Unseen £200 e38
Discussion
Just agreed to pay £200 for this delivered 40 miles to me. Will update in a few days when it arrives.
All I know is the wing is rusty on the other side, rear door has a dent, exhaust blows, has no mot, no history and 4 tyres that dont hold air for long. Good bit is that has a v8, even if its a lowly 730.
All I know is the wing is rusty on the other side, rear door has a dent, exhaust blows, has no mot, no history and 4 tyres that dont hold air for long. Good bit is that has a v8, even if its a lowly 730.
cat with a hat said:
How much do 4 tires cost though? 
Dont really care what brand so like £50 for cheapish branded tyres or may even be able to fit my old e46 wheels + tyres.But the whole car will be getting sanded back to bare metal and resprayed. Only after ive machine polished it to practice abit more as I worry going near nice cars.
Got a e30 im restoring so going to practice spray painting on this, along with dent repair.
Think a few people are sort of missing the point of this car, its never going to look great.
Im 21, always wanted to own a v8, fuels cheap right now so seems right
It was cheap and delivered
I want to practice respraying, not for this cars sake, but because im restoring a e30 I would like to spray myself
I live on a farm pretty much so muddy boots will get in it, no car I own has a nice interior for long, just too much mud
Sorry if this annoys any of you but dont expect pictures of a lovely clean interior.
Im 21, always wanted to own a v8, fuels cheap right now so seems right
It was cheap and delivered
I want to practice respraying, not for this cars sake, but because im restoring a e30 I would like to spray myself
I live on a farm pretty much so muddy boots will get in it, no car I own has a nice interior for long, just too much mud
Sorry if this annoys any of you but dont expect pictures of a lovely clean interior.
olly22n said:
Toaster Pilot said:
8potdave said:
£200! Crikey, you could make 5x that on parts easily. The plates probably worth £150ish!
The plate is worth about £20 plus the transfer fee Are they comfort seats? I dont even know if they are electric or anything about it really. Still not seen it myself.
Buff Mchugelarge said:
Slow said:
cat with a hat said:
How much do 4 tires cost though?
Dont really care what brand so like £50 for cheapish branded tyres or may even be able to fit my old e46 wheels + tyres.But the whole car will be getting sanded back to bare metal and resprayed. Only after ive machine polished it to practice abit more as I worry going near nice cars.
Got a e30 im restoring so going to practice spray painting on this, along with dent repair.
Machine polishing is a lot easier than people make out, there's loads of tutorials out there but practice is the key.
Its here.
Did realise the air compressor to paint it is going to cost more than the whole car though :L
Of course it just started raining so im not going to attempt to clean it yet, which it desperately needs.
Came with the old plate still on it, but 2 brand new (as in the clear plastic film still on them) number plates with the same reg. Believed the plate wasnt coming with the car but not sure now, just waiting to hear back about this.
As pictured with my spare and dirty boot.
Only had a quick blast up and down the drive so far but seems *ok*. When sat still theres a slight vibration in your arse and the engine drops just a few rpm then goes back up occasionally. Goes in and out of gears fine, not sure what this clear/white button is.
Airbag lights on, least of my worries though.
New front arch needed and a small patch welded just below from a quick view, no doubt more when I get under it.
Door will probably be replaced, electric window doesnt work on that one anyway.
Little strut in glovebox isnt attached.
Struts dont hold the boot open and has been sitting under trees for a while.
Interior is just nasty, random things like center cubby hole doesnt open.
How does a seatbelt get this dirty!?
Radio doesnt display anything but it works, soon to be swapped anyway.
Has these 2 little speaker/mic things at the top of both A pillars, not sure how/what they are for as I spy no handsfree kit.
Did realise the air compressor to paint it is going to cost more than the whole car though :L
Of course it just started raining so im not going to attempt to clean it yet, which it desperately needs.
Came with the old plate still on it, but 2 brand new (as in the clear plastic film still on them) number plates with the same reg. Believed the plate wasnt coming with the car but not sure now, just waiting to hear back about this.
As pictured with my spare and dirty boot.
Only had a quick blast up and down the drive so far but seems *ok*. When sat still theres a slight vibration in your arse and the engine drops just a few rpm then goes back up occasionally. Goes in and out of gears fine, not sure what this clear/white button is.
Airbag lights on, least of my worries though.
New front arch needed and a small patch welded just below from a quick view, no doubt more when I get under it.
Door will probably be replaced, electric window doesnt work on that one anyway.
Little strut in glovebox isnt attached.
Struts dont hold the boot open and has been sitting under trees for a while.
Interior is just nasty, random things like center cubby hole doesnt open.
How does a seatbelt get this dirty!?
Radio doesnt display anything but it works, soon to be swapped anyway.
Has these 2 little speaker/mic things at the top of both A pillars, not sure how/what they are for as I spy no handsfree kit.
LittleEnus said:
Having owned a long-term E38, I can safely say this won't be worth the time and money to sort out. It's a mess.
It's not meant to be fixed nor made worth anything. It's a car I'm going to respray to learn to spray before I paint my e30. Also it came with 3 keys which is the most I've ever had with a car!!
Found out today its central locking when I was cleaning the car... Its now stuck down due to crap round it :L Cheers for the help non the less.
Upon starting and moving it today there is a noticable power steering pump whine, checked the fluid and its low. Couldnt see oil on the floor so not sure if it leaked overnight or I just wasnt listening yesterday. Either way, it states that it requires ATF on the cap, what sort of ATF do I require. Hopefully a top up will see it working, if not it will find the leak for me at least.
However after a little googling found out it could have some special rear shockers which are part of the whole power steering system, the rear end is bouncy if I press down on the boot. Not sure if this is worn normal shocks, empty special self leveling b
ds or fked springs.
Random bulbs blown all over the outside, going to remove headlights to clean up anyway.
Washer jet for one of the headlights is missing, assume it needs it for the MOT.
Found another spare where it should be so have 2 now.
Started to clean with a wetvac type thing, didnt have a good carpet shampoo so results arent brilliant. Will be going back to it tomorrow with some better stuff hoping to get it clean.
Also ordered a front wing up for £37 inc shipping, its red. Repainting the whole car anyway so figured no point trying to source the correct colour. Think it bolts straight it, will need a little welding of the base however.
Upon starting and moving it today there is a noticable power steering pump whine, checked the fluid and its low. Couldnt see oil on the floor so not sure if it leaked overnight or I just wasnt listening yesterday. Either way, it states that it requires ATF on the cap, what sort of ATF do I require. Hopefully a top up will see it working, if not it will find the leak for me at least.
However after a little googling found out it could have some special rear shockers which are part of the whole power steering system, the rear end is bouncy if I press down on the boot. Not sure if this is worn normal shocks, empty special self leveling b
ds or fked springs.Random bulbs blown all over the outside, going to remove headlights to clean up anyway.
Washer jet for one of the headlights is missing, assume it needs it for the MOT.
Found another spare where it should be so have 2 now.
Started to clean with a wetvac type thing, didnt have a good carpet shampoo so results arent brilliant. Will be going back to it tomorrow with some better stuff hoping to get it clean.
Also ordered a front wing up for £37 inc shipping, its red. Repainting the whole car anyway so figured no point trying to source the correct colour. Think it bolts straight it, will need a little welding of the base however.
80sMatchbox said:
LittleEnus said:
Having owned a long-term E38, I can safely say this won't be worth the time and money to sort out. It's a mess.
You've not seen the OP's 323i have you? This looks in fine fettle! 
03 focus - arch and sill
01 focus - sill
01 320i - wings
87 defender - rear crossmember
02 range rover - rear arch is starting
01 civic - boot and roof
83 cherry turbo - all over little bits
84 323i - horrific lack of rust free metal (seriously more rust than the titanic)
And that brings us to this 730i.... This isnt bad by any stretch. All cars rust in the highlands, we salt our roads for 4 months a year minimum.
Edit: Looking into aux inputs for this as it should cost like £10 most, I have a 6 cd changer in the boot (not attached to the car, just dangling from its wires)It powered up and ejected the cassette when asked though so figure it works. Where abouts is best to splice into this changers wiring for adding an aux input with a blank noise cd in the changer. Assumed at the input into the rear of the radio, but not sure on dificulty removing it, and then knowing which wires.
Edited by Slow on Wednesday 10th February 20:18
TooMany2cvs said:
Sillyhatday said:
Then sell it for £20. That's more than you would otherwise have got, without the number plates at all
Well, you could list it for £20, but would anybody buy it?Let's face it, after the transfer costs, the difference between £30 and £20 and £10 and 99p is not actually particularly relevant. The main reason nobody's paying £30 sad-pad plates is not that some magical price barrier's been breached. It's that nobody actually particularly wants the front and rear of their car to say "OIJQZ248356284". They'd rather have a more memorable plate, something like "EK61SWN"...
Can we stop bashing about how much this will cost to get on the road? Im an unemployed student who has a car fund to play with. If it cant be fixed for peanuts it will not be going anywhere (except raced round the field for some fun, like i did with a prelude I bought at 16) but into parts after being sprayed, yes I gather this is a waste of money but I want to learn and my time is free.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as fk e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.
People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as f
k e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
Finally got round to checking it over, well a half hour look.
So far this is the list:
Fuel pipe not secure (brackets broke)
4x tyres
Front right brake pipe looks a little crusty so wheel off to check more in depth
Front left fog light put back in (its in the boot)
Front left indicator + parking light
Washers wont give me water, doesnt sound like the pumps working either
Swap my less rusty red front wing onto it
Exhaust has a small crack where it joins the center piece so quick weld
Rear shocks/springs creak, when pressing down on boot it bounces quite abit so seem worn
Powersteering fluid + find the leak
So far this is the list:
Fuel pipe not secure (brackets broke)
4x tyres
Front right brake pipe looks a little crusty so wheel off to check more in depth
Front left fog light put back in (its in the boot)
Front left indicator + parking light
Washers wont give me water, doesnt sound like the pumps working either
Swap my less rusty red front wing onto it
Exhaust has a small crack where it joins the center piece so quick weld
Rear shocks/springs creak, when pressing down on boot it bounces quite abit so seem worn
Powersteering fluid + find the leak
M3333 said:
Slow said:
Upon starting and moving it today there is a noticable power steering pump whine, checked the fluid and its low. Couldnt see oil on the floor so not sure if it leaked overnight or I just wasnt listening yesterday. Either way, it states that it requires ATF on the cap, what sort of ATF do I require. Hopefully a top up will see it working, if not it will find the leak for me at least.
How did you get on with this? I had an e39 that did the same, power steering noise sounded terminal for the pump. Turns out these do that with low fluid and on topping mine up it never made any noise afterwards again. The fluid wasn't even that low either so I don't think it takes much.Enjoying the read on this, keep up the good work, more pics please!!
Plenty of MOT history also for his one, hope you don't mind me posting will delete if required.
Edited by M3333 on Thursday 18th February 08:28
Feel free to leave the history, anyone can check it anyway.
Changing the front wing is a pain in the arse though! Front bumper off, inner wheel arch detached, door off, bonnet off.
Just needing a hand removing the door and bonnet now due to the weight, got everything else off ready. Front bumper was a b
d due to it previously having a crash (assuming the same one that broke the number plate and cracked the bumper).The 2 big torx bolts came out no problem, one end of the bumper slid out of its mount no bother, the other end mount is broken so someone stuck a big bolt through the mounts which was a pain in the arse to remove. The foglight is broken at the back so wont mount in the bumper so might pick up a new one, or just bodge this one so its not removable.
While I was pissing about with this I removed the indicators and removed the rubber seal which was doing feck all, washed them out then going to reseal it to hopefully stop the condensation appearing.
So got a little done today but the cold eventually won.
Had a slight problem with a garage door haha
Removing the old wing was a bd, bolts on the underside just rusted too much to turn, while being recessed into a plastic moulding so couldnt be grinded off either. Another bolt behind the front bumper wouldnt shift without bending the mount, even when grinded down so its just been left, will make up another mount as it was bending alot just trying to remove the old bolt, let alone putting in a new one.
Going to buy a bunch of bolts to use instead of these awful torx fittings that bmw decided to use which strip easily. Fitment of the new wing is almost spot on, just needs pushed in slightly at the top when I tighten the new bolts.
What remains of the old one haha
Notice the hammer and chisel used to deal with the rounded bolt in the plastic moulding, big washer to fix the hole where I hit it throught the plastic. One of the cleanest inner arches ive ever had on a car, the plastic is there unlike most.
Removed both front headlights to take the lens off and give them a good polish then reseal them as one had condensation and the other had a big dead spider. Also resealed the indicators already with silicon, probably better stuff to use but I had it laying around.
Had a slight problem with a garage door haha
Removing the old wing was a b
d, bolts on the underside just rusted too much to turn, while being recessed into a plastic moulding so couldnt be grinded off either. Another bolt behind the front bumper wouldnt shift without bending the mount, even when grinded down so its just been left, will make up another mount as it was bending alot just trying to remove the old bolt, let alone putting in a new one.
Going to buy a bunch of bolts to use instead of these awful torx fittings that bmw decided to use which strip easily. Fitment of the new wing is almost spot on, just needs pushed in slightly at the top when I tighten the new bolts.
What remains of the old one haha
Notice the hammer and chisel used to deal with the rounded bolt in the plastic moulding, big washer to fix the hole where I hit it throught the plastic. One of the cleanest inner arches ive ever had on a car, the plastic is there unlike most.
Removed both front headlights to take the lens off and give them a good polish then reseal them as one had condensation and the other had a big dead spider. Also resealed the indicators already with silicon, probably better stuff to use but I had it laying around.
So Ive got some done, mainly the front wing is all fitted up.
Driving to manchester to collect a S class on Thursday so ordered up a bunch of parts including a compressor to the garage selling the S class, its my grandpa's old garage so im friendly with the new owner hence him letting me get so much dropped off, but this saves over £200 of postage to the highlands because Inverness isnt mainland uk apparantly.
Got a rough set of 17" alpina replica's missing a center cap (dont suppose anyone has one haha), however these might make their way onto my e30
Rear drivers side door, mine has a dent - fixable, but the electric window is also shot so seems easier to replace it all
Front bumper, mines been cracked right down the middle when it was crashed into what ever broke the fog light/mount + numberplate bracket
Orange indicators (originals) as mine are nasty clear ones which are turning yellow with the inside chrome peeling
100L 3hp 14.1 cfm air compressor which should be enough to spray cars
Bits are off this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-E38-730I-V8-Breaking...
Some in progress pictures of the headlights
About 30 minutes to do them both quickly gave me this
Notice the nasty aftermarket indicator
Wing all bolted up except the mudflap
Shut lines arent bad for a first attempt
Driving to manchester to collect a S class on Thursday so ordered up a bunch of parts including a compressor to the garage selling the S class, its my grandpa's old garage so im friendly with the new owner hence him letting me get so much dropped off, but this saves over £200 of postage to the highlands because Inverness isnt mainland uk apparantly.
Got a rough set of 17" alpina replica's missing a center cap (dont suppose anyone has one haha), however these might make their way onto my e30
Rear drivers side door, mine has a dent - fixable, but the electric window is also shot so seems easier to replace it all
Front bumper, mines been cracked right down the middle when it was crashed into what ever broke the fog light/mount + numberplate bracket
Orange indicators (originals) as mine are nasty clear ones which are turning yellow with the inside chrome peeling
100L 3hp 14.1 cfm air compressor which should be enough to spray cars
Bits are off this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-E38-730I-V8-Breaking...
Some in progress pictures of the headlights
About 30 minutes to do them both quickly gave me this
Notice the nasty aftermarket indicator
Wing all bolted up except the mudflap
Shut lines arent bad for a first attempt
Edited by Slow on Saturday 27th February 22:12
Had all these things delivered to a garage in Manchester where I was collecting a S class from. Saved over £250 in postage to the highlands, only challange was fitting it all in
The S class first
Picked up a compressor to spray
Got these wheels, 17" alpina replicas I think. Sadly missing one center cap if anyone here has an odd set too :P
New rear door to replace the dented one
Front bumper as the old one was cracked in multiple places, only swapped 1 foglight at the moment
Amber indicators
The S class first
Picked up a compressor to spray
Got these wheels, 17" alpina replicas I think. Sadly missing one center cap if anyone here has an odd set too :P
New rear door to replace the dented one
Front bumper as the old one was cracked in multiple places, only swapped 1 foglight at the moment
Amber indicators
sinbaddio said:
What's the plan with the S Class?
S class isn't mine, collected for Mums boyfriends dad - he's like 95Used to be a chauffeur driver most his life, had a Granada cosworth till 3 years ago, then a jag 3.2 which gearbox just blew so wanted another cheap barge. In steps the s430 for him
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