Project E30 / Ep. 27 / Total Project Cost, Summary, The End

In this video we wrap up Project E30 and take a look into the realities of completing a project car. There have been 27 episodes and it's been nearly a year in the making. Thank you all for the support along the way!
Check out the full project write up (PICTURE HEAVY) over on Jalopnik: jalopnik.com/heres-exactly-wh...
The parts list spreadsheet is located here: practicalmoto.com/2019/06/27/...
Engine system costs: 2:09
Fuel system costs: 6:43
Cooling system costs: 7:38
Transmission/Drivetrain costs: 8:56
Suspension/Steering costs: 9:52
Brake system costs: 12:16
Exhaust system costs: 12:58
Exterior costs: 13:27
Interior costs: 15:03
Credits/Totals: 17:43
Time spent summary: 21:11
Summary/Reflection: 24:47
Project Slideshow: 27:48

[@brendensprague8019]

Great job. Rare that a project series gets finished all the way through like this. Love the cost analysis from KZbin revenue

[@txdave13]

Good god, man. I work for a Big 4 accounting firm and none of our professionals are that thorough. Loved the series. Looking forward to the next one.

[@leechu8005]

Dude, I worked for a Big 5 (GT) and am now receiving "Big 4" services at a company where I am the audit "liaison." They really are not as thorough as they would like you to think, at least if you are trying to use this awesome project as a simile.

[@6AnAsianGuy9]

LMAO, big 4 life sucks man, get out into private when you can bro

[@Kittles1992]

Honestly bro. I really really appreciate all the work you've put into your E30. Thanks for sharing

[@kitler01]

Respect for the 1000 hours of labour and 250 of editing it's much appreciated im never skipping a add 😂 hopefully your videos blow up your deserving of a few million views atleast

[@joeyNZ31]

This has been awesome and super helpful to me. I have really enjoyed the whole series and appreciate the time you have spent to make them all! The car turned out so well & I hope this is not the last we see of the e30

[@dr.borishnakov9632]

Just finished binge watching and thank you very much bud. Brought a lot of clarity to repairs.

[@TodayGarage]

Really appreciate what you did with this videos. The honestly of the whole series is unrivaled on KZbin.

[@VanquisherFantical]

Thank you for all your work. I really loved watching you build this car. I’m hoping I can get started on my own project car. Thank you for all the inspiration.

[@becomematrix]

Keep it up Peter! It just entered its life as a future classic.

[@riochopot4363]

Been thinking about buying a project car for so long and this series made up my mind to buy one. You don’t know how much I appreciate you man. Be safe and keep up the grind !

[@DaVinci-uh4tr]

Huge thank you for making this video so detailed and for making the E30 series in general. Now I know what I will be facing with my E30, gotta work harder :)

[@ameenwahal]

holy shit 8000$ , i have e30 coupe i’m working on it but i wanna to make it 350 to 500HP with s52 swap but man after this video i don’t feel good 😅 19 years old with 12$ job thats will be hard project but i love e30 and i always wanna get one , and yeah now i have one but i will need a lot time i never give up 💪🏼 i can’t wait to finish it and show it to you . and yeah don’t sell your e30 keep it 😍

[@adrian5b]

Would an M50 or even S50 swap be any cheaper?

[@josecruz-zd3iz]

Thank you for all the work preserving this e 30, producing the videos and sharing your experience. You did an excellent job. Congratulations!

[@canucks7777]

Loved the series and your work. Definitely deserve more subs and views! Keep it up.

[@JimmyRossow]

Very well done! Just finished watching the whole series over the past couple of days. Love the music cues. You have inspired me to start searching for my own E30. Looking forward to your next project car. Also, you have the patience of Job.

[@6AnAsianGuy9]

Really appreciate this series man! I can tell you put a lot of effort into this and it not only resulted in a beautiful car, but is very wholesome and helps the community, thanks man!

[@EggHead2103]

Can't thank you enough for the series. It has been a really enjoyable trip to see this car transform into what you have now. Very impressive variety of skills you have! Video, mechanical, electrical, bodywork, and bookkeeping on top of it all! You've got a lot to be proud of completing this series!

[@R3negad3BB01]

Bravo, man, thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. It's undoubtedly inspired myself and many others who enjoy undertaking automotive projects. I especially liked how you put into perspective the time, effort, and cost that such a project demands as those things definitely take a toll on us DIY-ers. Again, I truly appreciate all the work you put into the car and these videos!

[@J555K]

I will start working on my E30 soon and these videos going to be a huge help! Thank you for your time sharing all these great videos!

[@cindymonshizadeh273]

Proud of your tenacity to finish a project. Time to enjoy it

[@larinoriani]

Turned out great! Congrats on finishing the project. I would buy this car in a heart beat!

[@Eeeeste]

Great project! have bought a 86' 352i Coupe with a lot of things to do and I've know my own car thru your videos! keep doing it. Cheers from Uruguay!

[@timb3741]

Thank you for all those videos, a lot of people don’t know the amount of struggle and the hard work to make such videos, you covered almost every little thing with attention to a lot of small details, I raise my hat to you my friend , you deserve all the respect, thanks again for providing such a rich content

[@Doctor_X]

I have been fixing up my 87 325i convertible. Your vids have helped a lot when i was stuck.

[@dominicroth2600]

This is the best e30 series on KZbin, in my opinion!

[@DustinVang]

I just picked up another e30, I wish you were around back in 06 when I had my last one. This makes me a lot more confident in working on my next one. Just a great job my friend!

[@marcocastro7860]

Thank you for posting the costs involved. Most people don't realize that its more than you think when you do a project, parts plus your labor! Keep up the awesome work. thank you

[@robcarney84]

Watched every video in the series and wow what a satisfying completion.

[@afifghannam9109]

Honestly, I am at a loss for words... you're awesome! very detailed and you gave me a better cost-effective chart

[@michaelreuss4741]

Heroic effort. I own a 318 convertible of 1993 and highly appreciate your work. Thanks a lot, well done

[@bmw-e30]

Thank you for an outstanding series of videos. I often wonder why people go to the hassle of putting all of this knowledge and expertise on KZbin for buttons.

[@bthivierge]

Love the car, love the project, and love the video series/thorough documentation! Subbed and waiting for the next project.

[@ismailbeygirci9394]

i really wanted e30 as my first car and looked at ones same exact condition as yours i watched all of your videos thanks to your videos i started looking at parts of the cars where yours failed. so i gave up on it i dont have tools and skills like yours yet so its better to do e30 project later in the future. great content by the way

[@maythom]

Everything you have done in this project and the time you have put into it will not go to waste. You have learned a lot in this project and so did we. In the next few years, I will guarantee you that you will make up that money and more from the KZbin videos you created. Cheers!.

[@J5L5M6]

Wonderful project, Sir! I have an E30 convertible, man do I wish I had your know-how with tools. I have spent about your entire project in labor alone keeping my BMW up. Really enjoyed the series. Thank you!

[@TodayGarage]

Maaaaaaan this video is inspirational and completely devastating at the same time.

[@rich_2739]

That was fantastic, thank you. Really informative, and awesome to watch someone put in that kind of care and attention to detail!

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thank you!

[@michaelvangheem5893]

@Practical Enthusiast Thanks for taking on this little Bimmer! Drive it and I'm sure you feel immensely rewarded for all the hard work. Project E30 is now a must-see for all of us E30 aficionados. Regardless of the total costs, this is a comprehensive and terrific list for rejuvenating any E30 back to a reliable, fun, and visually stunning ride. Drive it for several months before you make any decisions about selling; finding another one as solid as yours will be difficult! And keep the Kosei's! It's all personal preference; I think they look terrific. If and when you do decide to sell, go high! True Bimmer enthusiasts will recognize the value and the quality work you've put into this vehicle. Well done!

[@avi8tor4evr]

Congratulations and job well done, Sir! I've FINALLY caught up with all Proj. E30 episodes. What an adventure!

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thank you, good Sir!

[@davidcover9591]

It's funny that you and I did most of the same work in the same time period; only difference is that you documented it. You beat me on price, I'm about 10k deep and still need a new drive shaft. Good job!

[@rogerpeerbooms]

Hello, my compliments on your e30 restauration. Most of your problems are sadly know problem spots of the e30. I watched all episodes and i must say i admire your work. I'm dealing with a '86 e30 rest. Project. Your video's gave me a motivation to (start) cary on to keep my e30 alive. I dont have alot of expirance as a mechanical or the propper tools in some case. But im motivated by your videos just not to give up. I love e30's very much. Saving them always gets my respect! They are beautyfull cars from the 80's but sadly sometimes with alot of work. Thank you very much for your video's and i hope you will enjoy your e30 for a long time. Greetings from roger (from the netherlands)

[@AM-fs7zh]

I plan on getting a 88 or so 325is and going to town making it my goto around town car and this Gave a huge insight on working on an E30. German cars are a whole new world for me, you’re video are going to be a huge help for me, really appreciate you man

[@CamGchannel]

Nice to see that this car is going to be driving around for years to come. That work was well needed. too bad the Previous owner didn't do all that you did throughout the 30 years they owned it. A good example of how you can just fix one thing when it breaks and in 30 years you still have a decent car, but when it all adds up it takes a lot of work in a short time. Great Job man!! Do more!

[@cocoyc495]

Thanks for this series. It always inspired me to work on my e34. Great job on the car!

[@don_ald3245]

How's your E34?

[@markharris7662]

The car is a credit to you. Fantastic car and great project to watch.

[@othmanreparaturen4151]

Great Job ,i saw all your Videos 3 days watching ❤

[@maximilianbutton5389]

Nicely done, Peter!

[@fb1966ec]

Great job, we actually bought a e30 323I inspired by your series. Greeting from Ecuador

[@azamizi]

Thank you Peter for sharing all this info with us

[@darrylbarger3795]

Excellent job with great commitment. I hit on your channel and immediately had to watch. Initially I saw you bought an 80's Toyota pickup. I've been looking for an older pickup. I had a 93 and I did a complete refresh. After driving it for a while I turned it over to my Son. It was used and abused, What a great little truck. What happened to your Pickup? Once I watched the videos on the pickup I ran into your 325i build. I bought an 87 325is new and absolutely loved that car unfortunately my Son rolled it. I miss it very much. So I bought an 04 E46 M3 convertible. You are very talented, thanks for sharing your build.

[@abubakrgoziev3858]

Great job man I loved your work, keep them coming

[@DavidVlogz]

Awesome breakdown. I will definitely follow. I’m on the hunt for an e30 coupe but I do own a new to me 318i it has a seized motor but I will be fixing it

[@mil-specgarage55]

Great Job. I have had several project cars and I have always sold them for a decent profit, but I always said that if you factor in the 100hrs of time you are net negative. That being said it is a great hobby and I have become more picky on the projects that I want to take on. I have started looking for an E30 project because I am finishing up my E36 M3 and it was such a rewarding experience getting that dialed in.

[@mhyar]

Restoring an e30 myself now, beautiful journey

[@Bostonclassics1]

Very helpful and thanks for all the videos

[@sgomez3047]

Nicely done PE!!

[@jp2246]

Thanks for telling us the total cost at the beginning!

[@danm700]

Thanks so much for sharing your videos.

[@teamspaceman480]

These videos have shown me so much. Thank you!

[@jonathanhieftje]

This also doesn’t include fuel, insurance or registration. Exactly why I ended up selling my 88 super eta, at the crossroad between break even and unrecoverable cost. Great video series and breakdown.

[@bmwe3opassion519]

Congratulation man. Awsome videos and Project.

[@rmai665]

Great set of videos, really appreciate all the hard work. Another way to generate revenue from this project would be to insert Amazon affiliate links for all the parts you ordered in to the show notes so that people can click directly on your links and help pay for your project. You could also reach out to Rock Auto and FCPEuro to create affiliate links because your videos are ever green content and people will be watching them for years to come in order to help fix up their E30s. I for one would click on your affiliate links if it was an option. Good luck!

[@w4vyk524]

starting my e30 project soon! hopefully it goes well

[@bfpv6803]

Hey, thank you for the entire video series and the summary now. I really enjoyed every single video, it was an excellent video log of how to recreate a BMW E30. I am too young to have met the E30, started with the E46 as my project car and realized that fixing newer cars is far more complex and also more expensive than young-timers. Any ideas what you will be filming going forward, now that the E30 is ready? Again, thank you for the cool videos.

[@glennstruzinski]

Fantastic Job!!!!

[@futuresymbol]

I enjoyed this project a lot while watching your episodes over the past few days. I am very like-minded and fell in love with an '89 E34 525i back in 2008, which has the same m20b25 and very similar transmission and is the reason I started watching your playlist to begin with. It was my first (and only) car, so it wasn't a project exactly, more of a wish to keep it running and taking good care of it. In time I felt so attached that I have gone through most of what you've done in 11 months, with the difference that I also drive it as a daily in the meantime. You have great skills and overall amazing approach to your work, which I appreciate heavily, having a lot of the work on mine done myself. Keep it up!

[@justlore3520]

If you don’t mind, may I ask how much your total project cost was for maintaining your E34? I’ve been looking at a 1990 E34 525i and would like to know what types of problems you went through most

[@futuresymbol]

@@justlore3520 I wish I could give you an idea, but even a rough number would be inexact. Since 2008 I'd say over 10K euro for sure. In 2020 I spent around 2500 euro on interior refurbishments/ upgrades, exterior painting and trimming, engine head refurbishment, windshield replacement, etc. I guess you need to worry about finding rust the most, then about anything rubber and fabric going bad simply because of old age and weathering. Mine was mostly kept in garages and had low mileage, which is what you should be looking for, anything kept outside would be trouble (I presume).

[@jeffeffinggluck]

Great job, but once again, just for the record, and I think we (commenters) can all agree since it is not our $, this beautiful resto needs either Bottle Caps or BBS Basket Weaves.Please!I'm begging here!!!!!!

[@GaJeepr]

WOW has it really been that long?! While I can honestly and politely say this has made my willingness to jump into a E30 project more hesitant it's only because of the professional and complete picture you have provided. Maybe I can say that I'll try to be pickier if an E30 is selected. Another nod for such a complete and honest project build. Many times I am asked "Why don't you have a KZbin channel you are always working on something?" It takes time people. Valuable time. Thank you so much again for a terrific build series!

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thank's Scott! Time flies.

[@hamrbrojx7575]

Great series man

[@MohammedTaha1]

My opinion Yes sell the car and start new project I hope and I think the videos revenue will eventually payoff cause your content is high quality and very good Keep it up, looking forward for more !

[@kaseone6896]

Great videos, came across your videos today after 2 days trying to decide if I should buy the same exact car from a Salvation Army almost identical to yours down to about the same price range and issues it has.. sucks that I will have to pass on it due to the costs it will take to restore these beauty but I do not want to go through the headache.. sad decision.. 🙁

[@ALXG]

Awesome job! I'm a huge fan! I love how you have everything carefully organized and documented. Basically I'm doing the same with my E30, but it got the M30B35 engine by accident) So your videos are real guide for me. Thank you very much! I wish you to increase you hourly rate so that it could buy you some new parts that you need ;)

[@ndubitably]

Well done.

[@blademasterlawncare3268]

Nice E 30 , thanks for sharing

[@nicknamesieben]

Well done....great Job!

[@douglascushing9199]

Well done!

[@E30Update]

one of the best - maybe the best - E30 project on the tubes!

[@arthipc1613]

Great job

[@andrewg2322]

Really honest nice late model example. The values on these have exploded and was a good investment can always get your money out of it.

[@swazi5]

Surprised how pricey the flywheel bolts were. Incredible job though, I've never seen this level of detail, beyond impressive.

[@BirdogEd]

Success, Great job! 😎🇩🇪🚙

[@haikelba2716]

THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@DaveHomDDS]

Great job!!! That 1000 plus 250 hours you put into this series. Is worth well more than 50 dollars an hour. Keep up the good work and keep us updated with the e30!!!🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@MaximilianLaue]

I spent 1100 on my E30 325is auto, did manual swap and engine repairs as the body was and is in tip top shape I can do a lot myself also have to as I live in the middle of nowhere in the CA high desert but your videos have helped immensely and this far I'm not done as now I got a tapping sound in the front of the engine. But a shop rate of $50 would be dream last time I took it to the Bay area to a BMW specialist shop it was $187 an hour ( old employee rate ) so far over the past 2years I spent about 6k but I honestly don't even want to look at it like that lol Keep up the amazing videos like I said I have learned a lot from you so thank you

[@leechu8005]

Damn, why I find this inspiring is that you achieved your dreams against quite cumbersome odds. I'm now inspired to complete my own project.

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

That's wonderful to hear!

[@johncho1817]

You’re amazing 👍👍

[@louisrazzo6173]

Great Job well done congrats

[@cumnmrmptaaa4234]

Woah!!! Was expecting a LOT more money

[@ndkastanis]

Nice job peter!

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thank you!

[@LboogieG12]

@Practical Enthusiast Had a chance to finish all 27 episodes in 2 days & I just want to say thank you for taking the time out to document a quality comprehensive restoration of your E30 325i. I admire your passion & perseverance for your long hours of hard work on this car. Loved every episode & the before & after. One day I will will consult your videos if I need to do any repair on my E30. Btw, I vaguely remembering somewhere online, but is your E30 now FS?

[@PracticalEnthusiast]

Thank you! That's right, it's up for sale. Take a look at the community section for a link to the ad.

[@ccccchao]

can you post up how to rewire the oil level sensor plug?

[@EM_life-gr8sn]

8000? Man that’s cheap. I spent >20000$ rebuilding my 318iS.. and I did EVERYTHING myself... BUT everything is new and OE on her. Now I’m redoing my ‘90 M3... gotta love e30s!

[@Anirossa]

I refuse to find out how much I spent on my E34 last summer changing most things, but I don't care to find out, the best car I ever bought.

[@Anirossa]

Did also buy the belt and its kit, oil filter, oil cap, same ignition wires, rotor, and rotor housing at least, haha, my 88 mod also has the M20 engine, oh and also bought a full gasket set for the entire engine I haven't opened yet, might need the valve cover gasket today as will adjust valves

[@zambuzan]

What do u mean the condor stackable pads didnt work??

[@aconstantdread5677]

watching this as I debate on buying an e30 next week...

[@mikewarner2285]

Sums up to a great ride

[@DaVinci-uh4tr]

It would be great so see the video about how the driving experience is changed Before/After

[@okdude5536]

Name of wheels and where to buy them pls and thank you

[@matthewdavidmorrow]

Would you consider giving us a 2020 update on how much money these videos have made you vs the project costs?

[@danielb2145]

Hard work but worth it.!

[@friguy4444]

Wow you got the car for a decent price although it needed all the time and money you put into it to bring it up to "Almost perfect" (At least in my car brain LOL). In the current Canadian market or at least here in Calgary Alberta these cars can go for that type of price but they are Canadian cars so almost always rusty times ten compared to what you found on yours. (Snow and then the salt to melt the Ice on the roads etc). A good example can go from $6000.00 to $12000.00 depending. That's a car that hasn't had the seals all replaced and the parts gone over like you've done on yours. I would imagine yours would be worth top dollar from a BMW lover that wants a close to factoryish (again in my car mind lol) car. This car shouldn't have any problems for a long time to come and can be owned with confidence and pride. That's worth cash baby. Actually it's much better than cash. LOL.