1983 Henna Red 323i

[kdevitt]

This isn't much of an update, but I need to get back in the habit of getting work done on the car, and of taking photos of whats been done!

Here's the alternator that came off yesterday - the one I had to stick into it was from a 1985 323i, but it had a separate black connector (this one has a threaded section, but without the black shielding - I reckon it would have bolted up ok), and it also had an earthing strap which isn't present on the old one.



Will hopefully have this one all fixed up by next weekend. Also ordered a new battery from BMW to replace the dead, spurious one which was sitting in the engine bay.

[kdevitt]

The car gods are not looking down kindly on me. Got the old alternator off this evening, but its a slightly different design to the one I bought (from an 85 323i).

Have someone lined up to repair the old one, so will hopefully have it all back up and running next week.

[kdevitt]

Yeah its a pretty substantial saving for the year.

Ended up buying a new (well new to me - its off another 323i) alternator which arrived today, so will be able to get it running soon.

Have started ordering a few new bits for it, did a deal for a 370mm tech 1 steering wheel which I'll have retrimmed.

Will get up some photos as son as possible, I promise :D

[FredK]

Finally - since the car has hit the 30 year mark, its eligible for vintage status here. Major upside of that, apart form the obvious kudos, is that the annual road tax goes from €1034 per year to €52 per year! So I'm actually saving money with this thing :D

Wow, that's a lot of money saved!

I like looking at this project to see what an MT1 car can look like. I'm looking forward to new pictures!

[kingston]

Looking forward to seeing more updates on this car now!! Always one of my absolute favorites!!

[kdevitt]

So a bit of a minor thread revival here - landed back in Ireland from my stint in Australia at the end of March. Have been pretty busy getting things sorted out, but managed to pop out to look at the E30 last weekend.

Unfortunately not much has happened with it since I left -its still auto, and still with the original M20B23 in place. The lad who built the stroker didn't and doesn't have time to work on the car, and no one else wants to touch an engine they didn't rebuild themselves. So a quick decision was made to sell the engine on - pretty cheap too.

Ultimately, I was never at ease with removing a very original 49k mile engine from the car and replacing with a stroked 100k example. At the end of the day, I have an E46 M3 and an E36 which can provide my speed thrills, and will hopefully be adding an AM V8 Vantage to the stable, so I just don't actually need this car to be fast - its not going to see any track time, and I just want it to be enjoyable and handle pretty well.

So first port of call is to fix the alternator. Its a bit poorly - so will be removing it and having it repaired, rather than replacing with a spurious item. Next up is the manual box - and I've soured a company who will do it quickly for me. Last thing I want is the car to be stuck somewhere for months again while the job is doing in someones spare time.

With that done I'll have the brakes done, fit a Bilstein / Eibach B12 kit and have the exhaust done.

Final piece of the jigsaw is some more paintwork - the front bumper is peeling from the crap paintjob the car had originally, and a bubble of rust has appeared on the offside scuttle panel.

For a car thats been sitting for a while, the interior is remarkably fresh - and the recolouring of the leather interior I did years ago has held up great.

Finally - since the car has hit the 30 year mark, its eligible for vintage status here. Major upside of that, apart form the obvious kudos, is that the annual road tax goes from €1034 per year to €52 per year! So I'm actually saving money with this thing :D

Will have photos soon!

[litu]

Cool color :)

[grays]

love this color

[kingston]

KDevitt,

I've decided to grab an MTech-1 kit, and it made me think of your car. You back in Australia now? Any updates?

[kdevitt]

And plans on getting the mtech front tow hook extention?

Have it sitting in my garage at home!

[einstein57]

Good to know. I have an early 84 valance as well and i don't want to chop it up to make for an intercooler. And plans on getting the mtech front tow hook extention?

[kdevitt]

So when you install the Mtech front spoiler the euro valance is not required?

You'll get away without it - I have it installed though.

[einstein57]

So when you install the Mtech front spoiler the euro valance is not required?

[bernzpeed]

awesome car, for sure!

[kingston]

I ALWAYS love seeing pics of your car! I'm restoring an early model coupe, and your car really makes we want to re-do the paint Henna ;)