1989 BMW E30 M3 convertible cabriolet conversion (replica)

Description

Offered for a highly appreciating new owner is my 1989 BMW M3 CABRIOLET conversion!This M3 convertible began its life as a more pedestrian M20 powered 325ic when it beganits transformation in the summer of 2008. Meticulous? Fussy? I think "obsessive-compulsive"is the more accurate term to convey the blood, sweat and tears that I have poured into thisproject. While it would be too painful to calculate every dollar spent in the process of this creation, it is safe to say that I have well over $50,000 invested to date! No expense was spared in making this car correct in every way! The working six-digit odometer currently shows just over just over 100k miles. The look of the engine bay is very OEM like. This way the vehicle could be certified by the state and 100% California smog legal. Currently the vehicle passes smog as a 1995 BMW M3 and the state certificate is installed in the passenger door jam. Please note that I have only used new OEM parts in the project so whoever buys this car won’t need to be worry about anything I heave replaced for a very long time, especially that I have driven the vehicle maybe 5k miles or less since 2008. THE POWER-PLANT AND MECHANICALS
At the heart of this automobile resides a 75,000 miles S50 OBD1 3.0 liter E36 M3 engine mated to an E36 M3 5 speed manual transmission delivering power to the rear wheels via a 3:25 limited slip differential. Power is put to the pavement via Khumo Ecsta Sport tires size 235/35/18" front and 245/35/18" rears mounted on an 18" ESM/BBS staggered wheels which has been power coat color matched with polished lips. I also used real 3D BBS emblems for the center cabs. Here are the some of the components used: E34 M5 clutch, Dinan lightweight flywheel, 3.5” euro AFM and air box, Jim Conforti performance chip, Z3 short shifter, cross-drilled Zimmerman rotors with stainless steel lines, M coupe finned-differential cover, E36 M3 steering rack, PBR metallic brake pads [very low dust], E36 M3 Rogue Engineering exhaust and OEM catalytic converter and a few other details I do not recall. Overall this car is close to 100% perfect mechanically. I have also installed a brand new AC compressor (not a rebuild one) and custom AC lines for those very hot days when you can raise the top and enjoy a cold AC. The braking is also strong and straight with excellent pedal feel.
THE BODY AND TRIM
Unlike most examples of E30 M3 conversions that used a salvaged or beat up donors, my car began its transformation as a super clean 1989 325ic cabriolet which was free of any corrosion, bondo or paintwork. Purchase price of this ideal donor alone will be in excess of $10k now a days! Upon acquisition, the car went directly to a BMW certified collision center to be pulled apart awaiting installation of brand new E30 M3 cabriolet factory parts that I ordered from Germany. This means that I have used all new steel OEM M3 Cabrio specific fenders, quarter panels, doors and the trunk lid, as well as new rear Cabrio bumper and all trim pieces under neat and the rear wheel well. Only the hood was retained from the original car. Also, the frontCabriobumper was NLA back in the 2008 so I ended up ordering a E30 Sport Evolution M3 bumper which explains the factory EVO front under tray factory installation holes that you may notice under the front bumper. bumpers cause Ididn't want to cover the US side markers as they tend to crack over time. Ididn't use a US M3 These parts are no longer available from the factory through the US BMW dealers anymore. All of the work was supervised by a factory representative which signed off on the work. [You will see details in the link to build thread below]. The current exterior condition of my car is virtually perfect with only two “very” small dings on the trunk lid of the vehicle that I have no idea how they got there. :-( The top is in excellent shape as well with a brand new zip-in window. I forgot to take a picture of the top since I almost never drive the car with the top up. I will take a picture of the top at the earliest opportunity I get and post it.
THE INTERIOR
The interior of my car was is in excellent condition as well. (9 to 9.5 out of 10). The entire interior was redone using a new black leather, including the door panels and the front/rear center consoles. The front seats was redone with new heated seat elements and multi-colored M stripe detail. Other interior details: New Sport Evolution steering wheel, aluminum custom made M pedals, German overhead panel and computer, new E30 M3 Cabrio OEM leather handbrake [$350 alone for this item only!]. Also enhancing the cabin is Pioneer head unit with bluetooth, high end Alpine component speakers, Sound Stream multichannel amplifier (installed in the trunk), as well as two JL Audio 8” sub woofers discreetly installed behind the rear backrest. The head unit display/button’s color can be changed to the BMW amber color so it doesn’t look out of the place. I have also installed the highest end Clifford alarm available to date featuring dual sirens, power remote windows operation, proximity sensor, interior motion detection and many other features or capabilities that I haven’t used.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This is a fast, tight and very special driving machine cause I didn’t want to create something to just look pretty. I wanted a car that will drive and handle as much as possible and I think I’ve achieved that cause it is not an exageration when I say it drives better than it looks! The acceleration is superb is smooth and free-revving with mellifluous exhaust note. The suspension is a perfectly balanced between being supple and firm. The handling is sublime and it is rivaling or maybe even better than the currently available M3. (I know this because I had two F80 M3s as well). This is due to the use of the following components: E30 M3 5 lugs suspension customized by Ground Control featuring Koni oil shocks, 450 pound front springs, 900 pound rear springs, adjustable front camber/caster plates, adjustable rear camber/toe bushing, X brace underneath the engine, strut tower brace, H&R sway bars, adjustable coil overs, E30 M3 control arm bushings, M5 engine mounts and E21 transmission bushing installed in an aluminum cup (to limit the lateral movement). Overall this is a VERY fun and satisfying car to motor topless on those twisty back roads open roads, well deserving the BMW slogan, “The ultimate driving machine”!
Ihaveover 400 pictures depicting the various stage of the build. Message me ifyou're serious and I will send you the link. The entire build of my car is documented in S14.net website as well. For whatever reason I am not able to post a link to the pics or the S14 forum. Please search for "I juststarted my E30 M3Cabrio project" in the S14.net forum.
This vehicle will be sold with clear & clean California title in hand. The car will be sold "AS IS" with no written or verbal warranties expressed or implied. I welcome prospective new owners to come see, drive, feel and inspect the car in person. There will be no post-sale inspections to determine whether you actually want to purchase this car. See my positive feedbacks. Message me if you have any questions.
- Zero or low feedback bidders please message me in advance or your bids will be cancelled.- This car is being advertised in other venues. I reserve the right to end auction at any time.- I will assist with shipping arrangements [buyer pays costs].- Winning bidder please email me thru ebay within 24 hours of auction close.- A $500 non-refundable down payment via Paypal w/in 2 days of auction close. [Buy-it-now requires immediate $500 payment]- Balance of purchase due via CASH in person, bank wire transfer or certified funds within 5 days of auction close thank you.