Re-Shell or scrap

[Danny-C]

Hi guys be nice
I'm sure this heading has come up before but I'm in a dilemma I have a 88 325 which has had the m52 328 engine put in, nearly 2 years ago the engine cracked a head and I brought her off the road as it was starting to show signs of rust again ( planning that the winter would bring a full sort out ) as happens in these things it never happened and now I have got my arse in to gear she's in a bad way much worse than I expected.
The roof has holes in the scuttle is very bad and above the rear number plate is horrific. In my opinion the shell is not worth saving and re shelling is a massive undertaking, knowing its worth in parts seems the best option but I do not want to do this! I've owned the car 8 years and have done all the work to save it from the scrap yard last time!

So I'm wondering what other people have done to try and keep their e30's going and if anyone has any clean rolling 3 door shell's preferably near west wales to try and get me motivated or any other options would be very welcome!

Thanks guys

[Brianmoooore]

It's surprising what you can do with a MIG welder and an old bonnet. I've seen a couple of E30s where something must have gone wrong with the painting process at the factory, and the coating is lifting off of the entire underside, as you'd expect with a Ford or some other lesser make, but normally you can go back about 20mm from an actual hole and find virgin, shiny metal. It's rare to have to fabricate a repair patch more than about 50 cm2 on an E30 in my experience.

[pacerpete]

It's surprising what you can do with a MIG welder and an old bonnet. I've seen a couple of E30s where something must have gone wrong with the painting process at the factory, and the coating is lifting off of the entire underside, as you'd expect with a Ford or some other lesser make, but normally you can go back about 20mm from an actual hole and find virgin, shiny metal. It's rare to have to fabricate a repair patch more than about 50 cm2 on an E30 in my experience.

Brian, you need to spend more time on the for sale and members cars sections, that's where the 'gape' pics are !

[G-Bear]

As Brian says, get yourself a mig, an old bonnet, have a read of grrrmachine's build thread and have go..

[jonesy318]

As above really, you'll be surprised what can be saved when you put your mind to it...

[e30topless]

It's surprising what you can do with a MIG welder and an old bonnet. I've seen a couple of E30s where something must have gone wrong with the painting process at the factory, and the coating is lifting off of the entire underside, as you'd expect with a Ford or some other lesser make, but normally you can go back about 20mm from an actual hole and find virgin, shiny metal. It's rare to have to fabricate a repair patch more than about 50 cm2 on an E30 in my experience.

Brian, you need to spend more time on the for sale and members cars sections, that's where the 'gape' pics are !

this started off as a snapped stud on the glovebox hinge....

[G-Bear]

this started off as a snapped stud on the glovebox hinge....

Thats very impressive, ambitious activity.

What was let back in? Was it cut out off a donor or all fabricated?

[Brianmoooore]

This is exactly what a snapped glovebox hinge bolt equates to, which is why I avoid buying any E30 with rust traces around that bolt, unless it's a morsel rich breaker.
I can't see any point in attempting repairs on a shell like this, since there are plenty of good shells out there.

[Blitz]

This is exactly what a snapped glovebox hinge bolt equates to, which is why I avoid buying any E30 with rust traces around that bolt, unless it's a morsel rich breaker.
I can't see any point in attempting repairs on a shell like this, since there are plenty of good shells out there.

I think thats an M3 shell.

[bss325i]

They aint M3 struts on that shell.

[Brianmoooore]

I think thats an M3 shell.

Not with the glove box that side!

[Kos]

That's the Henna Red RHD converted M3

[HairyScreech]

Spare subframe/Sus from a normal e30 thrown in to keep the chassis in alignment while it is chopped about with out worrying about making a mess of the m3 stuff?

[Brianmoooore]

So how much bodging went into the RH drive conversions? There are some considerable differences between a RH and LH drive bulkhead, so is this going to be the third one it's had?

[HairyScreech]

So how much bodging went into the RH drive conversions? There are some considerable differences between a RH and LH drive bulkhead, so is this going to be the third one it's had?

Would probably explain the extent of the rust!

I expect Topless will have done a better job on the repair than whoever did the conversion. (Did Birds do the RHD M3s?)

[ross_jsy]

Yep Birds did them. I think a couple of other companies also did it as well

[e30topless]

So how much bodging went into the RH drive conversions? There are some considerable differences between a RH and LH drive bulkhead, so is this going to be the third one it's had?

second bulkhead, Lots of bodging was done back in 87' when Hartge did the conversion
we or should I say Beardymatt, grafted in an entire RHD bulkhead from a rock solid touring that was broke esp for the job



everything that was put back on during the rebuild is bolted in place as per factory spec down to the correct and specific BMW bolts... very sad indeed, but the original Hartge coach bolts/self tapping/wood screws and cable ties were all sadly lost during the resto so we had no option,

In theory it's "as factory" as best as we could get it... if BMW had done such a thing as a RHD M3.. ?

Motorsport innit...

[maxfield]

I believe there was 1 or 2 RHD M3s made for a rich Arab.

[Duke137]

everything that was put back on during the rebuild is bolted in place as per factory spec down to the correct and specific BMW bolts... very sad indeed, but the original Hartge coach bolts/self tapping/wood screws and cable ties were all sadly lost during the resto so we had no option,

In theory it's "as factory" as best as we could get it... if BMW had done such a thing as a RHD M3.. ?

Motorsport innit...

Sick man indeed!

[bss325i]

I retro fitted factory type AC to Birds RHD converted E30 M3 Evo 2. The conversion especially the wiring was "interesting" to say the least!