1990 325i Sport Restoration

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks for the comments .

Bass, somebody else removed the ski hatch, personally i would have left it.

I just had to re-do the amplifier wireing (grrrr), as i had done it next to the battery cable to the boot. This caused interference while driving, so i wired it down the centre of the car and into the boot through the nearside instead.

All fun.

[bss325i]

I've thought about removing mine for better bass but no so sure. Will have to see how it sounds when i get my new sub.

[bmwe30mtech]

I would leave it in mate.


I have removed a lot of the kit and the rust isnt too bad actually. Quite pleased compared with what it could have been, sills are totally solid.

Car goes off to A-tech on friday for Ant to look over, then he will begin work on the mechanics once oz's reshell and some other stuff is done

[bmwe30mtech]

Spent the afternoon at a-tech with Ant, who has looked it over and is going to be doing lots of mechanical work to it to make it sound. Once thats done its off to the body shop.

My old car is sold which frees up the garage so work can continue more

Exhaust is going to be replaced with genuine BMW full system also. Its too loud!

[bmwe30mtech]

How old is this thread now? I havent been on here in ages, been away.

Today (after waking up at 4pm having slept 18 houres to make up for the last 2 weeks clubbing/sunshine holiday!), I removed the clear indicators and repeaters and replaced with origional orange ones.

Also bought a new roof aerial (old one had had the wire chopped off??) and wired it in (removed roof panel), again using the origional tabs to make it look factory.

Then cleaned the entire engine bay.

I know how you like pics (because most you dont have time to read me rambling on ) so they will be up tomorrow.

Cheers

Paul

[Loozen_it]

Looks like a very clean example of an e30!

Nice work done on it already!

[bmwe30mtech]

About a month on and i remembered this thread. So just went out and took a pic or 2. Currently buying body pannels so it can finally see the body shop...

(Havent done much lately to be honest)





Ready to replace them? Old and new...



Very solid, i ground back a very small ammount of rust and sprayed



Soon it will have two new inner outer archers, and outer arches, to sort this bad rust...





So slowly, this car is being put right and getting the money spent in the right areas, bringing it back to 1990, how it should be.



Paul

[bmwe30mtech]

I also replaced all speedo wireing under the car, as it was corroded. I have new clocks to go in, should arrive tomorrow as speedo still intermittent.

I also bought all new nuts, bolts, clips, washers etc under the bonnet so none of it has rust. That was an annoying bill for BMW to add all the little bits up! Also all new rubber hoses etc. Also new rear light seals, boot seal, etc etc

Removed rocker cover, wire drilled back and gave new gasket. Also serviced car, found a fuse box lid with tab on it, and have just bought the missing inner trim from the N/S light.

[Jhonno]

Whats the dia of the exhaust hanger bracket btw? Dont suppose you could measure the outside 'circumference' of the backbox?

[bmwe30mtech]

Fuel tank will soon be stripped back and hammerited also.


Jhonno, sure i will measure it and let you know in the morning. The brackets are 15 pounds each from BMW if your interested.

[Jhonno]

yeah, ive got a superspint backbox hoping it will be the same/similar

[Andy325i]

Awesome work


Who is doing the paintwork for you?

Andy

[HUSSAIN]

bmwe30mtech the cars looking good mate to be honist im in love with your car..

if you dont mind me asking where did you get the All in one leather illuminated gaitor from looks very nice also same with the handbrake leather gaitor from??

keep us updated with the progress

[bss325i]

bmwe30mtech the cars looking good mate to be honist im in love with your car..

if you dont mind me asking where did you get the All in one leather illuminated gaitor from looks very nice also same with the handbrake leather gaitor from??

keep us updated with the progress

From the dealer you can get the all in one illuminated gear knob with either the same as pauls ie the 3 colour stripes or as i've just bought with the ///M logo. They are arround the £100 mark.

///M logo version part no. 25112232547
M stripe version part no. 25112231562

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks for the kind comments , really makes it pay off to know im not the only nutter who enjoys these cars.

Andy, candyman (zoner) is going to be doing the bodywork.

Hussain, as Barry says. I didnt actually buy the gaitor, it came in the car, i just wired it in.

[josh-hocking]

looking great!! sounds like you enjoying it to!!

[beardymat]

looking good there

its funny but the orange indicators and side repeaters are the only things i dont like about tech 2 sports, i just think they look a little dated. other than that they look best standard imo.

keep up the good work and the updates

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks guys. Matt, it had clear ones on it but im trying to make it look standard, and quite like both types

Right, today i fixed the speedo, involved dismantling two sets of clocks and making a good set out of the pair, much more work than i hoped. Now all instruments work perfectly.

I also replaced any blown little bulbs behind all dashboard components. Have started stripping down a tech 2 front wing for the drivers side also, to replace the rusty one. Passenger side had a brand new one fitted about a year ago, so still looks new.

[bmwe30mtech]

Not been on here much due to no internet and with starting uni work only happens at weekends!

Anyway now replaced is....

Full inspection 2 service and lights re-set
Brake master cylinder (was leaking)
All 4 brake lines, solid, and to callipers
One calliper replaced, wasnt even working correctly
New pads and disks all round, one retaining bolt was spun, total b*tch
New fuel tank fitted
New standard exhaust rear half fitted, with all new mountings
Finnay done the viscous fan, was done with thread lock, grrr
Fuel filter, and all fuel lines, from tank to engine bay
Currently a garage are doing rear subframe mounts

Mechanically sound and very smooth, im so pleased the work is paying off. Im going to steam clean the engine bay i think, to remove oil from a leak i fixed (replaced rocker cover gasket)

Now it just need some body work sorting and she will be getting there The room I am sitting in is surrounded by body pannels ready for priming

Sorry no pics, just me going on

[bss325i]

Good stuff paul

[bss325i]

Would you be up for this?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=79641

[bmwe30mtech]

Cheers Barry. I probably wouldnt be interested in the rolling road to be totally honest, my car is totally standard! I would rather not know how many horses it has lost!

Just to add the exhaust on this car has been a nightmare. I bought the 3 piece system off Ant, as shown in pictures and removed any rust and sprayed it in heat proof paint. I removed the old full system only to find the 3 piece didnt line up at all at the manifold. Totally pissed off i re-fitted the front half (which was near new anyway) and had to fork out on a new rear half. Atleast its the right one for the car I guess.

Cheers

[bss325i]

Cheers Barry. I probably wouldnt be interested in the rolling road to be totally honest, my car is totally standard! I would rather not know how many horses it has lost!

Just to add the exhaust on this car has been a nightmare. I bought the 3 piece system off Ant, as shown in pictures and removed any rust and sprayed it in heat proof paint. I removed the old full system only to find the 3 piece didnt line up at all at the manifold. Totally pissed off i re-fitted the front half (which was near new anyway) and had to fork out on a new rear half. Atleast its the right one for the car I guess.

Cheers

Doesn't mater if your car is standard, i put mine on the rollers a couple of weeks ago to see what it was putting out and to check the air/fuel ratio.
Your one went well and sounded healty when you took me out in it so i wouldnt wory. Also i will be replacing my exhaust in a couple of weeks with a stainless one i ordered. If your interested you can have my original 2 piece one, its in good nick and just needs the 2 black tail pipe trims which are still availible from the dealer.

[bmwe30mtech]

Ah, too late, i have already forked out on a new standard rear half, matches the new front half also! I will rolling road mine one day, but not yet

Have spent about 1.5k on the sport in the last month, on a mountain of parts and some labour, but seing as it didnt cost me the earth to buy i can justify it

[E30zone325I]

Nice work..
I have to re-fit my front windshield and clean out my sunroof as mine leaks at the footwell. drivers side (in uk your passenger side)
I'm about to take on a restoration..but unfortunately I don't have too much time to work on my car..hence the shop will be doing the restoration.
I will be out there getting started though.. doing the same trunk restoration as you are...with the POR-21 rust inhibitor.

[bmwe30mtech]

E30zone325i, sounds good, keep us updated on your work also

Steam cleaned engine bay and found another small oil leak to fix. Bugger.

On a happier note i fitted a M badge on the boot, looking for a grill one.

Love driving it, it fells like a new car again.

[bmwe30mtech]

Been doing some more work lately so thought i would let you see it.

The head went, so i have eneded up doing a rebuild.

The 'new' head is at a machinists getting pressure test (passed), skimmed, new valve guides, seals and valves, and i am fitting rockers and cam i removed from my sport (very minimal wear) so all in all should be very smooth.

I have also fitted a new water pump, cambelt, tensioner pully, numberous rubber hoses and cleaned out everything.

Hope to finish engine saturday.

The pannels are all brand new genuine BMW (bar wing, second hand), also got a scuttle but its not pictured.

Enjoy!!





















In primer:









Lots more to come!

Paul

[bmwe30mtech]

Engine bay is now cleaned up, looks a lot better.

I have polished the top of the block ready to fit the head and re-assemble saturday.



More pics friday and saturday

[bmwsport]

Jesus, you've gone balls out with the body panels

It's going to be great dude

How much is the actual bodywork going to set you back?

[blitz877]

are the panels still available from bmw? and whats the cost of each panel mate?

[bmwe30mtech]

bmwsport - Thanks, not sure on the total cost of the work, will do as much prep myself as i can.

blitz - all available. Rear quarters about 350 each i think, rear panel about 140 and scuttle about 30. (i cant be sure, i didnt pay this for them myself )

[eko]

Cracking job your doing Paul,keep it up

[bss325i]

Who's doing your body work Paul?

[bmwe30mtech]

Cheers eko

Hopefully candyman Barry, although when i got the quote from him it was a smaller job! Do you know anybody?

[bmwe30mtech]

Took lots of pics today...but left the cable to attatch my phone to here at my uni house.

Head is back from machine shop, looks new. I re-built it all, and everything is ready to put back in the morning. Hopefully will finish the engine tomorrow