Restoration in Bristol shall I or sell?

Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:52 pm

Hello People!

I Love my E30 316i M40. Still the nicest car I’ve driven! I do feel it under powered and would have loved a 318is!

I have a lot going on and can’t dedicate the time necessary to Restore my E30 myself. I have wanted to do it since owning it in 2007!

I’ve been offered £1k (what I said was my lowest acceptance) .

It would be a weekend driver and is off road on the pebble drive.

It is mechanically sound, 105k miles (had it since 43k)
Reconditioned steering rack.

Problems are:
Rear lowest panel severely rusted and damaged by very minor impact a couple of years ago.
Both rear Arches have evidence of rust right up in the twin leaf bit (from what I understand).
Front arches are fine as are sills and always gets praise from mot testers amd garages on it’s seemlessly spotless under carriage.

If anyone knows someone who will restore the bodywork, including complex welding. I am happy to pay. Then I can get the usual maintenance by myself.
If anyone knows someone who would do a 318is conversion as well I would consider it but I did always want to keep it original.

Any thoughts welcome!

Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:16 pm

Noooooo! Don't get rid, you will regret it!!
I love my 1991 316i and would not swap it for anything else! What's the rush, most driving now entails traffic anyway.

I've owned a 1988 318i back in 2009 and regretted selling it.

However it's your choice, you know the car better than anyone else...... keep it!!

Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:27 pm

Thanks!

Just can’t do it myself! Don’t have anywhere to dismantle it to send it to a body shop I’d trust! Phones a recommended shop today and they are not taking on more work!

Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:44 pm

Hi mate,

I can get in touch with a few companies I know that could restore it for you (Rust Busters is their name) . I am very hands on and looking to restore mine myself but I can get in touch with them to help sort you out a discount.

Personally it all depends on if you are happy with spending the money on a car that I am sure you have a big emotional attachment to and keep that love alive or change for another similar car with the different engine.

If it was me, restore, engine swap and know that the car you had all these years is now a better version of itself to enjoy owning.

Tue Aug 06, 2019 10:34 pm

Keep if you can mate! I'm in Bristol also, similar situation. Both rear arches need doing, sills probably as well + plus stone chip patches that have gotten worse.

There is a guy near us called Classic Bahnstormers, have you thought about contacting him? He is pretty pro, with lots of cars being done.

Where in Bristol you based? Am in Kingsdown.

Cheers

Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:17 pm

I’m in Shirehampton...bit other side of Bristol : )

Ha, funny you should say that, I’ve been in contact with Bahnstormers and I’m about to book it in for the full bodywork treatment!

As it’s been off the road I thought I might need to arrange a trailer, so I thought I’d chuck it in for an MOT to see what would need doing... it passed only with the battery insecure that needed fixing : )

I’ll make a thread about the resto when it happens!

Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:59 pm

Awesome news, and glad you're going to keep it

Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:53 am

Foe wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:59 pm
Awesome news, and glad you're going to keep it

Great news mate.
Mart.

Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:50 pm

soul4t wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:17 pm
I’m in Shirehampton...bit other side of Bristol : )

Ha, funny you should say that, I’ve been in contact with Bahnstormers and I’m about to book it in for the full bodywork treatment!

As it’s been off the road I thought I might need to arrange a trailer, so I thought I’d chuck it in for an MOT to see what would need doing... it passed only with the battery insecure that needed fixing : )

I’ll make a thread about the resto when it happens!

Glad to hear it mate. Have you had it done yet? Any pictures?

Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:04 pm

Hi All!

No, the company has relocated to a larger premises, so I’m going to have to chase them!

Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:02 pm

Car is in Bahnstormers in the Cotswolds... drove lovely up there.

The guys have had it a few days and taken a good look around amd it does need a good bit of welding, both skins of the rear arches have a hole... between where the boot lid closes, and the rear lights, under the close cover (can’t think of a better name) there is a lot of corrosion... battery tray etc. Anyway I’ve asked for it all to be done.

I’ll start a new thread with pics! Bit of a shame I’m not in a position to do it myself, but still worth having documented on here!

Sat Jan 18, 2020 4:39 pm

soul4t wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:02 pm
Car is in Bahnstormers in the Cotswolds... drove lovely up there.

The guys have had it a few days and taken a good look around amd it does need a good bit of welding, both skins of the rear arches have a hole... between where the boot lid closes, and the rear lights, under the close cover (can’t think of a better name) there is a lot of corrosion... battery tray etc. Anyway I’ve asked for it all to be done.

I’ll start a new thread with pics! Bit of a shame I’m not in a position to do it myself, but still worth having documented on here!

Great to hear this and any docs are most welcome.

Mart.