+1 Don't change a thing !DanThe wrote:That looks the tits
Henna Red 323i
Moderator: martauto
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capri_rob
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 9681
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: South Staffordshire
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
Been a while since I looked through this thread. I love this car. When I bought my White chromie there was a 2 door henna red one for sale. It was further away than the one I bought though. Wish I had gone and seen it though. Henna red is the best colour for a chromie! 
Co Founder of CR24vTM By Invitation Only. Absolutely no riff raff!!!
So I think an update is due after 3 years or so! 
Shortly after my last update I needed to go to India to work for a bit, and while there interviewed for an internal role in Australia - which I got, meaning I was living in Sydney for the guts of the 3 years. Just moved home in late March, and am trying to finally get this wrapped up!
The car was looked after by a guy I know who is a mechanic - he was going to do all the remaining required mechanical work, but never got the time - so its been sitting for an extended period. Thankfully most of that time was indoors, so theres no significant additional damage to the paintwork.
The guy built a stroker engine for it from an M20B25, which was all ready to be dropped in. With him unable to do it, and other garages not wanting to touch an engine they hadn't built, I decided to sell the engine a few weeks back. Ultimately, I was never fully at ease with removing a very original 49k mile engine from the car and replacing with a stroked 100k example. At the end of the day, I have an E46 M3 and an E36 which can provide my speed thrills, so I just don't actually need this car to be fast - its not going to see any track time, and I just want it to be enjoyable and handle pretty well.
Its not running at the moment as the alternator has some issues - I removed it on Thursday to replace it with one I bought from a member here, but the design obviously changed between 83-85 and the new one isn't suitable. So I'm having the old one refurbished and expect it back by the end of the week. Have also ordered a new BMW battery to keep things looking original under the bonnet!
Unfortunately it does need more paintwork - highlighting what a crap job was done originally. The front bumper is peeling badly (probably not enough flex agent added to the paint), and a bubble of rust has appeared on the offside scuttle panel, there's even moisture bubbles appearing from them not using a moisture trap on the gun - thankfully that appears to be restricted to under the bonnet. I'm pretty hopeful I'll escape without having to pay for another full respray, but I will definitely need all new window seals as they butchered the ones I supplied at the time of the original respray.
Finally - since the car has hit the 30 year mark, its eligible for vintage status here. Major upside of that, apart from the kudos, is that the annual road tax goes from €1034 per year to €56 per year! So I'm actually saving money with this thing
Will get more photos as soon as I can.
Shortly after my last update I needed to go to India to work for a bit, and while there interviewed for an internal role in Australia - which I got, meaning I was living in Sydney for the guts of the 3 years. Just moved home in late March, and am trying to finally get this wrapped up!
The car was looked after by a guy I know who is a mechanic - he was going to do all the remaining required mechanical work, but never got the time - so its been sitting for an extended period. Thankfully most of that time was indoors, so theres no significant additional damage to the paintwork.
The guy built a stroker engine for it from an M20B25, which was all ready to be dropped in. With him unable to do it, and other garages not wanting to touch an engine they hadn't built, I decided to sell the engine a few weeks back. Ultimately, I was never fully at ease with removing a very original 49k mile engine from the car and replacing with a stroked 100k example. At the end of the day, I have an E46 M3 and an E36 which can provide my speed thrills, so I just don't actually need this car to be fast - its not going to see any track time, and I just want it to be enjoyable and handle pretty well.
Its not running at the moment as the alternator has some issues - I removed it on Thursday to replace it with one I bought from a member here, but the design obviously changed between 83-85 and the new one isn't suitable. So I'm having the old one refurbished and expect it back by the end of the week. Have also ordered a new BMW battery to keep things looking original under the bonnet!
Unfortunately it does need more paintwork - highlighting what a crap job was done originally. The front bumper is peeling badly (probably not enough flex agent added to the paint), and a bubble of rust has appeared on the offside scuttle panel, there's even moisture bubbles appearing from them not using a moisture trap on the gun - thankfully that appears to be restricted to under the bonnet. I'm pretty hopeful I'll escape without having to pay for another full respray, but I will definitely need all new window seals as they butchered the ones I supplied at the time of the original respray.
Finally - since the car has hit the 30 year mark, its eligible for vintage status here. Major upside of that, apart from the kudos, is that the annual road tax goes from €1034 per year to €56 per year! So I'm actually saving money with this thing
Will get more photos as soon as I can.
Last edited by kdevitt on Wed May 08, 2013 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Haha - I certainly hope not. Am going to try and fast track the work to be honest - have an E36 project I've kicked off which I want to focus on as well!tha881 wrote:hopefully it doesn't take you another 3 years
Also have one kid and another on the way since my last updates - so don't quite have the same amount of spare time I used to have!
Postman arrived today! Very exciting.
Its a jumper!
..and also a 370mm Tech 1 wheel. Tried sourcing one of these new, and it just wasn't happening. BMW Classic couldn't supply one either, and I really wanted to avoid putting in a Tech 2 wheel. The box has been sealed back up and its being posted off for an OEM looking retrim.
Its a jumper!
..and also a 370mm Tech 1 wheel. Tried sourcing one of these new, and it just wasn't happening. BMW Classic couldn't supply one either, and I really wanted to avoid putting in a Tech 2 wheel. The box has been sealed back up and its being posted off for an OEM looking retrim.
Yep its a fairly significant saving - almost makes up for paying 2k per year tax on my E46 M3!Sanchez wrote:Happy days, thats a massive saving on the tax.
Anyhoo - not a significant update, but you realise just how naff German style reg plates have become when you see them on a Mitsubishi Galant (complete with E46 M3 style side grilles!). Ordered these to replace the current plates.
Its going to Jack at Royal Steering Wheels - its the third or fourth wheel I'll have gotten him to do, results are always good!DanThe wrote:Interested to see how the steering wheel turns out, is it an Irish trimmer or is it coming over this way?
Alternator is just about ready to go - can't say I've ever dealt with anyone in the motor trade before who is so straight up, and thorough - he sent me details of the bebuild:
Just a quick update on the alternator.......
As mentioned the other night got her stripped down and checked over on Tuesday evening.......
The two bearing inside the alternator were really showing their age,
both were rough to spin and the larger of the two shown below was
starting to seize..........
These are all the changeable parts inside the alternator, the two bearings,
the brush pack/regulator (on the left) and the rectifier (top)...........
Collected all the new bits after work yesterday evening..........
the slip rings that the brushes ride on cleaned up perfect with sanding........
Once everything was cleaned the main body of the alternator was rebuilt.........
Just a quick update on the alternator.......
As mentioned the other night got her stripped down and checked over on Tuesday evening.......
The two bearing inside the alternator were really showing their age,
both were rough to spin and the larger of the two shown below was
starting to seize..........
These are all the changeable parts inside the alternator, the two bearings,
the brush pack/regulator (on the left) and the rectifier (top)...........
Collected all the new bits after work yesterday evening..........
the slip rings that the brushes ride on cleaned up perfect with sanding........
Once everything was cleaned the main body of the alternator was rebuilt.........
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goosiegander
- Zonegoose
- Posts: 2544
- Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: East Anglia
Great job!
Managed to get out today to get the alternator fitted. Was relatively straightforward, and was pretty excited fitting the new battery and getting ready to start her up. Bearing in mind that it hasn't been running in a year or so, it ran great - took a quick video after a minute or so of idling:
[youtube][/youtube]
Unfortunately, after putting a multimeter across the battery terminals, it was only reading 12.2V, so it wasn't charging. Didn't have time to do any further investigation, but hopefully its something simple.
And as promised, a photo of the car -
Its pretty dull looking, but am hopeful that it was be gleaming by the time I get it to my spray guy for a paint touchup.
Here's the highlights of the paint damage - I think this should be easily remedied.
[youtube][/youtube]
Unfortunately, after putting a multimeter across the battery terminals, it was only reading 12.2V, so it wasn't charging. Didn't have time to do any further investigation, but hopefully its something simple.
And as promised, a photo of the car -
Its pretty dull looking, but am hopeful that it was be gleaming by the time I get it to my spray guy for a paint touchup.
Here's the highlights of the paint damage - I think this should be easily remedied.
Not a huge update today - drove the car home the other evening, took a chance on the battery surviving, which it did. Battery was still reading 12.2V by the time I got home, so think theres a chance the alternator is charging - just not at the right voltage. Will be sorted soon enough anyway.
Managed to get all the interior trim back in place over the weekend - some dash bits and a doorcard were off, and replaced some missing fuses and some blown ones. Still having an issue with the windows, power antenna and cigarette lighter which I think are all connected, but its not a priority.
Gave it a good cleaning, so thankfully it looks less like an abandoned car than before the wash!
After:
Also dropped it off at some local mechanics to get a quote on a full mechanical overhaul to get it through an NCT (equivalent of MOT) prior to the manual box being fitted. Currently drives like crap! Have a full brand new blueflame exhaust I picked up for it which I'm now going to sell on, so if you're interesting in it drop me a PM.
Managed to get all the interior trim back in place over the weekend - some dash bits and a doorcard were off, and replaced some missing fuses and some blown ones. Still having an issue with the windows, power antenna and cigarette lighter which I think are all connected, but its not a priority.
Gave it a good cleaning, so thankfully it looks less like an abandoned car than before the wash!
After:
Also dropped it off at some local mechanics to get a quote on a full mechanical overhaul to get it through an NCT (equivalent of MOT) prior to the manual box being fitted. Currently drives like crap! Have a full brand new blueflame exhaust I picked up for it which I'm now going to sell on, so if you're interesting in it drop me a PM.
+1 this car is just 100% rightness.tha881 wrote:I love your e30 it looks absolutely spot on, it must be leaving everyone speechless. Hope you get all the little niggles sorted soon
Rust is lighter than carbon fibre.
Thanks gents
Waiting on some powdercoated front and rear subframes and its going in for a mechanical overhaul -
Full service, WMS BBK, rear discs & pads, set of shocks, variety of bushes, diff seals. Also discovered theres already a slip diff in there which was unexpected good news. Have never driven it fast enough to have noticed.
Put through my order for an eisenmann exhaust too - a bit of a step above the blueflame in terms of quality, and infinitely better than the rotting lump of metal on there at the moment!
Waiting on some powdercoated front and rear subframes and its going in for a mechanical overhaul -
Full service, WMS BBK, rear discs & pads, set of shocks, variety of bushes, diff seals. Also discovered theres already a slip diff in there which was unexpected good news. Have never driven it fast enough to have noticed.
Put through my order for an eisenmann exhaust too - a bit of a step above the blueflame in terms of quality, and infinitely better than the rotting lump of metal on there at the moment!
Some more minor updates - nothing to get too excited over!
First up is a little toy I was delighted to see arriving in one piece from the US. Its a light dimmer relay which replicates the effect you get in a newer model like an E46 which gradually dims the lights after you close the door, rather than them just turning off. Probably will go unnoticed by most people!
Next up was a new head unit - the one I had in it was giving me issues. Had a search for something OEM looking, and couldn't really find anything except for the Becker units - which are going for big money. There's a chance I'll go for one at some stage, but for the moment, this cheap Pioneer unit will do the trick. Has audio streaming from the iPhone and is a fairly plain black finish. It looks a bit 'brighter' in the photos will the light reflecting back off it.
New model badge on the boot - I know debadging is particularly popular, but I'm going to try my best to kick off the rebadging craze!
And lastly, a pic of the brakes I picked up ages ago - these fit under the 15's so are ideal. Added stopping power is definitely required.
First up is a little toy I was delighted to see arriving in one piece from the US. Its a light dimmer relay which replicates the effect you get in a newer model like an E46 which gradually dims the lights after you close the door, rather than them just turning off. Probably will go unnoticed by most people!
Next up was a new head unit - the one I had in it was giving me issues. Had a search for something OEM looking, and couldn't really find anything except for the Becker units - which are going for big money. There's a chance I'll go for one at some stage, but for the moment, this cheap Pioneer unit will do the trick. Has audio streaming from the iPhone and is a fairly plain black finish. It looks a bit 'brighter' in the photos will the light reflecting back off it.
New model badge on the boot - I know debadging is particularly popular, but I'm going to try my best to kick off the rebadging craze!
And lastly, a pic of the brakes I picked up ages ago - these fit under the 15's so are ideal. Added stopping power is definitely required.
Got the subframes in today -
They're in fantastic condition compared to the ones in place. Cleaned them down with engine cleaner and went over any light surface rust with a drill and wire brush attachment.
Having spoken to a few people about how to finish them off - I decided against powder coating them and went with a chassis paint. First coat is on - once finished I can drop the car in to have the major overhaul done.
In other good news - the steering wheel arrived back from Jack @ Royal Steering Wheels. Very happy with their work as usual.
They're in fantastic condition compared to the ones in place. Cleaned them down with engine cleaner and went over any light surface rust with a drill and wire brush attachment.
Having spoken to a few people about how to finish them off - I decided against powder coating them and went with a chassis paint. First coat is on - once finished I can drop the car in to have the major overhaul done.
In other good news - the steering wheel arrived back from Jack @ Royal Steering Wheels. Very happy with their work as usual.
It was GBP105 - only addition was a slight thickening of the wheel, kept the stitching original style.
That was without post - I had it posted to Ireland which was GBP21 on top of that. It weighs 4.5 kilos, so actually cost me over EUR40 to have sent the the UK in the first place!
Its expensive enough when its all added up I guess, but can't get a 370mm Tec 1 new anymore, so was happy enough to go ahead with it.
Its expensive enough when its all added up I guess, but can't get a 370mm Tec 1 new anymore, so was happy enough to go ahead with it.
Last edited by kdevitt on Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Steering wheel fitted this evening - very happy with how it worked out, feels great to drive with too.
Got more paint down on the subframes as well, so they're just about ready to go.
Got more paint down on the subframes as well, so they're just about ready to go.
Got a call from the garage to pop over and have a look at the progress they've made. Was pretty delighted with it to be honest - the front end is completely finished. There was a bit of a delay caused by the new front subframe I provided being bent out out shape - presumably from a front end smashed car. They only noticed after bolting everything up to it and attempting to fit it.
They took the old one off (I only provided new ones to save time in cleaning them up) and did a great job on it. Also did the wishbones while they were at it, and the front struts, chassis rails etc. Its resembling a new car from underneath at this stage.
Front brakes all fitted up neatly too -
Rear subframe is off and the one I provided will be fitted tomorrow -
New bushes are all fitted, new wheel bearings are going in as well as the dust shields for the brakes, and of course the new discs and pads as well. The diff was also checked over and is in perfect health - hadn't noticed before, but seems there was an LSD fitted from new. The lads are just cleaning it up slightly before refitting.
Also ordered a new Eisenmann exhaust system today - so should be driving around in it pretty soon.
They took the old one off (I only provided new ones to save time in cleaning them up) and did a great job on it. Also did the wishbones while they were at it, and the front struts, chassis rails etc. Its resembling a new car from underneath at this stage.
Front brakes all fitted up neatly too -
Rear subframe is off and the one I provided will be fitted tomorrow -
New bushes are all fitted, new wheel bearings are going in as well as the dust shields for the brakes, and of course the new discs and pads as well. The diff was also checked over and is in perfect health - hadn't noticed before, but seems there was an LSD fitted from new. The lads are just cleaning it up slightly before refitting.
Also ordered a new Eisenmann exhaust system today - so should be driving around in it pretty soon.
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Royalratch
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 4921
- Joined: Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: London
Love this car and can live with the callipers I suppose - but that head unit has GOT TO GO.
Theres absolutely no need for it, theres 2 or 3 other options that are as featured and look way way better.
Theres absolutely no need for it, theres 2 or 3 other options that are as featured and look way way better.
I'll probably put a becker into it at some stage, but its working great at the moment, so its not top of the list to be honest.Royalratch wrote:Love this car and can live with the callipers I suppose - but that head unit has GOT TO GO.
Theres absolutely no need for it, theres 2 or 3 other options that are as featured and look way way better.
Car goes in tomorrow to have some paint touch-ups, and manual box is being done in a fortnight or so.
Then I need to finish my E36 - so once thats finished I'll check the E30 fund for a headunit upgrade.
Cheers! I'll keep updating it soTPS wrote:I do like this thread.
In minor detail news, have ordered an Eibach Pro-kit to replace the H&R springs that are on it. They only have about 300 miles on them, but sit too low for my liking.
The Pro-kit should have it sitting a tiny bit higher. Minor detail, but its something thats been irking me.
Also got the passenger side window working perfectly again - the motors on both side stopped working. Got the drivers side working again with a liberal application of contact cleaner - but then remembered that it had been on its way out before the car went into storage. Just doesn't have the torque to shift the window.
Got a replacement off magpie on here for the passenger side which I just stuck straight in rather than trying to free up the old one.