The evolution of ‘Errol’ the 325i Cabriolet

[TurtleDesignTech]

Had a few weeks off because of bad weather, but I’m guna get back on it today. Hopefully look at installing the new speakers and the sqr46

My brother also sorted the pinstripes for me recently
Not the best pics, but it looks epic! So pleased!

6105EE95-5208-412D-898F-26A125AD51EA.jpegED2BD831-6051-4253-BE4B-21BC4906B5EC.jpeg

Pinstripes look great!

Where did you managed to get a set from?

[bexwoods]

Had a few weeks off because of bad weather, but I’m guna get back on it today. Hopefully look at installing the new speakers and the sqr46

My brother also sorted the pinstripes for me recently
Not the best pics, but it looks epic! So pleased!

6105EE95-5208-412D-898F-26A125AD51EA.jpegED2BD831-6051-4253-BE4B-21BC4906B5EC.jpeg

Pinstripes look great!

Where did you managed to get a set from?

They’re actually 6 series (e24) ones from bmw. My brother cut them to fit.

[TurtleDesignTech]

Had a few weeks off because of bad weather, but I’m guna get back on it today. Hopefully look at installing the new speakers and the sqr46

My brother also sorted the pinstripes for me recently
Not the best pics, but it looks epic! So pleased!

6105EE95-5208-412D-898F-26A125AD51EA.jpegED2BD831-6051-4253-BE4B-21BC4906B5EC.jpeg

Pinstripes look great!

Where did you managed to get a set from?

They’re actually 6 series (e24) ones from bmw. My brother cut them to fit.

Thanks for let me know. I will see what I can find in the parts catalogue - I know they stopped making a lot of the colours for E30's a while ago.

[bexwoods]

Well my brother is a bloody legend! He surprised me last night with a list of jobs he’s done on Errol over the last few weeks to cheer me up as I’ve not been able to get over to my parents place to work on it because of the lockdown...... honestly buzzing at how great he looks.

Jobs done:
Original front wheel arch liners plastic welded as new aftermarket ones were poor quality.

Mud flaps refurbished, new clips, nuts and bolts, brackets media blasted and painted.

Electric aerial mounted and wired in.

Boot trim all refitted.

Rear seats leather fed, and refitted.

Replaced rear seat belt buckles as old ones badly faded.

Front speakers replaced with Blaupunkt items to match rears.

Wire up and fit new stereo. DAB aerial and microphone routed up to the top of the windscreen.

HVAC panel removed to replace the illumination bulbs.

Headlight switch panel removed to replace the illumination bulb.

Repair the shifter wiring that tells you what gear your in.

Cut holes in replacement centre console for all the window switches.

Rebuild centre console, with new shifter cover.

New cigarette lighter assembly, so that now works.

Black vinyl handbrake gaiter donated from my old 316, as its nicer than the original rubber one.

Retrofit cruise control system, column stalk and shroud, coding plug, wiring routed, ECU fitted above existing ECU, actuator and Bowden cable mounted.

Rebuild glovebox assembly.

Inner wing mirror blanks, mounting lugs plastic welded as they were broken, and refitted.

Refit front seats, leather fed again.

Cover for hardtop mounting post replaced.

Adjust front drop glass windows, lubricate window regulators and door locks.

[bexwoods]

Pics of work:

[bexwoods]

[bexwoods]

[bexwoods]

[bexwoods]

Missing this little beast, but my Mumma gave him the 5* valet today to cheer me up

[Tzantushka]

When will you be able to drive him again?

[mark_i]

EH auto + cruise control.
you just need a 13 button to complete the toybox

[bexwoods]

When will you be able to drive him again?

I’ve got a lot of work to do before I can get him MOT’d unfortunately. Full service, brakes, exhaust, suspension etc etc.
Unfortunately I store him at my parents house so not been able to work on him for some time
Wanted him on the road for the summer but sadly that’s not going to happen.

[bexwoods]

EH auto + cruise control.
you just need a 13 button to complete the toybox

Haha! Maybe at some point! £s going on the underneath for the foreseeable future tho!

[Theo]

Great car, enjoyed reading through the thread.

It might be worth testing to see that the rear screen demister actually blows HOT. They are prone to failure and just blow ambient air.

[bexwoods]

Great car, enjoyed reading through the thread.

It might be worth testing to see that the rear screen demister actually blows HOT. They are prone to failure and just blow ambient air.

Thanks Theo! It’s all good tho next stop, engine ya for a FULL service!!

[Charliechester]

Beauty

[bexwoods]

Exciting post from Germany today! All OEM exhaust parts and a new Bowden cable for the cruise control

[JungleGus]

That exhaust looks decent - would be interested to hear your thoughts on the quality and sound

[tha881]

Very nice, when you replace the heat shield above the rear silencer, make sure you keep the original nuts. The new ones I got from BMW didnt fit, they just kept spinning, it may be just an error that you wont experience, but thought I'd give you a heads up.

[bexwoods]

That exhaust looks decent - would be interested to hear your thoughts on the quality and sound

Will post a video once fitted! Chuffed with it, just needs a good paint job to protect it before fitting?
Need to decide whether to go with stock grey or black.... thoughts?

[bexwoods]

Very nice, when you replace the heat shield above the rear silencer, make sure you keep the original nuts. The new ones I got from BMW didnt fit, they just kept spinning, it may be just an error that you wont experience, but thought I'd give you a heads up.

Thanks for the tip! Defo brought the same ones as are on the car so hoping the new ones will be OK.... will save the old ones for sure tho just in case!

[bexwoods]

Sooo pretty
What colour should I paint it? Original primer grey or black?
Note: I can’t get the correct tips for it

[e30Passion]

I would have them ceramic coated in silver. You're going great, keep it up!

[Rusty318IS]

Nice to see pics of the OEM exhaust, I’d like to replace mine with one but it’s quite an outlay eh,
I note like mine your car is a late 325 and the new system appears to be a 3 piece, does this mean BMW no longer supply the 2 piece?

I think keep it grey paint.

[bexwoods]

Nice to see pics of the OEM exhaust, I’d like to replace mine with one but it’s quite an outlay eh,
I note like mine your car is a late 325 and the new system appears to be a 3 piece, does this mean BMW no longer supply the 2 piece?

I think keep it grey paint.

Yeah it’s three parts, not replacing the down pipe just yet though as it’s in good nic and I need the £s for elsewhere!
BMW quoted me almost a grand for the front and rear silencer. Got gen ones through Schmeidmann for just over £600. They’re worth checking out!

[Rusty318IS]

You’re right their prices look good. I’m just going to have to be patient as they’re on holiday now until end of July!

[tha881]

It does look similar to this system on a french website

https://cyl6.com/e30/4325-e30-325i325ix ... riere.html

But at least with the schmiedmann one you know its genuine as shown in previous posts

[bexwoods]

Now that lock down is eased slightly I managed to get back over to the garage... time to sort out the front end engine bay jobs!!
Lots to do over the next few weeks on top of prepping and painting the exhaust!

Stand by for progress photos on these jobs:
Bonnet Off
Washer bottle out and disconnect hoses
Wash washer bottle
Drain coolant
Remove radiator
Remove cowling
Remove fan
Remove viscous
Remove expansion tank
Flush coolant system
Disconnect coil
Battery out
Remove air filter assembly
Replace bonnet insulation
Clean engine bay
Remove water pump
Remove alternator to get to front of motor
Remove Thermostat housing
Cam belt change
Change auxiliary belts
Replace Spark plugs
Change Engine oil and filter
Change Fuel filter
Change Air filter

[bexwoods]

So I decided on stock grey for the exhaust but with polished and lacquered tips..... 1 hour 45 of hand polishing and one of the tips is done!!

Before

And After

Will do the other one tomorrow, my arms are killing

[ocde30]

One hour 45 minutes well spent in my book !

[bexwoods]

One hour 45 minutes well spent in my book !

Thanks hun first pass on the other side too now but not as happy so will do another pass tomorrow.

[martauto]

What media are you using to polish with ?

Mart.

[bexwoods]

Just worked my way through from 240 to 2000 grit wet and dry and then some metal polish! Worked a treat!

Bonnet off and washer bottle out as well as a few covers off to clean up during the week.
Bonnet to be cleaned up ready for new insulation!

[bexwoods]

God this stuff is persistent!!!! More wd40 purchased.... back at it tomorrow!!

[flybynite]

Oh yes, I think pre FL had different stuff to stick it on, like a mix of araldite and chewing gum

Out of interest was there a manufacturer on the OEM exhaust? Just trying to work out who is making the BMW exhausts at the moment

Coming on well that car