325TI - Project Mpact
Discussion
In case it's not obvious, continuously mentioning Artisan Metalcraft means that, if anyone searches Google for Artisan Metalcraft, the top result for Artisan Metalcraft will be this thread. So prospective customers can see the great work you've been doing. It's sort of a Pistonheads tradition to reward companies that do good work.
airsafari87 said:
Project Binky Mk2!!,
The level of thought & detail that is being put in to this, along with the fabrication skills shown is incredible.
I very nearly didn't click on the thread as the compact range isn't really my cup of tea. I'm glad I did now.
Bookmarked.
haha, i don't think it's quite project binky scale. I must admit, there is a lot of thinking in this......probably two parts thinking to one part making ratio .The level of thought & detail that is being put in to this, along with the fabrication skills shown is incredible.
I very nearly didn't click on the thread as the compact range isn't really my cup of tea. I'm glad I did now.
Bookmarked.
I don't blame you, compacts are an acquired taste
TartanPaint said:
airsafari87 said:
Why does everyone keep quoting Artisan MetalCraft ?
I'm not sure, but I think it's something to do with the Artisan MetalCraft Facebook page. There seem to be some picture of this project on the Artisan MetalCraft Facebook page, so maybe that's why everyone keeps quoting Artisan MetalCraft. Because of the Facebook page.RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Please could everyone stop posting about Artisan Metalcraft, so that when I need Artisan metalcraft to do some, Artisan metalcraft, on my BMW, Artisan metalcraft are available to do the work to an extremely, unbelievably, high standard?
I wonder what a BMW built to this standard would cost from the (Garching) factory?! They would have to contract Artisan MetalCraft first!
Yet again, another like minded chap has come across social media named 'Artisan MetalCraft' I wonder what a BMW built to this standard would cost from the (Garching) factory?! They would have to contract Artisan MetalCraft first!
haha, well in 2004 when this car was made i would have been 16..... I'm sure i could of pointed them in the wrong direction.
s m said:
Excellent skills
I've enjoyed my ti the most out of the E36/E46s I've owned. A friend who runs a local BMW breaker has done a few 330tis and with a LSD they are great little fun cars that can do all the daily stuff as well and sneak under the radar a bit
They are definitely an underrated car, a rear wheel drive hatch back with a bit of poke in it. That's the idea with this build, to sneak under the radar a bit .....unless i can't sell the M3 shell and the Compact becomes a wider arched Compact. I've enjoyed my ti the most out of the E36/E46s I've owned. A friend who runs a local BMW breaker has done a few 330tis and with a LSD they are great little fun cars that can do all the daily stuff as well and sneak under the radar a bit
stew-STR160 said:
Normally skip over BMW stuff, but the compact perked interest. Glad I looked now. Wow, what a project. I'm in for the long haul!
And just seen you're up the road in Ely. Might have to see if you can do some stuff for me at some point.
Usually it's the Compacts people skip over. Yes, a small village near Ely out in the sticks/fields, drop me an email if you need anything.And just seen you're up the road in Ely. Might have to see if you can do some stuff for me at some point.
Mr Tidy said:
Fantastic thread OP, and some amazing work on your car! 
I had an Imola Red 325ti Sport for a few years but replaced it in February with an E91 325i (it was supposed to be my vaguely practical car) but I still miss it.
But if Imola is quite rare, Estoril is like rocking horse poo - and that colour with an S54 is surely going to be unique!
I'm really looking forward to your updates!
Thank you, i was thinking off selling this years ago (wanted an Abarth 500) but i'm glad i kept it as i know i would of regretted it too!I had an Imola Red 325ti Sport for a few years but replaced it in February with an E91 325i (it was supposed to be my vaguely practical car) but I still miss it.
But if Imola is quite rare, Estoril is like rocking horse poo - and that colour with an S54 is surely going to be unique!
I'm really looking forward to your updates!
It is rare indeed, if it wasn't for the colour this build may not of happened!
Clivey said:
Having just started learning to weld, I’m in awe. I wish I had your skills! 
Will you be keeping the Compact’s front end, or converting that too? I’m not sure which option would be best.
It's just practice, practice, practice.....you will get the hang of it, if it's MIG welding It's the sound to listern for and the penetration profile, if it's TIG welding it's a nice clean molten puddle than can be contolled.Will you be keeping the Compact’s front end, or converting that too? I’m not sure which option would be best.
It will be keeping the Compact front end, quite like the roundy shape.
Usget said:
In case it's not obvious, continuously mentioning Artisan Metalcraft means that, if anyone searches Google for Artisan Metalcraft, the top result for Artisan Metalcraft will be this thread. So prospective customers can see the great work you've been doing. It's sort of a Pistonheads tradition to reward companies that do good work.
Haha, So you're saying that if Artisan MetalCraft is continuously mentioned people are brought to Pistonheads bringing Pistonheads more views via searches for Artisan MetalCraft? well i never.Well, after spending the last hour trying to reply to your kind comments (mainly due to my computer illiteracy, one key at a time). It's on to the build!
After a little bit of thinking something didn't quite look OEM enough, not that any of it will be seen after the interior is returned back to the vehicle.
So, these rings were made from 1.2mm steel. The inner edge will be fully welded to the inside of the 'tube' and the small holes around the edge are for puddle welds. The back side of the rings were sprayed in weld through primer.
After TIG welding the rings in and a clean up with a power file and grinder, this is how they look.
Almost like a little cup dropped in.
Following each uneven step/fold high or low area.
Much more OEM or Factory or OCD.
After a little bit of thinking something didn't quite look OEM enough, not that any of it will be seen after the interior is returned back to the vehicle.
So, these rings were made from 1.2mm steel. The inner edge will be fully welded to the inside of the 'tube' and the small holes around the edge are for puddle welds. The back side of the rings were sprayed in weld through primer.
After TIG welding the rings in and a clean up with a power file and grinder, this is how they look.
Almost like a little cup dropped in.
Following each uneven step/fold high or low area.
Much more OEM or Factory or OCD.
Edited by amc_adam on Friday 20th December 18:49
I thought this point would never come, the Prime and paint of the inside.
With everything cleaned, vacumed, wiped down, degreased it was time to start preping ready for final finish on the inside. My local Auto Factors mixed up some small aerosol cans of Estoril Blue and advised me on a primer to use (so it doesn't react).
The initial plan was to just blow in the areas that i had worked on and blend it in the existing paint inside the car, prior to spraying the car i done a couple of test sprays on some small metal sheets to check the colour match. This matched the exterior paint very well, but on the inside not so much.
I'm unsure why BMW never had the finish on the inside of there vehicles like the exterior, I only started noticing it on E46's .
With the bare metal areas primed this was left for a day or so to dry. Next step was to 'key' the surfaces, using the a ScotchBrite pad i roughed up any areas that had a shine to them, then panel wiped everthing twice.....or three times.
Onto the Final Finish (of the inside) in the Estoril Blue, this will be left un-lacquered.
With everything cleaned, vacumed, wiped down, degreased it was time to start preping ready for final finish on the inside. My local Auto Factors mixed up some small aerosol cans of Estoril Blue and advised me on a primer to use (so it doesn't react).
The initial plan was to just blow in the areas that i had worked on and blend it in the existing paint inside the car, prior to spraying the car i done a couple of test sprays on some small metal sheets to check the colour match. This matched the exterior paint very well, but on the inside not so much.
I'm unsure why BMW never had the finish on the inside of there vehicles like the exterior, I only started noticing it on E46's .
With the bare metal areas primed this was left for a day or so to dry. Next step was to 'key' the surfaces, using the a ScotchBrite pad i roughed up any areas that had a shine to them, then panel wiped everthing twice.....or three times.
Onto the Final Finish (of the inside) in the Estoril Blue, this will be left un-lacquered.
amc_adam said:
Usget said:
In case it's not obvious, continuously mentioning Artisan Metalcraft means that, if anyone searches Google for Artisan Metalcraft, the top result for Artisan Metalcraft will be this thread. So prospective customers can see the great work you've been doing. It's sort of a Pistonheads tradition to reward companies that do good work.
Haha, So you're saying that if Artisan MetalCraft is continuously mentioned people are brought to Pistonheads bringing Pistonheads more views via searches for Artisan MetalCraft? well i never.
RoverP6B said:
Slightly sad that an M3 Coupé shell has presumably bitten the dust (don't suppose you could rebuild it as an E46 325i with an M3 bodykit?), but the workmanship here is seriously good...
I wouldn't say it's bitten the dust, I'm sure it will be a nice project for someone else to take on. I did think about putting the 2.5 engine out the compact into it 
Thank you for the kind words
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