Blasphemy... but hear me out

[swagboy]

Hello all, great forum! Terrific information.

I'm looking for weight numbers for e30's... specifically GVWR and wet weight. Does anyone have these? Numbers for 318's and 325's would be great. Here's why:

I'm thinking of doing an electric car conversion on an e30. I know, I know... blasphemous. But I love the lines on these cars, and I hope to preserve the legacy while adding a 21st century twist.

My eyeball measurements tell me the e30's would be light enough to be feasible, but I need the actual numbers. The wet weight will help calculate how many batteries I would need to have the car do what I need it to do, while the GVWR will tell me how much weight it can legally bear.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance!

[bimmerboy08]

woah that sounds really intense! I don't have weight numbers off the top of my head, but you might be able to find it on the online owners manual (3rd thread from the top of this forum). Keep us posted if you decide to actually do this!

[Eric Devier]

yeah man thats crazy. we were watching this video on the EV1 (a full electric vehicle produced by GM back in the day) and i was thinking that bmw should come up with something. keep us updated!

[downhiller]

on my 86 325e, on the door panel, it says 3737 GVWR. so youre looking about 3800lbs for the 4 door versions, and maybe 200lbs lighter for the coupes.

[swagboy]

Thanks Downhiller for the numbers, and thanks everyone for the great responses! I was half expecting people to say, "why the f*ck would you ruin a perfectly good e30?!?"

I've been thinking about an electric conversion for a while now, especially after seeing "Who Killed the Electric Car" and a new show on TLC about a shop in Cali doing Electric conversions... "Gadjet's Garage" or something. Typically people do them in pretty spartan vehicles... Civics, Geo Metros etc... but then I was thinking to myself, once I'm done the project, would I want to drive a Geo Metro every day? Not so much.

So i think the e30 platform might be just what the doctor ordered; sweet looking car, light, built strong, with enough room for batteries etc...

I will definitely keep everyone posted as the project moves forward. Now to find a suitable donor e30...

Has anyone bothered to weigh their e30 by chance?

Thanks again!

[Eric Devier]

Thanks Downhiller for the numbers, and thanks everyone for the great responses! I was half expecting people to say, "why the f*ck would you ruin a perfectly good e30?!?"

I've been thinking about an electric conversion for a while now, especially after seeing "Who Killed the Electric Car" and a new show on TLC about a shop in Cali doing Electric conversions... "Gadjet's Garage" or something. Typically people do them in pretty spartan vehicles... Civics, Geo Metros etc... but then I was thinking to myself, once I'm done the project, would I want to drive a Geo Metro every day? Not so much.

So i think the e30 platform might be just what the doctor ordered; sweet looking car, light, built strong, with enough room for batteries etc...

I will definitely keep everyone posted as the project moves forward. Now to find a suitable donor e30...

Has anyone bothered to weigh their e30 by chance?

Thanks again!


haha dude you saw that movie too?? isnt it crazy on WHAT we could have had?

[JackTup]

Nah .. people ruin perfectly goo e30's everyday ... at least you are doing this for a good cause.

[downhiller]

I was half expecting people to say, "why the f*ck would you ruin a perfectly good e30?!?"

oh yeah i forgot to mention that:p. but as jacktup said, there has been worse.

[Eric Devier]

Nah .. people ruin perfectly goo e30's everyday ... at least you are doing this for a good cause.

+1..well, actually its more like +2. id LOVE to see this thing running.

[johny_rolly]

I would love to see an electric E30... just for something different.

Plus the torque is great on the electric cars when done right... Not too sure if you are just wanting it for economy though :)

Anyone see that Mini with 19" wheels, each one having an electric motor and each producing 150BHP??? 0-60 in under 5 secs...

If that could be achieved in an E30 Id love to see it :D