Project Revvin' Low: 1987 BMW 325

***Jake*** · 08-26-2010, 11:21 AM

I could attempt to explain this purchase, but it's just easier to say I'm young, dumb and made enough money this summer to justify a cheap old car as a beater/toy. I picked this car up last night from Charlottesville and after a test drive/ride that could re-define "hoonery" in the dictionary, decided it was mechanically sound (enough) to be worth my while.

It's a 1987 BMW E30. Started life as a 325e, and is now technically a "327e" because it has a replacement M20 Eta motor from an E28 5-series Eta car. There's new brakes, a new clutch, a mad-tyte EDM short shifter yo, stainless steel brake lines, new starter, above-average sound system, and somewhere around 150k miles - the odometer stopped rolling at 95,200.

Plans are to get the idle sorted out - it starts okay and then idle fluctuates between 1k and like 400 rpm. The idle air control is brand new, so I think it's the air flow meter. The P.O. took it to a shop and they told him what it was, and he pointed out the part to me. I don't know the M20 that well so I'm not 100% on what I'm looking at.

Also going to re-paint it and generally clean things up... then drive the snot out of it for the school year. :mrgreen:

[Image: revlo_day101.jpg]

When you open the sunroof, you have to stare straight ahead and give your best YEEEEE-HAWWWWW.

[Image: revlo_day110.jpg]

This is apparently what's causing my idle issue. It's between the airbox and the tube that goes to the motor. Think it's the AFM.

[Image: revlo_day112.jpg]

**Goodspeed** · 08-26-2010, 11:50 AM

.RJ · 08-26-2010, 12:13 PM

AFM - I love how the germans see something and say "hey how can we make this more complicated?"

Nice project. Paint it up and it should look pretty good Smile

Maengelito · 08-26-2010, 01:29 PM

Jake Wrote:I picked this car up last night from Charlottesville

no love?

CaptainHenreh · 08-26-2010, 01:45 PM

:thumbup:

3 things:
1: Don't paint it.
ii: It's still a 325e. The 325e had a 2.7 liter eta motor, and the 528e had a 2.7 liter eta motor. Same motor. (325nothing = 325e)
c: BA/BE car.

***SlimKlim*** · 08-26-2010, 02:28 PM

CaptainHenreh Wrote::thumbup:

3 things:
1: Don't paint it.
ii: It's still a 325e. The 325e had a 2.7 liter eta motor, and the 528e had a 2.7 liter eta motor. Same motor. (325nothing = 325e)
c: BA/BE car.

He means Krylon, not paint paint.

CaptainHenreh · 08-26-2010, 02:49 PM

SlimKlim Wrote:
CaptainHenreh Wrote::thumbup:

3 things:
1: Don't paint it.
ii: It's still a 325e. The 325e had a 2.7 liter eta motor, and the 528e had a 2.7 liter eta motor. Same motor. (325nothing = 325e)
c: BA/BE car.

He means Krylon, not paint paint.

I knew what he meant.

Leave it as is.

TorinoCobra070 · 08-26-2010, 03:39 PM

Bawlin! Can't wait to see this thing running around an autocross course, or possibly Summit? DOET. Let me know if you want any help ripping anything apart :thumbup:

Also, chalkboard paint.

***Jake*** · 08-26-2010, 06:51 PM

CaptainHenreh Wrote:3 things:
1: Don't paint it.
ii: It's still a 325e. The 325e had a 2.7 liter eta motor, and the 528e had a 2.7 liter eta motor. Same motor. (325nothing = 325e)
c: BA/BE car.

1. Too late, sir. It is now Rustoleum Blue Metallic.

ii: Thanks for the clarification.

c: Already in the cards, that's part of why I bought it.

ScottyB · 08-26-2010, 07:02 PM

pretty sweet little beater. drop it, put some wide steelies on it and drive it into the ground :thumbup:

Steve85 · 08-28-2010, 12:33 AM

Haha...sweet! The E is a longer stroke and higher compression? I remember reading about people putting eta heads on the regular 325s and such.

And yeah, that airflow meter is ridiculous.

***Jake*** · 08-28-2010, 03:46 PM

With less than 24 hours of ownership under my belt, I had it sanded (roughly. no, literally. 80 grit) and spray bombed with Rustoleum Blue Metallic. It's ugly and it's frikkin awesome.

We primered it, sort of:

[Image: itsblue1.jpg]

And here's the finished product:

[Image: itsblue2.jpg]

It could use another coat of paint here and there, the blue is pretty thin in a few spots. I've got PM's in to some BMW people about getting a new (used) air flow meter and some front seatbelt buckles. Boobies came through with a replacement "convenience computer" since mine is all busted-like and his is cheap. So now I'll have a clock, MPG-o-meter, and temperature gauge to tell me how much I'm roasting without AC.

WRXtranceformed · 08-28-2010, 04:38 PM

Haha! Pretty thin in spots is being generous I feel. Awesome beater man, you should enjoy it!

ScottyB · 08-28-2010, 09:35 PM

this is really reminding me of Chris's (boobies) E30, paintjob and all

**Mike** · 08-29-2010, 05:31 PM

can this thread title please be corrected?
also, please take it to maaco. it looks beyond bad now.

***Jake*** · 08-29-2010, 05:42 PM

Mike Wrote:can this thread title please be corrected?
also, please take it to maaco. it looks beyond bad now.

Yes.
No. I kinda like it uggo.

TorinoCobra070 · 08-29-2010, 08:11 PM

I love the paint. You just need to put all kinds of badges on it. First you have to get a "GTR" one.

Jewels · 08-30-2010, 06:30 AM

I'm with Mikey. That car is looking rough. I appreciate what you were trying to do, but if you are only going to do it half assed then you should let Maaco do it half assed.

CaptainHenreh · 08-30-2010, 08:14 AM

I actually think it's not the paint, it's the primer. The pattern left by the half-assed primer shows through the paint. I've seen what kind of a paintjob rustoleum CAN do (see: Hank the Big Assed Diesel) and this is so far removed that I have to give it a:

[Image: fale.jpg]

***Jake*** · 08-30-2010, 08:53 AM

I have more paint... and will be attempting to touch up/even out/whatever when I get a chance. Either way, it's not meant to be a show car in the least. I know it's ugly and splotchy and at the moment, that's part of the "charm" of driving a $700 shitbox BMW.

On the more positive spin of driving a shitbox BMW... I straightened the cockeyed steering wheel last night and found an air flow meter for $50. That oughta cure the "sounds like it's real aggressively cammed" idle.

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