Finally bought one - Chromie Content.

[bennn]

Hi guys, I've been a long-time lurker on here, but i've finally accumulated the cash and the balls to buy my one of my favourite beemers. I'm 18 and just one year ago, was seriously considering modifying my fiesta, but some perusing on choice car websites made me realise that modifying a fiesta is the definition of polishing a turd. So the money i didn't waste on halfords tat in my youthfull ignorance recently went on purchasing a no tax or test 1987 316, and i LOVE it already. Power steering or fuel injection? No thanks...





Fairly pleased with it's condition, interior is mint except for drivers seat, which was promptly re-upholstered.



Became



Then



Also stripped the interior and hired a carpet cleaner



Plans are to get the wings resprayed and the rear arches touched up. then a good clay and detail to restore the rest of the paintwork. Then some lowering and tasty wheels. It drives briilliantly. Only prob is it idles a bit lumpy, I am going to give the carb a good clean and give it a full service, if that doesn't sort it, any ideas?

Thanks, Ben.

[Tedswagon]

Looking good. is it originally from Belfast? (reg) Looks like the near side wing has been replaced.

My car is without power steering as well and love it until I have to park in a small space. Get a Tech 1 or Tech 2 leather steering wheel. Much nicer when manoeuvring than the 4 spoke plastic lorry wheel.

[m_jermyn]

Welcome to the coolest club on the zone my friend..... The chromie club.



Mike

[Rav335uk]

Welcome Benn
Well done on the "Right" buy

[Ollie_bwoii]

I remember this car.... I was interested in it until I found out it was in ireland.

Glad to see your not ruining it.

[bennn]

Cheers lads! Yeh originally sold In the Bavarian dealership in Belfast. The previous owner had obviously disliked the plastic wheels, there was a hideous faux leather steering wheel cover on it, along with equally hideous seat covers. At least they protected the interior. After much searching apparently the fuel filter needing replacing can cause some of the symptoms the engine is experiencing, so that'll be first up on the mechanical side of things. Such an exciting car to finally own!

[Alex]

Tidy, while the carpet is that far out check the front footwells for rot, Its a hotspot

Looks tidy enough though

[Dezzy]

I like it.

Just to correct Mike's post above.

The coolest club on the zone is CR24v

Chromies are cool though.

[bennn]

Haha, at some stage in the future I'd love to drop an m50 in there but only when insurance and my mechanical knowedge allow. Apparently it's a pain in the arse doing a swap on a 316 cos there's no fuel return line so I'd need to swap the petrol tank and everythin. Tbh I don't imagine an engine swap would be straightforward without that to contend with. I'm told that the Pierburg carb on these m10's are useless and will fail if it hasn't already, so at some stage i'd swap it for a weber, and as a by-product gain a few more ponies.

[bennn]

Well. some progress, purchased a set of 16x9 Borbet A's, had a trial fitment, please ignore the comedy ride height;







I have also decided that it's getting a full respray in original Alpinweiss II after christmas aswell as some coilovers in the near future. I'm on the lookout for some fairly good front wings so if anyone in NI has any, please gimmie a shout. Should be driving it come next march.

Cheers, Ben.

[E30BeemerLad]

What a well adjusted young man you must be, full marks

[bennn]

Thanks very much

[Kemix]

you have definatly got the right idea my friend! Loving the Borbets, I am after a set myself, where did you get these if you don't mind me asking?

Your e30 will look after some lowering!

[Ranchero]

It was all going so well till you put those wheels on. What happened?

[bennn]

Kemix - thank you, yeh needs some coilies. Got them on a local non-specific car forum, pretty lucky find at such a good price. Your car is lovely, how've you lowered it?

It was all going so well till you put those wheels on. What happened?

It was going well, now it's going brilliantly.

[chazmcdonald]

looks good mate refreshing to see you have more sence the the younger fellys round my way that are still in to theirs c2's 206's flouresant corsa's and the afore mentioned foostys:( drving round some of the areas i freequent you pass lines an lines of these an looks like big packets of fruit pastles not a good look

but chrome bumper E30 definatly the right direction an im not being biast just because its white

[Kemix]

Kemix - thank you, yeh needs some coilies. Got them on a local non-specific car forum, pretty lucky find at such a good price. Your car is lovely, how've you lowered it?

It was all going so well till you put those wheels on. What happened?

It was going well, now it's going brilliantly.

Cheers mate, its 60/60 on shortened shocks, not sure on the make of lowering springs but it handles well and has a good stance! Want to swap wheels?

[bennn]

Haha I well should've seen 60/60 in your sig. I'd want to go a tad lower at the front and by the time i'd priced up drop hats or needlessly awkward 60/75 kits it was much easier and only slightly more expensive to go for coils. Not gonna get them for a while tho, needs arch work/ respray first then i have to insure the bugger.

[Rav335uk]

I have a set of 60mm drop front and rear springs for sale

[bennn]

45mm strut etc etc?

[Rav335uk]

Will take a look for you tomorrow, didn't take a good look

[bennn]

To be honest, if i got those i'd have to fiddle with shortened dampers etc and it still wouldn't please me, i'm pretty set on the coilovers, especially as they're local. Cheers anyway!