My E30 M3, the story so far......
Discussion
NOVEMBER 2018
Much progress has been made with IIB so its time for a big update.
As work progressed at the bodyshop it was decided that there was no point messing about so i got the car recovered back to my workshop so i could remove all the remaining parts such as the engine and gear box, all brake and fuel pipes, fuel tank, complete body loom and every last clip, fitting and grommet from the engine bay and underside.
Underside with all but the axles removed. In pretty good shape with a lot of the original beige underseal visible.
The underside came up well after careful cleaning to reveal more of the beige underseal and the black paint in the wheel arches as per original factory finish.
After removing the bulkhead sound insulation i was a little startled initially as it looked covered in surface rust at first glance but the majority of it was just some of the reverse side of the insulation that had stuck to the metal bulkhead, this just scraped off easily to reveal a solid bulkhead.
The inside of the bulkhead in excellent shape.
Back at the bodyshop with both axles removed.
A thorough inspection of inside the wheel arches and underside for any crusty bits or loose underseal meant grinding it back to metal to repair any corrosion however minor.
After repairs were completed and corrosion cleaned, areas were etch primed then 3M spray sealed.
Various brackets removed, repaired and cleaned before going back on.
Some of the areas repaired and the bulkhead cleaned up of that insulation residue.
Underside completely painted in beige colour matched to the original factory sealer, wheel arches blown in matt black as per factory.
All underside and wheel arch repairs completed and how the shell looks now, work has started on bare metaling the top side of the shell as......
This is why the panels need to be taken back to bare metal, several layers of old paint would just mean trouble for the new paint with sinkage, cracking etc.
As the engine is now out i got it on a stand to start work on it.
Stripped to a bare block and head for all the ancillaries and throttle bodies to be improved cosmetically.
Still spotlessly clean internally and seeing as it was rebuilt by BBR approximately 60k miles ago and makes good power im undecided wether to completely strip it but the minimum it will get are a set of rod bearings and ARP rod bolts as well as replacing the Schrick 264 cams for the 284/272 ones i have for it.
Much progress has been made with IIB so its time for a big update.
As work progressed at the bodyshop it was decided that there was no point messing about so i got the car recovered back to my workshop so i could remove all the remaining parts such as the engine and gear box, all brake and fuel pipes, fuel tank, complete body loom and every last clip, fitting and grommet from the engine bay and underside.
Underside with all but the axles removed. In pretty good shape with a lot of the original beige underseal visible.
The underside came up well after careful cleaning to reveal more of the beige underseal and the black paint in the wheel arches as per original factory finish.
After removing the bulkhead sound insulation i was a little startled initially as it looked covered in surface rust at first glance but the majority of it was just some of the reverse side of the insulation that had stuck to the metal bulkhead, this just scraped off easily to reveal a solid bulkhead.
The inside of the bulkhead in excellent shape.
Back at the bodyshop with both axles removed.
A thorough inspection of inside the wheel arches and underside for any crusty bits or loose underseal meant grinding it back to metal to repair any corrosion however minor.
After repairs were completed and corrosion cleaned, areas were etch primed then 3M spray sealed.
Various brackets removed, repaired and cleaned before going back on.
Some of the areas repaired and the bulkhead cleaned up of that insulation residue.
Underside completely painted in beige colour matched to the original factory sealer, wheel arches blown in matt black as per factory.
All underside and wheel arch repairs completed and how the shell looks now, work has started on bare metaling the top side of the shell as......
This is why the panels need to be taken back to bare metal, several layers of old paint would just mean trouble for the new paint with sinkage, cracking etc.
As the engine is now out i got it on a stand to start work on it.
Stripped to a bare block and head for all the ancillaries and throttle bodies to be improved cosmetically.
Still spotlessly clean internally and seeing as it was rebuilt by BBR approximately 60k miles ago and makes good power im undecided wether to completely strip it but the minimum it will get are a set of rod bearings and ARP rod bolts as well as replacing the Schrick 264 cams for the 284/272 ones i have for it.
DECEMBER 2018
Getting closer and closer now! The engine bay mid prep.
All of the remaining panels not being replaced now in bare metal to get rid of the multiple layers of previous paint.
Etch primed.
High build primed.
The arduous task of blocking down the primer to get a perfect surface for the base and lacquer.
Painting is imminent!
Getting closer and closer now! The engine bay mid prep.
All of the remaining panels not being replaced now in bare metal to get rid of the multiple layers of previous paint.
Etch primed.
High build primed.
The arduous task of blocking down the primer to get a perfect surface for the base and lacquer.
Painting is imminent!
Col 666 said:
Amazing work, will you still be tracking it as much now its basically a brand new car?!
oh, and that General Lee Charger
Good question!oh, and that General Lee Charger
People track brand new cars worth a LOT more so why not?
In all seriousness i doubt it but the car will be getting ceramic coated and some PPF on the front end so it may still complete the odd ring lap on a Euro trip.
BSSBMW said:
We have some colour!
Fresh lachs silver looks great compared to when its dull and flat but i guess you can say that about pretty much any paint colour. Cant wait to see it in sunlight and even more so looking forward to fitting it back up!
Very pleased with how it has turned out.
BSSBMW said:
DECEMBER 2018
Getting closer and closer now! The engine bay mid prep.
All of the remaining panels not being replaced now in bare metal to get rid of the multiple layers of previous paint.
Etch primed.
High build primed.
The arduous task of blocking down the primer to get a perfect surface for the base and lacquer.
Painting is imminent!
Long time no speak Barry dude! Nice to see you're doing well and this project looks like it will keep you busy Getting closer and closer now! The engine bay mid prep.
All of the remaining panels not being replaced now in bare metal to get rid of the multiple layers of previous paint.
Etch primed.
High build primed.
The arduous task of blocking down the primer to get a perfect surface for the base and lacquer.
Painting is imminent!
Beautiful car! I love E30s, my father took me back home from the hospital when I was born in one, and looking at photographs of the ones he owned back then makes me really long after one. However with my own little one on the way, I think I have to wait.
So good to see the pictures you’ve posted of one being treated so well, keep going!
So good to see the pictures you’ve posted of one being treated so well, keep going!
Thanks for the kind words guys.
Safely delivered back at my workshop today so can press on over the xmas/new year break.
Very pleased with how the factory look has turned out. The aim was to replicate what was there before but without the corrosion and flaky sealer. Beige underseal and just the right amount of body colour over spray along with the black inner wheel arches faded in.
Every orifice from the inside out has been liberally filled with Bolt Hamber UC cavity wax to keep the rust at bay.
Safely delivered back at my workshop today so can press on over the xmas/new year break.
Very pleased with how the factory look has turned out. The aim was to replicate what was there before but without the corrosion and flaky sealer. Beige underseal and just the right amount of body colour over spray along with the black inner wheel arches faded in.
Every orifice from the inside out has been liberally filled with Bolt Hamber UC cavity wax to keep the rust at bay.
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