E30 Cabbie Restore - Part I - completed

[johnt0709]

I have had this car for approximately 7 years, it has one previous owner who bought the car from new. They purchased from Eastern BMW in Edinburgh - tonnes of receipts, MOTs etc. I bought it from someone local who was mates with an employee in Eastern - they took it back in as a trade in.

It started life as a chrome bumper car, apologies to the purist but they bumpers dont half rot, so I decided to replace the chrome with a tech II kit.

It may have been an option to find a better shell, but when it came to it I just couldn't part with it - what can I say - Ive kept another E30 on the road, besides it's family.

[oakey]

Been a selfish member for a few years and never really contributed, so I decided to post some pics of my cabbie restoration - in paint shop just now.

I've owned the car for about 6 years - it has only had 1 previous owner and when it came to breaking it or restoring it - it was an easy decision.

The front wings were rusted, took pics of gaps to ensure this was achieved





Stone chipped the inner wings



New wings on



In for some body work - arches sand blasted to see whats required

oh dear



Time to cut the rot out




New inner and outer arches required (both sides)



Factory finish Stone Chip both sides



Ready for the paint shop

Meanwhile back home
Replacing the BBS with (in my opinion) a better option

Very good 2nd hand hood (to be treated with renovo)
Will post more pics as it progresses - yes it may have been a cheaper option to pick up a better shell - but what can I say - Ive kept an E30 on the road, besides it's family.

[gooner1]

Cheers for that oakey, i couldnt get the pics to open.

johnt0709, PM on it,s way mate.

[ImysE30]

I may end up doing something similar with mine

Great work, keeping it white?

[johnt0709]

Yes - Alpine White II all the way

[johnt0709]

Thanks Oakey - what did I do wrong?

[ImysE30]

If you don't mind me asking, how much has this set you back?

How did you do the rear arches, new panel?

[EThreezero]

Excellent work dude, are you doing the welding yourself? thats the only thing thats going to slow down my own personal mission, im ok at welding stuff thats going to be hidden but if its a bit thats going to be in full view ie a wheel arch, i make a total James Hunt of it! Anyway keep up the good work geezer.

[EThreezero]

Oh meant to say, good luck with the divorce

[johnt0709]

I have a lifelong mate who is an excellent panel beater £160 for the arches. A big iou for the labour. All in I reckon I will have spent just over £2k? on it

[ImysE30]

I have a lifelong mate who is an excellent panel beater £160 for the arches. A big iou for the labour. All in I reckon I will have spent just over £2k? on it

Where did you get the new arches from? I need 2 as well

[johnt0709]

You will really struggle to get the correct arches for a convertible - normal coupe ones are a good fit up to a point - Trim them back away from the bumper mount and stop them short of the sill - unlikely that any corrosion has extended this far anyway - Not a job for DIY.

[ImysE30]

You will really struggle to get the correct arches for a convertible - normal coupe ones are a good fit up to a point - Trim them back away from the bumper mount and stop them short of the sill - unlikely that any corrosion has extended this far anyway - Not a job for DIY.

It's probably the main thing stopping me from restoring mine, sounds very expensive

Good luck with the rest of the project

[B7]

Good news this another alpine white convertible being saved

And I know what you mean about divorce!!!!

[daimlerman]

You will really struggle to get the correct arches for a convertible - normal coupe ones are a good fit up to a point - Trim them back away from the bumper mount and stop them short of the sill - unlikely that any corrosion has extended this far anyway - Not a job for DIY.

My bodyman could only find 2 door saloon arch repair panels..

He trimmed down from that to this,

The cills on cabbies are made from quite thick steel,so are unlikely to be rusted at the front of the arch.
Sorry for the hi-jack....

[ImysE30]

Where did you get those arches from Malc?

[daimlerman]

Where did you get those arches from Malc?

Bodyman got the from one of his suppliers,just shy of £100 the pair.I suspect they are made by Beaver Panels.

[ImysE30]

Where did you get those arches from Malc?

Bodyman got the from one of his suppliers,just shy of £100 the pair.I suspect they are made by Beaver Panels.

Might be in luck with BMW having some, thanks though

[Baz666]

when i did my cabby i got my panels from beaver panels just got 2 rear arches from a coupe, but i`v just fished out my bill and they only cost me £42.86 for a pair delivered.

beaver panels dont do cabby rear arches so i better there coupe ones ????

[johnt0709]

Looks like the same arches - I bought 4 price sounds Right at 160. Use them for inner and outer! Due to get it back painted this week will post some pics. BMW will supply not sure how much. I've tortured the local dealer managed to order in a new backing rubber for the magnetic lock on the door! I'm sure they act busy when I come in now.

[johnt0709]

Some small details that I think make the difference


New rubber for the alarm lock

M Technic stickers - £5 each!

Badged up the alloys - Lenso BSX Silver 16" 205x45x16

Paint Shop

Started building back up - inside of boot, door checks, scuttle etc painted


Nearly there - will post some more pics when totally finished - from different angles and in a better setting!

[gooner1]

Looking good fella.

[johnt0709]

Thanks Gonner - 12 Pictures doesnt quite show all the late nights ignoring the wife and kids! Need to drop it by 40mm I reckon - going in for an MOT as I had it garaged for a couple of years - Ill get it all done at once - Where is this barbecue summer?

[johnt0709]

Been beavering away with this - put a roof on it - good back screen, but it was a bit faded so I used Renovo and it made a difference




Photo before obviously



During



After

Started work on the suspension and brakes prior to mot started at the back and worked my way round.

It looked pretty poor and was made worse by the painters relaxed policy on offspray




Been off the road for a couple of years so the discs were in pretty poor condition


Started with the trailing arms - smooth hammerite


Back plates and wheel bearings were Ok so they could stay, just gave the back plates a paint, replaced the discs, pads, springs etc







60mm drop. looked 10x better even when one side was done

Then moved onto the front which was much worse.....



Anyway stripped it down and primed it with hammerite, waxoyl - really heavy and goes on smooth - recommended followed by some satin black paint.






I never released how many parts had actually disintegrated, especially the cup behind the bearing and the brake protection plates.





New Discs and pads on the front as well



Just about finished - waiting on a new control arm coming since I fecked the threads on the balljoint

I also sorted out the sounds problem - the old speakers had seen better days


These were good replacements if you can get your hands on them - they go straight in no problem


[/img]

[shazE30]

Wow reminds me of mine when I first got it, keep up the good work altho im not feeling the rear spoiler but its your car thanks for sharing

[johnt0709]

Yip - a couple of cabbie owners have made that comment.

[paddywack]

nice job you done mate, looks amazing

[Alpina99]

Very nice work,
Keep the updates coming please,

[xavi1980]

love it! done a good job, although i prob would have had the carpet out and checked the floor pan too?

[johnt0709]

Finally renewed the fuel filler pipe - got a minty one off a zoner and the metal pipe that covers the breather tube below the arch - this one


Car is now finished - a during and after pic



And the finished product



(apologies for the thread being a bit all over the place - tried to tidy it up as best I could.


Putting off the road after the summer to do a 2.7 stroker during the dark winter months

[ImysE30]

Very nice, gotta love a white cabby

[hammoj28]

Lovely looking cabby. Wheels really suit it and white tech2's are sexual.

[bobski]

if you decide to go spoilerless bootlid i'll take it off you as its right colour for my saloon

[N2MYE30]

Very nice so far!

[Alex]

how much was the inner arch cover thingy, i need one on the IS