E30 325i BMW - advice plssss!! - Drifting forum

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 15:45

Hey guys,

Been a while since i've been on here!!

I've done the S14a thang, done the RX7 FD thang...and it's ultimately proved one rather large factor to me, this is that when i build nice drift cars, i get too paranoid to drift them!!lol.

With this in mind i am slowly but surely thinking through a bullet-proof plan to get me up and drifting...SOON!

Right....I do not yet own...but am looking for a E30 325i beemer. its gonna be my daily drive too so it needs to be reasonable looking.

I need advice on mods to get these babies drifting please...and i need it now...can someone help me fabricate a "CRUCIAL PARTS LIST" so i can get on with hording parts

Thanks in advance for your knowledgable, god-like advice people, much love!

chunk · 03-10-2007, 15:51

Simple.........

Weld diff!!

Other bits that will help........

Lower/stiffer suspension
E36 rack for more lock
Bucket seat/harness

Thats about it fella.

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 15:53

God damn awesome...how do these compare to 525s? i.e. Paz's one in the for sale section?

Jimthejunior · 03-10-2007, 15:55

As has been proved 325's or are a pretty good weapon in the right hands. The main bits have been listed above realy.

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 15:57

is that supposed to say "325's are a pretty good weapon"? or "325's or 525's are a pretty good weapon"?

Two_Sheds · 03-10-2007, 15:58

A lot lighter and smaller, different engine as well (E30 325 is the M20 12v, 170bhp, E34 525 uses the M50 24v, 192b bhp iirc). You can get an E30 near or below 1000kg if you go mental with the stripping out, thats a great performance mod.

Having owned an E30 325 before, and now having an E36 325 (M50 again), I'd have the E36 any day - yes its heavier, but it also has more power and just feels like a much more solid base (less rust!) - tuning bits for it seem cheaper and more readily available too.

Or maybe my E30 was just shit

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 16:04

oooo...a new player in the equation. how much can i pick a decent E36 325i up for though? would it be cheaper to get a 316 and get a garage to do an engine conversion??

Two_Sheds · 03-10-2007, 16:10

E36 325s seem to be hovering around the £1k mark, so they're more expensive to start with, but I reckon they're worth it (sure Mikey will be along to tell me I'm wrong in a minute!). Bargains to be had though, Huw from TrampDrift got his for £450 with a long MOT, and I've just picked one up for £850 with 10 months MOT and a custom leather interior to sell. I'd say its better to just get a 325 from the off, engine swap could be pricey unless you do it yourself. Also have a look at 328s, they can be had for not much more than a 325 too.

Depends on your budget I suppose, if youi're wanting to do it mega cheap, E30 is the way (see MJGs one for an example of very capable built on a budget). If you don't mind spending a bit more, I'd plump for an E36 - reckon it'd make a much nicer daily driver too.

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 16:22

hmmm...ok...worth considering. how about a 525i though?

Two_Sheds · 03-10-2007, 16:27

Dunno mate, I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon. I skidded a 525 touring with a welded diff a couple of times, it was very nice!

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 16:29

Did it drift easily?

Two_Sheds · 03-10-2007, 16:33

Yeah, it was OK once you got the hang of shifting the weight about, I'm not exactly great at drifting so I shouldn't really comment.

20vWill/Bon Bon/Steerfromtherear/MJG + loads of others drift/have drifted big beemers, and they're probably a lot more qualified to talk on the subject - hopefully they'll be along soon to answer some of your questions.

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 16:34

Greatly appreciated

Bolf · 03-10-2007, 16:53

E30 Zone - Uk's largest E30 community

Loads of nice 3 series on there for sale , i'd also add 318is on your list for possible cars.

royal · 03-10-2007, 17:03

318is rule! a bit hard to find though. There's some for sale for four grand at the moment!! You can find them for between £500-£1000 though if you keep your eyes open. They are supposed to be second only to the M3? I love mine

so much fun and so light and usable. I have the tail out every morning at 60mph, I'd never even risk it in my Rex.

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 17:16

318is.....sorry...someone explain!?!? 318i??? im confused!

Bolf · 03-10-2007, 17:29

318is is often known as the baby M3

It has a high revving 16valve 4 cylinder engine putting about 148bhp out

Also has different ratios , trim , bumpers and brakes.

there are 5 on the for sale section of e30zone recently 2 are minters and 3 are more tramp

Bolf · 03-10-2007, 17:30

Where are you based dude , I know of a 318IS up here for £600 dabs

ProjectS14a · 03-10-2007, 17:35

I'm down near stansted airport just outside london...so quite a trick. Would you be able to source any pictures and a brief description of condition etc?

Bolf · 03-10-2007, 17:40

I'd just stick to e30 zone pal , its listed on there anyway , its in Oldham , quite a trek.

There are plenty of fitting cars on e30 zone , and ebay.

03-10-2007, 15:45	#1 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	E30 325i BMW - advice plssss!! Hey guys, Been a while since i've been on here!! I've done the S14a thang, done the RX7 FD thang...and it's ultimately proved one rather large factor to me, this is that when i build nice drift cars, i get too paranoid to drift them!!lol. With this in mind i am slowly but surely thinking through a bullet-proof plan to get me up and drifting...SOON! Right....I do not yet own...but am looking for a E30 325i beemer. its gonna be my daily drive too so it needs to be reasonable looking. I need advice on mods to get these babies drifting please...and i need it now...can someone help me fabricate a "CRUCIAL PARTS LIST" so i can get on with hording parts Thanks in advance for your knowledgable, god-like advice people, much love!

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03-10-2007, 15:51	#2 (permalink)
chunk sucks Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Leicester Posts: 4,366	Simple......... Weld diff!! Other bits that will help........ Lower/stiffer suspension E36 rack for more lock Bucket seat/harness Thats about it fella.

03-10-2007, 15:53	#3 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	God damn awesome...how do these compare to 525s? i.e. Paz's one in the for sale section?

03-10-2007, 15:55	#4 (permalink)
Jimthejunior Represent Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,935	As has been proved 325's or are a pretty good weapon in the right hands. The main bits have been listed above realy.

03-10-2007, 15:57	#5 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	is that supposed to say "325's are a pretty good weapon"? or "325's or 525's are a pretty good weapon"?

03-10-2007, 15:58	#6 (permalink)
Two_Sheds chaplad Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 582	A lot lighter and smaller, different engine as well (E30 325 is the M20 12v, 170bhp, E34 525 uses the M50 24v, 192b bhp iirc). You can get an E30 near or below 1000kg if you go mental with the stripping out, thats a great performance mod. Having owned an E30 325 before, and now having an E36 325 (M50 again), I'd have the E36 any day - yes its heavier, but it also has more power and just feels like a much more solid base (less rust!) - tuning bits for it seem cheaper and more readily available too. Or maybe my E30 was just shit

03-10-2007, 16:04	#7 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	oooo...a new player in the equation. how much can i pick a decent E36 325i up for though? would it be cheaper to get a 316 and get a garage to do an engine conversion??

03-10-2007, 16:10	#8 (permalink)
Two_Sheds chaplad Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 582	E36 325s seem to be hovering around the £1k mark, so they're more expensive to start with, but I reckon they're worth it (sure Mikey will be along to tell me I'm wrong in a minute!). Bargains to be had though, Huw from TrampDrift got his for £450 with a long MOT, and I've just picked one up for £850 with 10 months MOT and a custom leather interior to sell. I'd say its better to just get a 325 from the off, engine swap could be pricey unless you do it yourself. Also have a look at 328s, they can be had for not much more than a 325 too. Depends on your budget I suppose, if youi're wanting to do it mega cheap, E30 is the way (see MJGs one for an example of very capable built on a budget). If you don't mind spending a bit more, I'd plump for an E36 - reckon it'd make a much nicer daily driver too.

03-10-2007, 16:22	#9 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	hmmm...ok...worth considering. how about a 525i though?

03-10-2007, 16:27	#10 (permalink)
Two_Sheds chaplad Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 582	Dunno mate, I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon. I skidded a 525 touring with a welded diff a couple of times, it was very nice!

03-10-2007, 16:29	#11 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	Did it drift easily?

03-10-2007, 16:33	#12 (permalink)
Two_Sheds chaplad Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 582	Yeah, it was OK once you got the hang of shifting the weight about, I'm not exactly great at drifting so I shouldn't really comment. 20vWill/Bon Bon/Steerfromtherear/MJG + loads of others drift/have drifted big beemers, and they're probably a lot more qualified to talk on the subject - hopefully they'll be along soon to answer some of your questions.

03-10-2007, 16:34	#13 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	Greatly appreciated

03-10-2007, 16:53	#14 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 2,025	E30 Zone - Uk's largest E30 community Loads of nice 3 series on there for sale , i'd also add 318is on your list for possible cars.

03-10-2007, 17:03	#15 (permalink)
royal S1- F.T break! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,743	318is rule! a bit hard to find though. There's some for sale for four grand at the moment!! You can find them for between £500-£1000 though if you keep your eyes open. They are supposed to be second only to the M3? I love mine so much fun and so light and usable. I have the tail out every morning at 60mph, I'd never even risk it in my Rex.

03-10-2007, 17:16	#16 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	318is.....sorry...someone explain!?!? 318i??? im confused!

03-10-2007, 17:29	#17 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 2,025	318is is often known as the baby M3 It has a high revving 16valve 4 cylinder engine putting about 148bhp out Also has different ratios , trim , bumpers and brakes. there are 5 on the for sale section of e30zone recently 2 are minters and 3 are more tramp

03-10-2007, 17:30	#18 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 2,025	Where are you based dude , I know of a 318IS up here for £600 dabs

03-10-2007, 17:35	#19 (permalink)
ProjectS14a spl dori master Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 355	I'm down near stansted airport just outside london...so quite a trick. Would you be able to source any pictures and a brief description of condition etc?

03-10-2007, 17:40	#20 (permalink)
Bolf www.manfoot.in Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Home: Manchester / Work: All over the UK Posts: 2,025	I'd just stick to e30 zone pal , its listed on there anyway , its in Oldham , quite a trek. There are plenty of fitting cars on e30 zone , and ebay.