For Sale: 1991 BMW e30 325i, M50 swap, 5spd
Located in Scottsdale, AZ.
Vehicle is a west-coast car, with a clean CarFax, having spent most of its time in Nevada, California, Oregon and now Arizona. I also lived in Charlottle NC for ~18 months and I shipped it to/from the East Coast during this time.
$24,900
This west-coast car was professionally built by Sin City BMW of Las Vegas, and then continually maintained and upgraded since being purchased in 2019. Professionally swapped & rebuilt M50B25TU from a 1995 525i. Receipts for over $37K+ invested in the swap/restoration fromby Sin City BMW. Another $12k+ in verifiable receipts since I’ve owned it. Approx. 15k miles since build.
Custom JL Audio System
The (approx $2500) audio system was designed to appear as “stock” as possible. I originally built it around the OEM head unit, but as the capacitors and resistors died, efforts to salvage it were not fruitful. Eventually I replaced the head unit with an Alpine Bluetooth unit, with hands-free, customizable colors and multiple pre-outs. It is currently color matched to the amber BMW lighting.
Alpine head unit, JL Audio XD700/5 Amplifier, JL Audio 12W3-D6 subwoofer, with all new cabin JL Audio component C2-525 speakers discretely mounted behind factory grills. LPL knob discretely mounted for low frequency control. This system was designed to have high quality, full spectrum audio with and without the top down. It sounds fantastic. The subwoofer is necessary to round out the otherwise lacking mid-base frequencies which are limited by the 5.25” cabin speakers.
Summary of my position
I have over $12k in personal receipts for this build, plus another $37k+ in receipts from Sin City BMW who did the paint, interior and M50 swap. I'm not expecting to get dollar for dollar, but I also know this car is a pretty rare build (if not for the custom hard top alone). Even at $25k, I realize the car is not perfect but does have good "bones."
Vehicle originated as a 325i. During the swap, it was simultaneously restored by Sin City BMW, including new, factory matched Sterling Silber Metallic paint. Paint is in pretty good condition overall, with a few blemishes. It’s not a specimen show-car, but it is a fantastic routine driver. The interior was also refreshed with factory-correct leather patterns (vert specific seats). The windshield has one small chip that’s been filled (near passenger wiper), but is otherwise free from blemishes or cracks. The dash is virtually crack-free, with a tiny hairline crack not visible from inside the vehicle.
I have a ton of records, including all the paperwork from Sin City BMW, and all subsequent work performed at a variety of BMW shops, depending on where I was living. Car spent most of its time on the west coast (California and Nevada) and while owned by me it lived in Portland, OR, spent a year in Charlotte, NC and now resides in Scottsdale, AZ. It has always been garaged during my ownership. It was serviced by Dynasport (Portland), Boyd Motorworks (Portland), Hendrick BMW (Charlotte), etc.
Selling to make room for something new.
360 Walk-Around
Video shot on iPhone 14 Pro, on May 18th, 2025. I put up the soft top, since it has been stored under the boot lid for a few years, so I imagine the rear plastic window could benefit from some sunshine to soften it up.
About the Vehicle
Title (Clean) & CarFax
Clean Title. No accidents. TMU due to odometer swap and re-gear. (218k miles on clock, 15k since swap/rebuild). A CarFax through 2018 is listed below.
Rare Factory Hardtop, New Soft Top
Factory Hardtop with rare OEM stand and cover. The original vinyl on the hardtop vinyl was removed, the fiberglass was ground, filled and painted to body matched color. Apparently Sin City BMW had over 30 hours into the top alone. There is some minor cracking in the clear coat around the factory hard points. The headliner was professionally replaced in 2022 by C. Fredericks in Charlotte, and cost $1200 alone. A new GAHH soft top was fitted for $1384 in 2019 by Beaverton Auto Upholstery. It has been used maybe 3 times.
Seals/Gaskets/Insulation/Struts
A new OEM Hood Insulation Pad was fitted, as were brand new window seals, trunk seals and taillight gaskets. The front seal for the Soft Top and Hard top are original. New Stabilus Hood, Trunk and Boot lid struts were installed. Both Recaro seats received all new struts to restore functionality.
Alarm / Keyless Entry
A CLIFFORD - 3706X Alarm with Keyless Entry/Lock/Unlock was professionally installed by Car Toys in Beaverton Oregon. The remote has an LED readout and lists functionality of up to 1 mi, but realistically is a couple hundred yards.
Functional AC
Functional and converted R134a AC. It occasionally surges (I’ve had it tested numerous times to confirm compressor is functional).
OBC & Check Control
The OBC and Check Control Panel are fully functional.
Suspension
H&R Sport Springs, new front control arms and M3 offset bushings, tie rods, ball joints, sway bar end links, struts, shocks, and mounts. A Garagistic X brace and Garagistic Front Strut Tower brace was added to restore chassis stiffness.
Misc Electrical
Hi/Low LED H4 Headlight conversions were installed with inline resistor; check panel functions. Brand new OEM Meyle 2-stage horns (410hz/510hz) were installed. The trunk was retrofitted to repair and improve lighting with two OEM trunk lid lights.
Under the Hood
A new AGM Battery from Costco (2024) was installed. Valve Cover and Oil Pan Gasket have been replaced. Rebuilt CS bearing, DriveShaft & Guibo (2024). There is an occasional drip of oil, thought to be from a MS weep, but the car does not consume or run low on oil. The vehicle passed emissions each time I’ve taken it through (most recently 6mo ago) and still has catalytic converters. The air box has been modified to increase airflow. The rear muffler is original but still functional. New exhaust hangars were fitted in 2024.
Limited Slip Differential
LSD (I believe it’s a 3.73), Medium or Large Case (8 bolt). I believe it’s a green tag, but buyer to confirm.
Z3 Steering Rack
A remanufactured Z3 Steering rack was retrofitted and installed by Boyd Motorworks in April 2020.
Cooling & Fuel System
A SPAL High Output Fan and OEM Mahle Behr Radiator & T-Stat were installed by Boyd Motorworks. Additional wiring work was performed by Hendrick BMW to ensure more reliable functionality in warmer climates. A new OEM coolant float reservoir sensor was installed, as were new fuel lines in 2022.
Interior Bits
New Driver, Passenger and Rear Seat Belt Receptacles (non-faded). Functional Ash Trays. A weighted ZHP OEM shift knob was added. Misc Trim pieces updated, such as a leather shift boot, new OEM Dealer-purchased floor mats from an e46. Used, but good condition OEM Sun Visors were installed replacing older stiff visors.
15” Maxlite BBS Replica Wheels
The14-inch basketweave BBS wheels were in mediocre condition and therefore sold, replaced with NEW Maxlite 15-inch BBS basketweave reps and newer Yokohama ADVAN FLEVA V701 tires. The wheels are ceramic coated.
Disclosures: Cruise control was not wired up during swap. Minor paint blemishes and a few rock chips/spider webbing (ie bumpers). Oxidation on mirrors and minor cracking of clearcoat on hard top. Service Interval Lights need new battery and therefore doesn’t reset. Very minor MS leak on occasion. AC compressor works but surges on occasion. Front upper seals on Hard Top and Soft Top are original, and would love a refresh to improve noise/rain intrusion.
