After 10 years in a glasshouse BMW e3 restoration begins

[kellya4]

Well after a decade in the relative shelter of a glasshouse I have decided to recomission my dads 1975 BMW e3 2500. It drove from the glasshouse to a nearby shed so is mechanically not an issue (for the moment). I have just stripped the car and noticed a lot of rust in all the usual areas



and as a picture describes many words, I'll let the rust speak for itself...

Offside wheel arch towards bulkhead and rusted through to drivers footwell, same passenger side;



Nearside rear wheel arch, same on door side of arch;





Boot floor;



My plan is to concentrate on the body for the moment, then once all welding is complete I will look at the mechanicals.

So, if anyone out there has any advice on bodywork repair, I hear a MIG welder is the tool to use? and I have a donor vehicle for metal. Experience wise, am I better off looking for an automotive welder or can a competent welder with no automotive experience handle this job?

Also, if anyone out there knows where one can source parts for one of these models I would really appreciate it, there is a very small following out there. Previous restorations of a Rover P5 and Daimler 250 V8 proved trouble free when it came to sourcing parts, i'm not finding it as easy with this car.

I will keep this post updated (with pics) and progress.

Andrew

[g3org3y]

g3org3y likes this

Best of luck with the restoration.

[Mr Dave]

I cant be much use for where to get parts or anything but good luck with it, these really are a fantastic looking car.

[Hornsey]

www.jaymic.com might be able to help with parts or point you in the right direction. Good luck.

[TheEnd]

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/framewelcome.htm

They should be able to get you parts if nowhere else does.

[Synchromesh]

E3s are probably my fav BMW. Can't wait to see this project through.

[RevYob]

Looking forward to the updates.

[belleair302]

Get in touch with the BMW Owners Club regarding restoration as the e3's are well worth restoring and gaining in value.

[minimatt1967]

Good luck

[sunbeam alpine]

kellya4 said:

My plan is to concentrate on the body for the moment, then once all welding is complete I will look at the mechanicals.

So, if anyone out there has any advice on bodywork repair, I hear a MIG welder is the tool to use? and I have a donor vehicle for metal. Experience wise, am I better off looking for an automotive welder or can a competent welder with no automotive experience handle this job?

I would suggest that unless you have very deep pockets, you buy the best MIG welder you can afford and do it yourself.

I did this (practiced a lot first on the bodywork of a car a mate had crashed).

Good luck!

[Big Al.]

TheEnd said:

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/framewelcome.htm

They should be able to get you parts if nowhere else does.

That AFAICS has been edited out.

Regarding the other threads quoted, what has been missed has been missed, Pit babes thread walks a very fine line these days, it is modded more of late than in the past. It's also not in a main stream forum.

So as I've said if whatever evades the swear filter if spotted of reported WILL get removed.

So lets get back on topic please and lets the gifs continue.

[Chunkychucky]

Very nice, look forward to seeing the resto process! My dad has owned a couple of the 3.0si, would love to have one now

[TheEnd]

Big Al. said:

TheEnd said:

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/framewelcome.htm

They should be able to get you parts if nowhere else does.

That AFAICS has been edited out.

Regarding the other threads quoted, what has been missed has been missed, Pit babes thread walks a very fine line these days, it is modded more of late than in the past. It's also not in a main stream forum.

So as I've said if whatever evades the swear filter if spotted of reported WILL get removed.

So lets get back on topic please and lets the gifs continue.

Have I missed something?

[rumple]

TheEnd said:

Big Al. said:

TheEnd said:

http://www.wallothnesch.com/e/framewelcome.htm

They should be able to get you parts if nowhere else does.

That AFAICS has been edited out.

Regarding the other threads quoted, what has been missed has been missed, Pit babes thread walks a very fine line these days, it is modded more of late than in the past. It's also not in a main stream forum.

So as I've said if whatever evades the swear filter if spotted of reported WILL get removed.

So lets get back on topic please and lets the gifs continue.

Have I missed something?

thats what i was thinking, look forward to the resto though

[Jamirecluse]

How many of these have survived?
Looks like a lot of bodywork to do but good project.

[BMW250L]

Hi Andrew,

I think you have seen my resto thread on the BMW Forum already;

http://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/e3-owners-where-are-...



I would be happy to provide any help and advise you need and put you in touch with the peoiple I used and the parts suppliers.

Mainly I used, and as suggested already, Walloth and Nesch are very good and competitively priced. But, it take time to arrive from Germany - sometimes upto a week, but they will give a discount for a 'bulk' order and the courier cost are more acceptable also.

Jaymic are great and will often get parts to you next day, but they are, in my opinion, quite expensive and if they do not have the part in stock then you have to wait over a week, as they only do a weekly order to Germany.

BMW Classic Park Lane are very good, but like all BMW Dealers, they are top price, but they will spend the time with you to get you the items identified and verified and often can get parts next day from Germany, so if time is an issue and no-one else can help, etc.

I have used lots of 'other' suppliers for various bits - too many to list....

Keep in touch!

Best,

Martin.

Edited by BMW250L on Tuesday 29th November 16:17

[Carsie]

Nice project

Can I make a suggestion? - Spend some time on Retrorides, there's a mine of information, help and good banter on there regarding welding and panel forming.

There is one person on there who stands tall and that's a chap called Tony. Read his Vauxhall Victor build to see how panels and complex curves should be made; he is one of the best panel men I have ever seen.

p.s he also has a penchant for BMW's

http://www.tonybmw.co.uk/

[bob1179]

Any updates OP?

This looks like it will be a fantastic project. I love old BMW's.

[0a]

Rare car, I love them even though they were before my time. I give them far more attention than any Ferrari!

Great project OP, I look forward to seeing the end result (as I'm sure you do, and your Dad).

[Ruskie]

BMW250L said:

Hi Andrew,

I think you have seen my resto thread on the BMW Forum already;

http://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/e3-owners-where-are-...



I would be happy to provide any help and advise you need and put you in touch with the peoiple I used and the parts suppliers.

Mainly I used, and as suggested already, Walloth and Nesch are very good and competitively priced. But, it take time to arrive from Germany - sometimes upto a week, but they will give a discount for a 'bulk' order and the courier cost are more acceptable also.

Jaymic are great and will often get parts to you next day, but they are, in my opinion, quite expensive and if they do not have the part in stock then you have to wait over a week, as they only do a weekly order to Germany.

BMW Classic Park Lane are very good, but like all BMW Dealers, they are top price, but they will spend the time with you to get you the items identified and verified and often can get parts next day from Germany, so if time is an issue and no-one else can help, etc.

I have used lots of 'other' suppliers for various bits - too many to list....

Keep in touch!

Best,

Martin.

Edited by BMW250L on Tuesday 29th November 16:17

That is stunning. Top work!