Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
There's a chance I may be persuaded to sell the race car, as something I have always wanted is on offer to me. I have one serious offer but if anyone is interested please just say.
Been looking at making a few subtle detail changes to the trim of my road car, so looked at e46 M3's in laguna for some inspiration. I really like the black chrome effect some have on their alloys and want to do the centre grill. The problem has been finding a company that still does it. Hopefully I've found somewhere that does a black nickel process, so I managed to split my spare grill and sent it off to be done. I know I could have just gone with satin black but I don't want to lose the whole chrome or polished look. I may get the wheels done also?
Also managed to snag a RHD a/c console.
Been looking at making a few subtle detail changes to the trim of my road car, so looked at e46 M3's in laguna for some inspiration. I really like the black chrome effect some have on their alloys and want to do the centre grill. The problem has been finding a company that still does it. Hopefully I've found somewhere that does a black nickel process, so I managed to split my spare grill and sent it off to be done. I know I could have just gone with satin black but I don't want to lose the whole chrome or polished look. I may get the wheels done also?
Also managed to snag a RHD a/c console.
I've been getting the final few bits for MIB and ordered this dash panel from Germany. It replaces a couple of the cold air vents and just looks way better than those plastic dash top pods. Alpina did do a period correct pod but they're pretty rare and only fit LHD cars. Anyway, as I already have a Stack oil pressure gauge, I figured a water temp' gauge and an ammeter would complete the trio. They may not be the cheapest gauges out there but the quality is just first rate. I think the finished panel will give the e21 dash the lift it needs, without looking too fussy or over the top. Best of all though, I can keep a closer eye on what's going on with the engine.
Below the gauges I'm fitting a pre facelift AC spec' centre console to house my Nakamichi head unit. I like the simple and subtle design.
A nice Prototipo 3 spoke steering wheel and these Recaros will finish things off.
Below the gauges I'm fitting a pre facelift AC spec' centre console to house my Nakamichi head unit. I like the simple and subtle design.
A nice Prototipo 3 spoke steering wheel and these Recaros will finish things off.
Thanks.
It's been quite a bit of work deciding what sort of spec I wanted and how best to achieve it? Even the colour choice was harder than I'd first anticipated. One thing I had never considered changing about the original MIB was the colour. In fact, the colour was one of the things that had always made it quite a special car so it seemed like the natural choice for the new build. When the paint reacted in the engine bay though, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something different. Laguna Seca blue looks awesome on e46 M3 but it's a bit more of a gamble on an e21. I just hope the way I've gone with wheel choice and stance, makes it aggressive and squat enough, to carry it off? I also hope the details, such as the black chrome kidney grill are subtle enough to give an OEM+ kind of look and don't just look a bit Max Power! Time will tell I guess?
It's unfortunate that there have been so many delays, the most recent of which has been Pristine Bodyworks moving premises. As a result they are without a spray booth and work is being delayed. There isn't a huge amount left to do on my car but we don't want to start cutting corners now. We need to get the trimmer to carpet the inside and that includes panelling out the rear, where the back seat is being deleted. I haven't decided what sort of carpet to go with but something hard wearing in charcoal grey seems about right. I had thought about having a black headlining fitted but it might make it a bit too dark inside? Added to which, the original headliner is perfect thanks to no-one having ever smoked in there. The final thing will be getting those Recaro's mounted as low as possible. The original e21 seat brackets usually mean that non original seats sit an inch or two too high. There's enough headroom but it just seems to compromise the driving position a little. As a result, I think we may just remove those brackets and mount the seat runners directly to the floor? I am determined to get my driving position as close to perfect as possible, as those Recaro's are lovely seats.
The only change I will make is to the exhaust. I have a pair of packable race silencers that I intend fitting, to replace the current silencers. I also want to replace the centre section as it looks a bit heath robinson and isn't up to the standard of the rest of the car. I'll do that when it comes back and I've been able to rack up a few miles. Right now though, I just want it finished.
It's been quite a bit of work deciding what sort of spec I wanted and how best to achieve it? Even the colour choice was harder than I'd first anticipated. One thing I had never considered changing about the original MIB was the colour. In fact, the colour was one of the things that had always made it quite a special car so it seemed like the natural choice for the new build. When the paint reacted in the engine bay though, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something different. Laguna Seca blue looks awesome on e46 M3 but it's a bit more of a gamble on an e21. I just hope the way I've gone with wheel choice and stance, makes it aggressive and squat enough, to carry it off? I also hope the details, such as the black chrome kidney grill are subtle enough to give an OEM+ kind of look and don't just look a bit Max Power! Time will tell I guess?
It's unfortunate that there have been so many delays, the most recent of which has been Pristine Bodyworks moving premises. As a result they are without a spray booth and work is being delayed. There isn't a huge amount left to do on my car but we don't want to start cutting corners now. We need to get the trimmer to carpet the inside and that includes panelling out the rear, where the back seat is being deleted. I haven't decided what sort of carpet to go with but something hard wearing in charcoal grey seems about right. I had thought about having a black headlining fitted but it might make it a bit too dark inside? Added to which, the original headliner is perfect thanks to no-one having ever smoked in there. The final thing will be getting those Recaro's mounted as low as possible. The original e21 seat brackets usually mean that non original seats sit an inch or two too high. There's enough headroom but it just seems to compromise the driving position a little. As a result, I think we may just remove those brackets and mount the seat runners directly to the floor? I am determined to get my driving position as close to perfect as possible, as those Recaro's are lovely seats.
The only change I will make is to the exhaust. I have a pair of packable race silencers that I intend fitting, to replace the current silencers. I also want to replace the centre section as it looks a bit heath robinson and isn't up to the standard of the rest of the car. I'll do that when it comes back and I've been able to rack up a few miles. Right now though, I just want it finished.
Well today I took a drive over to Pristine Bodyworks to check how MIB was progressing. I know I'm biased, but as I pulled in and saw MIB sat there, it looked the absolute nuts! It has a really aggressive stance and looks really squat. I know my wheel choice isn't for everyone, but I'm really happy with the way they look.
The remote servo has been mounted beneath the inlet manifold and should easily be hidden from view. The whole braking system is far better than it was with the OE servo and linkage. I'm really chuffed with the way it's gone together and now much tidier the engine bay is now.
It's taken a while but nearly all of the e36 loom we didn't need, has been removed. The ECU and fuse box are going to be mounted where the glove box usually sits. The lid will remain as a cover for them though.
The paint booth and oven will be up and running in about 2 weeks from now, so hopefully we will see MIB being painted soon.
I dropped in on E21 Revival on the way over. I'm looking forward to seeing it at Brands next spring.
The remote servo has been mounted beneath the inlet manifold and should easily be hidden from view. The whole braking system is far better than it was with the OE servo and linkage. I'm really chuffed with the way it's gone together and now much tidier the engine bay is now.
It's taken a while but nearly all of the e36 loom we didn't need, has been removed. The ECU and fuse box are going to be mounted where the glove box usually sits. The lid will remain as a cover for them though.
The paint booth and oven will be up and running in about 2 weeks from now, so hopefully we will see MIB being painted soon.
I dropped in on E21 Revival on the way over. I'm looking forward to seeing it at Brands next spring.
Sent the centre grill for MIB away to be black chromed.
I'm really pleased with the colour and finish. It looks better in the metal but should be a nice contrast with the blue. There's enough of a shine that you'll still see the kidney grill.
Quite a contrast to the cheap bit of tin we started with.
I'm really pleased with the colour and finish. It looks better in the metal but should be a nice contrast with the blue. There's enough of a shine that you'll still see the kidney grill.
Quite a contrast to the cheap bit of tin we started with.
e21Mark said:
Once it's finally finished it'll be my daily driver. It's just unfortunate that so many things have got in the way of progress but hopefully it'll be getting painted soon. That should give a bit of motivation for the final push to get it finished. I move to Cornwall early next year so hopefully it won't be too much longer. The aim is to achieve 300 bhp per ton.
aspirated said:
You are living my BMW dream. Some more info on the expected E30 M3? Will you be making a thread?
I imagine so. I don't actually collect it till the end of February, so it's technically not mine till then. I'm planning on taking a couple of days exploring some of Irelands roads when I do collect it though. I got a tiny taste in the hire car, when I went to view it and it's a stunning part of the world with some terrific roads. The postman brought me a belated Christmas gift, in the shape of some new LEDA suspension for the M3. I've always been a fan of LEDA suspension but it's hard to find and can be expensive. I was lucky here though and LEDA said they'll do a full refurb' for £100 a corner. Even allowing for the price of the kit, I could never have bought them new for the same money. All I need now are some Porsche 996 or AP brake callipers.
Hopefully it won't be long till Pristine Bodyworks have their spray booth finished. I really want MIB finished and now we're into the 2nd year of the build. Once painted, it's just the smaller details that need completion. I dug out these Engelmann mirrors, that were actually taken from a 70's Porsche 911, but they need some prep work and to be painted satin black. They're just so much better quality than the eBay copies I had before.
Hopefully it won't be long till Pristine Bodyworks have their spray booth finished. I really want MIB finished and now we're into the 2nd year of the build. Once painted, it's just the smaller details that need completion. I dug out these Engelmann mirrors, that were actually taken from a 70's Porsche 911, but they need some prep work and to be painted satin black. They're just so much better quality than the eBay copies I had before.
Well I went to Pristine Bodyworks smart new premises today and saw MIB. The move has delayed work on MIB but it should be getting painted in the next couple of weeks. Mechanically everything is just about finished, so once painted, it just leaves wiring and interior. We're definitely on the home straight at last.
Smart new offices have nearly been completed inside the workshop space.
Hopefully the next update will come as the prep work starts for paint.
This is looking really good Mark, I wasn't really sold on the idea at the start given that E21's are getting harder to find etc but another one saved is a good thing and the build looks to be of a very high standard. Should make for an entertaining daily!!
Talking of which, with regard the tyre stretch on those wheels ( Im in the 'like' group for the wheels) are you concerned about the drivability? I had a similar stretch on a set of 8.5j rims on a previous e30 M3 and it utterly ruined the car in terms of handling, understeer and oversteer when I least wanted it and often without warning, most un e30 like.
Mark
Talking of which, with regard the tyre stretch on those wheels ( Im in the 'like' group for the wheels) are you concerned about the drivability? I had a similar stretch on a set of 8.5j rims on a previous e30 M3 and it utterly ruined the car in terms of handling, understeer and oversteer when I least wanted it and often without warning, most un e30 like.
Mark
I won't be running it with so much stretch as I've got wider rubber to go on, although there will be a little remaining.
I know modified E21 aren't for everyone but I could never get the performance I wanted from an m10 or m20 engine. I spent a fortune trying too! If I tried again, I would go with a low pressure turbo set-up or something. The thing I like about m52's is that they're cheap and reliable power. Even without the cams, flywheel and inlet swap, you can get close to 200 brake. Add the fact that they are 24 valve and love to be revved, are newer engines, will give over 45mpg on a run and if it goes bang, it'll only cost a couple of hundred quid to replace. They do sound good through a 6 branch and free flowing system too!
I did start adding up exactly what this car has cost me, but stopped myself. I've got an agreed insurance value of £15k though. I know it's not a cheap car but it's totally bespoke for me and should look, sound and go pretty well. As I've said, it'll still be my daily driver though. I'm a bit too old for bright orange though, so am thinking laguna seca might be a little more subtle? Maybe?
I know modified E21 aren't for everyone but I could never get the performance I wanted from an m10 or m20 engine. I spent a fortune trying too! If I tried again, I would go with a low pressure turbo set-up or something. The thing I like about m52's is that they're cheap and reliable power. Even without the cams, flywheel and inlet swap, you can get close to 200 brake. Add the fact that they are 24 valve and love to be revved, are newer engines, will give over 45mpg on a run and if it goes bang, it'll only cost a couple of hundred quid to replace. They do sound good through a 6 branch and free flowing system too!
I did start adding up exactly what this car has cost me, but stopped myself. I've got an agreed insurance value of £15k though. I know it's not a cheap car but it's totally bespoke for me and should look, sound and go pretty well. As I've said, it'll still be my daily driver though. I'm a bit too old for bright orange though, so am thinking laguna seca might be a little more subtle? Maybe?
Edited by e21Mark on Saturday 11th January 10:47
e21Mark said:
I won't be running it with so much stretch as I've got wider rubber to go on, although there will be a little remaining.
I know modified E21 aren't for everyone but I could never get the performance I wanted from an m10 or m20 engine. I spent a fortune trying too! If I tried again, I would go with a low pressure turbo set-up or something. The thing I like about m52's is that they're cheap and reliable power. Even without the cams, flywheel and inlet swap, you can get close to 200 brake. Add the fact that they are 24 valve and love to be revved, are newer engines, will give over 45mpg on a run and if it goes bang, it'll only cost a couple of hundred quid to replace. They do sound good through a 6 branch and free flowing system too!
I did start adding up exactly what this car has cost me, but stopped myself. I've got an agreed insurance value of £15k though. I know it's not a cheap car but it's totally bespoke for me and should look, sound and go pretty well. As I've said, it'll still be my daily driver though. I'm a bit too old for bright orange though, so am thinking laguna seca might be a little more subtle? Maybe?
Fair enough then on the tyres, I totally understand where you are coming from on the engine front tho, they are great units. I ran a M52 for about three years and beat the hell out of it as often as possible and it felt unburstable but also returning sensible mpg. On the modifying front, I think I would draw the line at doing what you've done to say a lovely 323i ( any left???) but do appreciate why you have done what you have. I know modified E21 aren't for everyone but I could never get the performance I wanted from an m10 or m20 engine. I spent a fortune trying too! If I tried again, I would go with a low pressure turbo set-up or something. The thing I like about m52's is that they're cheap and reliable power. Even without the cams, flywheel and inlet swap, you can get close to 200 brake. Add the fact that they are 24 valve and love to be revved, are newer engines, will give over 45mpg on a run and if it goes bang, it'll only cost a couple of hundred quid to replace. They do sound good through a 6 branch and free flowing system too!
I did start adding up exactly what this car has cost me, but stopped myself. I've got an agreed insurance value of £15k though. I know it's not a cheap car but it's totally bespoke for me and should look, sound and go pretty well. As I've said, it'll still be my daily driver though. I'm a bit too old for bright orange though, so am thinking laguna seca might be a little more subtle? Maybe?
Edited by e21Mark on Saturday 11th January 10:47
I wouldn't even bother adding up what you have spent, you wouldn't have done it if it was all about financial returns and besides you have built exactly what you wanted and it will look, go and sound more than just ok!
As for the colour...subtle?...hmmmmm
Mark
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