'88 325i Touring #001 resto - 03/2012 rimz porn

[Kedge]

Still waiting on pics of this headlining Rob

[capri_rob]

Got to do an oil and filters change on the Mrs astra this morning - if i can get it knocked out in time I want to do a bit more on the turd this afternoon so will take some pics in daylight

[capri_rob]

Sunroof mech is back together

Managed to do it without slicing my fingers on the stainless-razor plates - used a wide flat wallpaper scraper to push the cloth into place and then bolted it all down quick.

Used adhesive remover to clean up the front & rear of the aperture then used spray-contact adhesive to stick the flaps in place and then the wind deflector over the top.

Not happy with the corners - had to put small in-fill pieces in - you only really notice if you look for it but I know its there and it could be better

Then had fun pop-riveting the panel liner in place - naturally the rivets didnt go as flush as they need to be first time so a bit of fettling was needed.

Stopped at that point because all thats left is the roof panel - which can go in tomorrow

Will get some pics tomorrow if I get chance

[capri_rob]

Spent all afternoon on the turd again today.

Made some good progress but found some unexpected bastid rust in the rear panel where it joins the boot floor. I don't think its an MOT issue but it will need sorting.
As the rear valance has seen better days I'm thinking of just getting a complete new rear panel put in but this will have to wait til next year.

Anyway started off by refitting the sunroof panel and clipping the liner back up - its finally all done but the out of sync issue is still not sorted
Gonna live with it for now - it tilts & slides so that will have to do.

Then turned my attention to the back end :

New light seals fitted - old ones were truly fecked
Un-cracked boot lip trim fitted
Tailgate trim all re-fitted with new clips
Number plate lights re-fitted.

Have tried to glue the plastic clips on the B-Pillar trim that I bust off last week - dont hold much hope but I've left them clamped up so will give it time to set.

Finished off by fitting the headrests I've had knocking around for ages to the rear seats - original comfort seats donated the plastic fittings and headrests.

Hardly anything left to do inside the car now.

Managed to get one photo on the digital camera as the battery was flat - but its a moneyshot

From this :


Dirty, grubby, sagging


to this :

[Jim320i]

Looking good Rob.

Which plastic clips do you need for the B pillar part? My touring is half stripped already so if you can show me which ones you mean as I have no clue, I may have them

[capri_rob]

On the underside of the trim there are two plastic "hook" clips on flat bases which are glued to the panel - one near the top and one near the middle.

I'm missing 2 - it will go back together without as the seatbelt mount and plastic rivets hold it in place anyway - the plastic hooks just make it really tight.

[Jim320i]

I'll have a look tomorrow mate, still unsure to which ones they are but i'll try... Havent stripped that part yet, boot plastics, front of the interior is just shell and most of the engine bay is out bar the bottom end.

Fingers crossed I find what your after

[Kedge]

Looks sooooooooo much better with a black headlining. What is the material, suede?

[capri_rob]

Yes mate - its not perfect but I'm very pleased with it.

[Duke137]

Nice.

[capri_rob]

Need to order some new number plates but not sure what to go for :

1) BMW (UK) Ltd - as per what you'd see in a brochure for a HQ registered car
2) Williams Manchester - dealer it went to when Bracknell had finished with it
3) Blue Bell Wilmslow - subsequent secondhand dealer

Its got a Blue bell tax disc holder already, and a Blue Bell rear plate to use as a sample for the logo.

What you reckon ?

[Kedge]

Easy - #1

[Alex]

i had some bmw uk ones done for my 318is but then did some dealer ones, find out the original selling dealer and get some made up, even if its based on another dealer design but with the selling dealers name

[capri_rob]

technically the first "selling" dealer was Williams Manchester as it was registered and used for a few months by BMW HQ in Bracknell before being passed into the dealer network.

Do you have any pics of the BMW UK plates Alex ?

[Alex]

they just have BMW (UK) LTD in bottom text, just bough some normal number plates of a website and put that in the slogan, i did it just because i could

[Kedge]

This is why i said #1, this car is unique in that is was initially owned by BMW HQ, it wasn't supplied by a dealer "NEW".

[capri_rob]

Just ordered a set of plates from www.platesforcars.co.uk

Was really struggling to find somewhere online which would do the old-style pre 2001 Font but these could Most of the online plate suppliers only do the current "legal" font as well as all the chavvy "show" plates

Footer as per '88 Brochure just reads BMW (G.B) LTD

[capri_rob]

Another big push today :

Cleaned the front arch liners, final dousing with waxoyl under the front arches and liners refitted
Sorted the front tyres rubbing on the plastic trim at the front on full lock by adjusting the front undertray - you have to do this one side at a time, undo the 2 x 10mm plastic nuts, pull it forward and then re-tighten - this pulls the front plastic arch liners which hold the ducts fron the front valance forward and gives enough room to clear on full lock - no more tyre rubbing
Windscreen washers refilled & adjusted
Wipers all checked
All lights checked and working
Handbrake adjusted as good as I can get it - drove it up and down the road a bit with it on to try and bed it in, then adjusted it at each wheel pulling the lever on and off a few times in between adjustments to re-set the shoes. Its not perfect but it holds on my drive which is quite steep a lot better than it did.
Then took these :



Fitted :



As described by Dan it was indeed a piece of p1$$ - bushes still look like new anyway but a bit of washing up liquid and a few light taps with the persuader and theyre in

Not much to do now

[parkin10]

where did you get those bush inserts from?

[Jozi]

where did you get those bush inserts from?

I got them of DanThe one here

Did you drive her with them fitted, notice much difference? Have a set myself to fit but they are going into new bushes and I've only ever driven with worn ones.

[parkin10]

i thought it would be Dan The

[capri_rob]

Did you drive her with them fitted, notice much difference? Have a set myself to fit but they are going into new bushes and I've only ever driven with worn ones.

Only up and down my little road to try and bed the handbrake in

Just glad I got them fitted before the bushes start to wear

[capri_rob]

So continuing this weeks push :


Couldnt remove all traces of the previous 4 pot wrongness even with the mop so got it as good as I could


And order is restored


These arrived today - better than they looked on the Ebay ad - they were good money but worth it and the senders are included


These also arrived

Then I was feeling brave so took the turd for its MOT














Fail

Fookin BASTID E30 handbrakes will be the death of me

Only need to find another sodding 1% efficiency for a pass - drove the 1 mile home with the handbrake slightly on to try and bed it in some more and will have another crack at adjusting it tomorrow morning and take it back.

Also got an advisory on slight play in the steering guibo - but I have a better one in the shed so can swap that over no probs. Advisory on the front of head oil leak which was expected.

Only other thing the tester mentioned was that it seems to be running lean - CO of 0.22 and HC of 119.

As I havent touched the engine yet I'm not overly concerned by this - hopefully a thorough service, cleaned injectors and a new blue temp sensor will deal with this.

Fingers crossed I can get this sodding handbrake adjustment right in the morning.

[DanThe]

If you can whip up some festive coffee and biscuits Rob I can come round and sort that handbrake for you first thing tomorrow

[capri_rob]

Nice one mate - its doing me fookin head in - shoes should have enough bite now after driving back with the handbrake slightly on - should just be a question of fine adjustment - its only just failed so shouldnt take much.

text me when you're leaving your house and I'll get the kettle on

[DanThe]

First thing for me is about 9

[capri_rob]

No worries mate I'll be ready

[Alex]

Not a Bad fail really, nothing unexpected i guess. whats going on with the rear quarter next to tail gate?

Are you planning on a full respray eventually then

[capri_rob]

I knew the oil leak would get a mention and I had my doubts about the handbrake to be honest - I thought I had it good enough on Tuesday but it just wasnt to be

The bit on the rear quarter has been damaged and badly painted by a previous owner.

It will need a full blow over really - all the panels have dings in and the rear valance needs chopping out and replacing. That will have to wait a good while though until I can build my cash reserves back up.

Enjoyed driving it today - it feels so tight now and it does shift when you give it the beans Will be even better when I sort the head and servicing out - I bet replacing the dizzy cap & rotor arms ( look like 144k originals ) will free up some horses

[Alex]

Good stuff, will this be at this years pod rob?

i paid £550 for a blow over respray windows down, it was cheap as he didnt take all dents out, only thing is that with it being new paint they do stand out

[capri_rob]

Yes will be at the Pod and Gaydon all being well. Won't be going down the strip but I look forward to camping and beers

When I get it painted I will be getting all the dents taken out - might have a punt with a dentmaster type dude first to see if they can get some of them out before taking it for paint.

[Alex]

iam going to try a dent guy, the guy who painted it said most should pop out with a dent master guy

[spook]

Good work Rob,i really must fit my bush inserts ive only had em Three years.

[DanThe]

Cost of paintless dent repairs is very similar to what bodyshops charge to clag the dent with filler, I know which id prefer!

[Duke137]

Cost of paintless dent repairs is very similar to what bodyshops charge to clag the dent with filler, I know which id prefer!

Too much filler means you get less on the bridge