Description
1989 BMW E30 Touring with M52 2. 8L engine conversion utilizing complete BMW Z3 2. 8 running gear, with ZF S5D transmission and torsen LSD. Other modifications include M20 flywheel conversion (lightweight + single mass) and and e90 brake servo. This is a very solid and rust free car which is hopefully evident in the pictures with only small repairs having been done to a high standard. I've recently applied clear waxoyl to the arches and sills but there is no unsightly and sinister black underseal hiding anything. During my ownership, this car has had almost every bush, bearing and suspension component replaced, resulting in a faultless driving experience. The interior is in very good condition with only a small crack in the dashboard and typical touring saggy headlining letting things down, however, all seats are in excellent condition (even the drivers seat base) and everything works correctly including the overhead check control panel. It also has the rare factory option dog guard/ load cover. Externally the bodywork is very straight and honest, there are a few small dings but the biggest overall letdown is the paintwork which looks like someone tried to wash it with a scouring pad, it presents well from a distance but ideally needs repainting. The only feature that doesn't work is the rear wiper which is currently removed, they commonly seize on tourings as water runs through the mechanism, there is power at the plug though. Perfectly usable as is as you don't have to worry about it too much. The Donor Z3 running gear has approximately 10k miles more than the E30, but has service history and excellent compression (the Z3 blocks also had steel liners rather than nikasil) MOT until May 2026 and passed it's last two with no advisories.
Specifications:
1989 320iSE
M52B28 single vanos
ZF S5D
Torsen LSD
SE side skirts (since the pictures the L/ H side has been repaired)
Check control panel
Electric front windows
Electric sunroof
Electric mirrors
Front and rear fog lights
Remote Central Locking
Bluetooth hands free stereo and upgraded speakers
Retractable load cover and dog guard
Replaced parts and work in my 6 years of ownership include:
Replaced Vanos seals
New genuine BMW cam position sensor
New M20 Sachs clutch
M20 flywheel + starter
All wheel bearings
All brakes including handbrake shoes and cables
Full stainless exhaust
Rear subframe bushes
E46 steering rack conversion (3 turns to lock instead of 4)
Braided brake hoses
Shocks and springs all round (standard)
Service indicator batteries replaced
Rear axles rebuilt
Electric Fan
M52 engine loom adapted to use E30 plug
. This E30 is a fantastic turn key example with all the hard work already taken care of. I've owned it since 2019, at which point it had already been converted to a 2. 5L M20 and sat on lowering springs with big wheels and was generally a bit sorry for itself. I set about fixing various issues and returning to a more original look, all while using as a daily car. In 2021 the M20B25 was not in good health so the car was put into storage and the decision was made to convert to a M52B28, over the next couple of years a Z3 donor car was found (I have service history for it going back to BMW approved used) and all other associated conversion parts were collected. At the same time any other 'while you're in there' work was carried out, such as removing and rebushing the rear subframe and repairing any minor rust. Eventually returning to the road in 2024, now with 200hp and a clean bill of health, this E30 is ready for anything. It's not perfect, but at this point it only wants for cosmetics, it is a very usable car as a result, I've been using it almost daily ever since.
This is not a car I want, nor strictly need to sell but lack of space and other cars force hard decisions.
Also included would be any E30 spares I've amassed
Offers Considered
