The Sweet S50 Swap

Happy Tax Day!  It’s Friday, and we’re back with the results of the 1986 BMW 325 swap project!  But first, let’s take a look at this 1986 BMW 325es.  She was in for her final inspection and a set of new tires before she heads out on the track at Putnam Park for the Hoosier BMW CCA Rites O’ Spring.
Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

This bag o’ change was under the battery box in this car!  Lunch is on the owner!  Just kidding!

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

And now…what we’ve all been waiting for…the final steps in the 1986 BMW 325 swap project!  This fender lip was in need of a little TLC.  John prepped and painted it…looks good as new!  You’ll see the finished work in just a bit…

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggie installs the bumper shocks:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Attaching the black trim to the bumper prior to installation:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

We had to stop for a minute just to admire how good this bimmer is looking…mean, cool, sleek…just a few words that come to mind.

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

John holds the spoiler in place so Reggie can fasten it to the deck lid:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

John does amazing work.  This fender lip looks like new.  Check!

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

The owner had these aftermarket side skirts for us to install:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Getting closer to the finish line!  We had a bit of extra time with this bimmer, since she’ll be towed off to a custom exhaust shop.

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

And finally, each last item was crossed off the to-do list.

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Arrangements had been made to pick up the car yesterday morning for delivery to the exhaust shop.  We gave the bimmer a good cleaning before her send-off. I love this next photo, by the way:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

A little detailing under the hood:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Just as she was getting backed out of the shop, the owner arrived to the sound of the deep, rumbling engine.  He admitted that he had not slept much the night before, because he was so excited to see his bimmer!  And if you heard the sound of it, you would have been excited too…

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

And you will be able to hear it!  I used Reggie’s cell phone to take a quick video:

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

The owner is awaiting a custom driver seat.

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Reggies MotorWorks | Repairing BMW, Audi, Mercedes

Once the 325 has her exhaust and seat, we’ll be doing the official photo shoot…I’m already looking forward to it!  If you’d like to view the photo album for this project, click here.

The first slideshow goes way back to the beginning of the project, before the S50 got a “new” shell, while the second shows all the “pretty” stuff:

This project has been one that was challenging, exciting, and very rewarding.  It’s been so fun watching the progress over the past months!  Reggie, I’m so proud of you and all of your hard work on this!   Brandon, on behalf of Reggie’s Motorworks, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to work on such a unique project. We hope you enjoy your sweet S50 swap!

Have a great weekend!

Written by Reggie's Motorworks

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