WIBIMMERS

Plow King

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/4864705084.html

nebio said:

I spotted a red E30 320i Wed 10/29 southbound on 94 between the airport and 7 Mile about 845am. Still had his #s (249) on the car from Octoberfast. I was less noticeable in my dark grey 335i as I exited at 7 Mile.

That was me. Hit up the Reigning Sound show at Cactus Club for my birthday the night before. That morning I was starting my long trek to Austin, Texas for the Grand Prix. Just got back home last night. I'm totally drained but the car ran perfect. Only issue was when I left a can of Pepsi on the seat and it exploded sitting in the sun making my interior a sticky mess. I did what I could to clean it up but I gotta take some time to detail the whole interior now that I'm home.

That M6 got towed to us. The customer's description of the problem made it sound like a seized engine. Turned out to be a toasted starter. It'll be back on the road today. And it is a legit M6. A little on the rough side, but a true M6.

Sorry I didn't know where to post this. I was at the vintage races at Road America last weekend and was talking to a Hawk rep about pad compounds. He didn't really seem to knowledgeable but he did let me know that if you use the promo code ROADAMERICA you will get a 45% discount on their website. I just tried it on a set of Hawk Blues and it does work, but only a 40% discount. This rep also said that the promo only lasts until Sunday.

Didn't know if anyone would be interested but I thought I'd throw you guys the info. Stock up while you can.

Dr. Avery Alexander of the Alexander Eye Institute. He bought it for a winter beater last fall. He goes through cars constantly. This one is an honest car. No suprises that I can think of. We did about two-grand worth of maintenance and snow tires to it last November. The snow tires are narrow and look kinda funny on it. But the street tires that were on it I actually still have. I think they were Yokohamas and still had decent tread left on em. If you are serious about the car, I can get you in touch with the owner.

If one ever gets to visit Maui, the Hana Highway is a must. 68 miles, over 600 curves on a 1.5 lane road through the rainforest. By far the most intense public road I've ever driven. Driving it in a rented Focus made me carsick. It puts the best stretches of the PCH to shame. And once you get to Hana, continue on the southwest coastal road (Hwy 330 & 31) to make a full circle for an even more intense experience as the tarmac disappears and you wish you were in a full rally car or a Jeep.

I've been using Hawk HP+ in the front. I've read that they make a lot of noise out on the street but I really have not experienced much of that at all. Just a random squeak here and there. Maybe it's because I bedded them in properly according to the instructions on the box, which can be a huge pain in the ass. They do make for lots of dust. But I find them very useable on the street except when they are cold in rainy conditions. And they make an amazing difference on track. I'll be putting a set in the rear too. Looking forward to seeing how much of a difference that makes.

I'll be there with my E30 as well. My last track day completely ate up my front brakes. I was wondering why I couldn't go as deep as before into turn 5. But with a fresh set of pads, my goal is to get a sub 3:00 lap time. Hope the weather cooperates.

Interesting because that is the exact opposite of what GoPro says to do. I'll have to give it a try next time. One thing for sure is that the M20 isn't ever gonna overpower the wind noise. I'll just have to keep using Bonnie Tyler songs for background noise.

Here's some more.

This one is a collaboration of all the footage I had. Made it just for the wife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMqxO9o1_U

Finally got the guts to put the GoPro on the outside of the car and try some different angles. Wind noise is awful.

I prefer to keep things simple and cheap. And I prefer a smooth torque-band. Turboing a car is kind of juvenile in my opinion. But I'm 34, so there you go.

My technician Rob here at the Auto Clinic in Neenah rebuilt the Metric Mechanic 2.4L M10 motor out of my old 73 2002tii about 5 years ago. He mostly rebuilds air-cooled Porsches but we do get other stuff from time to time. He does excellent work but is very slow and meticulous. Not sure if you wanna bring the project all the way up to the Fox Valley, but call me up at the shop if you're interested at all in talking to Rob about the project. (920) 722-7990

I'll be there for DE as well but too pooped for touring. But for those that have never driven the track and are curious doing so, this would be the perfect introduction. This touring session should be very small in participation which means more open track for you. Usually these touring sessions are packed with 100+ cars all bunched together and it's more frustrating than enjoyable.

The Auto Clinic of Neenah. But my opinion might be biased.

I have a lead on an all original 1990 325is that might be available. The car is black on black with 140-something miles on it. Over $7000 has been spent on it the past couple years. New cat, steering rack, mounts, brakes, front end stuff, etc. Interior has aged nicely and no cracks in the dash. Heated seats too! Body and underneath is solid except for rust at the rear tow hook and a little on the rockers. Haven checked in the trunk yet. A used cylinder head was put on it a couple years ago. But now there is a severe oil leak at the head apparently. I don't know the specifics yet but my guess is it's gonna need a new head. The owner is giving up on putting any more money into the car and wants to unload it. I'm wondering what a fair price would be to offer this guy. I don't need the car whatsoever but I think I can get it for a great deal. And my brother in California is interested in it because he doesn't like the 1985 325e that I found for him a couple months ago. He might want to trade. Do you think an offer between $1000-$2000 would be fair? I don't want to insult the guy, but I don't know how much work I'm gonna have to put into this thing to get it back on the road.

If I end up passing on getting this car, I'll make sure to let you guys know the contact info of the seller because I am sure one of you would love to have it.

I think that motor was rated around 180HP. It was a nice track car but wasn't very practical as my daily driver for 5 years. I like the E30 much more.

I've only driven Road America. I'll be doing Octoberfast again this year for sure. I'd like to do an event at another track like Blackhawk or Gingerman or something just for a new challenge. But money and time will be a factor if I can pull something like that off.

I've never really had any issues with the rear breaking out at all. It's always stuck like glue for me even with a decent amount of weight removed from the rear. But I'm only an intermediate driver and I've never driven a stock E30 on track to compare. My old 73 2002 with a 2.4 Metric Mechanic Motor would lose the rear a bit mostly in turn 3.

I've never weighed the car. It's probably stock weight or maybe a bit more with some of the add-ons. Those 15" wheels are noticeably lighter than the stock wheels.

I was content with the stock HP but as my driving skills have improved, a little bit more power would be nice as long as the car doesn't get much heavier. It's a ton of fun to reel in the big horsepower cars with ease. But then when they point you by on a straight, they'll just gun it and I get outhorsepowered and I'll have caught up to them by the very next turn. I kind of enjoy the disadvantage because you really got to be perfect and sometimes get creative with your line to find a way around some of those guys. The lack of power has made me a better driver but I feel I'm ready for a power boost. But the car is too nice to go total Frankenstein on it yet. Although if I did grenade the motor I'd seriously consider an M50 swap. I don't think I or the rest of the car would be ready for an S50. I don't wanna get killed out there.

OK so here is my car. I bought it in July 2011 from an enthusiast out of Tampa. He only had the car for a few months (he bought it from a guy out of Seattle who pretty much built up the car to what it is) and put it on the market when he bought an old E28 project of his that became available. The car started life in Alabama as a plain-jane 325i. But the gentleman from Seattle basically turned it into an 325is. It has 175k on the odometer and has original paint in the front. At some point in time the rear fenders and rockers were repainted.

The seats were re-upholstered with OE stitch pattern and the rest of the interior is original and like new. Aux VDO gauges were installed in the center cubbie. It has an Mtech1 steering wheel and I added a UUC weighted shift knob and Schroth 4 point harnesses to hold me in the seats on track days.

The motor is stock original but the previous owner had just replaced the rod bearings, oil pump, & oil shaft two months before I bought it. He also had the oil pan resealed and refinished the headers with new gaskets and heat shields. The only performance upgrades is a Turner Conforti chip and a Supersprint cat back exhaust.

A Z3 steering rack was put in as well as a MZ3 shifter with a short shift kit. Sachs clutch w/lightweight flywheel. The rear diff was built by Jim Blanton of Performance Gearing. It's a 3.73 diff with 40% lock-up. An MZ3 finned cover was also installed.

Suspension-wise it has new Bilsteins in the front, older Konis in the rear. H&R springs and Ireland sways. Also a racing dynamics strut brace.

The car came with Team Dynamics Motorsports (15x7) wheels with a new set of Yokohama Neovas. I use these for the track. For street driving I put another set of Yokos on a used set of 14" basketweaves I had lying around. I put a set of Hawk HP+ pads in the front for the track. But surprisingly they aren't too bad on the street when it comes to noise and performance. They are terrible in the wet if the brakes are cold. Rear brakes are stock.

Fluids I use Amsoil 20W-50 for the motor, RedLine for the trans and diff, ate Super Blue for the brakes.

Did I forget anything?

It's a sweet little ride for a daily driver and the occasional track day here and there. It wasn't the color I wanted (white) but it was the best E30 mechanically that I could find. I didn't have the energy to build up a car. I just wanted one where someone else donated the blood, sweat & tears.....and $$$.

I don't have any good pics of it. Let me know if you want any specific shots of it and I'll take em and post em up.