My new almost mint cab - NOW WITH PICS ON PAGE 2

[Dr Firefly]

Hey guys,
Going to look at a cab tomorrow, paying decent money so expecting it to be pretty good. Thing that's really bitten me with my current car is rust - I think I'll be able to deal with any other problems this new car'll throw at me, especially as it's been incredibly well looked after mechanically by the sounds of it and has a recent new hood.

So where should I look for rust in a 1990 chrome cab? Didn't have an mtec kit as new so at least there won't be 20 years of rust around the screw holes.

Is it true that they were made in a different factory and so rust less?

Cheers, will post up a thread soon after I (potentially) buy it.... really excited
Ian

PS some of the problems with cabs that I've been looking through the archives of mention leaks in the hood - any particular spots that are prone to it, and where should I look to find puddles...?

[ImysE30]

They rust in similar places to the other models, footwells are an ideal place to look and also the boot. Mine is pretty much rust free apart from 1 arch.

Check the seal all round the roof, in the corners at the front where it meets the windscreen is a good place to check as well as around the top of the windows.

[gooner1]

Pretty much as above for rust, as for the hood, ask the seller to direct a hose pipe on all side windows
and the windscreen. Also have a look at the metal connectors for the sunblinds for clues to leaks.

[e30topless]

look in the boot I have seen a few rust badly in the left/right pocket things where the jack is stored tug the carpets out of there and have a good poke around inner wings too

Make sure front wings are solid these are costly to replace !!

I have owned a solid clean looking cab with no visual rust that had holes in the floor

[Dr Firefly]

Thanks guys, anyone have a rough idea how much a front wing would cost to replace? I'm surprised to hear that they're so expensive - is that cos they've got more structural importance seeing as there's no roof? Just cos I know there's a couple of dents on the front wing near the headlights, which can hopefully just be pulled back out...

[Bewdley320T]

Check the internals of the sunroof.

[Bewdley320T]

Thanks guys, anyone have a rough idea how much a front wing would cost to replace? I'm surprised to hear that they're so expensive - is that cos they've got more structural importance seeing as there's no roof? Just cos I know there's a couple of dents on the front wing near the headlights, which can hopefully just be pulled back out...

They're a different size to others and so harder to come by s/hand.

[e30topless]

Thanks guys, anyone have a rough idea how much a front wing would cost to replace? I'm surprised to hear that they're so expensive - is that cos they've got more structural importance seeing as there's no roof? Just cos I know there's a couple of dents on the front wing near the headlights, which can hopefully just be pulled back out...

so long as it's not rotten it can be fixed a few dents is not a major issue but a new wing is close to £200 oem if you can find one and we all know they rot near the sill area

the cab wing is different due to being slightly longer to get over the re-enforced sill area

[Cloud]

Check the internals of the sunroof.

It's a convertible.

[Bewdley320T]

Check the internals of the sunroof.

It's a convertible.

Now, now Cloud; I didn't expect you to fall for it. (check the emoticons)

[Dr Firefly]

Check the internals of the sunroof.

It's a convertible.

Now, now Cloud; I didn't expect you to fall for it. (check the emoticons)

Lol I must admit that one confused me a bit too. Setting off to get the train in an hour... Hope it's as good as I'm expecting. Trouble is I'm so bad at walking away - I'll buy anything At least I've got Ant there to hold my hand...

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Tensioner straps on hoods tend to stretch. No biggie but makes putting the roof away a bit of a n effort. Rust as per normal E30's just less prone to it. Check along the door slams, where the floor bit turns 90 degree to go along the back of the door (if you see what I mean). Can rust on the corner if the car has flexed through the chassis, which is likely due to the nature of cabbies.

[BMWAlpinaC2]

Check the roof. The hood.

[BMWAlpinaC2]

Basically check everywhere.

[Bewdley320T]

If God was made of plastic and lived here he'd go rusty.

[Blitz]

Tensioner straps on hoods tend to stretch. No biggie but makes putting the roof away a bit of a n effort. Rust as per normal E30's just less prone to it. Check along the door slams, where the floor bit turns 90 degree to go along the back of the door (if you see what I mean). Can rust on the corner if the car has flexed through the chassis, which is likely due to the nature of cabbies.

[Dr Firefly]

Just got back from driving it home - absolutely lovely, a few niggles and no doubt there'll be problems but she's gorgeous, and I've never seen such an amazing service history to a car - even the original order form to order the car new in 1990!

No pics tonight cos I'm knackered, but when I next get a chance to clean her up properly I'll post some pics... got 16 days solid of work now thought without a break....

Really happy though - handles beautifully for a cab

[tylerma]

Really happy

good lad

[Dr Firefly]

Really happy

good lad (*pats on head*)

[B7]

Can't wait to see this one. Looks a blinder.

[Simon13]

it is a good car everyone he's asked would of said the same who knows Mahmood and the sorts of cars he buys and his upkeep of them

[bss325i]

Tensioner straps on hoods tend to stretch. No biggie but makes putting the roof away a bit of a n effort. Rust as per normal E30's just less prone to it. Check along the door slams, where the floor bit turns 90 degree to go along the back of the door (if you see what I mean). Can rust on the corner if the car has flexed through the chassis, which is likely due to the nature of cabbies.

That looks like its had a rear quarter panel fitted and not been protected propperly after repair.

[mr_dink]

Good news mate, what engine is it, 325?

Still planning to get the bodywork done on your saloon?

[Splondike]

Nice to meet you yesterday Ian, glad you got it sorted. What time did you leave A-tech and get home ?

[oakey]

Glad your happy with it Dr.
Tis a lovely looking motor. Pics, pics, pics

[ImysE30]

Congrat's on the buy

Like to see some pic's of it

[Mahmood]

I'm pleased the car has gone to a good home.

Ian seems like the kind of chap who will continue to look after the car as I have done for almost the past three years.

Happy motoring

[carson218]

Looking forward to the pics!

[Dr Firefly]

Photos coming up! Can I also say what a great guy Mahmood's been - even sent me a 6 month tax disc through the post the other day, which was a nice surprise. Reasonable price, and no nasty surprises so far. And the amount of history with the car... just stunning. Even the original letter confirmation of order, and the sheet with the options listed - the car cost £29k new in 1990! And every little job on the car that Mahmood had done (except for the tec1 kit, which needs refitting) was done perfectly - you can tell he really wasn't afraid to spend the money on it - got all the receipts to prove it too.

A few little issues, normal E30 stuff like flickering brake pad warning light, leak into rear passenger footwell. But so far I have seen NO RUST! Had a vibration on braking which I sorted today by changing to none warped discs and putting new pads in.

Anyway, photos coming up....

[Dr Firefly]

Here is the first photo of the car I have - when I went to view it.


On the ramps at Ant's checking it out before buying it. Ended up driving it 350miles that day so it was a good test drive



Photo after our first trip out in her - down to Cheltenham. Another 120 mile trip in a car that feels more like my dad's E46 330d than my old 320i


Today outside my house - first bit of sun since I've had it. After a very quick wash (ie not polished or detailed at all yet, been concentrating on mechanicals and stuff)

















Roof in great condition - only 18months old and looks it...





Later on in the day with the sun less bright...

[Blitz]

[Chase007]

Come on get them photos up i need to see it soon

[Ant]

Glad you sorted the disc Ian ! that balljoint must have been chicken or Egg situation which caused what

Loving the moody B+W shots BTW, superb ( that ramp is now at Big Bavarian )

[Dr Firefly]

Cheers Ant, glad you approve. Changing that ball joint did help a bit, but the juddering was still pretty bad. Feels like a different car when braking now. Just need to hunt down where the leak into the rear passenger footwell is, and then it's just tinkering from then on... going to ask Beardymat to sort out that mtec1 kit and make sure it's all properly fixed on.

PM'ed you regarding other stuff...

[pony2]

Love the first photo, what camera did you use?