Josh's '88 E30 316 Project

[JoshH]

Well there's a large amount of fate involved here!

For years I've walked past and admired a whiteE30 coupe just 2 streets away from me! Last week I finally decided it was time to drop a note on the windscreen asking if they'd ever sell call me.

A week passed by and I'd not heard a thing so had given up hope. Then out of the blue, received a phone call from the owner! He'd been thinking of selling as he and his wife didn't need 2 cars any more. Turns out he was the second owner, he'd owned it 13 years the same as the original owner!

Result! Went to see it, few issues that need sorting, unloved paintwork. But the bonus was, on the whole it's rust free! Some surface rusting on patches of bodywork but arches seem ok, as does engine bay. There's a section around the drivers side wiper that will need cutting out and replacing.

I ended up getting it for £600.

It's a facelift, poverty spec, non PAS, carbed 316! Paintwork had plenty of green slime and stains. And was totally flat, no reflections. Nothing.

That's enough for one post, here's some pics!

[JoshH]

The grime.

[vRS Joe]

I too have a strange liking of the E30's

Are there any plans for more power?

I'll be watching with interest.

[JoshH]

Are there any plans for more power?

Of course

Either an 150bhp M42 1.8 from the 318is to retain the 4 pot balance in the car - the M3's were 4 pots bored out to a 2.3ltr.

Or, an M52 2.8 from the later BM's and around 200+bhp but more weight over the front end. Likely to go down this route!

[TriggerFish]

E30 fwend! I hope yours isn't as crap as mine was!

 

I'd go for the M52 if it were me. Should be able to get 230bhp I think with the M50(?) manifold. Should have a nice turn of speed at that power.

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

Niiice, I saw the steering wheel picture on instagram, was intrigued. Keep us updated on how it goes! 

[JoshH]

Ok so, my list of problems initially were:

Water in rear foot wells, none seemed up front - assumed window or door seal etc. this is a non sunroof car.

Tach, mpg needle and water temp not working on clocks.

Battery drain somewhere, battery dying overnight.

Since then I've added - new speakers required, new aerial, full service.

[JoshH]

So the cleanup started!

Snow foamed with a whole load of G101 in the foam to try and soften the grime.

To be fair, it did a bloody good job! I continued to de tar, fallout removal then clay a final wash and dry.

Paintwork was left in its completely matte state so I got out the good old DA and set to work with a blue pad and some Megs 205 here's some before/afters!

Here the top 2/3 of the bonnet had been done. Then second picture all done.

[JoshH]

Moving on to the actual problems with the old girl!

First up, the water!

I started the task of removing the carpet, which is a right pain with a broken arm and a carpet that must be holding 10 litres of more of water!

It was pretty obvious the water wasn't coming in from the back, but the passenger side bulkhead! Spot where the waters coming in...

So I soon discovered the 'elephant trunk' or scuttle drain pipe totally blocked causing water to flood into the car in heavy downfalls, cleared that out and blasted the scuttle out a bit plus poorer many jugs of water in and no more leaks. Triggerfish....I wasn't brave enough to go digging for that source of rusty water :( not just yet anyway.

Here's the rest of the footwells (flooded), thankfully all in good order. That spot of rust on drivers footwell is solid. I chipped away the surface and its rock hard underneath. But will need sorting.

Ps. Spot the speaker bodge!!!

[BossFox]

You do seem to come across some nice cars.

Going to run this alongside the RS then?

[TriggerFish]

Looks fairly solid that I've seen worse anyway! Lots of water in the last photo though!

 

Rear footwells: I'd be willing to bet it's the rear light seals. They perish, leak, and water runs through the boot, across the rear seat bench and collects in the footwells. £16 a side from BMW I think (although I ordered mine last year, might have changed). http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1112&mospid=47263&btnr=63_0192&hg=63&fg=20

 

If you've not seen it already, RealOEM is an amazingly useful resource (never found a VAG alternative). Also, Cotswold BMW parts department are on lots of forums and offer discounted rates, very good service, and will happily post stuff out. I've not found a cheaper source for (most) genuine parts yet. BMW TIS (dealer workshop manual/troubleshooting guide) is a useful bit of software too, although E30zone etc. often have better guides now due to the colour photos.

[B33fy]

Coming up a treat, looks great. M3 Evo transplant???...

[sigarland1987]

Really interesting project, like the idea of it having the 2.8 straight six in this. Also really sad but like seeing it come back to life with the cleaning

[JoshH]

You do seem to come across some nice cars.

Going to run this alongside the RS then?

Yes for the time being at least! You know what I'm like with changing cars!

[JoshH]

Looks fairly solid that I've seen worse anyway! Lots of water in the last photo though!

Rear footwells: I'd be willing to bet it's the rear light seals. They perish, leak, and water runs through the boot, across the rear seat bench and collects in the footwells. £16 a side from BMW I think (although I ordered mine last year, might have changed). http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1112&mospid=47263&btnr=63_0192&hg=63&fg=20

If you've not seen it already, RealOEM is an amazingly useful resource (never found a VAG alternative). Also, Cotswold BMW parts department are on lots of forums and offer discounted rates, very good service, and will happily post stuff out. I've not found a cheaper source for (most) genuine parts yet. BMW TIS (dealer workshop manual/troubleshooting guide) is a useful bit of software too, although E30zone etc. often have better guides now due to the colour photos.

Cheers dude, water came in as the elephant trunk in the bulkhead blocked. However I feel it'd be blocked a long old time hence the huge amount of standing water. The water itself made its way in through the bulkhead wiring grommet. Rust has started to creep in belowthe grommet also So needs attention soon.

I definitely need those rear light seals as the wheel arch well in the boot has water in too.

Thanks for the helpful links too really appreciate that I will check them out

[TriggerFish]

I'd never heard of the elephant trunk before, but at least it's a nice easy fix

 

I checked mine today. I'm not sure if it was a mouse, or a really retarded previous owner...

 

 

 

So thanks for enlightening me to that potential source of leaks!

[JoshH]

I'd never heard of the elephant trunk before, but at least it's a nice easy fix

I checked mine today. I'm not sure if it was a mouse, or a really retarded previous owner...

So thanks for enlightening me to that potential source of leaks!

Wow, I idea what all that is in there lol!

This is the little pipe that'd blocked,

[TriggerFish]

Yeah, it was blocked solid on mine too (nothing a screwdriver couldn't shift though), but after removing it I noticed there was still stuff in the hole, so removed the cover to find that lot. I'd love to know why someone thought it was a good idea!

[JoshH]

Soak up moisture maybe haha? Didn't know you could access the scuttle through there. Will check mine out tomorrow. See if I can find some weird stuff too.

I did find a mouldy stick under the rear carpets!?

[J306TD]

We're you in Newtown earlier?

Sent from my Galaxy S5

[JoshH]

We're you in Newtown earlier?

Sent from my Galaxy S5

No mate, miles away - Cardiff!

Found an E30 friend today!

[stu_mcl]

Very nice, the only shape of beemers i like

If your looking for more ideas for more power, id recomend youtubing "e30 2jz" so much awesomeness

[Mikek3111]

Was looking for a white tourer a few years back, but could only find complete rust buckets.

[JoshH]

A lots happened!

July 2015-

Many many in between bits.

Cars been practically rebuilt everything new and upgraded.

Engine is a 2.8 230bhp from an E36, LSD, stripped out, roll cage end of this month, coilovers, polybushes etc etc!

[Dark_Hero]

Wow! Awesome update