E30 1986 2-door from ESTONIA - restoration project.

[MarkoEST]

[MarkoEST]

Trunk trim removed and i was already ready for a nasty rusty surprise. But guess what, i think i got lucky.




Few rust spots but nothing major at the moment.

[MarkoEST]

It's a 35+ year old car and i have noticed rust underneath while doing all sorts of works, i had to come to the conclusion that something has to be done. From the factory line there won't be any more E30's so i decided to strip it apart and do all the bodywork, new paint and etc. That means lots of hours in the garage under the car and on the car and definately in the car.
But first things first. Lets start from the beginning.Project at it's place where it will be a unknown time cause i have no idea how long everything takes to make perfect for my eye. I have had many E30 in the past but i have never done this massive project. It will be my first but i bet it won't be my last. Just small steps cause i don't want to ruin anything.

Got rid of the tailights.



I hoped they will come loose easier but i didn't get my hopes high. Taillight nuts are so rusted they didn't even come loose. So half of it stcuk on the body.



An the other side. Same sad story.



Taillights are in one pice, but full of small cracks. Well it doesn't effect the top speed, but i don't like the way they look. And here again we hit to a problem. For a facelift model you have various of lights to choose but for the pre facelift there is not much for sale on the market. Get good used ones (if you can find) or walk through the dealership doors and buy brand spaking new ones. If you have the money. 1 pc of headlight is aprox 300 euros multiply by two and you get a 600 euro reciept. Funny thing is that this price is only tail lights, not rear covers included. Those are additional few extra buck if you can find them cause no longer available. Thats a perfect time to think before thowing the money at someone. As i mentioned before it doesn't affect the top speed so i leave them be and let's focus on more important things.

[MarkoEST]

Lets continue with te story of my E30. Cause at that point of my life i lived in a urban area which meant we had 5+ storey buldings and no parking space enouhgh, i called it a end to a driving season. I managed to find a roof for the car for a winter, so i called to a friend for a help. It's always good to have friends with towcar company.



The plan was to take it all apart and start with the bodywork. Because there are lots of places needs welding and as long i will push it further it will get worse. Decision has been made.



From this picture on you will only see more and more parts coming off of that car and more naked it will get when time passes. If i don't do it no one will.

[82eye]

nice work. keep it up.

[MarkoEST]

Sometimes luck is on our side. I have a same looking thread in one of the biggest Estonian BMW forums. One of the users if following my journey with the car and wrote me that he has something i might be intrested of. A petrol tank. He brought it himself from Germany 1994 and since then it has been lying in the attic and he wanted to sell me that because mine was not in a good condition. I asked hif if he could send me some pictures. He did. I know that these are very hard to find in decent condition and new one is over thousad euros. I was bit scared that he might be asking also big sum of money. But he vas an honest gentleman and told me he wont rob me and asked a hundred euros frr that tank. Trust me after that i jumped in my car and went to pick it up. This kind of deals wont come too often so i had to take it no matter what. I still owe him a BIG BIG thank you!
About the condition, i think you see it for yourself that this looks basically mint. Just dirty. No rust even on the surface. Nothing. Never been happier!

[MarkoEST]

In Estonia, big event is Youngtimer Camp where minimum 25 year old cars and enthusiasts meet. There are usually close to 400 different cars and models. 90% of them are from my country, but also cars from neighbour countries. This was my first but not the last attend. I took the picture little bit after the gates were opened to participants. So the line is quite short at the moment.



Driving to that event which was first time on the motorway i noticed that braking wasnt like it should be. The steeringwheel was shaking under the braking and then i realized that something has to be done. New brakes to the front. I have used many different makers over the time but this time i decided i should buy something nicer. So i went and brought home ATE made brakes.



Before:



And after. Used Foliatec caliper paint. It sticks quite good. Only thing that you have to paint it at least few times so the paint will cover it properly.



Unfortunately i broke one breakpipe so i replaced both sides.

[MarkoEST]

Im rolling on original BBS 15" wheels. Chances to find the hubcaps for those are pretty low and if you do, the prices are pretty high. But i got a message through instagram that one of my followers has them laying around in the dojo. So i contacted him and went to try them. Yes! Perfect match! And 20.- euros per pair.




Sequel to the previous post. I didnt like what i saw so i went to see the dealership. The bracket which is welded to the body are not available anymore. So i had to come up with a solution. Luckily there is one company in Norway https://e30garage.no/ and they are producing this bracket. 89.- euros included shipping and few weeks later i had this in my hand.




Just in case i bought one extra used one. Bracket or clamp which goes over the pump is pretty bad shape and no longer available.

[MarkoEST]

One morning i drove to work and smelled petrol but could find anything that leaked. But when i went to the smoke break i noticed some petrol stains under the car. I was pretty sure that some of the fuel hose or fuel line gone bad. What came out, fuel pump decided to pee itself. Great! At that time i worked in a carparts store and managed to find new pump from our warehouse. Just a friendly advice, dont buy Meat & Doria stuff. It squealed like a pig. But i had nothing else at the moment so i had to pleased that i even got something.



Fuel pump bracket almost rusted away. I had to use zipties to make it stay there.





Trust me, i didnt want to put it back like this but had no choice.

[MarkoEST]

Great work so far, thank you for positng!
Looks like you are going for an original restoration, trying to minimize modifications. It's a good option as these cars get older.

I've subscribed to this thread, looking forward to updates.

Yes, im trying to keep that close to original. Only small modification what would be is suspension (D2 coilovers) and small upgrade of the soundsystem. Everything else stays as you see.
Also i try to update it as much as i can. As you read, i bought it two years ago and lot has happend since then. But wait and youll see. :)

Thank you!

[MarkoEST]

Finally i got the stamp and car is road legal after 8 years of sitting in the garage. To be honest, i can not describe that happy feeling behind an old E30 wihtout any driving assistans. Just pure driving pleasure and the proper feel of the steering wheel.

Proper wash before hitting the road.

[Panici]

Great work so far, thank you for positng!
Looks like you are going for an original restoration, trying to minimize modifications. It's a good option as these cars get older.

I've subscribed to this thread, looking forward to updates.

[MarkoEST]

Propshaft got new u-joints, balanced and painted. Ready to be fitted.



Also the right window lifter stopped working. Took it apart and seems there is some electrical issue (im not an electrician) and also under the motor there is some kind of copper bushing which was broken in half. 3D printed new bushing but that solve my problem.







Went to the easiest way and bought new (used ones). You cant buy only motor, it comes with the window lifter and its a axpensive thing. Around 1200.- euros. Definately wont buy that.
Instead i got both used ones for 150.- euros. Good deal!

[MarkoEST]

Car is back on its own wheels but not drivable yet.



New original heatshiled and muffler attachment clamps from Bosal.





Exhaust fitted. Also made by Bosal. It was the most wallet friendly solution for me. And i dont need huge noise making exhaust so this is ideal for me and what is more imortant, it looks very close to original one.

[MarkoEST]

Snapped bolts on 35+ year old car is nothing new. It happens and luckily welding helps.



Half an hour and eight nuts later.



New axle fitted.