1986 325E Preservation

[MSGGrunt]

Pics to follow once they are done. I think if I had a Delphin grey car I would consider a red interior. Not a bright red but a deep crimson red.

[hippiester]

Wow! In for completed pics, i want the same colour seats for my delphin grey e

[Echo30V]

Beautiful leather

[alistairolsen]

Looking forward to seeing the recovering process

[MSGGrunt]

The first and easiest piece was recovering the headrest. I wrapped the foam in a plastic shopping bad to make it easier to slide in and then removed it.

[MSGGrunt]

Today my leather arrived from Lseat.com for my interior project. The front and rear seats will be recovered and the door panels, door pulls, door pockets and rear parcel shelf will be redone to match the darker leather.

[MSGGrunt]

Just sent my instrument cluster off the Bavarian Restorations to be restored.

[MSGGrunt]

I have all the parts for a 5-speed swap but, will probably just keep the automatic for now. My 6-speed Cayman S and eventually the ix when the 5-speed swap is complete satisfies my need when I want to row through the gears.

I never thought I'd enjoy the auto as much as I have.

Pulled the instrument cluster today and am sending it off to have it and the SSI board reconditioned.

[MSGGrunt]

The pearl beige interior is stored away in case I don't like the darker leather. I have accumulated extra door panels, door pulls, and seats from several parts cars so, I do not feel bad experimenting. Everything can be put back to how it was originally.

[rturbo 930]

Well, you've titled this thread as a preservation. If you go changing major aspects of the car, like the interior, it isn't really a preservation anymore. If the interior color really bothers you, I'd probably go with something like a tan or light brown, but I really think you should leave the interior alone. IMO the color goes well with the maroon paint color. I don't think black would be a good choice. The light interior color contrasts with the dark exterior. Dark brown and black don't do that.

I'd have to agree with what Court M3 said - but add a 5 speed swap.

[LateFan]

I love that color.

We also have an '86 E.

[Court M3]

Honestly wouldn't have changed a thing on the car with the exception of the new paint, and general maintenance.

[MSGGrunt]

In preparation for the new leather upholstery I went ahead and stripped the back seat of its original vinyl. I am hoping this will be a satisfying project. I also stripped on of the sport seats. The back seats were quick and simple, the front sport seat, though not overly complicated, have A LOT of hog rings that need to be clipped. I was sure to take lots of pictures and mark all of the wires and where they go. I am hoping I can pull off a decent install of the front covers. I found this video series to be very helpful and very detailed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrdwCoTy1i0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUuhdw4ZEcY

[MSGGrunt]

I went ahead and order new leather upholstery front and rear from Lseat.com.

I ordered the darkest brown they sell.

$299.00 for the front and another $299.00 for the rear. My cost was a bit more as I opted for the piping.

https://www.lseat.com/categories/genuine-leather/bmw.html

[MSGGrunt]

Parts car has already donated a working AC switch.

I fixed the non lit HVAC panel, as simple as replacing a burnt out bulb.

The speedometer is still not working and has me baffled. I've tested the wiring from the rear pulse sensor to the dash and that shows 12 volts at the dash when I apply 12 volts at the rear wiring. I have replaced the sensor with a new one and still the speedo isn't working. I was thinking that the issue could be the circuit board in the instrument cluster but everything else, gauges and warning lights are working properly. Thoughts?