White 1991 316i

[Foe]

I promise more pics when she's out of the garage.
Now I know it's a 316 and these tended to be bought for engine upgrades, however that's not going to happen here, and t's fine with me.
My mate's been working/fettling on this recently to get some work done ready for the MOT in two weeks.
Brief history. It's been off the road since July 2016, in a garage, where my mate has fettled, welded and rebuilt her. He got it from a garage as a non runner, and just needed a service. Where have I heard that before!
Still having troubles with the idle and may be down to an air lock or the thermostat not opening, but working on that.
The 2 pictures below are when we had her on the side, to weld the sills.
I've also included pictures from today, but can't get ant decent full shots.

[Foe]

Few more from today...

[Cloggy Saint]

That looks like it has potential. Good for you for not going for an engine swap, keep it long enough and it will be a rare beast as it seems most 316/318 cars have had bigger lumps fitted.

[Foe]

Thanks. Pretty much what I thought, shame It hasn't got the original interior though.

[Cloggy Saint]

The interior does look a bit mix and match. What was the original?

[Foe]

Agree. The door cards are original, but the front and rear seats aren't. I'm not even sure what E30 there from? I think as this was a lux, it would have been a anthracite cloth interior. I'm going to find out if my mate still has the original interior, but may be a long shot!

[Foe]

Following in from the post above, my mate doesn't have the original interior.
Rad, and fan off, as it the fan won't kick in when the engine heats up.
He was on about sticking an additional fan in, but not sure how I feel about that. He's going to replace the idle control valve and pop in another thermostat. Along with replacing the fan internals.
Hopefully this works, and we can get it through the MOT
Current repair list apart from the above; fog lights don't work nor the electric mirrors, and I've been told a bit of a whine from the rear diff, diff oil has been replaced, do could be where it was stood for a while?

[Foe]

So, whilst sat with my 4month old daughter, who's fast asleep, I'd thought I'd give an update, and it's also nice to keep a catalogue of progression.

So far, I've done the following, but would like to add the following disclaimer.
Spending so much time cutting out rust and making sure the body work was totally sound, came at a cost in other areas.
I wish we waited a bit longer, so that all of this could have been done, when she was in her resto phase in the garage. But I was just to eager and keen, hence why the rush for MOT status.
Also having a new baby sped things up.
I don't regret it, getting the car done too soon, not child number four! But rather than windge and moan, I should take it on the chin and get on with it. And this forum is the best place for those positive vibes.....

Last week replaced, front ARB bushes, with oem rubber.
Both lollypop bushes, again with standard bushes.
And both front droplinks, the Mondeo recommend units.
Next.....as in asap. Front master and slave cylinder.

Whilst looking under the car at where the
slave cylinder is, I noticedd a fluid leak from the near side steering gator, a small drip, so the steering rack will need to be replaced. For now I'll have to top up now and again.

I'm not going to upgrade the steering rack, to an E46 or Z3, as Chloe is a 316i and also I'll not be upgrading the engine anytime soon.....

Also tracking needs doing, once the slave and master cylinders are sorted!

[Caravanking]

Sounds like you're going through what I did.
I bought my 316i lux in 2016 and I didn't really drive it until 3 months ago. What I thought was a solid car, wasn't. I was changing a rear slave and saw a rust hole. I started scrubbing off the underseal and before I knew it, I had a 13inch hole in the inner arch.
The standard lux interior is a grey and black cloth, the door cards are a black texture vinyl with grey cloth insert. 3 spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, 6 button clock computer.. Can send pics if you need?

[Caravanking]

Also, great work, keep it up! It's all worth it in the end. Realistically for a 30 year old 1.6 8v, the m40 is a nice motor. Its very drivable and has a forgiving amount of torque.. Obviously not exactly a power house, but I expected a lot less from it and was certainly surprised. Only real mod on mine is the adjustable spax dampers and 40mm drop. It's a fun car. Feel as though rear anti roll bar is a must though, I've got one ready to go on.

[Foe]

Sounds like you're going through what I did.
I bought my 316i lux in 2016 and I didn't really drive it until 3 months ago. What I thought was a solid car, wasn't. I was changing a rear slave and saw a rust hole. I started scrubbing off the underseal and before I knew it, I had a 13inch hole in the inner arch.
The standard lux interior is a grey and black cloth, the door cards are a black texture vinyl with grey cloth insert. 3 spoke leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, 6 button clock computer.. Can send pics if you need?

Luckily we sorted ALL the rust, but skimpt in other areas, hoping it would hold out, bah!

Yes please, love pics

[Foe]

Also, great work, keep it up! It's all worth it in the end. Realistically for a 30 year old 1.6 8v, the m40 is a nice motor. Its very drivable and has a forgiving amount of torque.. Obviously not exactly a power house, but I expected a lot less from it and was certainly surprised. Only real mod on mine is the adjustable spax dampers and 40mm drop. It's a fun car. Feel as though rear anti roll bar is a must though, I've got one ready to go on.

Ooooh, would like to know how you get on dropping it! It's been in the back of my mind, but other things to sort first

[Foe]

So slave and master cylinder sorted and bled. Took it for a spin, and all is well.........
Ha,is it f***k
The front off side shock absorber is shot and there's a slow puncture.
So will now have to fix this first before I get the tracking done!! FFS

[Be30]

Lux interior (in my touring) :

Headrests all around. Cloth anthracite comfort seats. Black vinyl door cards. I’ve fitted an SE steering wheel although it had the standard 4 spoke before hand.
Hope this helps

[Foe]

Thanks for the pic's and what a clean and crisp example!
I have the original vinyl and anthracite door cards, but the seats are gone
To get the interior seats for mine is a long, long way off, but one day....

[Foe]

So, have ordered a complete steering rack from magpie (thank you )
On arrival I'll keep my rack as a spare, but over winter, I'll replace the seals.
I've also ordered all the parts, to completely overhaul rear brakes, which are the drum set up.
Also ordered a new throttle cable, which I'll add when the weather clears.
And today picked up a dashboard, with a few cracks. I'll add once I've sorted the cracks and give it a lick of textured aerosol paint.
Here is my dash now!