Champagne Shawty: 1986 BMW 325e

The exterior finish received further attention after the car returned to the road, including machine polishing of the driver's door.

Published a film documenting custom firewall insulation, hardline installation, flywheel and clutch assembly, engine and transmission installation, fluid filling, first start and driving the M20B25-swapped E30.

The E30 returned to driving with the restored M20B25 and refinished bay. Subsequent back-road use left bug splats, brake dust and road grime on the car. Further interior and exterior finishing followed, with the restoration to-do list worked through before autumn driving.

The replacement BMW three-spoke wheel was cleaned. Its removable badge shared the same part number as the badge from the old wheel, allowing the original badge to be transferred.

The previously refinished airflow meter was assembled with restored zinc-plated hardware and the airbox.

Published a film documenting the engine-bay restoration, coolant expansion-tank relocation, Nissens radiator conversion, and Bronzit Beige refinishing of the bay, ES front valence and mirrors.

A box of new OEM BMW parts from FCP Euro was received ahead of engine and car reassembly.

The original hood latch was cleaned and refinished while preparing the surrounding bay components for reassembly. Deteriorated original insulation was scraped from the blower motor cover. Eight unused studs were removed, the plate was sanded to bare metal and etch primed, then finished with three coats of SEM paint. Replacement OEM insulation was no longer available.

An entire E30 air-conditioning upgrade kit was acquired ahead of engine assembly.

Published a film documenting the M20B25 restoration, including the 1988 325i donor engine, the choice to retain the 2.5-litre configuration, and vapor honing of engine components.

The airflow meter housing was cleaned and refinished in silver with a black electronics cover. The meter had not yet been function-tested after the cleanup.

Bench testing the restored Bosch starter indicated an internal short in the brand-new solenoid. The rebuild and its components were rechecked for about two hours before the fault was identified.

A replacement engine was collected in New Jersey on the first anniversary of the E30 purchase.

A donor interior from a parts car supplied a crack-free dashboard and replacement beige front seats. The old dashboard and seats were removed, the carpet was cleaned, and the donor seats and dashboard were fitted while the car was off the road during winter.

Drained the manual gearbox oil during road recommissioning.

Following the recommissioning work, the car was registered, insured and put on the road. After 45 miles, an exhaust valve bent while cranking the starter and the original M20B27 locked up. A loose timing tensioner was initially suspected. The timing belt's teeth had stripped, leading to the engine failure. The E30 went into storage while the Miata restoration took priority, before work resumed on the M20B25 swap.

Published a film introducing the newly acquired 1986 BMW 325e and its condition, including the initial foam wash and exterior detail before its first road use.

The E30 was collected in Pennsylvania and trailered back to the shop with help from friends.

The single-owner 1986 Bronzit Beige manual 325e sedan was won at auction. This was the same calendar day as the Miata purchase anniversary.