Facelift & Pre-facelift Shells The Same?

[bennydotc]

Are facelift and pre-facelift shells the same? I know the rear arches and bumpers are different but is the basic shell the same? Specifically I'm looking for a donor shell at the moment for my '88 M3 which needs floor and bulkhead repairs. The metal work can be made up but using a chopped up car would save time and money.

[capri_rob]

Not being funny but what makes you think you can find a scrap shell thats not rotten in the same places as your M3 ? Being as they all seem to rot out in pretty much the same spots in the floor and bulkhead.

Better just to get someone who knows what they are doing to fabricate repair plates and do a proper job.

[e30topless]

floor pan bulkhead area's are pretty much the same Ben, on all E30's bar the cabby which is narrower due to the strengthened sills

you may be better off with a LHD because of the pedal mount, steering column area ?

[bennydotc]

Not being funny but what makes you think you can find a scrap shell thats not rotten in the same places as your M3 ? Being as they all seem to rot out in pretty much the same spots in the floor and bulkhead.

Better just to get someone who knows what they are doing to fabricate repair plates and do a proper job.

Yeah, I take your point and it may come to that but I'm not just looking at scrap shells. There are still some OK cars about for not bad money which would do the job. I found a decent one that was perfect but the guy has decided not to sell. I'm looking at a few pre-facelifts this week, hence the question.

[bennydotc]

floor pan bulkhead area's are pretty much the same Ben, on all E30's bar the cabby which is narrower due to the strengthened sills

you may be better off with a LHD because of the pedal mount, steering column area ?

Thanks Steve. LHD would be great but there ain't many about. You wouldn't be hoarding one would you?

[capri_rob]

Just seems a bit bonkers if you can find a shell/car thats not rotten to start with to start chopping lumps out of it to weld into another car - being as genuinely rot free cars are so thin on the ground now especially chrome turds.

Good luck with it anyway

[Rav335uk]

If you're looking for a LHD shell, Jim320i has a red one.

[Jim320i]

If you're looking for a LHD shell, Jim320i HAD a red one.

Scrapped it a few weeks back now. I do have a prefacelift shell with mint floor pans and bulk head, but Matt is having the chopped out bits for his 'holy sport'

[bennydotc]

Just seems a bit bonkers if you can find a shell/car thats not rotten to start with to start chopping lumps out of it to weld into another car - being as genuinely rot free cars are so thin on the ground now especially chrome turds.

Good luck with it anyway

Cheers

It's an Evo II so it does make sense - to me at least

If you're looking for a LHD shell, Jim320i HAD a red one.

Scrapped it a few weeks back now. I do have a prefacelift shell with mint floor pans and bulk head, but Matt is having the chopped out bits for his 'holy sport'

Shame. If anything crops up please let me know.

[Jim320i]

Will do fella, do you have any pictures of the specific areas just incase we dont use them on the Sport I mentioned...

[bennydotc]

Not got any photos at the moment but thanks for the offer. Floors would be nice in one piece really ; Rear seat to top of foot wells. The bulkhead is worse in the usual place under the fuse box.

[e30topless]

I would be on the lookout for a low miles grandad spec 316 auto, it would be slaughtered for a good cause

sadly I have nothing spare in stock Benny I will keep an eye out though,

[bennydotc]

Cheers mate. Going to look at a few tomorrow.

I was very, very tempted by that Hartge on eBay that you did BTW. If I had a two car garage I'd be having it for a daily driver. Looks