E30 Zone

After recently finding this pretty clean coupe (2 previous owners and tons of history), I decided that this one should be professionally resprayed. Having spent 2 years on the cab, I just didn't fancy the mess and upheaval again.

So, after a bit of research on the zone, i chose ID Coachworks in Purley, Surrey (Steve the owner is a great guy). He came highly recommended by a couple of other zoners, so after a discussion about what needed doing, I sent it over to him. That was about 8 weeks ago, owing to him injuring his shoulder. It's due out of the bodyshop on Friday, but I thought I should upload some progress pics, as everyone seems to enjoy them.

The car was very tidy all round, only suffering rust around the rear towing eye. Unfortunately, the bonnet, boot and complete nearside had all turned a bit dull. As i want it minty mint, a full respray was ordered up.

Pic of car before work started





And inside..




It's very clean and original, both inside and out. And it's a run out late SE spec too with the IS style bodykit and 13 button obc etc.


And a few shots of it in the body shop a couple of days ago. It's almost ready to go in the booth











Thats all I have at the moment. Steve (the bodywork guy) knows I am very fussy, and has assured me it will look like it has just rolled off of the production line when I see it on Friday. i can't wait!

I will post more pics when I get her back.

Very nice - great to see another one being properly sorted

Absolutely fantastic mate, stunning car in a stunning colour - VERY keen to see the update pictures!

Finally, some pics. Admittedly, they were taken on my iphone, but they are worthy of posting nonetheless.

The new coupe has come out absolutely stunning. I am very fussy about paintwork, and all I could say when I first laid eyes on the finished job is WOW!

It is absolutely minty mint now, and looks like it just rolled off the production line. Even the (admittedly 14 inch) bbs's are unblemished.

I am chuffed to bits!













And finally, alongside my other pride and joy

you only see tourings in this colour as a rule.

looks good on a 2dr .if i had this car as nice as it is now i'd loose the interior for brown or beige leather sports int or a good dark check 318is one and change all the light grey trimmings to black and the headliner would need changing to a black one.

well everyone likes to tinker

Very nice job, a credit to you and the zone

What a beauty !

Cracking paintjob that.

Sort of agree with Magpie that it needs the sports seats but I'd be going for light grey cloth and keep the rest of the interior as it is as it looks nice clean and light inside - check iS trim in a 6 pot car is wronger than a very wrong thing

And some mint 15" BBS will complete the job

I agree on the sport seat thing, although I too like the light and airy feel of the grey.

As I already have leather in the cab, I rather fancy some cloth sport seats, but definitely not in 4 pot check (no offence to 4 pot owners-I actually like the check cloth, but being an OEM homo, it's just wrong-simple!)

I have a set of 15 inch bbs's on the way courtesy of cecotto, and would love to get some genuine mtech suspension for it but don't know where to go. Any ideas?

Lovely car(s) the green one really is a gem.

capri_rob wrote: Sort of agree with Magpie that it needs the sports seats but I'd be going for light grey cloth and keep the rest of the interior as it is as it looks nice clean and light inside - check iS trim in a 6 pot car is wronger than a very wrong thing

:

Both my cars have iS trim, I prefer to all of the other trims available, I think a good clean set look very "period" in the E30 facelifts

Just my opinion of course....

Lovely looking motor, I think the boys are right that it's a pretty rare colour for a coupe - I don't think I've ever seen a 2 door in this colour only tourings and the odd cab.

Sports seats FTW!

That looks lovely. I got my body and paintwork done at ID coachworks and was very pleased with the result, Steve is a top fella and is very good.

I'm sure I saw your cab around once or twice when I lived in Selsdon? That would have been a couple of years ago now though.

They have got to be two of the nicest E30s i've seen.

I had the exact same dilema with my interior which started out identical to the coupe.

I went for IS light check seats but for the following reasons:

*I found a set of the most unmarked and minty mint light check seats I had ever come across.

*It matched the grey centre console and glovebox.

*I wanted to retain five seats and wasnt as keen on the sport seat patterns.

*I didn't want leather.

*I think the check is perfect for the E30 very 80's/Golf GTI'ish.

Ok ok.. I am gradually coming round to the check cloth idea. Bet it's difficult to get a clean set nowadays though?

Thanks for all the comments too-I have worked hard to get these two cars into this state, and apart from the joy and pride of actually owning and driving them, getting comments like this is great!

Has anybody any idea whether any aftermarket suppliers (I.e. ECP or GSF) can supply mtech springs, or is it really main dealer only?

Given that you have so far done the whole OEM thing, I think it would spoil it to put a check interior in an SE. I'd just do the matching front sports seats to that you already have.

Sorry if people disagree, but it looks like I am fast becoming an OEM fanatic

RM2186 wrote: Sorry if people disagree, but it looks like I am fast becoming a HOMO

May I ask how much the full respray was
TC

magpie wrote:

RM2186 wrote: Sorry if people disagree, but it looks like I am fast becoming a HOMO

I actually typed homo and changed it to fanatic Mick

Id be chuffed to bits to, thats the nuts!

That looks amazingly fresh, a set of 15" BBS & your done.

The full respray (including proper remediation of the rust around the rear towing eye an a bit around a drain hole in the sunroof tray) was £2150. Sounds expensive, but for the quality of he job, I think it was good value. It looks absolutely amazing in the flesh. When i first took it home from the bodyshop, heads were turning everywhere in the rush hour traffic, and everyone was letting me go first!

Everyone respects a mint old skool car eh?

that they do, can't beat a clean 2 door 5i a rare beast now sadly

looks really well this.

Utterely UTTERLY stunning, probably one of the nicest coupes ive seen, kinda makes me wish id stuck out for one as late coupes like this with cross spokes are my fav E30!

Thanks RustyRuss - didn't expect that kind of reaction

Makes it all worthwhile. Just waiting for the UPS man to deliver my 15" bbs's now, so one MINT (and I mean mint) set of 14's will be up for grabs soon if anyone is interested (will post an ad in parts when they are available). They are so clean you could eat your dinner off of them!!

Is there a market for 14's, or does everyone just want the 15's?

You are very welcome mate the car speaks for itself - absolute volumes!! I think there is still a good market for 14s, and especially in that sort of condition - good luck with the wheels sale

Looks great !

not often that a late 92 lagoona green 325i 2 door pops up, nice spec too

nice car pics......gud work......

Looking super fella! well done