1983 323i Henna "no. 45" (UDP260Y) UPDATE :)

[ah]

[quote="Andyboy"]Another update - good to meet you today Sir, and see the poor Turd!

UDP260Y was it's first number plate and it looks like it was a Bracknell car. It was sold in either late 83 or early 84 as a used car with 6000 miles via New Central Garage in Chobham. The oddball 'OI' number plate was added in the eightoes and was on the car until 2000 - that's probably when the guy traded it in for an E46 323i.
His name and address are in the Approved Used Car paperwork - chances are he still lives there.

According to BMW GB, 'OI' is the number plate because that's what it had on the last time it was seen by a dealer.

Overall it's not bad at all, a very clean original shell needing some fettling on the arches (I don't think they need replacing), a pair of wings and a paint job. The bumpers look like they might straighten. The engine bay will come up a treat with a good steam clean.

I was in the above dealership today,now "Coopers" of Cobham.I asked the parts department guy if they hold any old records of sold cars from when it was" New Central Garage"unfortunately they didn't.The guy was very helpful but couldnt give me any more info on your car other than what you and the Zone have found out already.Anyway heres a advert from the dealership that I found from a June 1973 local paper cuting that I have,

[hennabm]

Yes it is older than mine as mine was built week 52.

You're taking that well.

Nice attitude

Always nice to see another oldie appear and be saved

(been away on hols the last week with a trailer tent and the 320. )

[hennabm]

Fabric is totally different to the stuff i've got stashed somewhere Ferg.

So the list of things you still need from me are that bast*rd rear belt, fog light brackets and that clock? Sure there's nothing else before the shell goes?

Its 0150 anthracite cloth.

I could do with a plain mushroom type gear shifter does anyone have one or are they cheap at the dealer? Nothing mtech though.

The early digital clocks are very scarce in working order.

The 0150 cloth went out of the BMW parts catalogue in the mid 90s Good luck finding the correct pattern

The gear knob is NLA but there is a similar one available for the E28. Part No 25111220823 and decal No is 25111220954

Alternatively I may still have a 2nd hand one with some wear on it. I'll look and let you know if you're interseted..

[Duke137]

yes please ^^^ 2nd hand is fine

[capri_rob]

I had one of those digital clocks in my touring ( incorrect for the year ) when I bought it - couldnt give it away

I think I sold it to murphy who had that lovely glacier blue chromie 320i for barely the cost of postage

[Alex]

Mushroom E30 Knob

http://www.bmminiparts.com/PartDetails. ... 0D08FB8001

[gaszman]

lovin this thread such an old model sweet be good when finished to get all the models ect together and do a photo soot with all the press cars together , and important models still about

[Duke137]

[csl]

Intresting car...... and great thread Duke.

[Duke137]

Thanks man, hopefully make some progress this week... I was told the garden needed my attention today

[csl]

Thanks man, hopefully make some progress this week... I was told the garden needed my attention today

Yes,i get told that quite regularly!

[sco323]

Oldest or not, you'll not beat UBL44Y on condition! It truly is a thing of beauty.

Here here!

But, again, nice one Duke for doing this. Owning the oldest known E30 in the UK is pretty cool and it's not even that bad condition wise. Obviously you have the benchmark set by hennabm but to have these two cars together at a classic show and both being Zone cars would be pretty bloody good.

Yes that one is mine.

It wasn't a cheque book restoration, more a rebuild to save it before it got too bad.
It was built May 83.

[suchy]

Blimey shiny

[Sanchez]

Sco323, do you fancy coming to Glamis transport extravaganza?
7-8 july.

[Andyboy]

Yes that one is mine.

It wasn't a cheque book restoration, more a rebuild to save it before it got too bad.
It was built May 83.

That's just stunning!

[mercdriver]

... these two cars together at a classic show and both being Zone cars would be pretty bloody good...

What Ferg is saying about 'by no means perfect' is basically the truth. But I'm intent on making this thing as close to it as possible. We will probably end up finding this car goes to most classic/BMW shows in and around the midlands eventually. I think it belongs at shows and events as the e30 is one of them cars you show somebody and they reflect on them as a great car. E30's 30th anniversary will definitely see this one present to celebrate it with whatever gets planned. And if it were alongside hennabm's and sco323's it would be fantastic!

As for comments about trailering cars around and not driving them in the rain etc. I sympathise with you as I'm in the same boat. One of my cars will be sorn for a fifth year due to the same fear!

[capri_rob]

Whats happening with your E30 ? No progress for a while

[Duke137]

A couple of questions for those in the know if poss....

1. Can the B23 engine in this be identified to have had the Cam/Exhaust swap that was talked about earlier in the thread? Was this done to all the 323i early cars or just the ones where the owners complained about lack of power maybe?

2. Can this be converted to 1.3 Motronic, is it a wise idea? I have heard rumours that B23's don't take kindly to it? If so, what ECU would you use?

Thanks

[daimlerman]

2. Can this be converted to 1.3 Motronic, is it a wise idea? I have heard rumours that B23's don't take kindly to it? If so, what ECU would you use?

Thanks

No reason why not,but it's an obvious visual change under the bonnet that may upset the purist's!
I would expect that the 320i/325i ECU(only a chip different)can be used,but would suggest a 'live mapping' session with an expert such as Gunni to get things right.

[Speedtouch]

Yes, a 323i can be converted to Motronic - a number of Zoners have done the conversion; see ed325i and mattyb's threads:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=323

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 78&start=0

You're best off using the later Motronic 1.3 from a facelift 320i or 325i (172/173/380/381 ECU), then get a suitable map to use, although either a 320i or 325i one will probably run it reasonably well.

[Duke137]

2. Can this be converted to 1.3 Motronic, is it a wise idea? I have heard rumours that B23's don't take kindly to it? If so, what ECU would you use?

Thanks

No reason why not,but it's an obvious visual change under the bonnet that may upset the purist's!
I would expect that the 320i/325i ECU(only a chip different)can be used,but would suggest a 'live mapping' session with an expert such as Gunni to get things right.

It matters not what the purists say, this car was an auto when it left the factory so that is all out of the window now anyway.

Cheers for the info

[Duke137]

Speedtouch, something you can offer (mapping/chip)?

[Speedtouch]

I could, if you let me know the flow rate of the injectors, alter a 320i or 325i program to suit.

[Duke137]

No real update for this, done fuck all work just collected lots of scrap. Still need a couple more bits which are due to be delivered etc but everything is there to put back together now.

e30topless supplied me a few bits including a front panel and chrome bumper and this box of scrap



What a thoroughly sick individual he is.

Anyway, after a chat with him about M1.3 I have decided to shelve that idea for now

Also, thanks Meatballs for a delivery of nice new service parts and exhaust hangers etc

Cheers all those that have helped me so far, you are all a bunch of coonts as I am now skint

[Kedge]

Do you do anything other than collect scrap?

Just need to workout a way to get you to pay for the touring now

[Zerotonine]

Looking forward to updates, you are a true hero for getting this turd and rectifying it!

[Duke137]

Cheers, I am no hero though not until it is on the road anyway with fresh paint!

[DanThe]

Threads like this make me wish id never crashed my henna red chariot

[Rav335uk]

That's a NICE Chromie Dan

[Duke137]

Agreed, no 24v vs M30 spam on my thread though please (I know where this is going)

If this old chariot looks as good as yours did in that pic one day Dan I will be happy

[e30topless]

Threads like this make me wish id never crashed my henna red chariot

4x4 Henna FTW

[jonny323i]

i really wish i still had this one it was by far my favourite e30 iv owned that was a 323i



iv got a wiring loom afm and some other tat thats been sat in my dads cellar for years from an 84/5 car 320i i think i you want them inc one set of head lights not sure which side but you would have to collect them

[Duke137]

This thread is full of Henna scrap lol

Been playing Daddy day care all weekend again and only managed a couple of hours work today, didn't get any pics but I stuck fresh oil and filters in the engine, changed the spark plugs etc. Did a few other bits too, nothing major though

[Duke137]

Well, I am a bit sad but I have let this car go to a new owner. I have given myself a reality check and decided to wind my neck in a bit as I have too much going on with work and home life to keep running around like a tit which was I seem to be doing. Always busy but don't get much done. Enough of my woe though lol

Basically I spent alot of time sourcing the parts to put this back to standard condition (except the suspension) and already done a few of the mechanical jobs. I have given the keys to my brother to finish it. He is a car Painter by trade and he will continue where I left off, though he had been helping me already. So in a moment of madness I gave him a call and said, do you want it, come and get the keys? I already regret it but cars aren't the most important things in life.

On reflection I am glad I bought it and it is nice to see it saved, my bro seems ultra keen to finish it, though he may not update the thread much I will try and get photos of it when I go up to the yard.

Thanks to all for the help, I aim to get my other E30 (a worthless turd) on the road so I can enjoy driving an E30 again rather than messing around with scrap, even though I secretly enjoy it

He's a lucky coont and he knows it

[jonny323i]

What a shame you don't get to finish it