1988 Alpine White Convertible Build

[KIRIEIW]

Hey Guys! Well I bought another e30 this afternoon. It's probably the most neglected one I've ever bought, but I still see tons of potential in it. It wasn't posted on Craigslist, I actually found it driving in a non familiar neighborhood about two weeks ago. One of the technicians at my work wanted me to do a quick "QC" Smog Readiness test drive on a diesel 335i. I put on about 5 miles on the car and then spotted this thing. I immediately pulled over to take a look at it. Mold all over the paint, spiderwebs, but it did have a crack free dash and decent interior so I quickly wrote down the address and carried on with my work.

I ended up stopping by the next day and she told me she's been meaning to do something with the car and she'd be interested in selling it, her plans where to actually donate it. After talking a little with her and getting a closer look at the car (opening the hood, doors, ect) I come to find out she bought this thing BRAND NEW in 1988!

Today I basically just gave it a good wash, the water was white from oxidation the first few times I sprayed it down but it's getting better and the paint definitely has some shine left. There's $800 in back fee's, plus what I payed her but what can you do this car needed to be rescued. Tomorrow I'll give it a good polish and make a list of part's I'll need to get this sucker running!



Driving by (not the same car I was driving when I found it)

[KIRIEIW]

Pushed onto the street for the first time in who knows how long, out front of her house. Easily a $3 million dollar house, was beautiful inside with a 3 car garage on the side (why this poor e30 wasn't in there is beyond me). I hosed it down with water while waiting on the tow truck driver until I gave it a real wash in my driveway.





Cleaning the engine bay/ car













And the paint now, no it's not wet with water it was dry in this pic.

[margas]

That cleaned up well. Nice find.

[N2MYE30]

in for the revival!

[KIRIEIW]

Thanks guys, gotta love single stage paint! Funny enough she told me that if I ever decide to resell the car when it's cleaned up to give her the first opportunity to buy it back. Today I'll most likely be pulling the seats out and giving the car a good detail inside. Smells a little moldy inside, I'll need to investigate.

[jpod999]

Thanks guys, gotta love single stage paint! Funny enough she told me that if I ever decide to resell the car when it's cleaned up to give her the first opportunity to buy it back. Today I'll most likely be pulling the seats out and giving the car a good detail inside. Smells a little moldy inside, I'll need to investigate.

Wow that's cool. It sounds like she likes the car and wants to bring it back to its former glory but has no idea where to start. Enjoy it!

[KIRIEIW]

Got a ton of work done today. First off I clay bar'd the car once more, polished all the paint, and sealed it with sealant. Took about 2.5 to 3 hours or so but it was time well spent. Then I removed all the seats and gave the car a much needed vacuum, along with conditioning the leather seats. I found a spare key inside the car today which was cool but its a little.. well rusty. I'm actually quite surprised, the interior and exterior on the car is cleaning up rather well and better then expected. Lastly I removed the aftermarket Hofco alarm (actually the alarm removal was the first thing I did today starting at 11am). I did it the right way and removed EVERY single god damn wire. The person who installed it actually did a pretty good job, but it didn't seem to work when I connected a battery to the car today plus that siren in the engine bay just had to go.. so ugly! Oh ya, some really good news for me, the car still has the original BMW convertible top and the rear window is the zip in kind, I got LUCKY!

Let the pictures speak for themselves, it was a long day.

[N2MYE30]

Looking great! Top tip...I have found that the Magic eraser works wonders on the vinyl's.

[Alpina]

Very nice color combo,,, white and black,,, is that ...rare in the states,, regarding convertible E30 ?

[pilotskillse30]

Awesome recovery

[spiDmang]

solid work!

[KIRIEIW]

Looking great! Top tip...I have found that the Magic eraser works wonders on the vinyl's.

Sweet thanks for the tip, door panels can defiantly use a good scrub!

Very nice color combo,,, white and black,,, is that ...rare in the states,, regarding convertible E30 ?

I don't want to say rare, but most of the convertibles in the states tend to have tan interior. The plus side is a lot of the convertibles in the states have seat heaters :D

[KIRIEIW]

Got a ton of parts today, should be busy this weekend.

[bostonvert]

nice find, glad she is getting some love. Are you keeping it stock?

[jeenyus]

great find. Cleaned up super nice.