GUISE I BOUGHT A THING

"maximillious" (maximillious) 06/17/2015 at 09:56 • Filed to: None

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For the last 6 months I have been shopping for a variety of cars. I currently drive a Focus ST and I have honestly just gotten bored with the car. So i made the decision to sell it and pick up something that I can make more my own. Yesterday I bought this 1991 BMW 325ix. The car has 330k miles with an engine rebuild 40k miles ago. It pulls strong, shifts well and the steering is tight. The interior was swapped with a very clean interior Seats from a BMW 2002. *Most of the electronics work well. The car starts up without hesitation after sitting all night. And the idle is level and stable

Now, I know I will hear “Why would you get rid of a new car to buy something so old with so many miles and blah blah blah” And my answer is. Because I want to. I am excited to make this car mine. It is far from perfect. There are dents and dings and cracks (no rust), The dash is cracked and the warning lights are lit up like Christmas trees. But with a budget of 10k I will be able to make this car a reliable and fun daily driver with PLENTY left over to add more authentic wheels, a Nardi steering wheel, and fix up some of the cosmetic details i want to address on the car. But first and foremost I will focus on the mechanical details.

So oppo I am happy to introduce to you Emma, the newest member of the oppo family.

pip bip - choose Corrour > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:02

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E30 528,000KM (APPROX).

if it can last this long , it will last forever.

5-Speed Gangsta > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:05

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Sweet! I can’t wait to see some more pictures

Tripper > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:11

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Congrats! I would DD an E30 over most modern cars!

maximillious > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/17/2015 at 10:13

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I am really excited to get mine up there. The car is just so much fun to drive

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:18

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Is that a colorado plate I spy?

pip bip - choose Corrour > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:18

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well done!

congrats.

505Turbeaux > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:21

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I love those iX to death. I have spent some seat time in one through a harsh Maine winter with plenty of snow. The short wheelbase and AWD is so perfect for it. Rugged AWD system too

maximillious > 505Turbeaux 06/17/2015 at 10:25

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Thats awesome! I am in denver where the snow doesnt last long but it can get bad and, while i dont feel AWD is necessary, I am certainly excited to have it. Glad to hear its a good system. The car handles way better than other AWD cars i have driven.

maximillious > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/17/2015 at 10:25

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Thanks!

maximillious > Tripper 06/17/2015 at 10:26

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Thanks! It wasnt the top of my list until this one showed up. but i am really happy i got it.

505Turbeaux > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:26

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sheeeeeeit when I lived in denver I was rocking my E3 3.0S with snow tires on it! Hell I rode my 73 R100 pretty much year round too. Miss that place

maximillious > 5-Speed Gangsta 06/17/2015 at 10:27

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Ill post some more once I have a chance to get them. The paint is a newer double coat overspray of the original red base, there is some hail dents but I dont care I just assume it helps the aero like on a golf ball.

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 10:27

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Yessir! I am here in denver.

maximillious > 505Turbeaux 06/17/2015 at 10:28

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Yeah I love this city, I have only been here the better part of a year but the weather makes it possible for me to own a car like this. Never too hot, never too cold.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:29

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I recognize the Kavod van, Cherry Creek?

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 10:30

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Yup! right next door to Kavod, and just down the street from Zaidy’s (easily the greatest deli on earth)

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 10:30

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Dont steal my car

505Turbeaux > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:31

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growing up in New England, it was me missing the ocean that brought me back. But agreed, awesome city, some fantastic driving. My 2 main whips out there were the E3 and a series IIa Land Rover for when I hit the mountains every weekend. Glorious

duurtlang > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:31

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That’s some respectible mileage you’ve got there. First thing on your list: Period correct factory basket weaves.

I might be biased though, here’s mine:

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:31

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Oh so you must know Girard Rudofsky

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:32

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Haha, I wont

maximillious > duurtlang 06/17/2015 at 10:47

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There is much want for a set of basket weaves. I am going to start the hunt after i have cleared up all of the questionable lights have been taken care of.

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 10:48

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I dont know him... should I? Does he own the place?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:50

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He does own the place, hes known me since I was born, hes known my parents and grandparents longer. But he “retired”, he still works there alot but if you were to say to him”I thought you retired”, hed reply with “well, I am tired”.

Girard’s dad was Zaidy

Hoccy > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:53

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Photo of the 2002 interior? That seems like two steps back if you ask me, doesn’t really make sense.

Doesn’t have to make sense either, though. Nice car, one of the few BMW’s I’d like to own some day.

DrScientist > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:54

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congrats. any photos of the 2002 interior in there?

MarquetteLa > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:55

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Hello! I live in Denver and work in Cherry Creek as well. Let me know if you want to grab lunch sometime.

Also, nice BMW! Hope you decide to bring it out to ice race this winter.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 10:56

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Congrats - looking forward to seeing your journey with “her”.

Opposite Locksmith > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:10

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I get to drive a 325ix July 3rd - August 3rd!

maximillious > DrScientist 06/17/2015 at 11:27

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not yet but I will grab some shots. Its very clean.

Nibbles > MarquetteLa 06/17/2015 at 11:27

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I may just have to bring the Dakota out for this!

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 11:28

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Thats hilarious! I do love that place to death and eat there all too often... being that it is a block from my house lol.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:30

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You and I should have lunch there at some point, I've been itching for a zaidys omelette

maximillious > Hoccy 06/17/2015 at 11:30

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Yeah when I saw the interior I thought damn thats clean... then he told me it was from a 2002 and I was dumbfounded. The seats look like they have barely been sat in. The owner before the guy i bought it from races a 2002 tii and when he stripped it for racing he put its interior into this car (or so the story goes). I dont have pics of the interior just yet but I am hoping to get a photo set of all the good, bad and ugly on this car.

maximillious > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 11:32

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I am down for that. there is a couple others on this string that would join too i bet. perhaps a zaidy’s meet. email me your # maxbhon@gmail.com

maximillious > MarquetteLa 06/17/2015 at 11:33

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Absolutely, we might get a mini meet together at Zaidy’s, email your # and we can all coordinate maxbhon@gmail.com

maximillious > Opposite Locksmith 06/17/2015 at 11:34

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Nice! what brought about that good fortune? They are so much fun!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:34

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Expect an email! I have my last final today, so I’ll be mostly free for the next 3.5 weeks

BarryDanger > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:36

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Cool but - Why did they put a 70s interior in an 80s car? I have some e30 M3 seats (driver bolster is a bit ripped) I was gonna throw in my bavaria if you wanna trade haha. I’m in Uptown.

RallyWrench > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:37

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Great cars, enjoy! I’m a little curious how & why they fitted a 2002 interior.

MarquetteLa > Nibbles 06/17/2015 at 11:38

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Yes! I wanted to make it out for a race last year with my Mazda 323 GTX, but just didn’t find the time. This year will be different; I’m hoping to make the entire season.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > MarquetteLa 06/17/2015 at 11:41

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Is that still happening after that guy ice fishing fell through the ice?

MarquetteLa > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/17/2015 at 11:48

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Yes.

jjhats > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:54

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I passed on a minty 1991 cali car 318is repainted 140k miles and redone interior before buying my focus st. I borrowed the car for a week and was really torn on if I wanted to buy it. part of me wishes I did but the other part says its dumb to drive something so old as a dd and im not that mechanically inclined. my heart said yes but my mind said no. the focus st is awesome but it wont hold a place in my heart like e30 do. I mean the e30 driving was very underwhelming to say the least, slooooooww loosey goosey steering and rough ride. but it sounded great and looked awesome. the focus st is spoiling me with all that it has but at the end of the day is just another econobox like every other car today. enjoy the car man I hope to own one later in life when im able to swing two cars.

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:58

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The interior was swapped with a very clean interior from a BMW 2002.

Wat.

SR20?

Textured Soy Protein > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 11:58

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The interior was swapped with a very clean interior from a BMW 2002.

Say what now? Are we talking just seats, or like the dash and everything?

Does the dash look like this?

Or this?

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:00

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SR20. Now.

maximillious > Your boy, BJR 06/17/2015 at 12:03

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Patience friend, patience.

maximillious > Textured Soy Protein 06/17/2015 at 12:04

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Just seats, oh my god I wish I had that 2002 dash. HRRRRNNNNGGGG

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:11

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I’m only saying, not only does it sound like bullshit, it sounds dumb

maximillious > jjhats 06/17/2015 at 12:19

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Im not going to lie. I am very nervous about this car. I am not Mechanically inclined either. But I work to pay for the things that I like and I can afford (after the sale of my focus) to send this car to a very reputable shop to have it brought up to speed and have the paperwork to show that. The car was repainted around 330k miles, and while it is not a great paint job it still makes the car look awesome. and with the interior that was added it pretty much checks off any cosmetic work for at least a while There are things I will address, just not yet. I bought the car with the idea that probably another 6k will need to go into it to make the electronics and A/C reliable.

The way I look at it is either I can spend the little time I have trying to learn how to fix this myself or spend the money i have earned through other work to get it brought up to speed and spend time on the little projects that are in my wheelhouse like fixing the fogs.

maximillious > Your boy, BJR 06/17/2015 at 12:21

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It very well could be bullshit, because honestly I wouldnt know what a 2002 seat looks like compared to any other. but from what I was told by the seller is that its 2002 seats that were pulled out of a 2002 by the guy he bought it from who was using the 2002 as a vintage racer. In the long run, I dont give two shits if its 2002 or M3 or Bugatti Veyron seats, the leather is in great shape and they are comfy.

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:27

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is it “an interior swap” or just a seat swap?

maximillious > Your boy, BJR 06/17/2015 at 12:28

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just seats, sorry yeah not the dash or anything like that... I wish it had that spartan 2002 dash that would amazing.

Ill be sure to be more literal next time.

maximillious > Your boy, BJR 06/17/2015 at 12:29

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Corrected post

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:30

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No. You don't. I had a 2002. Worst interior of any car I ever owned. Worst CAR I ever owned, period. Sent it to the crusher!

maximillious > Your boy, BJR 06/17/2015 at 12:32

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Thats too bad, especially the part about sending it to a crusher, im sure someone could have loved that little guy. But i know the feeling. I had a Focus SVT and that was the WORST car I ever owned... would have loved to have seen that thing get squished but i knew someone would appreciate it.

Your boy, BJR > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:35

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Oh I'm sure someone would have too. I just didn't give a fuck.

jjhats > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:49

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hey man good luck youre a braver man than I. definitely a good idea to get established with your local specialty shop. I had a great one I took the car I was looking at it to be inspected so there are people who know these cars well.

Opposite Locksmith > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:54

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I live and work in Point Roberts Washington and I helped fix a neighbors e30 they inherited and now it’s my (half of) summer car

Opposite Locksmith > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 12:55

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They were nice enough to give me a spare set of keys! Should've added that. They drive a bluetec MB cuv thing primarily. And I daily a WRX, I expected to have complaints about the AWD system, proven wrong I must say

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 13:28

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Plus, it has a convenient handle on the roof for pick up and carry if it ever needs to be moved by a jaeger, gundam, or evangelion before battle.

maximillious > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious 06/17/2015 at 13:57

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Or a Knightmare Frame... (if you like Code Geass)

maximillious > Opposite Locksmith 06/17/2015 at 13:58

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Thats awesome. I have been hearing more and more positive statements about the AWD system. which is exciting.

Opposite Locksmith > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 14:37

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Just maintain it! It's easy to do and it'll stick around if you do. They are really awesome cars. Now save up for a s54 getrag swap

maximillious > Opposite Locksmith 06/17/2015 at 14:44

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There is a Getrag in the car apparently...although I am not sure, (no documentation of this) it is a very short throw and shifts really clean so I do not believe it can possibly be the stock transmission.

maximillious > Opposite Locksmith 06/17/2015 at 14:45

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Is there a quick way I could check to tell what it is?

MM54 > maximillious 06/17/2015 at 18:51

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Awesome!

Last time I was car shopping I almost got a ‘91 325iX but was scared off by the premise that most of the drivetrain is iX-specific and I didn’t really want to get into trying to find weird parts if need be.

Anyway, I’d say it’s quite an upgrade, and I look forward to plenty of oppo posts to keep us up to date with any goings-on (hint).