Discussion
Unfortunately, since the last time I posted about my car here, it has been in a bit of a shunt. I was rear ended whilst stationary, as I exited the M5 near Bristol. The impact wasn't huge but it did push me into the car ahead. As a result there was damage to both ends and the worst part was the distortion to the boot floor, near the battery tray. Fortunately, a few hours on the jig and it's back as it should be. The rear panel had to be replaced though and these are on 'long term back order' from BMW, which means they won't be available any time soon. I was able to get mint second-hand panel though, which was carefully unstitched, blasted and fitted whilst the car was on the jig. Every other part arrived from Germany within a few days and the prices weren't too spiteful, despite 'M tax'. The one part I couldn't get was a plastic rear bumper mount as only the one side are available. We've had to buy to right and flip one, which isn't ideal but does seem to have done the trick. Whilst the whole car is stripped we gave it another thorough inspection for rust. BMW of this era can suffer pretty badly, although I have already had the majority of repairs done. The only bits I missed were on the outer sill and are easily sorted. I'm going to fill the sills etc with wax in an effort to keep further rust at bay.
These are the final repairs that need sorting before we can finally get into the prep work for paint. Initially we thought we would just paint the repairs and blend it but we've opted for a full respray instead.
I also bought a set of 3 piece BBS E50 replicas by AGS. They look like the period centre lock touring car rims, but are still 5x120. You need to run a stud conversion but I'd already done that. Unfortunately, I was too trusting of the guy who sold them and the fronts are too wide. As a result, they've had to go back to AGS for 1'' narrower barrels. While they're at it, they are also repairing the buckle and doing the gold centres in silver grey. With what I spent on the refurb' I may as well have bought new but the seller has ignored all attempts to contact him. I have no doubt our paths will cross though.
It doesn't look like much but there's a fair chunk of cash in parts here.
I've also opted to replace my H&R coilovers with KW3's.
Anyway, I'll post some more photos once we start with the prep work for paint.
These are the final repairs that need sorting before we can finally get into the prep work for paint. Initially we thought we would just paint the repairs and blend it but we've opted for a full respray instead.
I also bought a set of 3 piece BBS E50 replicas by AGS. They look like the period centre lock touring car rims, but are still 5x120. You need to run a stud conversion but I'd already done that. Unfortunately, I was too trusting of the guy who sold them and the fronts are too wide. As a result, they've had to go back to AGS for 1'' narrower barrels. While they're at it, they are also repairing the buckle and doing the gold centres in silver grey. With what I spent on the refurb' I may as well have bought new but the seller has ignored all attempts to contact him. I have no doubt our paths will cross though.
It doesn't look like much but there's a fair chunk of cash in parts here.
I've also opted to replace my H&R coilovers with KW3's.
Anyway, I'll post some more photos once we start with the prep work for paint.
Looking good Mark, glad it's all coming along. I have a question though, given the propensity of these cars for rotting, are you going to see if you can get to the inside of the hoop to get a bit of protection on the area where the pulling rods were tacked on in case the paint is broken? I cant remember if you still have the headlining in or not.
That's crazy, given that they are willing to do that I'm surprised ( and pleased of course) that they didn't decide to bail and write the car off. Like you say, no wonder premiums are so high at times.
Still, it won't be long until it's all back together and looking right again, I'm looking forward to seeing it especially with its new rims.
Still, it won't be long until it's all back together and looking right again, I'm looking forward to seeing it especially with its new rims.
Yes, he's done a terrific job of repairing the boot floor too. You'd be hard pushed to ever know there was damage. He's also done a top job at protecting the whole car against future corrosion.
I love the wheels. The finish is very nice and I think silver was definitely the right choice of colour for the centres. I just need to get the tyres fitted now and they can be ready for when I finally get it back home. After that I can also decide whether to fit the black leather interior or not?
I love the wheels. The finish is very nice and I think silver was definitely the right choice of colour for the centres. I just need to get the tyres fitted now and they can be ready for when I finally get it back home. After that I can also decide whether to fit the black leather interior or not?
I had the same dilemma when I bought mine many moons ago, its was one of the first cars to be 'Trackmeister'd' by ML, as soon as I got the car home I went to great length and expense to find an original interior and new carpet. Sent the seats off for a retrim in black leather (the cars original spec)and promptly put the whole lot in a cupboard....where they remain to this day!
There is something special about being strapped in an M3 with a cage, I suspect my trimmed seats won't see the light of day for a while yet
There is something special about being strapped in an M3 with a cage, I suspect my trimmed seats won't see the light of day for a while yet
Got a snap shot of my car last night. Please excuse poor quality phone pic but it's nice to see it looking as it should once more! One of my tasks for today is to take the new wheels and have the tyres fitted. It's a bit of a trek over to Falmouth, but I'm not keen on letting the local Kwik-fit fitter loose on £2.5k's worth of freshly refurbished alloys!
I'm properly excited at the prospect of finally having the old girl back in the garage once more. I've got to renew my insurance next week, as my current policy with Competition Car Insurance expires. I'm just a bit miffed that it appears to increase in cost each year, despite my not claiming. I think I need to spend a couple of hours ringing around for quotes with agreed value.
I'm properly excited at the prospect of finally having the old girl back in the garage once more. I've got to renew my insurance next week, as my current policy with Competition Car Insurance expires. I'm just a bit miffed that it appears to increase in cost each year, despite my not claiming. I think I need to spend a couple of hours ringing around for quotes with agreed value.
e21Mark said:
Well this morning we were ready for paint.
My wheels arrived too.
Car is coming back together, shame about the bump it sustained.
My wheels arrived too.
Mine is in similar condition at the moment:
I love the wheels, do you have the details on the final sizes that you went for? I've seen the AGS wheels advertised and always thought that they looked brilliant.
Well we're nearly there now. Just final fitting up to be done.
Unfortunately I was sent the wrong front bumper supports. Thankfully I managed to borrow the right ones locally.
The wheels are 8 & 9 x17's with 215/40 and 245/40 Toyo r888's respectively. Much as I like the Compomotive, I always wanted the works look and the E50's are a classic rim.
Much as I've enjoyed a few months with the V8, it really doesn't do it for me and I'd much rather have my old E30 back. Yes, it's certainly quick and the V8 is a peach, but it simply doesn't put a smile on my face like the E30 does. I'm already looking forward to Fridays blast home, down the A303 and A30 in the E30.
Unfortunately I was sent the wrong front bumper supports. Thankfully I managed to borrow the right ones locally.
The wheels are 8 & 9 x17's with 215/40 and 245/40 Toyo r888's respectively. Much as I like the Compomotive, I always wanted the works look and the E50's are a classic rim.
Much as I've enjoyed a few months with the V8, it really doesn't do it for me and I'd much rather have my old E30 back. Yes, it's certainly quick and the V8 is a peach, but it simply doesn't put a smile on my face like the E30 does. I'm already looking forward to Fridays blast home, down the A303 and A30 in the E30.
Edited by e21Mark on Wednesday 20th May 23:16
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