1 on this, makes sense to me.

You do what you want though you don't need us to give you support.

Make your own decisions you're the one that has to live with it. 

Dave

[edgy]

This one has a 6 in it already...................

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nolla...b23/1028868666

 

haha was going to recommend that one! That is a pretty good deal too!  

[Norm]

Hey Norm,

 

If you are going to keep the bmw for a long long long time then maybe it will work.

 

however

 

if you heavily modify the bmw then i think its unlikely to really appreciate in value as people tend to look for originality don't they?

 

Can you DD the 911 while you work on the bmw and then swap later and keep the 911 for "special" ?

 

I know what you are going thru, I recently had to part with my last fun car as I came to the conclusion that in the next 4 years it would need a full body respray and an engine rebuild...

 

And after I had spent that money I would still be left with the original car, all be it in better condition but still a 1970 Cooper S that now will have cost me nearly the same as the Porsche

 

If you can't have both the BMW and the 911...

 

I'd keep the 911 as it will almost certainly be the better car and will hold its value

 

thats my $0.10 worth it will of course be up to you.

You're right, people including me don't like heavy modifications like different engines. Unless you can vouch for the workmanship, which could be difficult.

Absolutely the 911 will glad its value, which is why I can't see myself selling it. I just want too much!

[Norm]

Norm, I share your passion and I am the same age. I have a penchant for the E30 M3's and the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16 (and the 2.5 EVO)

 

If you can do most of the work yourself then it could make sense and be a rewarding project, but not be worth much more than it is now. Of course it would be a corker to drive though.

 

Have you had a look at the real E30 M3's for sale at the moment? I'd suggest that if you were to sell yours and buy a Real E30 M3, you'd end up in a more positive cash position and a car you can drive (as opposed to a car thats in pieces in your shed!)

 

Do a cursory search on BMW forums and you will find many un-finished projects such as you describe. There also seems to be many E30's that have been fitted with Nissan Motors(SR20??? I don't know what they are....!!)

 

When I was at the Nurburgring, there were two types of cars. Porsches and BMW E30's. LOADS of each!

 

Perhaps watch the market. I am of the opinion that, If you can buy a real LHD E30 M3 and register it in your state(I think you can in WA) then go for it. Avoid the softer Jap market M3's though.

 

Here's one that I like. Remember its a buyers market at the moment.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-M3-1987/SSE-AD-2030334/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

If I get the opportunity and time to do the work myself I think I could have both. A real M3 would be nice but the 6 is just such an underrated car. Even the standard 2.5 6 is reasonably quick. Especially in the backstreets and tight stuff. And when the back end let's go its so progressive, a real joy to rive.

[Norm]

Losing my sensibility is how I ended up with a 911in my garage!

Nice restoration by the way.

This is one of those heart versus head decisions and IMHO life is too short to be sensible.

 

My attitude is if you have an itch scratch it.

It will cost a bit and you likley will not get your money back but it is a very satisfying thing to do. I went through a similar process myself and often (half) joked that it was still cheaper than paying a counselor/psychiatrist.

 

Would love an E30 with a N52 transplant myself.

  

Here is some encouragment for you, it is not an inline six (would be  great project that) but it does have correct badge on the bonnet.

 

I started off with this

 

 

 

 

and after many hours spent in the garage ended up with this.........

 

  

[Norm]

Norm, play the long game.Keep your eyes open for somebody who has a similar but opposite dilemma. Sooner or later, somebody who loves E30's as much as you do will need to sell one. A really good one.With absolutely any car, the selling price between a good car and an exceptional one is usually minimal. So hang on to your 3.2 and wait for the right E30 to come up for sale.

I might be biased with my own example but I haven't seen one in the same condition as mine!

As I said before I can't see myself selling the 911. What I probably will end up doing is freshening up the motor and keeping it as my daily drive. I just want my cake and eat it as well!!