Welding / body work

[rakester]

Hi,

I'm still in the market for an E30 (finding it very hard to find the perfect one for me!)

Almost everything I see needs some form of bodywork, from what I have gather the arches and battery area are common areas. I do not think I'm going to find that doesn't need some form of work doing. My max budget is £2500 for the car and then £500 to spend on getting it up to scratch.

I was just wondering if you guys have any experience on what you have spent having body work / welding done on your E30. I know prices will vary across the country but when it comes to welding work I have no idea.

Thanks

[rakester]

No one?

[Grrrmachine]

Depends what you're looking for. E30 mechanicals are generally pretty solid, and any flaws are easily and cheaply fixed. Might be better to buy a shed for the 500quid, and then spend 2000 giving it a complete stripdown and respray. 500 quid will get you patchy repairs, but it won't give you a new paint job.

[snakebrain]

I was quoted £350 recently for an A-pillar repair, respray over that bit and blend to existing paint etc and a couple of bits of touching up. That's an insurance approved bodyshop.

[sarkie83]

arches, etc shouldnt be that expensive to get done - like you said it seems to be impossible to find one that wont need something doing! i've had the rear valance on mine priced up - around £150 to get he rear panel done/sprayed - with me supplying the panel.
As long as the basic structure is that main thing. structual rust is gonna start to get expensive quickly..
have a bit of an investigate places that would do the work. i had loads of bodyshops near me basically telling me not to bother, as they only want insurance jobs! if you can get a recommendation from someone that's best.

[snakebrain]

i had loads of bodyshops near me basically telling me not to bother, as they only want insurance jobs!

I had that problem too. Had one (very good) bodyshop who kept promising to get back to me, sounding really positive but just not coming through with a date. In the end I phoned and said I'd had enough of the run-around and if they wanted the work to phone me before 5.

Needless to say they didn't, and the work's going to a professional restoration shop where it'll probably cost more but will be done by someone who cares more about cars than insurance money...

[rakester]

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it. Does anyone know of any shops that undertake such work around the West Midlands area?

[bimanut]

Mate there should be shit loads of body shops in the w mids.
Just keep looking till you find some where that you feel you can trust.

[rakester]

Mate there should be shit loads of body shops in the w mids.
Just keep looking till you find some where that you feel you can trust.

True, need to get an E30 first lol

Is thee such thing as an E30 with a solid shell these days in my price range?

[bimanut]

You could always look for the later models with lower spec.ie 316/18 that have been owned by the more mature person, which tend to be better looked after to keep the price down a bit then spend the rest of your budget making it to your taste.(24v?)

[rakester]

I don't really want to go down the route of engine conversions just yet, originally I was just going to get a 318is but after a few quotes the 325 is insurable as well.

I really really want a nice E30, it's the rust / rot that puts me away sadly

[VeinAST]

I don't really want to go down the route of engine conversions just yet, originally I was just going to get a 318is but after a few quotes the 325 is insurable as well.

I really really want a nice E30, it's the rust / rot that puts me away sadly

Go for one with very minor work! Mine's got the battery rot, boot seal rot and a couple panels need replacing but apart from that it's great

[Blitz]

For your budget you should get a 2 door 325i with very little rust.

[blackcountrybimmerman]

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it. Does anyone know of any shops that undertake such work around the West Midlands area?

The West Midlands is a big place.....where are you in the West Midlands?

[rakester]

I'm In Redditch, so I'd consider that pretty central-ish to most places

Just really struggling to find something with a solid shell, the E30 would be my only car and use daily so need it to be solid.

[Blitz]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=167041

[rakester]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=167041

Looks like really nice example (a lot better than most) but I really want one with the mtech kit

[mr_dink]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=167041

Looks like really nice example (a lot better than most) but I really want one with the mtech kit

MTech kit is really not a good idea if you don't like rust! You get all kinds of horrors hidden behind the kit.

Much better idea to buy something like the one in the link and have the kit fitted yourself if you must. Personally I don't really like the tech2 kit.

[rakester]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=167041

Looks like really nice example (a lot better than most) but I really want one with the mtech kit

MTech kit is really not a good idea if you don't like rust! You get all kinds of horrors hidden behind the kit.

Much better idea to buy something like the one in the link and have the kit fitted yourself if you must. Personally I don't really like the tech2 kit.

Personal preference I guess but I love the mtech2 kit, agreed with horrors to potentially be found underneath the kit.

How much does the kit generally sell for second hand? I know it doesn't come cheap

[mr_dink]

Personal preference I guess but I love the mtech2 kit, agreed with horrors to potentially be found underneath the kit.

How much does the kit generally sell for second hand? I know it doesn't come cheap

It definately is a matter of personal preference and I'm sure I'm in the minority in not liking the kit!

Second hand they don't come up too often and can fetch £4-500.

They are available new but you'd probably be looking at £1500+ for the full kit!!

See this thread for an example of new prices -
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... light=mtec

[Blitz]

Looks like really nice example (a lot better than most) but I really want one with the mtech kit

MTech kit is really not a good idea if you don't like rust! You get all kinds of horrors hidden behind the kit.

Much better idea to buy something like the one in the link and have the kit fitted yourself if you must. Personally I don't really like the tech2 kit.

Personal preference I guess but I love the mtech2 kit, agreed with horrors to potentially be found underneath the kit.

How much does the kit generally sell for second hand? I know it doesn't come cheap

No wonder you want a 325i sport. At that price range they will be tea bags.

[rakester]

MTech kit is really not a good idea if you don't like rust! You get all kinds of horrors hidden behind the kit.

Much better idea to buy something like the one in the link and have the kit fitted yourself if you must. Personally I don't really like the tech2 kit.

Personal preference I guess but I love the mtech2 kit, agreed with horrors to potentially be found underneath the kit.

How much does the kit generally sell for second hand? I know it doesn't come cheap

No wonder you want a 325i sport. At that price range they will be tea bags.

Even in higher price ranges a lot are 'tea bags'. I don't know what I'm going to do currently.

I've wanted an E30 for years, I wouldn't mind spending even more on one but ideally If I was getting a minty fresh example I'd want to garage it. Something which I currently can't do.

Hmmm, decisions!

[polsta]

thing is mate, is you want a "mint" e30, and a car to keep really nice as i try , then its an expensive thing, older cars need love,time,money,work , evne if you buy a mint one it will sooner or later need work, £500 wont get you much to make mint , ive done well over that this week just on some tidy up bits

and if you want an mtech 2 kit/sport, then thats more cost and work, bits to get tatty etc

have a read of the thread im just about to post on what ive done this week, to give you an idea of costs involved in owning an e30, and mines a nice car too not a heap of junk

to get one imaculatly amazing rust/paint need free, is going to cost, thats the bottom line, like mentioned youd be better off buying a £500-1000 car, that has a nice engine,interior, solid in the right places, and then spending the £1500 on the body

[ross_jsy]

Deffinately only going to get a snotter of a sport for £2500.

My advice is to get saving to get exactly what you want.

[sarkie83]

and keep looking out - the right car will come along - just takes a while sometimes!

[jbh]

why do people always think the kit hides a horror story!!!
I know of 3 sport's that have had there kits from new and recently they've been removed to be checked over and there fine underneath..

I'm not saying all cars will be like this but not every sport will be rotten under the kit!!

[polsta]

thing to concider also...

a sport would probably involve a lot higher yearly running/maintenence cost ? parts would be more expensive maybe ? more fuel cost too

[Blitz]

thing to concider also...

a sport would probably involve a lot higher yearly running/maintenence cost ? parts would be more expensive maybe ? more fuel cost too

Why would it cost more to maintain? Its just a 325i.

[jbh]

thing to concider also...

a sport would probably involve a lot higher yearly running/maintenence cost ? parts would be more expensive maybe ? more fuel cost too

Why would it cost more to maintain? Its just a 325i.

+1 it is just a 325i with the sport pack added.. yes the insurance is slightly dearer than a standard 325i but running costs and maintenance costs are the same

[fowler]

Most sports have been welded at some point as if they have had the kit frtom new some rust issues would have been created

[rakester]

I guess I'll just keep my eye on for sale threads etc

The 318is is out of the window when I can insure a 325

[fowler]

i would save the pennis and find a nice shell and turn it into what you want

[Neil_uk7]

For your budget you should get a 2 door 325i with very little rust.

£2500 should by you an excellent rust free e30 I would've thought! I bought my convertible just before Xmas 1988 325i in Zinnobar red with chrome bumpers. Cost me £1650 with s/history, and struturally is very sound. I've found two small rust bubbles and I had to really search to find them.

Bodywork dents are one of the biggest expenses unless their just minor dents. I had one knocked out for £50, but still have a ding in the wing, and passenger door; both too big for dent guy and been quoted £400 to have them panel beaten out and sprayed.

[ross_jsy]

Most sports have been welded at some point as if they have had the kit frtom new some rust issues would have been created

It's is a myth imo. It's just a lot of sports have hidden rust normally on show on other e30's.

Mine is 100% rust free under there

[rakester]

You have given me more faith in finding something now! I'm willing to travel to find the perfect one, I plan spending money on it over time but starting off with a completely rust free body would be the perfect start