BMW E30 Build Project Intro | M52 Engine Swap Restomod E30 Restoration | Buying 316i Base Car | 001
BMW E30 Build Project Intro | M52 Engine Swap Restomod E30 Restoration | Buying a 316i | 001
In this video, I share my recently purchased BMW E30 project 316i and discuss build plans for turning it into my interpretation of the ultimate non-M3 BMW E30.
The base car is a 1990 E30 316i manual in unusual Tizianrot (Titian Red). It’s a coupe with about 103k miles on it, a few bits of rust and a few dings here and there, but nothing terminal I can see.
It also has sports Houndstooth front seats which I like, but they are a bit damaged and tired and I don’t have the rear bench to match.
I’ve actually had possession of this E30 restoration base car for a whole year now, and as it had an MOT we’ve been driving it around a bit and enjoying it in stock, tired form.
You may have seen our previous video in which we changed the cambelt water pump and performed a major service on the car and its stock M40 4 pot engine.
Its been 100% reliable and I’m sure it would plot on forever now. However, I have some much bigger plans for this car than to leave it stock.
Here is my description of the ultimate restomod E30 restoration project:
1. 2 door coupe shell – potentially MTech II body, but what colour?
2. M52B28 engine swap – I’m an NA fan, and this is the logical engine for the build
3. Manual transmission with LSD – luckily its already manual
4. Bigger brakes and stronger suspension than standard – I think probably a 5 lug swap
5. Simple black leather interior with no-frills – I want it to be nice, without adding much weight
I think with a bit of determination and perseverance (and money) I should be able to turn this E30 into that ultimate interpretation and enjoy it.
I’ve already made a good start on collecting parts including the M52 engine which I picked up from Adam of “The Downshift Channel” (go look their channel up).
By publishing this for all to see on Youtube I’ve made myself accountable and its probably the push I need to actually get the ball rolling on the project. Make sure to subscribe and follow along with the project.
If you’re interested in doing this type of E30 build yourself, you will probably learn a lot with us along the way.
Feel free to offer some words of encouragement and suggestions for the car’s colour in the comments section. For more detailed guides and reviews, you can always check our our blog
Cheers!
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