My first E30- '91 325ix 2-dr 5 speed

[NCTerp]

Picked up so far:
- Compression test gauge from Harbor Freight. Hope it works, it was cheap, and feels like it.
- replacement left rear brake/ lens assembly (existing one cracked/hole)
- plastic rectangular molding pieces around door handles-missing)
- spare transfer case- just in case. Haven't done the jack test yet.
- manuals- Bentley, chilton I think, "101 e30 projects"

[NCTerp]

My first E30- '91 325ix 2-dr 5 speed

The PO said he disconnected something in the doors that makes the doors lock, because he kept getting locked out. Hmmmm... So yep the linkage on the actuators was disconnected, and the actuators were both unscrewed from the doors and laying in the bottom of the door. The micro switches work, and were also hanging free. So it appears the "locking out" issue is easily explained- with the micro switches functional but dangling, contact with anything (window, inside of door) would lock the doors as the switches swung freely in the door.

Sure is tough to work in that tight space.

[NCTerp]

Well it's going slow..... But that's OK. I'm only driving it about one day a week until I get things in order. So far I've cleaned it up and changed oil- 20w-50 Castrol GTX high-mileage. And here are pics of before and after carpet clean.

Picked up various lights, hood hinge, 6 button obc, two front comfort seats that need reupholstered. Existing driver seat has been reupholstered in vinyl and is in pretty good shape but it too is getting worn- must have been redone a while ago. The existing pass seat is original leather and is pretty rough. Going to make two mechanically good seats out of the four and find a place around central NC to reupholster them. I'll be looking for advice on that if anyone knows a place or can offer advice on how to do it DIY.

[2mAn]

Needs some chrome kidneys, but looks to be a great starting point. Hows the rust?