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    How bad was this damage?

    I doubt many of you know me. I havent been active in like 10 years, but I finally have another e30 (well, I got it 4 years ago but its been in storage and I just now really have any time to work on it) and I'm concerned that history is repeating itself.

    I tried finding the post, but I think it's just too old. The first e30 I bought was an 88(89?) 325i in zino (I think). After getting rear ended the body shop found that the front frame rails had been chopped and welded back together and the car was entirely unsafe to drive. I sold it and bought the black '91 that someone on here owns now I think (black sports interior, creme carpet, Dinan exhaust, suspension, strut tower bar, 4.10LSD.. I miss it).

    Well, a long time went by, and then in 2008 my awesome girlfriend bought em an '89 325i in red... not sure what red, from a guy named Doug Thoms who runs D-Craft Mortorsports and is the Chief Instructor and boar member of the Northern Ohio CCA. She did this as a birthday present and I didn't know about it until after we took delivery.

    The car was in a front end collision. I noticed it right away as there are some front end parts from earlier years, and it has an ETA cooling system. I asked Doug about it and he said it was minor.

    When I finally got a chance to tear into it, I found that the floorpans and transmission tunnel were severely rusted. The firewall gasket for the heater core had been improperly installed and was allowing water to run down the tunnel and pool in the floorpans. Doug seemed shocked when I told him. He apologized and offered to repair all the rust for less than $1000. Most of the underbody in the cabin is now fairly thick sheet steel treated with POR15. Something stuck with me about it, though. He said the firewall gasket was put on incorrectly at the factory and this was likely a tiny bit of water every once in a while slowly rusting things. Something didn't sit right with me.

    Anyway, the car has been in storage for the past 2 years as I've not had any time to do anything with it. Recently, I've been looking for a large garage to rent to work on the restoration. The car is fine as it is, it's just a well-worn e30. I want to refresh everything from the suspension up to the moonroof.

    When poking around the engine bay to see how much non-89 325i crap was in there, I noticed some rust along the inside fenders. I had never seen rust there before, but it looks as if there are welds starting to break down and bleed rust through the paint. Further inspection leads me to believe that both fenders are reproductions as they have overspray, and under the underspray is matte black. Additionally, when shining a very bright light into the paint on the right door, I can see a shadow of black under the paint.

    The ABS harness has also been split open and redone. There are several other telltale signs that everything front of the engine has been shoddily replaced. It is certainly not a 'repair like new' piece of work.

    My concern is that the front end damage is far worse than I was led to believe. Also that the collision involved the passenger door as it too appears to be black under the red paint. I don't really want to put any money into this car if it's been rebuilt like that... Dented fenders and broken plastic replaced? Fine. Structural bits sawed off and welded back together? No way.

    Here are some pics of the welds I was talking about. The black hinges are for the hood. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. In a few weeks I'll be taking the car to Twin Star here in Richmond for a full checkout. (click for larger)

    Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooywvRgDw4k





    Last edited by KeithV; 04-21-2012, 06:01 PM.
    1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
    1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
    2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

    #2
    OH SHOOT...
    That's good for a parts car

































    Comment


      #3
      I honestly wouldn't know bud... I'm not a damage expert
      BUT... mad props to you if you decide to keep and rebuild it correctly and tastefully

      Comment


        #4
        I'd say sell it.
        The first car I ever rode in was an e30

        Originally posted by Cabriolet
        Wish you the best and hope you don't remember anything after 10pm.



        1992 Mauritiusblau Vert
        2011 Alpinweiss 335is coupe

        2002 540i/6 Black/Black
        2003 GSX-R 750 (RIP)

        Comment


          #5
          For me it would depend on how far and involved u want to take the restoration..
          .ive dumped my last two e30s bc there were issues body (particularly rust wise) that I knew would either come back to haunt me....something that can easily be overlooked by anyone else but me.

          It was probably the best decision I made...bc I found (my current) e30 after searching for a while that had the best 'bones' to work with....granted the car was automatic and had poor paint (but original) at the time I bought it....what really sold me was how little rust, unmolested, all original body panels.

          With that said....your concerns would def be mine as well. For me....it's one thing to have to replace a fender, door, or rusted valence repair....but from looking at the video...it looks like it could've been a pretty significant repair job if in fact it was welded at those points.

          If your intentions are to have a daily driver or track car...I would probably still keep it....but if your trying to build a showcase car I'd sell it.
          www.instagram.com/snwmble
          #snwmble

          Current:
          '05 BMW M3 - Silver Grey/Imola Red
          '90 BMW 325iX - Sterling Silver/Houndstooth sport(5-speed converted)
          '15 Mini Countryman - Blazing Red/Carbon Black

          Past:
          '01 Audi Allroad - Light Silver/Platinum Saber Black
          '88 BMW 325iX - Diamond Schwarz/Silver sport *Sold*
          '01.5 1.8TQ - Brilliant Black/Nogaro Alcantara ...after 8.5yrs, *Sold* =(
          '90 BMW 325i - Schwarz/Tan sport *Sold*
          '89 BMW 325ix - Diamond Schwarz/Black sport *Sold*

          Comment


            #6
            Not looking to build a showcase car. Just something that looks acceptable and is safe to drive. My concern is that the repair was done poorly or the damage was too extensive. My first e30 had such extensive front end damage that the guy at the body shop help make a simple dent repair from a low-speed rear-end so expensive they totalled it. He actually called me and asked me to come down to the shop so he could show me where someone welded the frame rails back together.

            Ultimately I'd like to either do a built M20 or swap in an S52/M50. I just want something that I can drive on nice summer days and take to the occasional E30 meet.

            I'm going to take it to Twin Star soon and have them look over the repairs and what impact they may be having on the vehicles geometry. I'll make a decision from there.
            1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
            1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
            2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

            Comment


              #7
              Dang you're an OG.
              Joined in 2003. Awesome you're back!
              Just start with a cleaner shell
              Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

              1989 BMW 325i SOLD
              1998 BMW Estoril Blue e36 M3/4/5 SOLD
              1987 BMW 325 (The Piece) SOLD
              1991 BMW 318is S52 swap (The Beast) Now Driving Project Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=234207

              Comment


                #8
                I drive James' E30 before he had a drivers license :woowoo:
                1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
                1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
                2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

                Comment


                  #9
                  its not that bad, if it bothers you that much sell it and buy a non welded one...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Does anyone know what part of the body that is? Is is structural?
                    1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
                    1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
                    2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by KeithV View Post
                      Does anyone know what part of the body that is? Is is structural?
                      That is on of the engine bay walls and its probably not a vital structural area.
                      Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                      1989 BMW 325i SOLD
                      1998 BMW Estoril Blue e36 M3/4/5 SOLD
                      1987 BMW 325 (The Piece) SOLD
                      1991 BMW 318is S52 swap (The Beast) Now Driving Project Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=234207

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by cjdontthink View Post
                        That is on of the engine bay walls and its probably not a vital structural area.
                        The frame rails looked fine. Looked like continuous metal with no repairs. I'm guessing the fenders were fucked and bent in the metal where they bolt on.

                        If that's the case, well... I still have to worry about the geometry, but if it's true I'll have the welds cleaned up and march onward.
                        1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
                        1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
                        2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Toss it on a frame rack, if its straight game on.. if not.. well.. you know the answer. One of our Pro3 cars is two E30's that were welded together REALLY early on in life. Straight as an arrow and tracks fine.

                          Oh and move back to Washington for F's sake

                          Comment


                            #14
                            the area that those welds are have nothing to do with structural integrity. If you have the car already, stay with it if it is in decent shape. Its not 2003 anymore-- there are very few clean straight accident/rustfree cars out there nowadays.

                            the floor are would bother me too- but if your not going for perfection/showcar quality- just drive it then.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by James Crivellone View Post
                              Toss it on a frame rack, if its straight game on.. if not.. well.. you know the answer. One of our Pro3 cars is two E30's that were welded together REALLY early on in life. Straight as an arrow and tracks fine.

                              Oh and move back to Washington for F's sake
                              Actually Robyn and I have talked about it a lot and the plan is to eventually end up there. We'll probably be visiting again in June (3rd-9th) if my performance center delivery dosen't end up being that week (I ordered a 128i). I'll let you know when we'll be in town.

                              Moving would go much more quickly if I could find a job there that pays something near what I currently earn. By the way I'm in IT now, currently working on a global SAP conversion for EsteƩ Lauder and planning a global business analytics team.
                              1991 Diamondschwarz 325i 5spd (SOLD)
                              1989 Zinno 325i 5spd (NEW)
                              2000 Nissan Maxima GLS Rollin' Phat (DD)

                              Comment

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