My first $2010 Challenge adventure

So after a few years of wanting to participate in a $200X Challenge I'm finally committing. I got a great deal on a 90 325i and went to pick it up a few days ago. This was after the wettest year on record for our state and the day after 4" of snow melted (that's tons of snow for us) and I'm driving my truck into a back yard with horrible drainage. I made it back fine and even got the car jumped off and running. My problem started when I tried to get the truck out. These two pictures were after about two hours of trying to get out.

The mud might not look too bad but it was incredibly slick. Top that with the fact that my truck is 2wd with a blown limited slip and you have a recipe for disaster. I eventually got the truck out, but it took six hours (yes, six) and I'll be back for the car in a few days, if it dries out enough. And don't worry about the back yard, it's a friend of the family and they know I'll fix it.

Here's a peek at my prize for all this effort. It's been sitting about two years and I scored it for $250.

nice score, see you at Gainesville

Purty! Welcome to the madness.

That looks clean.

Sweet! I like the late-bumper sedans. That'll be fun! Have you tried to start it yet?

I actually got it started after about 20 minutes! Think I have good luck? I let it come up to temperature and then gave it a little rev (~2500 rpm). When the revs dropped the engine quit and it wouldn't restart. Ah, there's the bad luck I know so well.

Anyway, the paint looks pretty good in the pics, but if you rub it with your finger (after getting through the midlew) it's really chalky, comes off on your fingers and you can tell it's very thin. Oh well, the body is really straight at least.

I had a similar experience picking up the 92 CV from maroon92 in MI, except it was ice and they had to pull me out up the driveway, and up the road way to the next intersection so i could face downhill to get going, that is me, my van, trailer and the CV.

"Oh, you don't really need 4WD," they told me...

Nice score!

I got stuck in my fiancee's parents muddy yard pulling my Aries a few days ago. I didnt make THAT big of a mess, though.

Do you have any plans for it yet? Engine, paint, etc?

excellent grab! at least you got stuck on the way out and not on the way in! I too am curious about the build plan, whats the scoop???

Since it's a white, 90's era BMW, I think this paint scheme would be awesome!

where in the berkeley do you people find these deals on E30s? jeez... that thing looks like a heck of a find.

dyintorace, that paint scheme does look great. Hmm, mine is already white too.

cxhb, you just have to know school teachers that like BMWs but unfortunately make school teacher salaries. Seriously, the previous owner was a school teacher and when the car started running hot she parked it and bought a used Kia. I'm pretty sure it's just the thermostat since that's a common failure on the E30s.

As far as the build goes: Engine- I just bought 24lb injectors and already had a rebuilt turbo on standby. I'm going to build the turbo manifold from the factory exhaust manifolds and scrap tubing. Engine/fuel management will consist of a highly sophisticated.....used FMU. I've heard turbo E30s are fun, my only problem is this car is an automatic. I'll see if the auto can handle the power and if not I may be able to fit a 5spd swap into the budget.

Suspension - Kinda up in the air. It really comes down to the deals I can find. I may end with stock shocks and cut OE springs

Paint - Also up in the air. I have some leftover pearl black laying around but really don't want to paint the car black. I'm still struggling for a theme right now.

Other than that I'm going to strip everything I don't need and get the car as light as possible. Clean and polish everything I can stand since elbow grease is free. And have a blast!

I just realized the car dyintorace posted is a Warsteiner car. I used to love Warsteiner! Think I can for those BBS wheels in the budget??

GPDren wrote: I just realized the car dyintorace posted is a Warsteiner car. I used to love Warsteiner! Think I can for those BBS wheels in the budget??

One of the most famous e30 M3 race cars of all time. I saw one in person at the Zentrum in Spartanburg. They are beautiful to behold.

Good news is that I'm pretty sure new landscaping $$$ won't count against the budget.

GPDren wrote:

Paint - Also up in the air. I have some leftover pearl black laying around but really don't want to paint the car black. I'm still struggling for a theme right now.

checkerboard paint and skinny ties, and you could be the first Ska-themed challenger! Call it the Specials E30 or some other play on that name.

The skinny tires might hurt my autocross and drag scores but I do kinda like the checkers. Now sure why.

I did manage to get the car out of the back yard today after work. There were vines growing up through the engine bay and snaked around the engine. I had to spin the tires to pull away from them. The battery is seriously dead but it may be under warranty. The battery was brand new when the car was parked and the receipt is taped to the side of the battery. I'll check the dates tomorrow.