Chrome to facelift rear panel & quarters

[kdevitt]

Have an 83 320i which I'm going to turn my attention to soon. It has no real history, and isn't in great condition - and rather than scrap it I'm going to facelift and tec II the car.

I want to fit the proper rear panel to allow for the larger facelift lights to be fitted, and will want to get the rear quarters replaced to allow the rear bumper and pods to fit correctly.

Obviously, the less welding and cutting which is required - the better (and cheaper I guess - I won't be doing it! )

Has anyone done this before? I don't mind buying the rear panel new - but am hoping to be able to get away with cutaway quarter panels from a damaged car. Is there a repair panel which would effectively do the same job, or do I really need the full quarter panel to get away with it?

Cheers

[jbh]

I think it would be easier buying a facelift car and starting with that...

[kdevitt]

I think it would be easier buying a facelift car and starting with that...

True, but I don't want to

[kdevitt]

Just to expand on that - road tax on the car is currently €900 or so per year. Since its an 83 car, that will go down to €48 per year in three years time due to qualifying for vintage tax, at which stage it will represent virtually free motoring as it'll be under a classic insurance policy as well.

The youngest facelift car will have cost be an additional €4500 in tax alone by the time it'd be on vintage tax.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Restore it to original and you won't get any hatred from me for ruining an early chromie.

Seriously how bad is it? I would rather see it broken for spares than butchered to have a Tec2 kit.

[jbh]

Just to expand on that - road tax on the car is currently €900 or so per year. Since its an 83 car, that will go down to €48 per year in three years time due to qualifying for vintage tax, at which stage it will represent virtually free motoring as it'll be under a classic insurance policy as well.

The youngest facelift car will have cost be an additional €4500 in tax alone by the time it'd be on vintage tax.

the price of tax over there is mental...

[kdevitt]

Restore it to original and you won't get any hatred from me for ruining an early chromie.

Seriously how bad is it? I would rather see it broken for spares than butchered to have a Tec2 kit.

Already have my 323i for something approaching originality!

Can't believe any enthusiast would really rather see a car scrapped than being saved - I can put up with the hatred though

Tax is a bitch alright - costs me €1000 for year at the moment on the 323i, and €2000 per year on my M3

[Blitz]

1983 320i are rare. Restore it to original. Making it a facelift will render it ruined.

[kdevitt]

I respect your opinion, but I have no interest at all in stock chromie E30's, and I already have a tec 1'd 83 car - so its either this, or it will get weighed in.

[zaust]

Keep it as it is fella. Don't think you realize the amount of body you will need to change to make the back end face lift. Will work out cheaper just to sell and find a face lift to start with.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Seriously how bad is the bodywork that an 83 car is not worth saving?

May I just ask, if you have no interest in chromie's why did you buy two of the things?

[kdevitt]

May I just ask, if you have no interest in chromie's why did you buy two of the things?

Read my post on road tax above!

I love my 323i - but as you know, all traces of chrome are gone bar the kidneys. Its not being a chromie per se that I don't like - its the chrome bumpers and double layer around the windows I really don't like. I even attempted dechroming my dads 320i 20 years ago.

Seriously how bad is the bodywork that an 83 car is not worth saving?

This 320i was bought by my brother, but he's never used it because it was in too bad condition, so its mine to play with now. The car needs welding in a few places, and a rear quarter - its currently made out of alu mesh and isopon.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Didn't notice the tax part, that's an insane price.

I would be interested in seeing some pictures of the 320i? Just too see what it's like atm.

[kdevitt]

It looks ALOT tidier than it actually is. Have tried selling it - €650, and people were expecting a concours car somehow so just can't be bothered now! Will happily swap it for a facelift car needing welding if someone wants to hop on a ferry over.

[kdevitt]

The rear bumper disintegrated when I went to remove it by the way - was rusted all the way through. The rubber trim was in fact structural!

[Ollie_bwoii]

Facelift bumpers ruin it.

Why not fit an interesting pre-facelift kit, like a zender item?

[kdevitt]

Why not fit an interesting pre-facelift kit, like a zender item?

One mans interesting is another mans horrible

[Ollie_bwoii]

Yeh I know. I've just never been a fan of the Tec2 kit, especially on pre-facelifts.

How about shadowlining the current bumpers and window trim and fitting an Alpina front valance?

[Blitz]

Sweep's de-chromed

[kdevitt]

You guys are relentless - will see how much I can get the chromie bumpers in the classifieds for.

Whats a tec II rear bumper worth? Have one skirt and a full set of pods too , minus the offside front wing section.

[jonnyboy]

if u wana cut it up why dont you fit a m3 kit to it or just fit the mtec2 kit and fit them grey back lights wat you see fitted to alot of m3s and dechrome it.

[Falkster]

Why not tech1 it, they are great cars!! I like the idea of dechroming a chrome turd.