1986 320i Coupe project

[OOjoeE30]

Hello
I'm Joe from the Essex area currently studying in Surrey doing an Engineering Degree.
I picked this up yesterday of a couple who had owned it since new and all though it needs work, its in really honest condition with two files of history to back it up.
Its a one owner car with only 44,000 but has spent all its life out in the elements so suffers from the common cracked up dash and faded red paint with rusty areas.
This is my second E30 and sixth BMW so you could say i have a keen interest, aswell as having owned an assortment of other German and Jap cars in my years of driving.
The plan for it is to initially refurbish the underside renewing all bushes and mounts as at the moment there is a number of worrying noises coming from the drivetrain when moving off and changing gear.
I also need to give the engine a once over, general timing belt and fluids service etc
Once the cars mechanically sound I need to address a number of areas where the rust has begun to set in, the rear of the car around the lights and lower valance is mint but the lower front edge of the rear arches and front o/s wing needs to be replaced or cut out.
This will then hopefully lead to a full respray in the new year funds allowing.
Here are some pics from when I first got it.




Spent a bit of time on it the other day spraying some of the faded plastics, cleaning the underside ready to treat any rust and then I gave it a quick clay and a coat of polish by hand.





Im looking to crack on with this once my other car sells so if you have any advice regarding tackling the rear arches etc, replacing the bushes and the best places to buy what I need fire away.
Thanks

[Stoot]

Nice find! There cant be many left with such a low mileage! Sorry cant give much advice as im just learning myself doing my 1st project but you wont find a better place than this site for advice and ideas!

[Jim320i]

[capri_rob]

Very nice. Chrome+6 Cylinders=WIN

[OOjoeE30]

Thanks for the comments, had a quote to sort the rear arches today of £450 but thats without paint and I have to supply the replacement panels.
The n/s just needs the outer arch but the o/s will require some of the inner reconstructing seems a bit rich will have to get a few more opinions I think.
Can anyone recommend someone in the surrey area who know E30's

[tha881]

Very nice. Chrome+6 Cylinders=WIN

^this^

nice motor, that paint has cleaned up really well. It depends on your budget but i would suggest some original 15" bbs and some lower springs, maybe m-tech or eibach. But getting the arches sorted is something that will need addressing sooner or later, so it might be a good idea to tackle that first. On the other hand does it matter if they get a little worse if yo are going to sort them anyway? Cambelt is a must if its not been done for 30k or 4 years i think it is

Here is an old thread i remember of a car that started out similar to yours -

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=206299

[OOjoeE30]

Thanks tha881 that is rather similar my plans are original 15" and a slight drop dont want to change much on the outside just want it driving nicely
I checked the cambelt today and it looks as new as it was changed at 40k but that was almost 10 years ago lol so I will take it easy and get that changed asap.
I need to compile a list of service parts to change so am searching on hear at the moment.

belts, box, diff fluid, oil looks fine, check plugs, filters, vicous?(does this need doing), Rear diff, beam mounts(need to rectify the knocking when changing gear pulling of.

Then get the arches done sooner rather than later, is it best to go directy to bmw for replacement panels or will pattern parts surfice for welding in(I'm not made of money and want to get the car in the best driving condition as soon as possible)

[tha881]

First thing on my list would be to get some fresh engine oil in there and new oil filter (genuine are best), also air filter and plugs wouldnt hurt either. Gearbox oil is more important than diff, but changing them wouldnt be a priority for me, although its easy enough to do.

Viscous only needs doing if the temp gauge goes over half way when you are sitting in traffic. (although the viscous wouldnt necessarily be the cause of this) Also brake fluid should be changed at least every couple of years so thats worth bearing in mind.

Most do knock a bit when pulling away, if its nice and smooth when you get going and smooth on/off the throttle at speed then i wouldnt worry too much, but only you know how bad it is.

Here is a list of part numbers for a cambelt change. I think chromies and facelifts use the same parts, maybe someone could verify that:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... mbelt+list

To save money i bought my cambelt and tensioner from ECP [contitech £40], and the water pump from a local parts factors £40. And then just got the last few bits from bmw. I paid around £100 for labour as i didnt have time to do it myself.

And bodywork is something i havnt tackled so cant give much advice there, im sure someone else will come along with more info. But good luck with it all, i think you have a pretty clean car to start with.

[OOjoeE30]

Did a bit more to the car at the weekend, gave the bay a good clean and treated, painted the rust on the arches and the underside but unfortunately the weather put a stop to any further progress.
Here some pics of the bad bits

Rear o/s arch both inner and outer arches need work

Front wing which I will just replace
Engine bay before


After



Battery tray has a few holes so I sanded it and gave it a coat of hammerite for now
Hopefully someones coming to take my other car tomorrow so work can commence properly I spoke to a bodyshop recommended by a friend who restore mainly VW and their quality of work looks good. So I am going to have a further chat with them this week to discuss my options they are happy to do the rust repair but have made clear they wont be able to match the paint. This means I may get it solid and then have to drive it looking patchy till next year when I can look to get it blown over.
On the plus side its running great i've done about 400 miles and continues to impress.

[capnmchl]

Looks nice. Amazing how much a clean and coat of polish can tidy a car up. How did you do your engine bay?

[Duke137]

Can anyone recommend someone in the surrey area who know E30's

BSS325i

Great car

[capri_rob]

seen a lot worse - engine bay has come up very well.

Keep it up

[magpie]

lovely very low mileage 2dr chromie,fantastic find


now how much was it

[Juber123]

[Juber123]

Sort it out!! Haha

[OOjoeE30]

I thought it was about time for an update, wanted to have made a start on the bodywork but thats not happening just yet so heres an update of whats been going on.
I had a few small niggles in the first few weeks loosing my brake light, then my speedo and then my indicators but with the help of others on here they were guickly sorted. Thanks
I gathered all the engine service parts up and have changed pretty much everything bar the leads, I had some trouble with the belt fitment which is documented on here but thats all sorted now.
For the first time ever with one of my cars i've made a spreadsheet to keep track of things heres a quick look of what I have gathered so far.

BMW 320 C274 CYW
Parts
Current

Oct-12
Cambelt, Tensioner
Water Pump
Thermostat
Coolant
Spark Plugs
Distrubutor
Oil filter
Fuel filter
Oil
Aux belt
Gearbox/Diff fluid
Rotor arm
Prop Guibo
Door Pin
A Pillar
Rocker Gasket
KN Filter
Beam bushes
Trailing bushes
Diff bush
Dash
Stereo
ISO
Speakers
Matts
Grill
Bonnet strut

Planned

Bodywork
Wheels
Suspension
Rear bumper
N/S mirror

Pile of parts

As well as the mechanical side of things i made a start on the interior fitting a stereo after spending a few weeks driving in silence had enough of getting paranoid off every little noise and then I bit the bullet and pulled the dash out which took me a good five hours.
Also fitted a Mtech 1 wheel which although is nicer to use I may swop back to keep it original.
heres the old dash have you ever seen one as bad?




I just need to get a plain center console but the pot is empty now til after Xmas.
After having it a few months now i realise how much character these cars have I didnt get much of a chance to enjoy my first one as I struggled to pay for insurance and stuff but can see why their so infectious, even though i've had a few comment from work colleages "why you driving that C reg banger".
On a positive note I had two people comment on it while I've been messing outside my house, saying what good condition its in and they will keep an eye on it for me. An I also had some characters knock on my dads door when I left it at his for the weekend asking if it was for sale .
Heres a shot of the history that came with the car shows 4 cambelts, 1 waterpump and 1 set of headbolts recall? about £7500 spent at the dealer in total.

Thats going to be it now til next year I hope to sort suspension and wheels mid jan, I will be going for bils and springs but not sure on wheels still Bottle tops? weves? aftermarket dish?
I did go and speak to my chosen bodyshop to book it in left my number but the guys not got back to me with a date.
I have been thinking I might tackle it myself as I did a years welding course and spent sometime working in a bodyshop so know the process. but would I be biting of more than I can chew.