1991 BMW E30 318iS Complete Rebuild

[AWDBOB]

This thread is only going to get more extreme... trust me...

I can't wait for it! I envy your commitment, that's for sure! I have a car that needs paint which will be my first venture down that road, this thread is fuel for the fire.

[Eric Giles]

Very, very impressive work. I always look forward to seeing your updates. You are showing a level of commitment in restoring that car that is beyond what most people would ever consider attempting...especially by themselves.

[Split_S]

Thanks, that's very kind....

I have to stress that's it's my first ever attempt working on a car. I've never done anything more than change oil and rotate tires. Gods honest truth.

So if someone is reading this thread thinking they could never do what I'm doing - think again.

You can.

[Split_S]

Since I've come this far I figured I'd bow to the inevitable and get cracking on removing the dash....especially since I've found a mint crack-free one that had been sitting in someone's basement for 25 years. True - I'm not making that sh@t up....



To remove the Mtech 1 steering wheel just pop off center cap, loosen nut..



There is a collar behind the nut...don't lose it...



Next step is to get the board out...remove the top and bottom trim pieces first then pop the board out...



Left side clips...


Right side clips..


Disconnected..


This guy is next but I ran into "difficulties"...


The right side bolt holding the unit in place won't come out because it pushes up against the electrical unit as seen once out...
Patience is a virtue getting this bastard out... just loosen it as much as you can..it should be enough...



I didnt need to remove the center console as I already had... So off to the right side and the glove box..

later...

[Split_S]

Over to the glove box and DME...



No flashlight but the connection is still there...










Computer out...


You can remove the computer and the mounting bracket all as one if you're smarter than I am..



Center dash... take your time.. take pics...



Radio out... Going to go with an original head but a hidden bluetooth unit... eventually...


This thing too...


and that thing too...


GOOD TIMES finding the screws on this part...



These were easy...




Trickiest part of it all coming up...
This is how to get the cover plate out.. go slow and pry gently...




Cover plate removed with mounting screws visible...




Scary... Label those that arent connected to anything..you'll forget later...


Side mounting screws and that's pretty much it..




Last little bit...
Used a scraper to allow the metal clip which is part of the dash to slide freely without damaging the inside molding..


You can see it here, far right...



Gently pulled on it and it came out fairly easily.. did it alone too...




Out!


and done!



Not really...Center fan console needs some TLC... So its coming out too...





Pull rubber seal off inlet/outlet tubes..
NOTE: Plastic inlet/outlet pipes and not aluminium.. Important to note when ordering parts for the fan and associated rad system...


The only electrical connection to the unit...


Looks clean and tidy once out...



Done!!



Just a few odds and ends and the car is finished..

[Split_S]

With the fan center section out I wanted to clean it up and have a closer look at that seized fan...

There are two different fans, one for a/c cars and those without. The shorter one is for a/c..



I have that spare as it came with the car. Obviously the PO had ordered the wrong one: Pay attention to the details
on realoem to not screw up your order... Same goes for the rad unit...
I'll point out the plastic inlet/outlet piping on the rad for the same reason one more time with this crappy pic...



To get the fan out, pop the clip that holds it in place with a flathead screwdriver from the bottom and disconnect the two wires as shown..

Clip and wires...


bottom...


open...


With the fan out I really wanted to get my hands on that rad..
Three screws and it slides right out.... Oh no... Not so easy..
You have to get this POS out of the way first... Just to p*ss you
off of course...



Tried the lazy way...Almost...but not quite...




Removed the offending piece..


out...



With that out of the way NOW I slid out the rad...









Much to my surprise it seemed to be in really good shape. So of course I ordered a new one.
For those of you scratching your heads, look up Murphy's Law in wikipedia...

Next up I cleaned what was left of the foam sealer (shown here)..



It crumbled into dust. New one ordered.

I also completely washed the unit, inside and out. Well within my abilities i think... hehe

With that done my attention turned back to the seized fan:



That pic was taken after grinding all the surface rust and shite off of it... I air blew it cleaned and tried to rotate the shaft..

No luck...So I got angry and tried again...


Almost went cardiac and again no luck...


Gave it to my son for a go...He got it free..

Jerk...

[Split_S]

Also drove down to the US to pick up my new replacement rad:



Really nice, except the foam is complete scrap - I will have to find some foam tape somewhere...aarghh...



Also got some other goodies...



Complete set of new hoses and all fittings for the mighty M42.. (sarcasm intended..) and the driveshaft center bearing and new guibo...


Z3 short shift complete kit..


Clutch thingie...


And kickass new eurospec front end stuff (and new front end bearings too!)

[bobaflesh]

Wow great pictures on dash disassembly, good job!

[econti]

Good on you for going that far. Dreading pulling my dash out and not remembering where all the wiring goes. Thank god for digital cameras...

While you're doing the entire car, in regards to engine stuff, do the mess under the intake cleanup as well.
It's how BMW should've done it

[mila325]

Good on you for going that far. Dreading pulling my dash out and not remembering where all the wiring goes. Thank god for digital cameras...

While you're doing the entire car, in regards to engine stuff, do the mess under the intake cleanup as well.
It's how BMW should've done it

If memory serves correct this is a year or two old thread that he is reposting. I'm 90% he also bought an M3 before finishing this thing... so then he had two projects. Can't remember after that...

[Split_S]

Yeah I mentioned that in the first post. I'm sure it will come up again a dozen times before I'm done as no one reads...

And yes, the mess under the intake is tackled....and yes an M3 appears...maybe I'll delete that part this time around.... :D

[econti]

I speed read the entire thing lol
Still a mint project regardless

[Split_S]

Thanks man...

[jeenyus]

great work!

[Split_S]

With the rear panel welded in I did

this:



then this:



wound up with this:



In the front, I did this:



then this:



Introduced this:



and this:



Did some heavy lifting and wound up with this:








Now the fun starts.... :)