1988 318i Prefacelift restored (almost)

[damers2000]

I finally got the car back from the bodyshop last week and have been spending most nights working on it since then getting a few other bits sorted i.e. front fogs, wheels, interior, engine bay, colour coding rear valance, exhaust

List of stuff still to sort is:

New MOT
Works to brakes
Full service
Timing belt & water pump
Replacement coolant hoses
Replacement air intake hose
Drivers door lock
Foam to underside of bonnet

Still quite a few things but a lot will be sorted once it goes to mechanics, I'd love to sort it myself but brakes & timing put me off.

At the bodyshop the car had:

Rear inner & outer arches
New sunroof
New sunroof tray
New drivers side wing
New window rubbers and chromework
Full respray

Some before photo's:

[damers2000]

after photos

[damers2000]

more after photo's

[damers2000]

last couple:

[Sanchez]

Nice, she’s looking lovely.

[rix313]

Love a Chromie

[martauto]

Love a Chromie

Like the wheels mate

Mart.

[ah]

Loving that chromie, not sure about the wheels.

[damers2000]

Thankyou for all the feedback guys, just can't wait to ge it MOT'd and the brakes sorted, which is proving more troublesome than sorting out the bodywork.

The wheels........ I always had in my mind to lower the car and fit BBS type alloys to her but, came across a spare set of steel with great tyres on them for throw away money so thought I'd paint them up and put them on. I surprised myself and do like them, I do have a soft spot for bbs wheels and also lowering but I do like the original look of my car too........

The wheels and possibly suspension may change in time but really need to get it MOT'd now and use it before the weather turns, especially after all the cash I've pumped into it so far.

[flybynite]

"Everyone" has BBS wheels and lowered.

Find a set of original steel wheel trims and keep it like that

[Tzantushka]

Looking fresh.

[damers2000]

I do have a couple of sets of wheel trims in the shed but I'm not a fan of them, much prefer the steel wheels or alloys

She goes for brakes sorting today and an MOT, so fingers crossed finally get to go for a drive for the first time. I've only moved the car out of the garage and onto the drive so i hope I like ow it drives!

[ocde30]

Car is looking great Damian - can't wait to get to see it. I ran my basic spec 318 touring ( plastic trims ) from new with the wheel trims in the shed. I was afraid that they would get nicked ( late 80's ) and I really grew to like the black steel rims. However for what it is worth I do like the look of BBS and a standard suspension set up. Hope to see you out and about soon.

[damers2000]

Car is looking great Damian - can't wait to get to see it. I ran my basic spec 318 touring ( plastic trims ) from new with the wheel trims in the shed. I was afraid that they would get nicked ( late 80's ) and I really grew to like the black steel rims. However for what it is worth I do like the look of BBS and a standard suspension set up. Hope to see you out and about soon.

Thankyou very much

I do like BBS wheels and will probably end up going down that route in the future but want to get it absolutely spot on before I do that.

Also, car passed its MOT today with two advisories...... front discs & pads, I'm happy with that. Just need to get discs and pads sourced so I can change them along with a full service

I'll finally get to drive the car tomorrow!!

[Sleepless]

Thankyou for all the feedback guys, just can't wait to ge it MOT'd and the brakes sorted, which is proving more troublesome than sorting out the bodywork.

The wheels........ I always had in my mind to lower the car and fit BBS type alloys to her but, came across a spare set of steel with great tyres on them for throw away money so thought I'd paint them up and put them on. I surprised myself and do like them, I do have a soft spot for bbs wheels and also lowering but I do like the original look of my car too........

The wheels and possibly suspension may change in time but really need to get it MOT'd now and use it before the weather turns, especially after all the cash I've pumped into it so far.

Your car is perfect as it is, dude! Pls do yourself a favour and avoid lowering. As for the BBS rims, the problem lies on the caps: extremely expensive to buy and extremely easy to steal.

[damers2000]

Your car is perfect as it is, dude! Pls do yourself a favour and avoid lowering. As for the BBS rims, the problem lies on the caps: extremely expensive to buy and extremely easy to steal.

thanks very much, I'm definitely leaving as is after sleeping on it. The E30's do look great on BBS wheels and lowered but I do like the fact mine is standard