BMW 325i Touring - Project Resto / Daily ride.

Show off your pride and joy here

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Silverfang
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:11 pm

After the desmise of my 320i back in 2009, I had to find a replacement for it. However all was not lost with the ol' 320i, though the shell is pretty much scrap (It looked clean but there was rust building in a few places, bulkhead / sunroof issues and a bit in the sills) :( I brought it back and it'll be used for spares. Kinda gutting honestly seeing it ending it's life but rather it went to good use instead of ending up on a scrapheap going to waste!

Anycase after much hunting and considering a E36 touring.... I found this here on the zone :D

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After discussion with the owner a deal was struck and I collected it soon after.
A good look around and i found a few niggles, central locking not fully working on the drivers side, i can lock it but can't unlock it still.. trying to get into the lock is a bit of a PITA.

Since getting it, I've spent a fair bit of time fixing it up, Big thank you to Mr Spadge here on the zone for help with new panels (Bonnet , driver's wing and valance off that 98k mile 4 door that had the rear end 1 foot across from original 8O

The 320 was raided for the OBC, LSD, polybushes which were transfered into the touring, a new fuel tank soon followed along with welding.

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Bumper off to find....

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Mmm rust....

Some grinding / Cutting and welding later...

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It's been all seam sealed in from the inside, skin filled, sanded and given a lick of Red oxide till the weather clears up and i can get some good paint on. But no more hole.

I'd noticed the car had been misfiring for a while since i'd brought it so took a weekend off from university last year to get the distributer swapped out, and give the car an oil service... cue it running for 20 seconds before clattering to a hault... after pulling the timing covers off... belt had jumped about 8 teeth :cry:

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So after getting it apart, a good friend offered to get the head sorted for me by a local company, top blokes the pair of them for helping me out whilst i was away at university, K&J Engine services, highly recommended!

The head upon getting it back
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And back in

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After that the car's never missed a beat, managing to pull 3 up with camping gear / race gear and clothing as part of a convey from MK to Dover.. then Dunkerque to Hockenhiem in 15 hours! :mad: At up to 120mph+ all LEGALLY :D :D :D

Then after finishing with University, i focused on the car and getting work. Off came the front valance, and on went a good one (Thanks Spadge) with a new iS lip

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And set about fixing the sagging headlining too.
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Since getting my job at Aston, the car's had new gearbox and engine mounts, and plans for the 6kg flywheel to go in, along with new prop damper and central bearing when i'm better off.
Next up though is the suspension, having decided on a Weitec kit, with new arms.. which should be arriving in the next few weeks :)

Updates soon!
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Alpina99
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:38 pm

Not a bad looking car mate,
Keep the updates coming,
:D
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tonybtonyb
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:58 pm

It's getting there mate :cool:
They don't make bm's like this anymore!..They should.
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capri_rob
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:00 am

What glue did you use to stick up the headlining ?

Has it worked 100% ?

I need to do this on my turd.

Nice project 8)
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e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
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Steve
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:39 am

How much did the head cost you to get done? K&J Engine services are just around the corner from my work !
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RustyRuss
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:00 am

Looking forward to more updates on this as and when, nice looking touring :-)
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Silverfang
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:06 pm

capri_rob wrote:What glue did you use to stick up the headlining ?

Has it worked 100% ?

I need to do this on my turd.

Nice project 8)
It was Blu Tac Spray adhesive , pretty much the same as the 3M stuff, it didn't get all of the headlining back up, there's still a few bits which need redoing, However i used a foam roller all the way along, and for the most part (85% or so) it worked really well :D

Steve, the head rebuild cost me £350 to have new exhaust valves put in (bent those in the cambelt incident :mad: ) relapped seats, full steam clean and pressure check, head skimmed and new valve stem seals installed which i supplied.
Straight rebuild without the valves, i'd have thought around £200 if you supplied the head with new valve stem seals.
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
tonybtonyb
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Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:40 am

Will be like a new touring once you have finished with her :cool:
They don't make bm's like this anymore!..They should.
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Silverfang
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Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:32 pm

Today's work involved swapping off the ICV and blue temp sensor and seems to have sorted the idle finally, no pictures though but she's running much smoother :D
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:23 pm

Bit more faffing today, swapped out a rather dead drop link, it'd only been in there 6 months and the rubber cover for the balljoint was er.. well you decide from the pics. 8O

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Also got this month's PPC to read... got a bit of a surpise too! :D

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BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:49 pm

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Had the door lock out today, think part of it's broken, the little arm was found in the bottom of the door... 8O

Does anyone know if this kit is avaliable at the dealers?

http://www.bmwpartsweb.com/BMW-Parts/Lo ... 5C230.aspx
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:17 pm

Managed to get the lock fixed finally, working central locking is nice! :D

Update time again, Handbrake wasn't working right and decided to have the discs off... uhm good thing i did, the pads had cracked up to hell and falling apart, generally meaning the handbrake didn't work once i cleaned out the dust! :eek:

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Old vs new

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Rather gone! 8O

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All new springs and handbrake shoes

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New discs and Pads, job done and all working :D

Next up is the propshaft...
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
The_Haywood
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Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:45 pm

nice update dude... how much did discs and pads set you back?
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Silverfang
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Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:26 pm

From euros £49.20 for the discs. £20 or so for the pads, and another £20 for the shoes.
As for the spring kit, that was £28 from BMW.
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Wed Aug 17, 2011 6:04 pm

Update time again :)

After a bit of research and finding a bargin on ebay... E28 Sports seats now reside in the touring :D Well the passenger side at the moment till i can get ahold of some driver's side runners from a old seat :roll: (anyone want to donate? :teehee:)
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And since I went to the Gaydon show... i got spending a bit more :o: Opps.. but the following goodies are going on:

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New grill :)

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6k HID's and smoked lenses :D

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Strut brace

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And to follow next month, RPM's Coilovers, should tighten things up nicely winkeye
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:47 pm

Ok Update again

Brief one this time as i'm waiting on the coilovers to arrive... however , Thanks Mercdriver! :D

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Both in and soooo comfy and supportive, best change to date :D

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HID's and clear front lenses in, but the company whom sent me the side lights sent me E36 items :roll: So waiting on them to send me the correct ones... still waiting :x
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
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mercdriver
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Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:36 pm

Ah you don't mess about! Unwrap the parcel, Straight on and straight in! Not a bad day that!

They look sweet mate glad i could help! 8)
I'll check with the manager
Duke137
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Fri Sep 02, 2011 9:44 pm

Nice motor!
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
Silverfang
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Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:18 pm

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Now all done with the front end , lighting wise. Just need to sort the coilovers now...

However i also did change out the exhaust after this happened :eek:

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BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:13 pm

I got a nice big box arrive just in time for my week off :D :D :D



And what lurked inside.... was...

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Brand new Gaz based coilovers from RPM, Also got new wishbones and a strut brace all to go in :D :cool:

After this it's MOT.. then sort the diff out which is now rumbling away :(
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
MurphyE30
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Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:35 pm

Nice updates, coming along realy well :)

Should be nice once you get the coilovers on and set up :cool:

I'm running Gaz coilovers aswell

Will be setting mine up soon as my new wheels come

Good work keep the updates coming
Green
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 11:34 am

Looking good! Yet to see you about milton keynes, there's getting to be quite a few E30's around the area now :D
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Silverfang
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:39 pm

Normally working up in northampton, but i'm off this week, might well see me giving the new coilovers extended 'bedding in / test time' winkeye
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
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mercdriver
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Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:54 pm

I'm sure you are looking forward to that dude! Nice progress you're making 8)
I'll check with the manager
Silverfang
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Tue Sep 27, 2011 4:26 pm

Well, the rebuild has started:

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Old stuff out

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Cleaned down for underseal

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Sealed up for winter :)

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All new in :D

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Nicely lowered but still settling, might drop even futher :D

Tomorrow's the front end to sort out. :mad:
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
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mercdriver
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Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:22 pm

Good work mate, keep them photos coming tomorrow then! I will look again tomorrow to inspect the work/ check up on you like a wife! :D
I'll check with the manager
Silverfang
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Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:57 pm

Day 2 of rebuild:

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One new wishbone on... but new tie rods and a drop link needed.. and new discs :roll:

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And no real progress after the bolt rounded out in the disc but i do have a reverse fluke drill to attack it with once the drill's recharged :D

New tie rods, one new droplink (did the drivers side but didn't do the passenger - :o: ) and new discs on order from Euros.

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Managed to get some gators that kinda fitted (read not brilliantly) for the coilovers to help keep them in reasonable condition for winter.
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:24 pm

Day 3 and i'm exhausted :mad:

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Fresh wishbones, drop links and tie rods

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All in, just need some 3mm spacers to get the wheels on without chance of fouling.

Hopefully get it back on it's wheels and tracking sorted out tomorrow and finally sorted before the weekend
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:51 pm

All done :D

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MOT next week... hopefully should pass first time :mad:
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Alpina99
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Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:46 am

Looking better each time I read this thread !!
What's next ??
:D
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Silverfang
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Sat Oct 01, 2011 11:09 am

MOT and tax :mad:

Hopefully should go through first time, besides that, sort the rumbling differential out (either rebuild or replace)
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
Silverfang
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Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:56 am

MOT Passed :D :D :D

Now to get taxed and then it's looking at the differential / steering :mad:
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
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mercdriver
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Sat Oct 08, 2011 12:11 pm

Good lad! Well done mate, sweet progress and roadworthiness too!
I'll check with the manager
Silverfang
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Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:02 am

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CAr's now settled, took another 5mm out of the front , but now pondering diff options / steering rack conversions now...

Could use some new wheels though.
BMW and Opel, both RWD, both german, both good fun
http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here.
mani
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Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:12 pm

:thumb:
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