Shall I restore my 4 door 318i Chromie?
Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 6:31 pm
I have owned a 1987 4 door 318i E30 (pre facelift chromie) in Lapis Blue since 1989. She has had only one previous owner since new and been in daily use all its life up to 2004. Throughout its life of 147,000 miles she has been a great car to use; very reliable, economical and a dream to drive. She has had regular services and never let me down, passing every MOT on the first visit. However, I found it increasingly difficult to accommodate a growing family so in 2000 I bought a Toyota Carina E which I still own today.
I could not part with my E30 for sentimental reasons and decided to get it SORN in 2004 with a view to putting it back on the road in the future. Unfortunately the proceeding 15 idle years have not been kind to the old girl and it has suffered .
Is it economically viable spending time, effort and money putting it back on the road or whether it is best (and it hurts me to say this) break it up for spares. I know that 2 door versions are more sought after but are 4 doors becoming the same or are they still seen as 'the poor cousin'?
I have listed below all the negatives I am aware of:-
1. Rear sills have corroded and have holes by the rear wheels.
2. Rear wing wheel arches are corroded.
3. Front jacking points under the vehicle have corroded away.
4. Slight rear end collision where the rear valence, panel behind the number plate and the rear bumper, have been pushed in by around 2 inches. It has not affected the boot lid or boot interior.
5. O/S/R door corroded through by the quarter light interior of car.
6. Bonnet sound insulation material very brittle and breaking away from bonnet in large areas.
7. Chrome trim around front and rear screens have completely faded.
8. Dashboard cracked in three places
9. Service lights continuously on red/amber (previous fault).
10. Heater fan not working.
11. Drivers seat in very poor condition (remaining seats are ok).
12. No battery.
13. Borrowed battery but could not start engine as the rubber fuel hose from the fuel filter has perished with fuel spilling everywhere. Tank is showing empty so whatever fuel is in there could be contaminated.
I could not part with my E30 for sentimental reasons and decided to get it SORN in 2004 with a view to putting it back on the road in the future. Unfortunately the proceeding 15 idle years have not been kind to the old girl and it has suffered .
Is it economically viable spending time, effort and money putting it back on the road or whether it is best (and it hurts me to say this) break it up for spares. I know that 2 door versions are more sought after but are 4 doors becoming the same or are they still seen as 'the poor cousin'?
I have listed below all the negatives I am aware of:-
1. Rear sills have corroded and have holes by the rear wheels.
2. Rear wing wheel arches are corroded.
3. Front jacking points under the vehicle have corroded away.
4. Slight rear end collision where the rear valence, panel behind the number plate and the rear bumper, have been pushed in by around 2 inches. It has not affected the boot lid or boot interior.
5. O/S/R door corroded through by the quarter light interior of car.
6. Bonnet sound insulation material very brittle and breaking away from bonnet in large areas.
7. Chrome trim around front and rear screens have completely faded.
8. Dashboard cracked in three places
9. Service lights continuously on red/amber (previous fault).
10. Heater fan not working.
11. Drivers seat in very poor condition (remaining seats are ok).
12. No battery.
13. Borrowed battery but could not start engine as the rubber fuel hose from the fuel filter has perished with fuel spilling everywhere. Tank is showing empty so whatever fuel is in there could be contaminated.
