This is my first post so I will introduce myself. The name is Eric and as the user name implies, I am a diagnosed E30 nut specifically of the 91 318is variety.

To start off with my 190e it was purchased back in 08 with a misfire. Turned out the misfire was caused by a chewed up cam. Bought a head and started to rework it then decided to rebuild the engine which led to a year long quest to find the correct pistons. Got the engine back frome the machine shop and then it sat for 3 years. Then I wrecked my E30 a while back and work has commenced again. To make it easy I will list what has been done so far.

rebuilt engine, bored 50 over and decked the block
rebuilt transmission
rebuilt fuel distributor
new injectors
new fuel pump
new fpr
new radiator
electric fan conversion
all new suspension bushings
lowered
new guibos and csb
euro headlights with bi-xenon hid's
refinished all of the wood
wood shifter and new bushings
new dash (well new to me)

list to do
audio, will be running all new wires for 4ch amp
vacuum adjustable headlights
ball joints
e420 brake conversion, will be epoxy coating to match body paint
recover door panels
recover head liner
clk320 wheels

i know I am forgetting a lot of things but here are some pictures in no particular order

Welcome to the forum. That's a nice looking ride. The euro lights look a lot better than the U.S. spec ones.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Nice one - this is my favourite picture you posted so far



'king hilarious I've been there before too!

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I see the single nozzle hood, so the car was built in the Fall/Winter of 1984.

Yes it was, I believe oct 84, I actually picked up a late model wiper with the intentions of retrofitting it before I realized that the hood, windshield and various other bits were different. I really hate how the wiper does not cover the entire windshield and misses that section on the driver side at the bottom.

Update 9/25

Wrinkle coated the filter lid, rebuilt the alternator and my new (to me) dash came in, prepping it for the audio components before installation

You may want to consider "upgrading" the air filter intake tubing slightly by using the flex tube and front scoop from the 260E, which is larger in diameter. AMG used this little mod on their tuning of the M102 motor. I'm sure it was good for at least 100 bhp.

update 9/26

Removed dash for replacement and audio install

Question... is there anything I should do while the dash is out, common issues, wear item, etc...


By the way this was the easiest dash I have ever removed and I have removed many

You might consider the AC evaporator (and heater core) while the dash is out. If it's original, it's 29 years old.

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Prost!

I would do the heater core (noted failure item) and the heater valve. Doing the vacuum actuators for the vents (pink and white units) is also a good idea. While you have the climate control button unit out, take the time to renew the built in fuse and the small bulbs that illuminate the buttons and wheel.

I will probably replace some of the components, I am checking them for function and leaks while the dash is out. I also need to figure out why the blower motor is not working.

I appreciate all the work your putting into your project, but as a owner of (2) diesel W201's, I'm questioning why you would keep the existing automatic tranny that doesn't have an overdrive? To me, that is the one major flaw in these vehicles that is only cured by swapping in a manual 5-speed. Your going to have a great running / looking ride that's spinning way too fast when your cruising at 75 mph.

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You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

I don't feel like shifting, bought the car as a daily driver as I regularly sit in traffic. I bought it as something somewhat fuel efficient, comfortable, has a/c, automatic, something that my E30 is not (stiff suspension, heavy clutch, no a/c, no power steering, no cruise control, loud).

Enjoyed the many pics. Great thread. Keep us abreast your progress. Thx.