FreddieS first BMW - 1987 320i

[FreddieS]

Well, a bit of an introduction, I was bored and on ebay, not a good combination for me, and I stumbled across a 320i going cheap, thought, what the hell, put a bid on it and forgot about it, next day I check my email and ive got an email from ebay, informing me ive just won aforementioned BMW!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0334919731

I was thinking - absolute bargain, nice! not sure if its such a bargain really as ive seen quite a few other motors which are less cosmetically challenged going for less than what I paid for mine

Anyway, replaced all the brakes and gave it some fresh brake fluid, transformed the way it drove, put it in for its MOT and it failed on the handbrake, because it didnt have enough leverage so today I took it back after re-adjusting and all said and done its got 12 months MOT on it now

Anyway, heres some pictures:





Now the downside to this car, the previous owner tried to start prepping some rust, which is a bit of a bummer because I hate finishing other peoples work!

The door is the worst offender -



and then the pass side rear arch



Going to repair them when the weathers half decent and ive got some free time!

Certainly cant fault the way it drives, seems to pull quite nicely but the tyres on it are beyond useless!

No idea what colour the car is, tried looking for a paint code under the bonnet but to no avail, if anyone could help me out it'd be much appreciated

[cliffybabe]

looks good, the chrome sets it off

[FreddieS]

When I first won it I wanted to remove all the chrome but I really like it now Need to get the bodywork sorted as soon as possible as its winding me up!

[Ollie_bwoii]

Looks good! Awesome colour! Looks like a great project!

[capri_rob]

I Like it - bargain ! Keep the pics coming

[stu_316i]

Good job Cant really go wrong for £200. Might just be me, but it looks slightly lower than normal....?

[jbh]

looks good for what you got it for.

isn't there a sticker on the passengers side front suspension turret with the paint code on it that's where they are normally

[ImysE30]

Looks a good bargain, bit of TLC and it'll look really nice

[FreddieS]

Looks good! Awesome colour! Looks like a great project!

Cheers Will hopefully keep me entertained for some time (yet also prove reliable enough for commuting!)

I Like it - bargain ! Keep the pics coming

Cheers put my mind to rest about how much it cost me!

Good job Cant really go wrong for £200. Might just be me, but it looks slightly lower than normal....?

Springs LOOK standard, no fancy red powdercoat or anything, but may have sagged from new, will be lowering it end of this month when my pay cheque comes through

looks good for what you got it for.

isn't there a sticker on the passengers side front suspension turret with the paint code on it that's where they are normally

Will have to investigate that tomorrow when theres some light! Really need some paint just to sort out the door and arch!

Looks a good bargain, bit of TLC and it'll look really nice

Cheers

[hubble]

Looks like a good buy. Liking the chrome too.
Is that front lower spoiler standard ? Looks like an added feature.

[FreddieS]

Looks like a good buy. Liking the chrome too.
Is that front lower spoiler standard ? Looks like an added feature.

Yeah, thats aftermarket, guy said he had the rest of the bodykit but im trying to keep this car relatively cheap (albeit, failing quite miserably, keep eying lots of stuff up on ebay!)

[Alex]

looks good, will look cool with a bit of body work, get them arches done and save another chromie

[bss325i]

The front spoiler is a genuine BMW item and was and option,

see here, item number 6 in the link.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=15

The low ride height could possibly be BMW metch springs which are 15mm lower than standard and would look like original springs, not red or anything.

Give the last seven digits of your chassis number to someone at the parts counter at your local BMW dealer and ask for a specification print out. This will tell you all of the options fitted to you car when new along with the colour, trim colour/name and suppling dealer along with some other info. Its free.

[bss325i]

Looks like diamond black/diamate schwartz to me.

Welcome to the zone btw.

Try ans swing by the Guildford meet if you can.

[FreddieS]

Looks like diamond black/diamate schwartz to me.

Welcome to the zone btw.

Try ans swing by the Guildford meet if you can.

Cheers, hopefully can get confirmation on that and get some paint so I can sort the door out (to make it look atleast half presentable!)

I would swing by but i'd made plans to goto no-rice @ fleet with a few mates next time theres a guildford meet i'll come along for sure.

[richard-the-nutter]

this is a beast freddie, and a bargain for that money, p.s i know you from mp, wooo

[FreddieS]

ahh, now im scared :O why couldnt you have the same username on both

[richard-the-nutter]

its petrol_head

[FreddieS]

Ahhh reet well i just got back from a quick drive and I love it, not as easy to drift as I was hoping but that may be down to the shite front tyres causing it to understeer, but it does slide, and when it does its quite controllable

[FreddieS]

Bought some new alloys off a mate for my E30, think they suit it quite well, but need to go from the current 195/50 to 195/55 as ive lost 40mm of rolling radius, and the tyres dont fill the arch at all anymore so it looks higher









Enginebay after gunking, needs a proper clean though

[hubble]

Are those 14's? I'm sure they look like golf alloys too?
Your right though they don't fill the arch in. Perhaps you should have held out for some 15" BBS

[capri_rob]

Those wheels will look great cleaned up - and lowering the car slightly will help.
I used 195/50 Goodyears on mine and it handled pretty well:





Not sure what the drop on it was though

[FreddieS]

They are 15's, its the 50 profile tyres causing them to look alot smaller.

[hubble]

Quite deceiving those pics Freddie! looked like 14's. I dislike 50 series tryes. They don't look right. 55 profile are the way to go.

Just slightly off topic - Bob that white E30 looks nice B reg right? looks very clean.

[capri_rob]

Yeah was my first E30 - was an '85 B with he-man windows, no PAS, no central locking - but did have a Tech 1 wheel as well as the aftermarket glass sunroof and the wheels/suspension changes. I loved it !
( sorry for pics on your thread Freddie - will delete if you want but thought you might want an idea of how they look when cleaned up )

[FreddieS]

I appreciate the pictures, I want to refurb them in a metallic light silver so they look like yours!

[Jam-88]

update! i bought this of fred about a month ago and so far am loving it im using it as my daily run around for the winter to keep the miles of project car, so there wont be any massive updates here.

so far all ive done is lowered it 40mm, serviced it changed all the box and diff oils, painted the door and repaired the wheel arch. was going so well untill i skidded on a patch of ice on monday and hit a kerb and now its off the road for a few weeks while i repair it.

future plans include decroming the side of it maybe lowering it abit more fitting a new bonnet and fit an lsd! got a few pics of it i took the other day and one of my project car!

[Blitz]

Looks great. Great work.

[Ollie_bwoii]

I really like this cromie even for a four door! Loving the bottletops!