The evolution of ‘Errol’ the 325i Cabriolet

[boiliebasher]

Bex, I've just read this thread from start to finish (what a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning ) and I've got to stay WOW! Just wow!

Attention to detail is phenomenal and Errol is probably going to last another 30 years thanks to you and your brother's valiant efforts.

Very inspirational stuff, and reminded me I really should crack on and start a build thread for my 325i touring.

Thanks for sharing your progress and please keep up the sterling work!

[BenHar]

Looking good, Bex.

Ben

[bexwoods]

Bex, I've just read this thread from start to finish (what a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning ) and I've got to stay WOW! Just wow!

Attention to detail is phenomenal and Errol is probably going to last another 30 years thanks to you and your brother's valiant efforts.

Very inspirational stuff, and reminded me I really should crack on and start a build thread for my 325i touring.

Thanks for sharing your progress and please keep up the sterling work!

That comment has made my day. Thank you so much!
It’s definitely a labour of love. Finances and spare time mean it’s taking a lot longer than planned but feel very proud of my little e30 🫶

[ocde30]

Don’t worry I’m under no illusion it won’t look this clean for long, just trying to do what’s right by the car and enjoying learning along the way.
He will be used! Not doing all this work to not use it!
But I have a garage spot waiting for him when to in use and have no intention to use is really bad weather or when there is salt on the road.
[/quote]

Your car looks brilliant and I love the attention to detail. Doing this correct colour on the underside is true dedication.
I still have areas of "beige" at the back of my wheel arches after 32 years and 68,000 miles so it is worth doing.

[bexwoods]

Your car looks brilliant and I love the attention to detail. Doing this correct colour on the underside is true dedication.
I still have areas of "beige" at the back of my wheel arches after 32 years and 68,000 miles so it is worth doing.
IMG_0307.jpg
IMG_2517.JPG

Thanks this car was always a very solid car but we felt like we needed to do the right thing by the it and me as an intended long term owner of this little beauty!
I don’t regret anything we’ve done, but so looking forward to getting him out on the road! Especially on beautiful spring days like today

[bexwoods]

Another evening battling the new wing! Getting there now
Must remind myself doing this prep work will save me a lot of money!!

[martauto]

I have found that "Beer" really helps the removal of old stuff !!

And music.
Mart.

[bexwoods]

Few little bits buttoned up last night.
Replaced the connectors for the fuel pump and sender, torqued up all the gearbox, sump, chassis rails etc and put a very satisfying yellow paint mark on about 50 nuts/bolts etc to ensure we can easily see any movement during shakedown.
And fitted a few brand new and powdercoated covers to the new fuel system too
.
Exhibit A:

[bexwoods]

I have found that "Beer" really helps the removal of old stuff !!

And music.
Mart.

If I didn’t have to drive 10 miles home after a shift on the car I might try that!
Music is a must though!! Who doesn’t love a little boogie while playing with a DA

[bexwoods]

Saturday progress… Fuel system done
Also routed the new front to rear brake line (bending that to spec was fun…. not!)

[fixedwheelnut]

Saturday progress… Fuel system done
Also routed the new front to rear brake line (bending that to spec was fun…. not!)

463BD809-8B34-4615-BBEC-2D2FE0BEC857.jpegE0B12ADC-BBA5-4A13-96FD-B68B21105B96.jpeg

Did you have proper brake pipe bending pliers? make it so much easier

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPPEDWOX-Bendi ... 77259&th=1

[bexwoods]

Saturday progress… Fuel system done
Also routed the new front to rear brake line (bending that to spec was fun…. not!)

463BD809-8B34-4615-BBEC-2D2FE0BEC857.jpegE0B12ADC-BBA5-4A13-96FD-B68B21105B96.jpeg

Did you have proper brake pipe bending pliers? make it so much easier

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPPEDWOX-Bendi ... 77259&th=1

I have an even better ‘tool’…. Beemer Ollie/my bro!
So glad to have his help! None of this would be possible without his help.

[bexwoods]

Yesterday we tackled the dreaded rear subframe bushes…. Honestly not sure what all the fuss is about and why you would opt for polybushes over genuine ones (unless you’re a fan of the ride adjustment).
Got them in no problem with a makeshift puller made from treaded bar, washers and a large socket

Also replaced the rear trailing arm bushes and wheel bearings using the same method.

[chatstar123]

That's good to hear. These are the next jobs I have on my car when I get time.
Keep up the good progress!

[bexwoods]

A frustrating few weeks, had to re-do the sills after the stonechip reacted with the undercoat and while stripping down the drivers door for paint we found the check strap had been over extended at some point and had split the door skin.

So several pain staking hours later we’ve sanded, re-sealed, painted with 2k and welded our way back to where we thought we were a few weeks ago!

Now onto finishing prepping the wings and door for paint and getting the subframe in

[bexwoods]

Been a while since I posted an update as kept getting errors… so here’s what I’ve been up to!

[rix313]

Who's doing the paint Bex?

[bexwoods]

Who's doing the paint Bex?

ACPW at Silverstone. They did some body work for my when I first got the car…. Was really happy with that and really happy with the wings and valance!
Just had them paint my JH and Heck too which I fitted yesterday 🫶

[bexwoods]

The thread seems to be corrupted. Not bee able to post for a while have made some really good progress though.

[bexwoods]

We did it!!

[bexwoods]

MOT

[Jam911]

The car looks amazing.
Are you going to the BMW day at Gaydon in April?
Would love to see the car in the car in the flesh

[Tzantushka]

Well done - just in time for summer!

[bexwoods]

The car looks amazing.
Are you going to the BMW day at Gaydon in April?
Would love to see the car in the car in the flesh

Thank you.
Sadly not… I’ll be a Bicester Scramble in April and only other show booked in is Silverstone Festival (classic) in August where we’re doing the retro run.
I was thinking about trying to get an E30 meet up sorted at Caffeine and Machine in the summer I know a few ‘zoners’ that would be up for it

[bexwoods]

Well done - just in time for summer!

Yeah! Can’t wait

[Jam911]

Thank you.
Sadly not… I’ll be a Bicester Scramble in April and only other show booked in is Silverstone Festival (classic) in August where we’re doing the retro run.
I was thinking about trying to get an E30 meet up sorted at Caffeine and Machine in the summer I know a few ‘zoners’ that would be up for it
[/quote]

I am 100 % up for a Caffeine and Machine meet one hot day in the summer !!

[bexwoods]

Thank you.
Sadly not… I’ll be a Bicester Scramble in April and only other show booked in is Silverstone Festival (classic) in August where we’re doing the retro run.
I was thinking about trying to get an E30 meet up sorted at Caffeine and Machine in the summer I know a few ‘zoners’ that would be up for it

I am 100 % up for a Caffeine and Machine meet one hot day in the summer !!
[/quote]

I’ll look into dates etc and get a thread going in the next couple of weeks then

[BenHar]

More pictures, please.

Ben

[bexwoods]

More pictures, please.

Ben

I’ll try…..

[bexwoods]

[bexwoods]

[bexwoods]

[Tzantushka]

I reckon the MOT inspector would have looked underneath and said "....what the faaaar..."

[bexwoods]

Almost! My family go to the same place for all our classics MOTs, have done for years.
I was proud to show John my first classic

[bexwoods]