The E30 325i
Few cars match the agility of a ballerina with the razor-sharp response of an Olympic runner. BMW 3-series have long been known to be the killer boxes on wheels - a reputation garnered from the old 2002's, all the way to the new M3's. The E30 325i may be the epitome of the "box-on-wheels" theorem.
This car can carve up mountain roads, run rings around an autocross, cruise at 90 mph all day long on the expressway, and make the run to the grocery store (or I should say auto-parts store). The beautifully smooth and responsive, 2.5 liter single-over head cam engine purrs at idle....waiting, just waiting to carve up the twisties. The Dinan chip heightens the already incredible responsiveness of the engine. It becons you to use it like God intended.
With a suspension so well tuned you feel every single aspect of the road through the steering wheel, driving is pure, unadultered, visceral, pleasure. The shifting is precise, short, and direct. No waiting, just perfectly balanced driving. The car is so well balanced that you can drive it with finger-tip control. H&R Springs, Boge Turbo Gases, and Racing Dynamics Sway bars tighten up the already superb suspension. Camber correction mounts, M3 bushings, and aluminum control arms dial in the front suspension to a sharp degree.
Alpina wheels improve handling response and appearance - two-fold. A CD player is installed for those long, arduous expressway miles. And the "is" interior improves seating position for those high-g corners.
The carnal pleasure of an E30 325i is second-to-none. No other car comes close to including the mystique of the super-smooth 6 cylinder with the sharp handling of a race-car. Yes, race car. The E30 M3 chassis was based on the 325i. And even though the 325i may be a street-legal, stealth car - it's roots and spirit is found in the E30 M3, the 2002, and the numerous other racing cars from BMW. And stuffed in its nose is a super-smooth 6 cylinder which only BMW can make. A match that cannot be beat - even by today's cars.
Written by Chris Graff '00
This car is my 1990 325i. As my daily driver, this car does not recieve many of the same modifications that other cars in the family have seen.
The upgrades that we have done are:
Dinan chip
H&R Springs
Boge Turbo Gas Shocks and Struts
Aluminium Front Control Arms
M3 increased caster hard rubber bushings
BMW Camber Correction mounts
'iS' interior
Denon stereo system with 10 disc changer in the trunk
Racing Dynamics 22/16 swaybars with adjustable links and urethane bushings
14x6 BBS Gold Center Basket weaves with Toyo Snow Tires
16x7 Alpina Softline wheels with Sumitomo HTRZII tires
Ansa Sport Muffler
Motor Works West Custom Short Shifter
Trip Computer
Rear fog lights
Power Sunroof
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| Resting at home in front of the M635csi |
New H&R's and Boge Turbo Gases |