just acquired an e30 - 320i

[SandMan 0]

OK, Hi All, I've just acquired a BMW E30 (320i) 1991. I have a couple of questions that you good people might be able to help me with.

1/ What do I do with it (jokes aside) I was thinking of turning it into a Targa Car

2/ I'm looking at doing a Manual conversion - good idea or not?

3/ changing the block for a 2.7L

4/ I want to do the lowered mean look, what's the best way

5/ My budget is reasonable (I work full time in the Media Industry) what's the best bang for my buck?

Comments appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

[Nobimmer 694]

Welcome.

Fix the dents

[OLLIE 27]

manual is definitely a great idea.

the rest depends on whether you seriously want to build a targa car or not.

judging by your comment " I want to do the lowered mean look, what's the best way" i think you are after a good looking street car, start by fixing the dents as ashkan said then browse the forum for the other information on 2.7 swaps and suspension options.

welcome

[SandMan 0]

manual is definitely a great idea.

the rest depends on whether you seriously want to build a targa car or not.

judging by your comment " I want to do the lowered mean look, what's the best way" i think you are after a good looking street car, start by fixing the dents as ashkan said then browse the forum for the other information on 2.7 swaps and suspension options.

welcome

Thanks for the info, I'm picking up a replacement guard and bonnet on Tuesday (got a good parts contact from this site). I will get it looking really good, I think you are right, it just needs a good clean up.

Turing it into a Targa car would be a waste of time and expense.

Also the previous owner was a smoker, this has left a really bad smell in the car, I need to replace the drivers seat but due to the smell I think I will replace the entire interior. Does anyone know where I can find a leather interior?

[ThreeOneEight 0]

Clean your wheels!

[SandMan 0]

Clean your wheels!

Actually I think I will replace them.

** Just found a score!! it has an Alpine Stereo/CD/MP3 head unit. It also has an attachment for an iPod in the glovebox and you can control the iPod from the stereo. The previous owner has left his iPod there hnmmm.. very strange, oh well. good score!

[tibbs.james 1]

1:Do the manual conversion

2: Do suspension ie bilsteins and decent springs urethane bushings ect

3: fix dents

if you don't do the 2.7 i would still reccomend putting in the 2.5 engine.

I converted my 320i to manual and wished i had bothered to swap in a 2.5 engine

i was un impressed with the lack of power . I somehow had my hopes pinned on the gearbox making more diffierence than it actually did.

I ended up rebuilding the head & doing camblet water pump facing exhast manifold ect on my engine and it would have been nice to spend the money on the engine which had a bit more power.

[Braeden320 0]

i was un impressed with the lack of power . I somehow had my hopes pinned on the gearbox making more diffierence than it actually did.

A common happening, manual boxes make the driving experience better as opposed to making more actual power..IMO.

[isis 16]

Have all the fluids change

Check replace the cooling system

Brakes

Suspension - cut the springs and you're a fool ;p

[PBOY23 0]

ad 17s

[PBOY23 0]

ditch the old japan plate holder make it look like not a import

[matwithe30 0]

for a targa car? i recon drop an 87 m3 lump into it. saw one in performancebmwmag once upon a time and that thing was a beaut...

may cost a bit but for a rally....youd have some mass kudos

[QuickSilver 0]

1. manual conversion

2. anything else.

[SandMan 0]

1. manual conversion

2. anything else.

Mostly done, I have leather front seats, replaced the RH guard and Bonnet.

Purchased a 2.7L block which will be re-build in Jan-Feb08, and have scored a

Manuel 5 speed gearbox + Kit.

Lets see how it will go.

SM.

[international 0]

Mostly done, I have leather front seats, replaced the RH guard and Bonnet.

Purchased a 2.7L block which will be re-build in Jan-Feb08, and have scored a

Manuel 5 speed gearbox + Kit.

Lets see how it will go.

SM.

haha...sounds like you are going for the biggie...good luck, cant wait for some project updates soon