Full BMW E30 325is Build with Custom Interior & Stance

More Images On Our Facebook Page and Instagram Page. Join Our Car Community Today!

Alejandro Widmer - 1989 BMW E30 325is

Instagram - @AlexTooDope

Photographer/Author - Donnie Rochin

Injstagram - @r0cean11

Facebook - r0cean11 Photography

http://www.r0cean11.com

Building the Dream — Alejandro’s 1989 BMW E30 325is

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." – Michael Jordan

My name is Alejandro Widmer, but everyone calls me Alex. I’m 29 years old and based in Sacramento, California. By day, I work in traffic control for Capitol Barricade. But cars? That’s my true passion.

The spark for that passion came from a mix of influences, but if I had to credit one person, it would be my dad, Fabian Widmer. I grew up watching him wrench on his cars—most memorably a 1991 Acura Integra and a '91 Fox Body Mustang. I can still remember doing donuts with him in that Mustang. He’s always loved Lowriders, and that appreciation rubbed off on me, too.

Add in a healthy obsession with games like Need for Speed: Underground 2 and Most Wanted on the PlayStation 2, and you can see how the car bug bit early. I’d lose myself for hours customizing cars, dreaming of the day I’d build one of my own.

Why I Chose the BMW E30 325is

There’s just something timeless about ‘90s cars. The boxy, clean aesthetic hits differently—and for me, the BMW E30 embodies that era perfectly. I spent about three months searching for the right one. I didn’t want to rush; I wanted something clean and worth the wait. Eventually, I found it in Burlingame, in the Bay Area.

My car journey started with my mom’s Acura MDX—funny enough, I failed my driver’s test on my first try in that thing (but passed on the second go). My first car was a 1991 Mazda Miata. I had big plans for it, but six months in, I was in a wreck. That accident, though, led me to the E30—and once I discovered what could be done with it, I knew I had to build one.

What Driving the E30 Means to Me

There’s a calm that comes with driving the E30. Cruising down the freeway with the windows down and the right song playing—it’s peace. I didn’t expect people to appreciate it as much as they do. I get stopped all the time by people sharing their E30 stories or asking about the build. It’s crazy how this car connects generations.

This is my first full build. I didn’t know exactly where to start, but I knew I had a vision—and if I wanted it to become real, I had to dive in and get my hands dirty. I wasn’t trying to win trophies; I just wanted something that represented my love for cars.

Advice to Future E30 Owners

If you’re thinking about picking up an E30, just know: it’s a labor of love. Like any classic, stuff wears out. Things break. It has its quirks (BMW things, right?). But if you’re passionate about the platform, it’s totally worth it.

One of the unique touches I love most is the Taifun front grille with square headlights. Most E30s come with circular ones, so this gives my build a distinctive look that always gets attention.

BMW E30 325is Modifications and Upgrades

Engine & Drivetrain

• Factory BMW M20 engine (stock for now)

Suspension

• Air Lift Performance 3P Air Suspension

Brakes, Wheels & Tires

• 3-piece BBS RS006 wheels

• Advan tires

Interior

• Fully reupholstered seats and carpet by my uncle, Daniel Moreno at 5 Star Auto Interior Sacramento

• Headliner installed by CATUNED in Sacramento

Audio

• Upgraded speakers (Amazon special—but they sound clean!)

Exterior Mods

• Front lip with splitter

• Side skirts

• Taifun front grille with square headlights

Acknowledgements & Community Support

I didn’t do this alone. Big shoutout to my uncle Daniel at 5 Star Auto Interior for the fresh interior work. Huge thanks to Igor at CATUNED for the headliner and for helping me find key parts for the build.

Also, shoutout to my car club, BANKRUPT—their encouragement pushed me to enter car shows and get involved in the scene more. Most of all, I owe everything to my dad. His passion set me on this path. Without him, none of this would’ve happened.

The car scene’s been nothing but love—genuine people, positive vibes. I’ve met some of my best friends through this journey.

Future Plans for the BMW E30

What’s next? I definitely want to do a manual swap and drop in a bigger engine. On the exterior, I’m planning to add M3 front and rear bumpers, a wing, and either wrap or respray the whole car while keeping the current color theme.

Dream Car Goals

The dream? No hesitation—1991 Acura NSX. That car’s been at the top of my list since day one.

Call to Action

Do you have a build story like this one? Share your journey with Stance Auto Magazine and inspire our car community. Submit your car story today!

Order Your Car Magazines From Our Amazon Book Store

Get Noticed Use our Hashtags - #stanceauto #stanceautomag #stanceautomagazine #modifiedcarmagazine

UKTM no: UK00003572459