Newbie help please

[Bashe30318]

Hi guys, I’ve just been offered an E30 from an elderly neighbour but I want some advice first please to see it it’s even worth saving.
It’s a 1989 2 door that she’s owned from new but it does have some rust issues, obviously. Now I’m ok on the mechanical side of things but I would need help with bodywork. Is it worth saving? This was the last MOT in 2018.

Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded In bonnet area just under battery tray. (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Front Floor pan corroded, will need repair by next MOT.
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corrosion
Fuel pipes corroded.
Both rear inner wings corroded
Rear Valance corroded
Both outer door sills corroded.
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Both front coil springs corroded.
Offside Front Brake hose perished.
Both rear tyres perished and cracking.
Nearside Front Tyre perished
Corrosion around windscreen.

Is this a car that is past saving or would this be an easy task for the right person?

Thanks in advance
Ash

[Cloggy Saint]

Nothing is past saving if you have the time/knowledge/£££. Is it a freebie or does she want money for it?

[Brianmoooore]

You haven't said what engine this has, but from that list of advisories - not even fails, it looks well worth saving. Brake and fuel lines are normal things to replace completely on any renovation, as is the odd ball joint or spring.
It boils down to the sills and inner rear wheel arches, which are fairly run of the mill repairs.
Do you have a garage or car port of any kind? Sounds like a good time to learn how to use a MIG welder.
There'll be more rust when you get into it, but on the basis of that test report, I'd certainly be showing interest.

[Bashe30318]

She only wants a few hundred for it.
Yeah I have a double garage at my parents I could use. I’ve done a few projects there so it’s a good space. But I’m never ever tackled rust or metalwork so I’m very much in the dark.
It sounds like none of you are scared off by this so looks like it’s probably worth the risk.

Edit. It’s a 1.8

[Satan]

She only wants a few hundred for it.
Yeah I have a double garage at my parents I could use. I’ve done a few projects there so it’s a good space. But I’m never ever tackled rust or metalwork so I’m very much in the dark.
It sounds like none of you are scared off by this so looks like it’s probably worth the risk.

Edit. It’s a 1.8

For that price its worth having sunroof or no sunroof?

[Ukhozi]

Tester was obviously have a 'corroded pipe day', I had same on an Audi 90 Sport on the ABS pipes, I just sanded the crap off, painted dark green and it passed. badly pitted I would replace of course.

Body work, do a little at a time, nothing worse than ripping it all out only to find all you have done is create work for the local body shop. So do one section up to pre-paint and then do the next section.

[Bashe30318]

She only wants a few hundred for it.
Yeah I have a double garage at my parents I could use. I’ve done a few projects there so it’s a good space. But I’m never ever tackled rust or metalwork so I’m very much in the dark.
It sounds like none of you are scared off by this so looks like it’s probably worth the risk.

Edit. It’s a 1.8

For that price its worth having sunroof or no sunroof?

Non sunroof.
I don’t know if this is a good thing or not?

[Brianmoooore]

Non sunroof.
I don’t know if this is a good thing or not?

I far prefer an E30 with a sunroof, but they are a known rust point if not dealt with in time - not just the panel, but the corrosion can write off the whole roof.
An E30 without a sunroof is rare, unless aircon was specified. I've only ever had one E30 without a factory sunroof or aircon, and that had been fitted with a Webasto sunroof.
Does this car have aircon? (A double button switch with a snowflake symbol, just to the right of the heater slider controls).

[boiliebasher]

Non sunroof.
I don’t know if this is a good thing or not?

I far prefer an E30 with a sunroof, but they are a known rust point if not dealt with in time - not just the panel, but the corrosion can write off the whole roof.
An E30 without a sunroof is rare, unless aircon was specified. I've only ever had one E30 without a factory sunroof or aircon, and that had been fitted with a Webasto sunroof.
Does this car have aircon? (A double button switch with a snowflake symbol, just to the right of the heater slider controls).

My E30 316i must be super rare then as it's got no sunroof or Aircon! Hahaha!

[martauto]

She only wants a few hundred for it.
Yeah I have a double garage at my parents I could use. I’ve done a few projects there so it’s a good space. But I’m never ever tackled rust or metalwork so I’m very much in the dark.
It sounds like none of you are scared off by this so looks like it’s probably worth the risk.

Edit. It’s a 1.8

Bite their hands off !!

Oh and welcome to the zone mate

Mart.

[Bashe30318]

Haha. Ok it’s mine! Going to get it up and running then start trying to find a place that can help with the repairs.
Thanks for the help guys.

[Satan]

Post photos,

[Brianmoooore]

then start trying to find a place that can help with the repairs.

You found that when you signed up to the zone. Plenty on here who can help.

[Bashe30318]

Yeah this really is a cracking site.
Never seen a place that details engines swaps on multiple engines with what you need and how to do it.

So it’s officially mine, picked it up today and decided to stay late to get it running. Hooked up a jump pack and it fired up and ran. I then drove it a little and even the brakes and clutch works. I can’t believe it.

It does have rust issues so I’ll be tackling those. Where would you guys buy things like sills and arches? Is the eBay stuff worth a look or not?

Thanks again

[Bashe30318]

[Bashe30318]

We cleaned one wing just to see how it would look. It definitely used to be black which I’m happy about.