Restoration

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Mafisher
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Manchester

Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:50 pm

Hi everyone, I've not been on here for a while. I'm about to start work on my 325i cab that I've had for around 6 months. Bodywork is solid but not sure on the condition of the under carriage. My plan is to replace as many parts as I can. So far I've got these n my list:
Wishbones
Track rod ends
Discs
Pads
Calipers
Drop links
Ball joints
Brake lines

Would anyone recommend that i change anything else while I'm at it? I'm trying to avoid the engine bay for now and concentrate on the transmission, suspension and brakes. Engine bay will come later.

What are people's opinion on poly bushes? I am going to replace all the bushes but not too sure on getting OEM bushes or poly bushes. I also have some coil overs on the way so the shocks and springs are covered already.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers!!!
Grrrmachine
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member
Posts: 8043
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:56 pm

Polybushes only make sense if the car is tracked. Otherwise you're just making your car more uncomfortable for no practical purpose.

But it is smart to do the bushes. If you're going to do the brake lines, you'll want the rear beam off anyway - it is possible to do the brake lines in situ, bit it's a proper ballache made 100 times easier by dropping the beam, which gives you the perfect chance to do the beam and diff bushes as well. Drop the whole lot, do your trailing arms one at a time with new handbrakes, cables, discs and pads, then bolt everything up all shiny.

Transmission wise, look for oil leaks and replace the shifter seal if you find oil. Budget the parts to redo all the shifter bushes, and if your budget stretches that far, fit a Z3 short shifter too.

Pretty much everything you want to do is covered in the Wiki.
G-Bear
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1632
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hertfordshire

Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:37 pm

These two build threads are good for some under carriage love.. Sounds like you're on the right approach with the parts you've listed. As Grrrmachine has said, have a floss through wiki.. that'll get some ideas flowing.

Rear top mounts are worth checking as both E30's I've owned have been shot to tatters..


http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=155440

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=149570
User avatar
Mafisher
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:00 pm
Location: Manchester

Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:07 pm

Thanks a lot guys! In the process of buying all the parts now. Will do a little build thread when I get started as well. I'll have a flick through the wiki as well to see what else I can get done!
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