ROUND 4! 88 Lachsilber / Cardinal IX coupe

[bradnic]

New car's going bye bye

Well, the family conference has ruled. We love our 88 Lachsilber IX. We don't like red on an IX. Apparently it's a non-negotiable item... So we're going to strip her down and repair the shell.

A completely rust free 90 IX coupe will be going on Chicago craigslist shortly.

[bradnic]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/4642199098.html

[UNHCLL]

Well, the family conference has ruled. We love our 88 Lachsilber IX. We don't like red on an IX. Apparently it's a non-negotiable item... So we're going to strip her down and repair the shell.

A completely rust free 90 IX coupe will be going on Chicago craigslist shortly.

You did stop to consider repainting the red shell.... silver?
Probably faster and cheaper and less headache than fixing your existing shell, and you could transfer over parts from silver car to get the options you want.

Faster and more fiscally prudent than fixing the rotten shell.

[bradnic]

Yes that would be the rational thing to do... The plan all along was to transfer all the mech bits to the new shell. We want an original car though, in the color we're looking for. 88 IX coupes are definitely the best equipped. The only other Lachs coupe I've ever seen was already restored and for sale at $7k. That was 2 years ago.

So we're gonna do things the hard way, spend more money and time than necessary, and get exactly the car we want - without matching VIN numbers on the bolt on body panels lol. We'll do a bumper swap on it too but keep the original DBs as well.

Makes no sense, but this is not a rational hobby.

[audiquattrot]

bummer man. I thought u were getting the blue one? also this would be on my top list of colors if I were in the market. I just don't know how I would feel about fixing the rusty one, unless it has sentimental value to you.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bar/4607731723.html

and damn this 4-door is a steal....looks sweet too.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4642135140.html

[Northern]

that floor won't be too terrible if you have a welder. Just make the jackpoints out of multiple pieces instead of one pre-bent piece like that ebay listing and save yourself like $300.

Obviously seam seal and undercoat the hell out of it when you're finished. There is also a lot to say for a quality epoxy primer.

[e30m3s54turbo]

It must be the love for silver.
If it was me I would do the silver ix.

[bradnic]

that floor won't be too terrible if you have a welder. Just make the jackpoints out of multiple pieces instead of one pre-bent piece like that ebay listing and save yourself like $300.

Obviously seam seal and undercoat the hell out of it when you're finished. There is also a lot to say for a quality epoxy primer.

good advice thanks.. I have a very good welder, but need to build up my skills like many folks on this forum have done. I'm also lucky to have a good fried with an E30 parts car, so I'll be cutting out the floor pan sections I need out myself.

Will probably strip the shell and get her dipped before doing the repairs. Hate working on all this stuff with all the undercoating and cr@p in there..

Long road ahead...

[marshallnoise]

Ok, you are in far worse shape than me. Subbed.

[bradnic]

Ha! thanks for the sub.

yeah it's a mess still. been working on our allroad and 318is and waiting on the sale of my replacement IX (read back a bit for the gory details). Plan is still to park it, strip her down and get the shell dipped. Will probably do most of the rust repair before that happens.

[bradnic]

Some inspiration - http://www.ebay.com/itm/271774871061

present bid over $7k. Car has more miles than this one lol. but interior's been redone, wheels and paint as well. Don't see all that much done mechanically, so I think this bucket is in better shape that way.

UPDATE: this car sold for $10,500. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Series-ix-/271787803452

[AWDBOB]

That car is so clean! I've been watching it as well.

[bradnic]

Change in plans.. parting her out

Well I've got another IX coupe. Just got her back from NJ.

91 coupe, 2 owner car, 123k miles, 30k in last 7 years


silky smooth engine idle
AW2 / black with ski bag rear. interior is mint with no cracks or splits (but it's comfort seats, not sport seats)
some rust damage but very manageable - CLEAN FLOOR PANS.
original ACS rear apron (no ACS front panel or spoiler unfortunately)
premium sound
maintained by Joel and Levent at Gutenparts these last 7 years.

unfortunately it's an auto, but I've got a full 5 speed IX drivetrain in hand so this is a no brainer. Will be posting a separate build thread, but here's a brief description of current body condition:

- both lower rear sections of fenders rusted through. will replace with new OEM fenders
- front edge of hood rusted through and probably not repairable. will replace with a new hood
- front rad support has pretty severe rust. I have a new OEM replacement panel so I'm just gonna replace it.
- rear end of battery box bottom is rusted through in usual place
- rear tail panel under the ACS apron has rust damage near the battery box as well. pretty extensive above the muffler tips too. license plate light holes also have pretty bad rust damage, so I will be swapping out the rear tail panel on this car - already have the OEM replacement piece.
- some rust on bottom of outer rockers. nothing severe.
- sunroof panel has pretty severe rust underneath at sides

This is much more manageable than the lachsilber coupe.

Current plans for the car
- 2 replacement IX wheels, all new caps (already sourced)
- rust repairs as described above
- replace deck lid (current one not original, and a bit rough on lower edge. not sure it's worth repairing)
- black sport seats (already sourced through my bud)
- 5 speed swap asap from the lachs IX, and new clutch
- swap over full suspension and brakes from the lachs IX
- replace the compressor and re-do the 134a conversion.
- replace dash
- 12 button OBC swap
- MT1 steering wheel (i *hate* the airbag wheel with a passion).

Pics shortly.

[audiquattrot]

was wondering what was going on with this car! congrats on the new ride....sounds like a much better platform to work on. Joel is the effin' man! E30 god imo. and 12-button OBC?

[bradnic]

ha hey Anthony.. yeah I've got a keeper now I think.
car came with the 6 button display.. I'm doing a 13 button OBC swap - module, harness and display box. will do do the swap when I replace the dash