Ratch's 318iS Resto is back!!!

[Royalratch]

Little update. Picked up the consoles and they look/feel/smeel even better in the flesh.


Workmanship is impressive as ever...





Mocked up with knob and switches - I think an MTEC knob is good for at least 7-8 BHP.


The classic 'Old parts look crap against new parts so must get more new parts' is evident with the ashtrays...



And got some other bits through - complete set of side trims all round. The car now has new exterior trim all round bar some of the shadowline stuff.


Yum - smooth fresh matt darkness...


Also got some clean bits and pieces to finish headlining and some tidy seat belts that actually retract etc - thanks e30topless.

[magpie]

i've seen a leather ash-tray lid before

[Alex]

very ncice ratch, this is going to be a stunner when done. one of the best 318is's out there

[Royalratch]

i've seen a leather ash-tray lid before

Really - I've think BMW even did leather dashboards for the E30 but not too sure.

I think you can go too far with leather - starts to be a bit gay when it's all dashboard and headlining etc etc.

[magpie]

a leather astray lid front and rear will finish the consoles off nicely.

agreed about the dash [overkill]

[Felix79]

Mr Ratch that is one fine fine fine example of a restro and looking e30. I do love how your mixing the suttle tastefull mods with pure OME rightuiousnes ( excusse spelling ).

Sorry to ask such a vulgar question but how much do you think you have put into paying out for the parts to do such a big restro?

[Dezzy]

I really want a console like that.
It looks sex. Very very nice.

What cost would you think a steering wheel and gear nob re trim would cost. Where doyou stop.

[Alex]

I really want a console like that.
It looks sex. Very very nice.

What cost would you think a steering wheel and gear nob re trim would cost. Where doyou stop.

i thought the CR24 gang would buy them new from bmw

[Dezzy]

They look as good if not better than oem Alex. CR24v isn't about oem gayness it's OEM + mate. Big difference

[Royalratch]

@ Felix79 - I don't know. When its finished I will do a full price breakdown because I think it would be useful to other zoners but parts prices change so often it may not be much use. Plus all leather interior work has not cost anything. Plus this is about a years worth of work so spending here and there and slowly gathering parts rather blowing thousands in one go. Still haven't sourced an LSD! (BMW - £600 for the internals only).

@ Dezzy - Steering wheel is about £100 (not bad when a new wheel is £250+) plus you can have a retrim 'chunked up' if you want too. Knob / gaiter is probably about £30-40.

[Alex]

They look as good if not better than oem Alex. CR24v isn't about oem gayness it's OEM + mate. Big difference

only winding you up

[Dezzy]

Right list just got bigger.

[Felix79]

@ Felix79 - I don't know. When its finished I will do a full price breakdown because I think it would be useful to other zoners but parts prices change so often it may not be much use. Plus all leather interior work has not cost anything. Plus this is about a years worth of work so spending here and there and slowly gathering parts rather blowing thousands in one go. Still haven't sourced an LSD! (BMW - £600 for the internals only).

@ Dezzy - Steering wheel is about £100 (not bad when a new wheel is £250+) plus you can have a retrim 'chunked up' if you want too. Knob / gaiter is probably about £30-40.

Thanks for the reply Ratch.

[Royalratch]

Have been driving around a bit, engine all smooth and quiet again. Headlining almost all in, ICE all done and interior trim waiting to go back in.

Been at the body shop having new sunroof panel painted, bootlid sorted and passenger side sorted too. Pics soon of more morsels that have shown up.

[magpie]

more

[Dezzy]

Did you ask about a group buy.

My interior is getting done next week so I will see my guy for a price too.

Ratch do you mind if I print a few of your pics out to show him what you have had done?

[Royalratch]

Ratch do you mind if I print a few of your pics out to show him what you have had done?

No worries.

I PM'ed you about what can be done.

Basically, they can't commit to group buy amounts as they take too long to do and can't guarantee delivery dates. But they said if I drop a bunch of consoles off, they would make them up as and when and I would then sell them to whoever pays up first

Barry is already in for one and I guess yourself, Steve (e30topless), Beardymatt and the other guys who responded would be contacted first.

Then as sets are made up I will just offer them to Zoners - no mark up. £350 gets you front and rear consoles and approx £50 for a gaiter and handle in matching leather.

Of course, if you're getting it done with a whole interior they will do it as part of that job so there is that option.

I will say, make sure whoever foes it for you is top notch as they are fiddly to get perfect. My BMW MTEC knob is an almost exact match for the leather they use.

Notice, I have not said 'leatherz' once.

[Dezzy]

I did notice that ha ha.

I want the same people as you to do it ratch as yours looks very very nice. I just want the guy who is doing my I terior to see it and see what he says.

[Royalratch]

Haven't posted in a while but I've been super busy with work - found some time this week to sort out the sunroof and remaining headlining issues and get some more interior trim back in.

So car had some more paint and polish and now has 90% new exterior trim and it makes such a difference. Also found my old German plates from when I lived there. This is what they're supposed to look like, the 2 circles are their tax/MOT proof and state (Bavaria in this case) so whenever I see the gash copies they have here, without these marks they just look lame. I also have the associated German reg papers - nice bit of history.




New tensioner for the power steering belt which I rounded for the 3rd time when whilst adjusting.



Sorted the sunroof out, freshly painted with new seals. Lined up roof spot on (cheers Barry). Previous motor had a duff relay which was not stopping at the correct intervals - all is well now.

Excellent condition sunroof insert sourced and steam cleaned - thanks Steve/e30topless.


Sound deadening onto new panel, retaining tabs cavity waxoiled (they rust easily).


Painted.


New seals.


Finally managed to thread the interior light loom up the B-Pillar and out into the light housing. This meant I could finish headlining finally!


Done!


And new B-Pillar trims go in too...


Also fitted some nice condition seat belts that do actually retract fairly quickly and are not frayed / caked in waxoil etc etc.



Onto the main interior - car still in a bit of state though I've been driving it like this to check out the new rack and bushes etc - definitely more agile.


New ashtray for the new leather consoles - mu old ones were okay but okay don't cut it - a snip at £30 or so



A fresh cigarette lighter symbol is a thing of beauty...


Continuing minty switches and symbols - I broke out my NEW Cut-Out switch which I bought almost 5 years ago - these are over £100 now.



In go the consoles...


Mocked up with one of my eBay leather gaiters - these aren't bad at all but I'm also having a new gaiter and handle done to match the consoles.


iPod interface will be housed in the ashtray and will only be visible when in use.


Front console - very chuffed with this and will get better with age...



Now for the million dollar question.

Wood?


Or MTECH Illuminated Leather?


Or Wood?


Or MTECH Illuminated Leather?


MTECH Illuminated Leather?


Or Wood?


Or MTECH Illuminated Leather?


Or Wood?





The MTECH stays for now as I don't have a gaiter for the Wood knob but that's not final...

[beardymat]

that wooden knob is hideous and is thoroughly shown up by its beutiful surroundings.

Mtech FTW

[Royalratch]

Just need to smoke a couple Romeo Y Julietas in there to complete the ambience...

[spook]

Ratch your centre consul is a thing of beauty, and bin the wooden gearknob dude.

[robbo86]

Mtech Ratch, all the way. Unless there is any other wood trim in the car, which if memory serves, there isnt.

[Blitz]

Wow. That centre console is lush.

[B7]

Looking good my man. That console is indeed a thing of delight.

[E30BeemerLad]

This is becoming an exceptionally fine car, kudos to you

[Royalratch]

Even with the Wood?

[E30BeemerLad]

I would only go with the wood if you had the matching dash trim

[chris432626]

As my wife says, "You can lose the wood for a start".

[Royalratch]

The dash trim is horrible and gharish lol.

It's all about touches. A splash of wood, cravat perhaps a couple of Habanas in the glovebox...

[johnt0709]

Without being too blunt - the wood looks sh!t. Def leather iluminated.

[Nay]

i've seen a leather ash-tray lid before

Really - I've think BMW even did leather dashboards for the E30 but not too sure.

I think you can go too far with leather - starts to be a bit gay when it's all dashboard and headlining etc etc.

I personally think leather dashes (done to the magnificent standards like your centers) are stunning. Got to be standard looking though, no stupid colours or whatnot. I understand what you mean when some people go too far.

Caught up with your resto a bit today. Looking good.

This is the result of a pure blooded analist, and its shows! Keep it up dude.

[Andyboy]

You've got to have wood FTW. If you'll excuse the pun. A nice light ash wooden BMW knob looks good, relieves the darkness somewhat.

Nuremberg eh? Always wanted to visit the place seen in so many photos where Adolf and the crew held their rallies.
German plates belong only on German registered cars. They just look Gay on anything else, period. If you want to go FTW, a set of repro UK plates with the correct pre 2001 size letters/numbers plus the original dealer name and the small BMW logo.

[Royalratch]

You've got to have wood FTW. If you'll excuse the pun. A nice light ash wooden BMW knob looks good, relieves the darkness somewhat.

Nuremberg eh? Always wanted to visit the place seen in so many photos where Adolf and the crew held their rallies.
German plates belong only on German registered cars. They just look Gay on anything else, period. If you want to go FTW, a set of repro UK plates with the correct pre 2001 size letters/numbers plus the original dealer name and the small BMW logo.

Someone else gets the Wood philosophy on my level!

I would never run those plates but they are a nice memento from a dark time lol. I've been to Adolf's 'Stadion' of choice - weird place...

[Royalratch]

Finally had time to do a bit on this.

But not much!

First, fitted a new Fan Coupling as I was overheating - turned out to be air lock / low-coolant and all is perfect now with fresh coolant - the old F/C was gone anyway.




Also fitted new subframe bushes with the grotesquely named 'bush fillers'. Old ones were past their best:


Then a trip to the trimmers to pick up some goodies.

Leather gaiter / handbrake to complete my leverz.




And the interior was STILL not finished but the drivers seat was so I grabbed it as I was getting tired of fabric Comfort seat lameness.

These have been totally refurbished. New foam all round, mechs all set up and greased and new legs/rails. They work super smooth now and the riser lever actually lifts with me in the seat!





Heated of course.


Still have new mech covers to fit on those too.

In the harsh daylight...



Colour match is perfect - with my Anthracite headlining the interior is transformed into smooth dark badicalness.


Rear seats are getting there.





Some other E30's were getting some leather love too - second Lotus White Multiple Sclerosis Cabrio in as many weeks.






Big thanks to Barry Bss325i for helping out in all areas. More soon. Once the interiors in it's just the 4.10 LSD and suspension rebuild to go!





Oh, and a pair of 8J's at the back...







And A/C retrofit...











And maybe new windscreen....