1996 328i Sport
Discussion
Here we have my 1996 328i sport.
It was a long time coming and i finally found something close to my dream spec. Preface-lift, blue, manual, A/C. It's missing a sunroof but from what i know that makes it rarer than it already is and might be why it has virtually no rust as of now.
Unfortunately the alternator decided it didn't want to work on the M25 on my way home but one love tap later the alternator started pumping out 14v again and has been solid since although it is being taken out later today for a refurb.
I dont have too many plans for the car beyond returning it to its former glory, it does require a fair bit of paint due to sun damage on one side but ive found virtually no rust on the car and that was always my biggest concern.
Car is off for new rear tyres this afternoon, then alternator out for refurb. Alignment in the coming weeks to try and resolve the excessive rear toe and get it driving straight. Last problem to solve short term is airbag light so i can get i through the mot due in the next 2 months then on to enjoy a summer of road trips and sunshine!
It was a long time coming and i finally found something close to my dream spec. Preface-lift, blue, manual, A/C. It's missing a sunroof but from what i know that makes it rarer than it already is and might be why it has virtually no rust as of now.
Unfortunately the alternator decided it didn't want to work on the M25 on my way home but one love tap later the alternator started pumping out 14v again and has been solid since although it is being taken out later today for a refurb.
I dont have too many plans for the car beyond returning it to its former glory, it does require a fair bit of paint due to sun damage on one side but ive found virtually no rust on the car and that was always my biggest concern.
Car is off for new rear tyres this afternoon, then alternator out for refurb. Alignment in the coming weeks to try and resolve the excessive rear toe and get it driving straight. Last problem to solve short term is airbag light so i can get i through the mot due in the next 2 months then on to enjoy a summer of road trips and sunshine!
WillCFord said:
They're 17s, unfortunately the previous owner let the wheels do the rolling of the arches so it needs some underseal type paint to stop the dreaded rust. The lips also would benefit from a polish but centres are very clean.
Well I'm sure you'll be able to sort that easy enough
I had the rare 18s on my 1st E39; bought them dirt cheap too and now they're worth a fortune!
I removed the clear coat on the lips of mine and hand polished them with Autosol; they came up really well. Not perfect, but you'd have to be really up close and personal with them to see.
Did it by hand and then used a drill attachment to really get the shine up on them; unmarked OEM silver centres, lovely wheels
I have fond memories of these, my first boss had one. In 1997 as a 17yo who had no clue how to drive properly I was allowed to borrow it for the weekend. Much fun and stupidity ensued and I've always had a soft spot for these since, albeit never owned one.
I will be following this and hope it goes well.
I will be following this and hope it goes well.
Lemanandbeyond said:
I have fond memories of these, my first boss had one. In 1997 as a 17yo who had no clue how to drive properly I was allowed to borrow it for the weekend. Much fun and stupidity ensued and I've always had a soft spot for these since, albeit never owned one.
I will be following this and hope it goes well.
Haha sounds like your boss must've liked you! I'm only 19 and I'm lucky I get good insurance prices for most carsI will be following this and hope it goes well.
Two brand new Michelin pilot sport 4s fitted courtesy of Redline Tyres in Cheddar. Would recommend them, competitive prices and they're currently setting up a ramp with 4 wheel alignment equipment so will be back their soon for that.
Alternator is on its way out but need to borrow a socket as I haven't got the correct 16mm and don't want to risk rounding it as clearly hasn't moving in 25 years.
Sf_Manta said:
Absolutely love the colour 
I know a man who's a dab hand in restoring these, if any major work or if you want to spice up the M52 some. Talk to Carpetsoiler (Sam)
Thanks! I love the colour and it'll look even better once it gets painted in the winter.I know a man who's a dab hand in restoring these, if any major work or if you want to spice up the M52 some. Talk to Carpetsoiler (Sam)
I plan to try and keep the budget under control where I can by dojgn things myself, I don't see myself outsourcing anything besides the paint work and maybe restoring of all the window /exterior rubber trims
d_a_n1979 said:
WillCFord said:
They're 17s, unfortunately the previous owner let the wheels do the rolling of the arches so it needs some underseal type paint to stop the dreaded rust. The lips also would benefit from a polish but centres are very clean.
Well I'm sure you'll be able to sort that easy enough
I had the rare 18s on my 1st E39; bought them dirt cheap too and now they're worth a fortune!
I removed the clear coat on the lips of mine and hand polished them with Autosol; they came up really well. Not perfect, but you'd have to be really up close and personal with them to see.
Did it by hand and then used a drill attachment to really get the shine up on them; unmarked OEM silver centres, lovely wheels
They are my favourite wheel of all time
Nice 328i coupe
B'stard Child said:
I have a set of 18's and a set of 17's (both in staggered set up) the 17's will be for road tyres and the 18's for slicks on my track car when I finish it
They are my favourite wheel of all time
Nice 328i coupe
Thanks! the wheels have grown on me a lot tbh, with some love they'll grow on me more!They are my favourite wheel of all time
Nice 328i coupe
WillCFord said:
B'stard Child said:
I have a set of 18's and a set of 17's (both in staggered set up) the 17's will be for road tyres and the 18's for slicks on my track car when I finish it
They are my favourite wheel of all time
Nice 328i coupe
Thanks! the wheels have grown on me a lot tbh, with some love they'll grow on me more!They are my favourite wheel of all time
Nice 328i coupe
1. The correct multispline bit
2. Decent paint stripper (not Nitromor as that won't touch the laquer)
3. A few sheets of wet and dry
4. An alloy polishing kit (got mine from ebay)
5, The correct tap (it's a bloody odd size) to clean the threads
They look really good in the pictures proving that bloody cameras do lie - they were awful condition
Became
I needed to make sure I didn't lose the bolts (They are titanium BTW and a really unusual thread size)
And the centres got blasted and coated
The alloy once the laquer was removed seemed to be black to the core and wouldn't polish so I threw it all in the garage loft and forgot about them for a few years
Finally 7 years later I have......
After
Detail
I'll try and find the tap and correct multispline bits I bought to get the sizes/ID for you.
You need to clean the thread holes out really well after polishing so that the threads don't bind when use use thread locking compound to lock them in
The bolt threads also take forever to clean up to spotless ready for the thread lock
B'stard Child said:
They are very easy to refurb yourself with
1. The correct multispline bit
2. Decent paint stripper (not Nitromor as that won't touch the laquer)
3. A few sheets of wet and dry
4. An alloy polishing kit (got mine from ebay)
5, The correct tap (it's a bloody odd size) to clean the threads
They look really good in the pictures proving that bloody cameras do lie - they were awful condition
Became
I needed to make sure I didn't lose the bolts (They are titanium BTW and a really unusual thread size)
And the centres got blasted and coated
The alloy once the laquer was removed seemed to be black to the core and wouldn't polish so I threw it all in the garage loft and forgot about them for a few years
Finally 7 years later I have......
After
Detail
I'll try and find the tap and correct multispline bits I bought to get the sizes/ID for you.
You need to clean the thread holes out really well after polishing so that the threads don't bind when use use thread locking compound to lock them in
The bolt threads also take forever to clean up to spotless ready for the thread lock
Yeah I intend to do them myself, the centres don't need refurbing thankfully, I see you left the tyres on so that's a good sign. I do have the right multispline as I already had to do some work on my other bbs splits. Will keep you updated, its on the list to atleast see if polish is all it needs1. The correct multispline bit
2. Decent paint stripper (not Nitromor as that won't touch the laquer)
3. A few sheets of wet and dry
4. An alloy polishing kit (got mine from ebay)
5, The correct tap (it's a bloody odd size) to clean the threads
They look really good in the pictures proving that bloody cameras do lie - they were awful condition
Became
I needed to make sure I didn't lose the bolts (They are titanium BTW and a really unusual thread size)
And the centres got blasted and coated
The alloy once the laquer was removed seemed to be black to the core and wouldn't polish so I threw it all in the garage loft and forgot about them for a few years
Finally 7 years later I have......
After
Detail
I'll try and find the tap and correct multispline bits I bought to get the sizes/ID for you.
You need to clean the thread holes out really well after polishing so that the threads don't bind when use use thread locking compound to lock them in
The bolt threads also take forever to clean up to spotless ready for the thread lock
WillCFord said:
Yeah I intend to do them myself, the centres don't need refurbing thankfully, I see you left the tyres on so that's a good sign. I do have the right multispline as I already had to do some work on my other bbs splits. Will keep you updated, its on the list to atleast see if polish is all it nedds
Unfortunately I did take the tyres off they were past saving and my garage loft wasn't large enough to store the wheels with tyres on - I had new ones fitted after they were re-assembled - what I would say is that if there is any blackness in the alloy underneath the lacquer it will not polish - it'll just make a sort of wet ally grinding paste that leaves a depression in the alloyGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff