Didn't realise this until today vinyl off horseshoe

[matt86]

I didn't realise until today that the horseshoe is vinyl, took it off and looks way better now with brand new factory paint under it, also a good option for if you want to change interior, but not horseshoe or vinyl.

[grantfk10]

Hmm, looks good, must investigate under mine.............

[matt86]

Hmm, looks good, must investigate under mine.............

Really? do you like it?

It looks better in the flesh than on the photos, I prefer it, gives it a smoother look and a chnace t get rid of that dirty ripped vinyl, if I get bored I will just buy some new vinyl, definitely looks better IMO though, everyones opinion is different though

[mcbonio]

WHAT? The black textured bit on the horseshoe comes off??! No way!!! How does it come off? Explain!

[matt86]

stuck on, best to do on a hot day or warm up with heat gean or hair dryer, mine came off easy today as sun had been on it all day, you just have to remove the 2 black covers one on each side on top of horseshoe, remove metal trim which will either be chrome or black depending on model (pops off with screw driver and just pulling it, be careful with paintwork though). then 2 black clips on the inside with crosshead screws on, took me about half an hour, most of that was spent trying to get the rest of the adhesive off the horseshoe where I peeled the vinyl off and then cleaning it with wax and a sponge.

[mcbonio]

Not sure how mine would look, its Lachsilver with chrome trim.... yours looks ace. Much classier.!

[PeteE30Tourer]

Nice one Matt - I agree it looks better. I see you haven't sorted getting your horseshoe to sit down properly yet though!!

[suchy]

Looks ok to me!
Why does it not sit properly though?

[Daryll]

Looks a hell of a lot better without the vinyl. Nice one.

[macas]

That looks superb!

Knowing my luck id strip it off and it will be in fookIn primer!!

[FinalD]

Hmmm I may have to take a peak at mine as the horseshoe is off whilst I'm working on the car...not sure which would look better black vinyl or lachssilber...

[matt86]

In my opinion it was well worth it, if you are going to do it, just peel a small corner bit off first to make sure its actually painted. Lol : ) and that its not hiding loads of rust.

It is worth it though seeing the factory fresh paint, that's been protected by the vinyl for the last 20 odd years.

[matt86]

Plus how many things can you do to a car without paying anything that make it look better, would look goog on a car with chrome trim, especially if body colour is silver or black or white.

[FinalD]

Just so happens I have chrome bumpers (with rust on them ) and a silver car, for now though I'm concentrating on getting the rust and engine sorted really, the hood area will be dealt with once those are done.

I'm in two minds about it looking better really. On the one hand I prefer the minimal plastic/black look with body panels but it also breaks up the rear of the car quite nicely...helpfully I don't have any pics of my car with the hood down with the horseshoe in place, at least not on my hosting at the moment anyway.

[Alpina99]

I've seen that before but didn't realise it was so simple,
Yours looks great like that IMO,
Must check mine out when I (eventually) get it ready for paint,

[matt86]

I know what you mean mate, I think overall it does look better though and gives the car a better, cleaner, smoother look. To be honest, mine doesnt look as good as it should in the photos because the horseshoe isn't closed properly and the horseshoe seal is knackered.there's a fairly good chrome rear bumper at a scrapyard by me, a bit of surface rust, but would probably come off with some autosol, have you tried autosol chrome cleaner on yours? Or are they beyond repair? Cheers

[mcbonio]

Hey FinalD, you got a lachsilver chromie cab? Me too..! Got any pics?

[FinalD]

Just uploaded some horrible phone pics (taken a few weeks ago now) of the car with the roof down and with the horseshoe still on...






There are bubbles on the chrome on both front and rear.

I'll get some decent pics of the bumpers this evening as I plan on doing some work on the car but I think they'll either need re-chroming or sanding and painting if I want to go the lazy pikey route which is a shame as the chrome bumpers work well on the silver car.

Hey FinalD, you got a lachsilver chromie cab? Me too..! Got any pics?

I do indeed, have a gander in here:
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=220066

[mcbonio]

Just source some new bumpers man, easy to fit. Then sell the old ones to someone that can do 'em up easily. You seen the price of rechroming? Would be cheaper to buy new from BMW.

Nice cab by the way, paintwork looks great.! What year?

This is my lachsilver 325i cab, 1987. With 15" RH Germany wheels. Houndstooth sports interior and all bells and whistles.!

[atlantis]

I'm quite tempted with this, think yours looks great

What do you think it would look like on my schwartz black chromie??

[FinalD]

I think the cream on yours works well as it is to be honest.

[mcbonio]

Do it..! I'm going to do mine as soon as it stops raining.! Just make sure you get that vinyl hot before you lift it, as it might take the paint off with it.

New e30 cab mod.. "Horseshoe vinyl delete"

[Mo13]

Great stuff Matt! I'm changing my interior from tanned to black this sorts out my tanned vinyl horseshoe dilemma I shall be stripping it off this weekend

[mcbonio]

Get some step by step pics Mo..! DIY time.!

[kangman]

Just source some new bumpers man, easy to fit. Then sell the old ones to someone that can do 'em up easily. You seen the price of rechroming? Would be cheaper to buy new from BMW.

Nice cab by the way, paintwork looks great.! What year?

This is my lachsilver 325i cab, 1987. With 15" RH Germany wheels. Houndstooth sports interior and all bells and whistles.!

how much did you lower it? what springs and size

[mcbonio]

It was a 30mm drop all around. Not sure what springs and shocks they are as the previous owner did it, I have the garage receipt for it so I can find out. The name apex or spax comes to mind...?

Anyway they are quite firm and comfortable, not at all hard or harsh.!

[matt86]

I'm quite tempted with this, think yours looks great

What do you think it would look like on my schwartz black chromie??

I reckon with the black and chrome combination that will look really good actually, I'm really glad I've done mine have no regrets whatsoever and as you say, you don't have to worry when you change interior then you just need doorcards, doorpods, seats and possibly carpets depending on colour.

I'm going for cardinal red interior with black doorcards to break it up, want to be a bit different.

[matt86]

meant to say loving the convertibles too, VERY NICE all of them!

Didn't used to be much of a fan of the chromies, but there really starting to grow on me, that black one looks lovely mate.

[Rich320I]

think youv started a new trend her mate

[Mo13]

Get some step by step pics Mo..! DIY time.!

Ill takes some pics and get it up here!

[mcbonio]

Hey matt,
I see you're selling you cream interior? Why not just dye it if you want cardinal red..?

[matt86]

Did consider this mate, just can't be arsed with the hassle I'm too lazy, plus I think I've found a absolute mint cardinal one for 600, so if I sell mine for 200-250, it ill only cost me 350-400 to upgrade.

[matt86]

think youv started a new trend her mate

haha I know mate, it does look good, wish I'd known about it before now.

Would look amazing on a black, silver or white convertible.

Just need to get my shitty horseshoe to close now, because its ruining the look.