RE: BMW M3 (E30): PH Carpool

[mark.c]

Gutted for you Mark, fingers crossed the damage isn't too bad and is a straightforward repair. If you need anything give me a shout.

[e21Mark]

Thanks. About to go and have a proper look at damage. Rear took quite a hit and just hope boot floor is ok? I'll take some pics.

[s m]

e21Mark said:

Thanks. About to go and have a proper look at damage. Rear took quite a hit and just hope boot floor is ok? I'll take some pics.

Hopefully the high value of them will work in your favour for repairs/insurance. Can you get many of the panels etc?
Bad luck though

[e21Mark]

s m said:

e21Mark said:

Thanks. About to go and have a proper look at damage. Rear took quite a hit and just hope boot floor is ok? I'll take some pics.

Hopefully the high value of them will work in your favour for repairs/insurance. Can you get many of the panels etc?
Bad luck though

I'm hoping so, yes. Most obvious one needed is a rear bumper. Even used they're pretty expensive though and not often for sale. I've already mailed BMW Classic at Park Lane to check availability and price. There is one in the USA at $1400 plus shipping and import duties.

Worryingly though, I have spotted an oil leak that wasn't there before so I'll need to investigate that further too.

Edited by e21Mark on Sunday 1st March 09:12

[mark.c]

Fingers crossed mate. The oil leak is possibly from the oil cooler up the front if you tapped the car in front.

[Leins]

Sorry to hear that Mark, but sure you'll have it back on the road soon

I've found ESS in the US good for E30 parts too, and especially for LHD for your car

Edit: just to note that I've ordered Euro-specific parts through them in the past too

Edited by Leins on Sunday 1st March 09:42

[E30M3SE]

e21Mark said:

I'm hoping so, yes. Most obvious one needed is a rear bumper. Even used they're pretty expensive though and not often for sale. I've already mailed BMW Classic at Park Lane to check availability and price. There is one in the USA at $1400 plus shipping and import duties.

Worryingly though, I have spotted an oil leak that wasn't there before so I'll need to investigate that further too.

Edited by e21Mark on Sunday 1st March 09:12

US spec bumper will not be same as yours, as they have the position marker lights cut into them.





ETA

There's a rear bumper on german ebay,

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Bmw-M3-E30-Heckschurze-Heck...

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 1st March 09:45

[bigvanfan]

Wow a round light chamonix 02 lovely I had one a long time ago, as for the m3 agree with some others that they're not fast cars but there's some witchcraft going on with that chassis that hooks you right in, but the best part of it for me was looking in the door mirror and all you see is boxy wheel arch ,perfect

[e21Mark]

E30M3SE said:

e21Mark said:

I'm hoping so, yes. Most obvious one needed is a rear bumper. Even used they're pretty expensive though and not often for sale. I've already mailed BMW Classic at Park Lane to check availability and price. There is one in the USA at $1400 plus shipping and import duties.

Worryingly though, I have spotted an oil leak that wasn't there before so I'll need to investigate that further too.

Edited by e21Mark on Sunday 1st March 09:12

US spec bumper will not be same as yours, as they have the position marker lights cut into them.





ETA

There's a rear bumper on german ebay,

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Bmw-M3-E30-Heckschurze-Heck...

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 1st March 09:45

Thanks for that.

Hopefully I can get it in with a body shop tomorrow, although I am unsure who to use yet? Obviously I'd like somewhere with specific experience of E30 M3.

Here are a few pics showing some of the most obvious damage. Things like the leading edge of the bonnet (where it has bent over slightly) are more obvious in the metal.























There is also an oil weep, that definitely wasn't there prior to the impact. The exhaust has clearly been hit and so I'm wondering if that is related? Either way, it will need to be looked into.

Edited by e21Mark on Sunday 1st March 17:34

Edited by e21Mark on Sunday 1st March 17:35

[Mermaid]

Ouch...

[mark.c]

Ffs, such a shame. The front I don't think I would be too worried about from a repair perspective, it's such a shame it has touched the boot floor however. Having said that I guess with the rear panel off it wouldn't be insurmountable to pull that and the battery box straight ? ( assuming the rear panel would be replaced as opposed to pulled?)
My vote would still be on the oil cooler for the oil leak.

As for where to take it. Would Joe take on something like this or maybe Rally prep? Although very inconvenient from a logistical point of view a superb guy would be TonyBMW.

For panels.. I remember a guy on S14 Power ( UK based) who used to do Kevlar bumpers which could be an alternative. Supposed to be very good quality too. I shall have a root around and see if I can find a link.

[mark.c]

Not who I was thinking of but did come across this, not exactly cheap but a suggestion nonetheless. I'll keep looking.

http://www.ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0zNj...

[e21Mark]

The front isn't too bad but I'm told the panel I need is NLA. Luckily the boot floor can be bought from BMW for about 330 Euros and the rear panel is about 380, assuming one can also be found.

I think both Joe and RP would have to farm out the metal work and paint. At a push I could send it up to Pristine Bodyworks, or even Munich Legends although I don;t know what they're like nowadays? I just don't want lots of ''repaired'' metal work and associated skims of filler though. I'm pretty sure the whole car will also need painting once repairs have been done on both ends. I just want it stripped by someone who knows what they're doing, so we can see exactly what is needed to put things right.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Ah crap.

[mark.c]

e21Mark said:

The front isn't too bad but I'm told the panel I need is NLA. Luckily the boot floor can be bought from BMW for about 330 Euros and the rear panel is about 380, assuming one can also be found.

I think both Joe and RP would have to farm out the metal work and paint. At a push I could send it up to Pristine Bodyworks, or even Munich Legends although I don;t know what they're like nowadays? I just don't want lots of ''repaired'' metal work and associated skims of filler though. I'm pretty sure the whole car will also need painting once repairs have been done on both ends. I just want it stripped by someone who knows what they're doing, so we can see exactly what is needed to put things right.

I've not seen any paint that has been done by ML, although their level of prep on a car I bought 18 months ago was very good. Actually that might not be strictly accurate as the car I bought had paint as part of the prep but I can't remember seeing a paint booth so maybe they farm out paintwork too? They do have a restoration service now though so maybe it has moved in house since then. As for their credibility, I've had a few dealings with them over the last couple of years and couldn't fault them.

To be honest though if you have a good relationship with Pristine would it not be better to stay with them? I totally agree though that whoever you choose that this has to be done right.

[E30M3SE]

There is an outfit in Harpenden Herts that I can and would recommend but might be a bit of a trek for you.

Let me know if you want his details.

Which front panel do you think is NLA?

[iva cosworth]

Is the rear panel a unique to M3 item or same as other E30s ?

[mark.c]

iva cosworth said:

Is the rear panel a unique to M3 item or same as other E30s ?

A quick look on Real OEM says it has its own part number but I imagine the difference is subtle, it may be possible to use a non M3 early rear panel.

[e21Mark]

Thanks guys. To be honest, I'm happy to go anywhere if it means I can get the panels I need to repair it. I know the rear chassis leg will need checking on a jig anyway but as it's a car I'd never planned on selling, I want to know it's being done right. I've probably sunk about £5k into it, since buying it last year, but it'll be worth all the effort I'm sure.

[e21Mark]

Well my car has just arrived at the body shop and I'm awaiting a more detailed breakdown of the damage. The guys insurance have accepted full liability so hopefully things will progress smoothly. They've dropped off a 2 year old M3 for me to smoke around in meanwhile, although I'd prefer my E30.