Saving a chromie

[P_VIDDY]

Thanks guys. It's a e36 Direnza alloy rad off ebay

[Andyboy]

That is bloody lovely.

You keeping there bottle tops on for added stealth?

[Duke137]

Cal did a good job on the paint as usual, looks really good and I would be tempted to keep the bottletops too!

[P_VIDDY]

Cal did a great job! Bottle tops are staying for now.

Today's update...

I fitted some brakes on cal/fergs e30 whilst he freshened up my sills




Finished sorting all the excess wiring out and fitting trims





Just a couple of bits left to do in the engine bay. Could do with a new screen wash bottle (if still available) or at least a new cap

Quick shot in the sun before locking her away again

[JF008]

It looks ok... Nice work.

[sweep]

What area was this car from ?

[Andyboy]

I think KEU was a Bristol/Avon registration.

What happened to the red 1982 323i Mr Duke?

[Speedtouch]

'EU' is Brecknockshire (near the Brecon Beacons, in Wales), according to my trusty Schoolboy's Pocket Book, by Carlton Wallace.

[mercdriver]

Well Andy, me and Ferg did a swap on this henna and I adopted the large task ahead...

After Paul's we finally might double team said henna. Between us there's not much we need in knowledge I hope!

Paul's car is coming on bloody lovely and I'm incredibly jealous of his master class on this chromie, he has given me inspiration. Now I need to press on too.

Congratulations on a superb resto Paul

[P_VIDDY]

Can't actually remember where the car was. I had the turd recovered without even viewing it haha. Cheers Cal. Yours next

[ImysE30]

Very nice, stunning chromie

[P_VIDDY]

Drove the car home from work yesterday with no interior. Car drove spot on though.

Unfortunately where my interior had been in storage for the last year it had got damp and stained. So this afternoon I made the most of the sun and got to steam cleaning my carpet and seats. Rear bench needs another go over but not far off now. Ran out of time to finish drivers seat though.





Also fitted some rear headrests as you can see above

My dash had 1 crack in it that really annoyed me so i replaced the dash with a crack free one.



Replaced the tired old chrome insert for
Front and rear screen





Finally a quick wash down before putting her in the garage

[ImysE30]

Perfection right there

[Duke137]

Nicely done, can't help thinking it looks well on the bottletops...

[P_VIDDY]

Nicely done, can't help thinking it looks well on the bottletops...

Yeah think I might have to persuade your bro to paint them to get them looking fresh.

You think it would look gay if I painted centred body colour like these...

[sweep]

Did you get a console ? i have one with no switch holes it has blanks at the back you could cut two out?

[P_VIDDY]

Did you get a console ? i have one with no switch holes it has blanks at the back you could cut two out?

Pm sent

[Duke137]

Yes mate, standard silver wheels only on that for sure!

[DanThe]

Yes mate, standard silver wheels only on that for sure!

+1

Keep to the plan

[oguz327]

Very nice!!

[TPS]

Stunning Car

[P_VIDDY]

I have come to my senses. Wheels are staying silver

[sparkym3]

your car looks stunning mate if mine looked half as good id be happy.
definatly silver for the wheels

could i ask were you got the rear light gaskets and windscreen chrome strip from.

thanks
ray

[P_VIDDY]

Thanks ray. Both from BMW main dealer

[sparkym3]

Thank You

[P_VIDDY]

No updates for a while as not had much to report. Lots of "tinkering"

I have decided to keep the bottle tops for now so got them refurbed inside and out and rebalanced.




The wheels will have to go next year though to make room for bigger brakes

The paint has now been flat and polished by my painter. Looks great to me but my painter isn't happy with the bonnet so that will be getting done again at a later date.

The main part letting the car down was the chrome (anodised aluminium) I replaced the plastic front and rear screen fillers but the side windows and gutter trims had oxygenated and looked rubbish. I managed to find a product in America to restore it. Doesn't look like new but a million times better.

Before



During (lower part of gutter rail done)



After



The car has also had its first valet/detail. Took 12 hours even with the kind help of Ollie

Worth the effort though as the paint looks awesome now...







The detailing session was followed by its first proper run out to London for the Ace Cafe E30 meet. Did the 250 miles journey no problem. Just had a minor issue of a terminal coming lose on my fan. Quickly sorted and back on my way. Pretty pleased realy.

[DanThe]

Re-furbed bottle tops is just perverse!

Paintwork is looking great Paul, what is the stuff you used on the trim? As I understand it any type of polish/cutting compound will remove the anodised finish and leave you with polished aluminium.

[sweep]

Very nice

[P_VIDDY]

Made myself a heat shield

[bhups]

Lovely!

[brutus]

hi, looks brilliant, great job! can u remember the product u used on the the chrome please,im needing some of that

[baggimodo]

Heat shield looks superb. In fact so does the whole car. Credit to you mate

[charlston250]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i

No need for that!

Sorry. 316 then.

hey no need for that either ahahah

[charlston250]

such an inspiration just got my first car a chromie 316 not even an i but thats all i can afford in portugal, prices are stupid if there any bigger. and im trying to restore it and tune it a bit and such and if ever gets half this good il be happy

[P_VIDDY]

I have been running the original diff since doing the swap and it killed the drive. Just span up one wheel at every opportunity and motorway cruising was a killer.

So finally sorted my diff...

Out with the old:




And in with the new...



Diff is A limited split from a e36 3.0 m3 with a ratio of 3.23.

Whilst at it I fitted new seals and bush. Plus a lick of paint

And here is a shot of testing it out ahaha...



It drives so much better. Very happy