my White E30 Repair/build Thread

[charles28 117]

As you probably all know by now, I have a White E30 325i with Manual Transmission, that I purchased 3-4 months ago now.

They say a picture can say a 1000 words, however a picture of the outside of my car shows what looks like a good tidy car.

But then today I noticed this coming through by the left tail light.

I then decided to take everything out of the boot and have a good look, as I suspected there might be some rust hiding, I found this:

I already knew that the Sunroof had a bit of an issue:

So as you can see, I still have plenty of work to do on the old beast yet, its likely that more rust will be found under the boot rubber and around the rear tail lights once removed.

The list so far is:

1. Fix all rust around and in the boot.

2. Fix Sunroof Rust.

3. Replace/Repair Electric Aerial (doesn't do anything)

4. Replace Rear Subframe bushes, control arm bushes etc.

5. Replace Shocks with Bilstien Sport Shocks.

6. Fix cold idle issue, car stalls easily and runs bad when cold.

7. Fix Gearbox Oil leak, is minor but I want it sorted.

8. Freshen up engine, (blows blue smoke until fully warmed up, lacks compressions, runs rich).

This car already owes me over $7000 as it sits, despite purchasing it for $3000 4 months ago.

The lesson for me is to never buy a car sight unseen, I purchased this from Trademe, flew to Blenhiem to collect it, was too focused on the fact that it was a manual 325i (hard to find for $3000), drove it home, 3 days later the nightmare begun.

I know now to avoid UK import BMW's, especially ones that have spent 8 Years in the UK before coming to NZ.

I can't give up on it, its owes me too much, its a hobby anyway and I like these cars.

I'm not much of a DIY person, most things I have to pay something to do for me, most likely I will take the car to a panel beaters for the rust repairs, as my Partner works for Andrews and Gilmore (A BMW specialist place).

May even be tempted to do an engine swap, would like to keep it BMW though, i'm thinking a Vanos M50 engine with low K's would do nicely.

[kerry 10]

its not overly bad man but yea it would definatly peeve you off , andrews and gilmore are excellent panelbeaters.

check arround your front a pillars just under the front windsreen and the guard they tend to rust there also.

[Jamez 2147483647]

have you looked under the carpets on the passenger and driver footwell? they usually house a fair bit of rust aswell.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2122]

I know now to avoid UK import BMW's, especially ones that have spent 8 Years in the UK before coming to NZ

My UK import was the same. good on the outside but rusted out in all the same places as yours, plus the drivers and passengers footwells. i took the carpet out and stood on the floor well and fell through it. i have no idea how it managed to get the warrent it did 2 months before i got it

[Forrest 35]

have you looked under the carpets on the passenger and driver footwell? they usually house a fair bit of rust aswell.

Yes

Know how you feel man, had the same dramas with my car when I brought it and now with subsequent removal of the carpet, good luck getting it sorted/get a pro to sort it for you. Fish Oil is your friend after its fixed

[charles28 117]

My UK import was the same. good on the outside but rusted out in all the same places as yours, plus the drivers and passengers footwells. i took the carpet out and stood on the floor well and fell through it. i have no idea how it managed to get the warrent it did 2 months before i got it

Was your UK Import undersealed?

Mines fully undersealed, as is my Jap import 320i, of course I don't know if this was done when the car was new or later on.

[dubman 39]

When i saw your pics, i thought someone took pics of my car and posted them here! My car also has a left tail light leak, altho the rust is even worse. It already has welding on it so it doesnt rust completely through. Its best to get someone to rust proof your entire car. I got a quote of $350 for a rust proof job, and they will clean your current rust away with a bit of grinding. Goodluck with the project!

[Shady 0]

I dont envy the day I fully strip my E30 down to a shell to build it back up. I've already seen rust where you have shown & Im sure theres more my car was not looked after by the previous owner so its bound to be shocking... not looking forward to it at all.

[antil33t 90]

Aww, rust FTL

I'm nearly tempted to go lift my carpets out and check. WOF guy sais there is no signs at all of rust...

mine was only in Japan for 7 years, and 50,000kms (if the clock wasn't messed with, it looks pretty correct though)

Hope you get her fixed easily enough!