Tim Lapinskas
← Back to All PostsWhite BMW E30 325is with its hood open in a parking lot

Inspiration and vision for the car (r3vlimited)

October 10, 2026 · Read time: 1 min

The internet in the 2000s and early 2010s was a different place. Especially forums like R3VLimited. If it weren’t for the internet, my build likely never would have existed. Not only for the endless knowledge sharing but also for the vision and inspiration. I mean check out these builds:

The attention to detail. The care. The ability to have the patience to continue these builds over many years was inspiring to say the least. Some of those threads span 50+ pages. Everyone had their own unique spin on an E30 as well. Some paying homage to the original car – others finding a path to an elegant OEM+ build.

I mean just look at this before and after:

Before: white BMW E30 325is parked in a driveway before restoration
Before
After: restored white BMW E30 325is with mesh wheels and body-color trim
After

Going through R3V in 2026 is nostalgic. I just spent hours going through some of the builds above. Makes me miss those days and grateful to have been part of the community. Anyway, enough nostalgia for tonight. More of the story to come soon.