E30 Zone

Hi all,

I have been on this forum a while asking various questions about potential purchases and general advice and I finally took the plunge and bought my first E30!

I took her to BMR for a post-purchase inspection and whilst the list of items for attention was 1.5 pages they said that the body etc of the car was good and that the items needing addressing were all small tweaks e.g. stiff drivers window, OBC light, new fuel and brake lines etc. So am rather pleased that my amateur eye didn't miss a whole amount especially in terms of rust. Will be a nice little project to get items sorted and the car drives sweetly enough as it is.

Used the good weather we had on Sunday to shampoo, polish and wax her and also Fabsil the roof (thanks Mart). Forgot to do the wheels first and the glass so those are for another day but on the whole pleased with my first attempt!

Couple of questions in terms of care, what should I use to protect the chrome bumper? I have some autoglym metal polish. They are in a good state with slight orangey flecks on parts. Also what would you use on the dark plastic bits of the bumper, painted spoiler and other outside trim to protect it?

Anyway here she is and thanks for all the past and future advice.

That is a really nice car, I shudder when I see the word "Project", usually means doing way more than is needed and sometimes to the decrement of the car. Bog standard OEM is where the value is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Welcome to the zone mate, great looking car and I love the blue hood, how many coats of Fabsil did you manage to get on?

Mart.

Lovely looking car! Congrats and best of luck with the tweaks...!

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Blanca wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:01 pm

That is a really nice car, I shudder when I see the word "Project", usually means doing way more than is needed and sometimes to the decrement of the car. Bog standard OEM is where the value is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Sorry, clearly didn't mean it in that sense. More in the vein of repairing some the bits with OEM parts if possible which BMR have suggested also. To be clear, want to keep as original as possible....noting of course the aftermarket exhaust but that wasn't me and we can't have everything!

martauto wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 21, 2021 4:46 pm

Welcome to the zone mate, great looking car and I love the blue hood, how many coats of Fabsil did you manage to get on?

Just one as it got dark and needed to let it dry! Went for the standard Fabsil rather than the gold as has UV protection but will require another coat i'm sure. Just wanted to give it a wee bit of protection as it soaked like a sponge when it rained the week before.

That looks great and has come up a treat!

Lots of things to keep you busy and enjoy the car more.

Loving the colour,nice car.

Great colour and hood combo

Brasso 'Silvo' is great on chrome, dont be tempted to use anything like autosol it will cut through the protective surface layer of the plating which leads to corrosion of the steel.
You will most likely find the inside of the bumper has corroded, its well worth removing the bumper to get the corrosion off and soaking it in waxoil at the least, alternatively get the whole bumper re-chromed and the inside painted as they were originally

DanThe wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:52 am

Great colour and hood combo

Brasso 'Silvo' is great on chrome, dont be tempted to use anything like autosol it will cut through the protective surface layer of the plating which leads to corrosion of the steel.
You will most likely find the inside of the bumper has corroded, its well worth removing the bumper to get the corrosion off and soaking it in waxoil at the least, alternatively get the whole bumper re-chromed and the inside painted as they were originally

Thanks, will certainly get some of that stuff. The chrome is in good condition as you can see just a couple of light bits starting to discolor. Was thinking if i've made the effort to polish and wax the paint, it would be nice to have the bumpers sparkle as well.

Any tips for the plastic bumper/outside trim bits? Again, they are in good condition just looking to clean and protect. Autoglym vinyl and rubber care?

martauto wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 21, 2021 4:46 pm

Welcome to the zone mate, great looking car and I love the blue hood, how many coats of Fabsil did you manage to get on?

Mart.

Forgot to say......more pics of the inside as well please

Mart.

Welcome to club. Nice motor.
Like you I also took it to BMR and came back with 2 page list. Got all the work done - and unlike yours, I had to change fuel tank and a bunch of other things on top

Are you based in London?

DanThe wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:52 am

Great colour and hood combo

Brasso 'Silvo' is great on chrome, dont be tempted to use anything like autosol it will cut through the protective surface layer of the plating which leads to corrosion of the steel.
You will most likely find the inside of the bumper has corroded, its well worth removing the bumper to get the corrosion off and soaking it in waxoil at the least, alternatively get the whole bumper re-chromed and the inside painted as they were originally

Mine has rust spots all over the back one and I mide the silly mistake of not buying a replacement from BMW and now the bumpers are NLA. I asked around about rechromming the prices and lead times were insane - buying a new bumper was going to 4 times cheaper!

Check out Howells, Walsall, they are the best in the midlands for chrome plating/refurbing bumpers

Elsalmon wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:19 pm

Any tips for the plastic bumper/outside trim bits? Again, they are in good condition just looking to clean and protect. Autoglym vinyl and rubber care?

That AG stuff is really good, but it doesn't last very well, if they have faded really bad then I find engine oil brushed on and left will soak in after a while and help darken them.

G Techniq C4 Trim Restore is fantastic stuff, ive never used it personally, ive got it on my cars from when professional detailers have used it and it lasts years, no idea how well it works on really faded trim though

DanThe wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:45 pm

Elsalmon wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:19 pm

Any tips for the plastic bumper/outside trim bits? Again, they are in good condition just looking to clean and protect. Autoglym vinyl and rubber care?

That AG stuff is really good, but it doesn't last very well, if they have faded really bad then I find engine oil brushed on and left will soak in after a while and help darken them.

G Techniq C4 Trim Restore is fantastic stuff, ive never used it personally, ive got it on my cars from when professional detailers have used it and it lasts years, no idea how well it works on really faded trim though

C4 is fantastic but it’s not a permanent solution. You could use a heat gun to gently heat and bring back the original colour but a better option might be just to wet sand and paint with a matte black paint - should be virtually indistinguishable when done properly.

I recognise that pub stop in there when cycling back from Richmond Park sometimes, you didn't happen to be driving down Camberwell New road the other night? I saw a Blue convertible on my way to work Sunday night, I was in a silver Touring crossing the lights

twenty wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:01 pm

DanThe wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:45 pm

Elsalmon wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:19 pm

Any tips for the plastic bumper/outside trim bits? Again, they are in good condition just looking to clean and protect. Autoglym vinyl and rubber care?

That AG stuff is really good, but it doesn't last very well, if they have faded really bad then I find engine oil brushed on and left will soak in after a while and help darken them.

G Techniq C4 Trim Restore is fantastic stuff, ive never used it personally, ive got it on my cars from when professional detailers have used it and it lasts years, no idea how well it works on really faded trim though

C4 is fantastic but it’s not a permanent solution. You could use a heat gun to gently heat and bring back the original colour but a better option might be just to wet sand and paint with a matte black paint - should be virtually indistinguishable when done properly.

Painted plastic trim can be spotted a mile off, I detest it, heat gun is very handy but care must be taken

twenty wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:13 pm

Welcome to club. Nice motor.
Like you I also took it to BMR and came back with 2 page list. Got all the work done - and unlike yours, I had to change fuel tank and a bunch of other things on top

Are you based in London?

I am indeed, in the Oval/Kennington area. The pricing list came back from BMR and whilst I wouldn't do everything at once it was still quite chunky! A guy a few doors down had an e30 and said it was looked after by Professional Auto Center in Vauxhall and was very pleased with their service so may see what they can offer.

fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:53 pm

I recognise that pub stop in there when cycling back from Richmond Park sometimes, you didn't happen to be driving down Camberwell New road the other night? I saw a Blue convertible on my way to work Sunday night, I was in a silver Touring crossing the lights

Yeah the PoW is a beauty. A secret gem hidden in the center of town. Was very busy throughout the summer for takeaway pints and people just sitting/playing boules on the square. Also a good place to park for out of towners as is as close to the congestion boundary as you can get without going in it and free parking after 6:30 and weekends.

Absolute beauty that is