To restore or not to restore that is the question.

[OLDSPICE]

Recently purchased a 1986 one owner 325i in cosmos blue (my first BMW) which I love to bits and is alot more fun (and reliable) than my 1998 Impreza turbo which I was glad to see the back of. My 325i has only covered 97k and runs superbly but does have a few rust issues going on. On the face of it it looks pretty good for the age and shines up well. However there is some minor rust in some of the usual places. Around the lower door edges, sills, bottom of rear arches, rear valance, around rear number plate lights and aerial. I have touched these up but some of the rust is already coming back and its difficult to get a professional finish. Is it worth getting it restored? Do I need to replace each panel which has rust in it? If so can anyone recommend a E30 specialist (I live in Kent) for this work and how much should I be spending as a ball park figure? Alternatively, should I save my pennies and just get a better E30? Can't decide and need some advice.

[geo1400]

Welcome to the zone! Don't know much about the whole respraying cars thing but here's what I thing: Depending on how bad it is i'm sure you could get all your rust issues rubbed back, treated and painted for a couple hundered quid. The prob is unless done 100% properly it does just come back!!

Which means you could spend £1000 upwards on a pro respray. OR find a good donor motor and replace the bad panels?

There are loads of things you could do, just depends on the size of your wallet!

Geo1400