'88 325i Touring #001 resto - 03/2012 rimz porn

[capri_rob]

Well took the turd to the bodyshop today for an assessment of the welding that needs doing as a priority.

The guy had a good look over it and is gonna come back to me with a price over the weekend.

This is the place - http://www.cbrmotorbodies.com/index.html

Some very nice stuff in the workshop at present

Anyone have an idea ballpark of what sort of price to expect ? I think he said their labour rate is £40+VAT per hour

Ive asked them to quote for the repairs to the inner arch ( 2 x small plates )
removal of both front jacking points and let in new metal as required ( wont need much )
Small repair to the rear valance

Bearing in mind there will be no stripping or removal of carpet etc required - literally just cut out the grot, fabricate repair sections, weld in and underseal.

My estimate is that it should take a pro no more than 4 hours. Any other ideas ?

Also managed to solve an annoying metallic clunk from underneath when taking up drive.....i guess it would have helped if I'd remembered to tighten the propshaft to diff bolts when we put the beam back on

[capri_rob]

Been relieved of another £90 at the dealers this morning :



Fuel feed, return & vent pipes, pair of rear light seals, pair of the larger strut top caps and a new bolt to hold the battery clamp in

[capri_rob]

Fuel pipes on tonight- thats underneath pretty much done

Next job that I'm dreading is carpet out to check the state of the floorpan from the inside - gotta do this asap as I want to get the welding out of the way so I can get the whole interior cleaned and back in
Also gotta get the headlining out whilst im at it as I need to fix the factory fit sag

Feels weird to not have a massive list of stuff left to do - stuff I can think of :

Replace clutch slave/master cyl & Flexi hose ( got all the bits to do it )
Fit new front brake flexi hoses ( Got )
Adjust handbrake properly
Sort sunroof motor ( needs re-syncing ) & replace sunroof panel ( got )
Fix wiring to front pad wear warning light ( DanThe )
Fit new rear light seals ( got )
Replace cracked o/s/f headlamp ( got )
Fix windscreen washers ( new T-piece non-return valves - got )
Get 4 wheel alignment check done

All of the above I hope will see it through the MOT in September with no advisories

Then gonna tackle the cylinder head refurb & cooling system over the winter SORN

[capri_rob]

Decided to bite the bullet today and pull the carpet out to see what horrors might be lurking underneath

Drivers side :


Nothing I wasnt expecting - I've bashed a 50p sized hole in the usual spot they go - I'd previously put a screwdriver through from underneath so I knew it needed sorting.
Jacking point needs removing really - pretty solid otherwise.

Managed to bust the accellerator pedal off though so a new or s/hand one is needed.


Passenger side floor area even over the jacking point is rock solid

However on removal of the glovebox I found some grot where the large rectangular grommet fits where the loom passes into the car - its not too bad - just caught it in time I think - might just be tricky fabricating a piece to go in so the grommet fits back properly and is watertight.

Carpet was a bit wet underneath so I'm guessing water has been getting in here for a while.
Gonna get the carpet and seats valeted before they go back in anyway.

The bodyshop I took it to last week havent come back to me with a price so fook em I'll try someone else - they obviously don't want the work

[DanThe]

Rob I will gladly cut the jacking points off and fix that hole for a few quid once ive slowed down a bit and had a bit of a clean up, quite busy at the mo and about to start migging the cage into my other E30

[capri_rob]

Rob I will gladly cut the jacking points off and fix that hole for a few quid once ive slowed down a bit and had a bit of a clean up, quite busy at the mo and about to start migging the cage into my other E30

Cheers Dan - that would be perfect - at least I know it will be done right !

Got a few other bits I can do over the next couple of weeks anyway

[DanThe]

It will defo be after the festival of gaydom

[capri_rob]

No worries mate - I've got plenty of other jobs on it I can be getting on with until then

[Duke137]

Rob, not too bad but most E30'ss I have seen have the text book rot where the loom comes through the bulkhead

I've not pulled the carpet up on the IS yet, but when I opened the door the other day it smelt a bit damp so am sure something will need a bit of a welding. Keep us posted, at least you got Dan the man close by

(I bet he won't do your bulkhead though!!!)

[DanThe]

Ferg, I might have a play as the carpet is out

[capri_rob]

I've had a good prod at the bulkhead today and from what I can tell it just needs the hole where the grommet fits "re-making" - don't think it stretches further than you can see in the pic - I've found it just in time I think

carpets staying out until its sorted anyway

[Duke137]

Good on you dan

Yeah thats cool Rob but I still maintain that most E30's are rotting there!

What the eye don't see the heart don't grieve about!

Glad you caught it in time by the looks

[capri_rob]

Good on you dan

Yeah thats cool Rob but I still maintain that most E30's are rotting there!

What the eye don't see the heart don't grieve about!

Glad you caught it in time by the looks

Bizarrely the bronze turd was solid here

Shame the floorpan and rear arches were so fooked

Hows the progress with the chav ?

[Duke137]

slow atm Rob, but hopefully get some free time next week as am off work!

I've been helping my brother (mercdriver) with his when I get a few hours but its high time I cracked on with my own!

Shame about the bronzit being rotten everywhere else!

Keep your updates coming, I'm following your thread

[capri_rob]

Bit more progress today - done a job I've been dreading - removal of the saggy headlining

Wasnt actually too bad as I've read a few threads on here about how to do it.




roofskin is mint ( what you can see along the tops of the doorshuts is foam residue from the headlining not rust )
The n/s/r sunroof drain pipe has a small amount of surface rust but im gonna clean it up and thoroughly waxoyl it all before it goes back together anyway.
The only evidence of any rust is on the front sunroof thin pipes where I think the cables run through from the motor - these will be cleaned and waxoyled before reassembly - also gotta grease the cables to get the roof running smooooooth and also re-sync the motor



Its out !

Only took about 90mins all told.

Now just got to scrape out all the loose foam and try to glue it back together properly

Anyone got any tips for what glue to use ?

[DanThe]

Spray glue is what you want Rob, just be careful not to get it on any other trim

[Alex]

i would be very tempted to dye that headlining black while it was out, would look awsome

that sunroof tray is spot on

[capri_rob]

Problem is dyeing the sunroof trim to match as apparently you cant get it out without removing the entire sunroof mech ( which I don't really want to do ) so would have to be done in-situ.

I've got black sunvisors from the bronze turd but the cover for the sunroof motor is also grey and as they are unique to the touring IIRC this would have to be painted black to match - and painting plastic usually looks cack

Any product suggestions to clean the headlining cloth with ? I've tried spray-on foamin cleaners in the past and the ones Ive used don't seem to be much good TBH

[Alex]

Ah never thought of that, good point

[polsta]

is the head lining felt/upholstery style or like vinyl ?

1and1 if its upholstery, or AG interior shampoo is good for any type of interior

if you dye it black, and want that motor cover bit blac- what shape etc is it ? flat surface or moulded parts ? if its flat and do-able, you could maybe post/find someone whos got damaged/ripped black headlining or any, and dye it also, and cover it maybe ?

[DanThe]

That tiny bit of plastic is not going to look out of place sprayed black Rob, id do it anthracite as im sure it would match the dash/other plastics better

[capri_rob]

Headlining and drivers seat are being taken to the trimmers on monday.

Decided to go with black/anthracite cloth for the headlining, and hopefully there is enough usable material in the old comfort seats to repair the drivers seat bolsters.

Just noticed today that it appears to be sitting lower at the passenger side on the back than the drivers side - can't see anything obviously wrong - the springs appear to be seated properly but the car hasnt done any miles since they were fitted - I'm hoping once I drive it a bit they will even out

Feel like the resto is losing steam a bit - the headling/seat repairs will be expensive and I have to tackle the cylinder head soon which will also be expensive - the MOT expires in October and I can't see it being re-MOT'd and on the road again now until next Spring

[Dezzy]

Good work mate

[Duke137]

Keep faith Rob you havn't got lots left to do!

[MurphyE30]

Great work Rob, im hoping to have my headlining put in next week.

Stick at it mate

[capri_rob]

Dropped the headlining and drivers seat off at the trimmers this morning.

Decided on black suede with a foam backing for the headlining ( was almost the most expensive material they do )

Gave the old comfort seats to use the material to repair the drivers bolster.

Should be ready in a week or so - another wallet bashing but I was impressed with the quality of the work they showed me so worth it IMO.

the turd is booked in with danthe for some fettling next tuesday

[capri_rob]

Big thinks to danthe for his skills today :


Didnt look too bad......I thought





Surgery

Meet the flintsones !!!


Looking better - phew

Cheers again Dan - hopefully the other side won't be as bad

[Duke137]

Good work! Once you start with a knot brush on a "brown" area it soon becomes a gaping hole big enough for a cat to get through lol!

[capri_rob]

Need a throttle pedal mount if anyones breaking a turd with a non-rotten one - chunk of the surrounding floor and just chop the fooka please !

[Duke137]

Rob you can get it from BMW I think, I got quoted about £21 IIRC not long back

[capri_rob]

Rob you can get it from BMW I think, I got quoted about £21 IIRC not long back

Can't seem to find the part number on realoem

[Duke137]

Rob you can get it from BMW I think, I got quoted about £21 IIRC not long back

Can't seem to find the part number on realoem

No I couldn't but I emailed a photo to my man at stratstone and told him what it was and he came back with the description of a "clip" I am looking for the email now

[Duke137]

I've got the one I sent but not the reply grrrr think I must have deleted it or something, I'll ask him again anyway, if you ask your local stealer we can see if we get the same part number ?

[capri_rob]

I've got the one I sent but not the reply grrrr think I must have deleted it or something, I'll ask him again anyway, if you ask your local stealer we can see if we get the same part number ?

Cheers Ferg I'll speak to my parts guy tomorrow

[Duke137]

PM your email addy I will forward the email for your reference dude, I had a thought that the reply might be on my work email (which I can only check at work)