Hey everyone! I'd like to start a build thread about my beat-up old BMW. Maybe someone will find it interesting? LOL
Anyway, here's some backstory. My previous project car was a Pontiac Fiero. It was a fun little car. But the drivetrain setup had serious limitations. Plus parts are getting scarce. So I decided to move on to something else. I wanted my new project car to have a front engine RWD layout. I also wanted decent handling. And I didn't want a large or really heavy vehicle.
After some research, I narrowed the options down to the 4th generation F-Body or the E46 BMW. To be honest, I was biased toward the F-Body. I grew up around Chevys and Fords, so it's familiar. But I found a really good deal on an E46, and jumped on it. Now I'm the proud owner of a 2001 330i. I was specifically looking for a 330i, because it has the biggest (non-M3) engine and beefy brakes. IMO that's a good starting point.
Here are some photos from the FB ad. Isn't she gorgeous?!
Looks like this car was rode hard, and put away wet. I wanted a project, and I got one! Here's an intro video I made, right after buying the car.
IMO a project needs to have a goal, or at least a direction. So here's where I plan to go with this car. First of all, it will not be a daily driver. And it will not be a "nice" car. This car is so rough that trying to make it pretty would be an exercise in futility. So instead, it's going to be a weekend fun car. My previous project (the Fiero) slowly morphed into a street-legal race car. And I think the BMW will do the same. I plan to do some drag racing, some autocross, and maybe some road racing. I'm not building it to fit into any particular racing class. And I don't really care if it's competitive. I just want to have some fun.
Also, the project car is just a hobby. Other things will take priority. So progress will be slow. But I plan to keep the car for a long time.
Anyway, here's some backstory. My previous project car was a Pontiac Fiero. It was a fun little car. But the drivetrain setup had serious limitations. Plus parts are getting scarce. So I decided to move on to something else. I wanted my new project car to have a front engine RWD layout. I also wanted decent handling. And I didn't want a large or really heavy vehicle.
After some research, I narrowed the options down to the 4th generation F-Body or the E46 BMW. To be honest, I was biased toward the F-Body. I grew up around Chevys and Fords, so it's familiar. But I found a really good deal on an E46, and jumped on it. Now I'm the proud owner of a 2001 330i. I was specifically looking for a 330i, because it has the biggest (non-M3) engine and beefy brakes. IMO that's a good starting point.
Here are some photos from the FB ad. Isn't she gorgeous?!
Looks like this car was rode hard, and put away wet. I wanted a project, and I got one! Here's an intro video I made, right after buying the car.
IMO a project needs to have a goal, or at least a direction. So here's where I plan to go with this car. First of all, it will not be a daily driver. And it will not be a "nice" car. This car is so rough that trying to make it pretty would be an exercise in futility. So instead, it's going to be a weekend fun car. My previous project (the Fiero) slowly morphed into a street-legal race car. And I think the BMW will do the same. I plan to do some drag racing, some autocross, and maybe some road racing. I'm not building it to fit into any particular racing class. And I don't really care if it's competitive. I just want to have some fun.
Also, the project car is just a hobby. Other things will take priority. So progress will be slow. But I plan to keep the car for a long time.