I may have mentioned this a few times before...
1991 BMW E30 318is. The one with the 16v M42 engine. It's got the M-tech suspension, brakes etc. and interior. The wheels are the original BBS cross spokes.
Plans are to restore it as true to the original spec as possible, including the factory M-tech kit (some of the body kit is missing). It's going to need a few new panels and other bits and pieces and then a respray, unfortunately the old girl has seen some abuse in the past.
After that, it's on to the engine. I'd rather keep the 4-cylinder if possible, because it has better weight distribution than the larger 6-cylinders, and we already have a 320i E30 convertible anyway. I'm aiming for 200hp, although 300hp might be possible, but a bit expensive. The idea is to get something reminiscent of the original E30 M3 in terms of performance (it already handles like one). The main area it lacks is the midrange torque, it's a very rev happy engine and gives a lovely kick at the top end, but you need to work the gears to keep it in the power band. Kinda reminds me of my old 2-stroke bikes.
Possible options include a stroker kit, supercharger kit, lightweight flywheel, re-map, and a few other tweaks here and there. Benefits from NA inlet/exhaust upgrades would be fairly minimal as the M42 already came stock with decent manifolds and exhaust. She has that gorgeous raspy cackle on the gear change
I have been looking into something like an E36 or E46 ci to butcher into something wicked when I have the cash, as I want to keep the E30 as classic as possible. I might drop one of those V8s I had my eye on into it
.
Tucked away in the back of the garage, we also have:
BMW E30 320i automatic, convertible, with the full cream leather interior.
VW Golf MKII GTi 16v, pre-facelift in blue
VW Golf MKII GTi 16v, post-facelift in green
All fantastic classics, which will be restored when I can as well.
And as a day to day runner, we also have an Audi A4 avant, 2.5 V6 TDi.
