** Acme [Akagi] bought a pink estate car - E30 325i project log! **

Acme said:
This shell isn't that bad as far as E30's go. A shell with minimal rot wouldn't be cheap, and moving everything across is a hell of a job that I don't have time or space to do. Maybe if I still have the car years from now it will be turned into a 2 door or something, but not now. :p



I'm sure it will be fine.
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stuff it, then. Just fix it as well as you can an enjoy for a couple more years and sell it after :)
 
Will see what happens.

I hope to have it a long time, but I have no idea what "a long time" means in my brain... I go through cars like wildfire. This is already the car I've had the second longest (after my Polo) and I have no desire to get shot of it.
 
THE problem is, he bites off more than he can chew/loses interest/doesn’t have time and the next no one wants to get involved in carrying on with it. And no offence it’s an e30 Estate, while there’s not many of them around it’s like a four door mk2 escort..
No one really wants one
 
Hey hey hey... :p

You leave me and my E30 estate alone! :eek: :D

If he bites off more than he can chew or loses interest then so be it. I don't think it will happen because he has tackled stuff like this and worse before and is restoring two classic Mini's at the moment as well. But if it does, then it does. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
 
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Acme said:
And how exactly would it make a difference to rot being introduced in future? It won't be done unless its a crisp dry day, and the only cavities being welded are the sills - The other areas are visible from both sides. And the sills will be whizzed back inside, painted inside, and have cavity wax put in as well. Should be alright.

Ever the pessimist.
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Because it sits outside, parts hanging off it, moisture working its way into all the fresh new metal/exposed crevices/areas it wouldn't be able to get to, then you slap a load of paint and underseal on it and simply trap all that moisture inside - at which point it starts merrily chewing away at new and old metal alike. Particularly if the job's being done over the course of several days, or weeks, or worse.
 
Lashout_UK said:
Because it sits outside, parts hanging off it, moisture working its way into all the fresh new metal/exposed crevices/areas it wouldn't be able to get to, then you slap a load of paint and underseal on it and simply trap all that moisture inside - at which point it starts merrily chewing away at new and old metal alike. Particularly if the job's being done over the course of several days, or weeks, or worse.
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Acme knows best Lashout.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Acme knows best Lashout.
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Just gonna capture these earlier posts of mine for future reference...

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OYg0l10.jpg

Of course, any rot can be tackled - but I'd really try and get a proper handle on the exact costs (including paint, underseal, bits of trim, etc.) before jumping in with both feet. Particularly if you've got an arrangement of sorts with someone that might drag on for a while. It's a big commitment, both in terms of time and in terms of resources.

Of course, preaching to the converted... but if you're having concerns about it already, then perhaps it's worth taking some time to think about it even more. It's not going anywhere, after all.
 
I didn't ignore that advice? At least, I didn't mean to? Please read:

I checked further after reading the first post he screenshotted, and since then I have had the fuel tank and prop shaft out as well as all the heatshields, and I have stripped off the underseal, ground back a few bits of surface rust that were starting, and sprayed it all with schutz before putting it back together, including coating the new petrol tank in schutz.

I have also removed the front and rear carpeting, entire boot interior, all interior plastic trims, including pulling the dash out. Outside the car I have removed all the arch liners, the sill covers, and other plastic panels.

I found a small patch of rot on the floor pan which I had not seen before which has been cut out, welded, ground back, seam sealered, painted, and undersealed.

The rot has been inspected inside and out by someone experienced with these kinds of repairs.

It won't be left with "bits hanging off of it" for days on end. It will be done a bit at a time, but its not going to be left outside in the rain with gaping holes in it. In instances where something is chopped out, such as a sill, it will be chopped out and have the new one let in, in the same day. As I said earlier, there are only a couple of bits of welding to be done to cavities which are not accessible from both sides - The sills. These will be done first.

I haven't really been obsessing over cosmetics, I bought a new interior and some new wheels because they came up for sale at a good price and solved two problems at once. Since then, sure I have spent money on other bits and bobs like an OBC, map light mirror etc, but none of that has been fitted yet, its just sitting there waiting, and was only bought because it was a good price. The full OBC kit was £150. They regularly sell for £250+now. The map light mirror was £70, they regularly sell for £120+.

I did also spend a lot of time on the DA polishing etc, but that was just to "polish the turd" so I could participate in the end-of-season car shows, which I did, and I don't regret because I had a great time.

I know I'm not perfect and I don't always listen, but I think this is being exaggerated just a little... I get on the defense sometimes because I don't like what I'm hearing, but I do at least look into it afterwards... Its a character flaw. :p

So is the main complaint now the time of year I've picked (not intentionally) to do this? Because if so it can potentially wait until warmer days in spring but I really wanted to just get it done... :o
 
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The advice you've given is good. Perhaps initially I did just throw it back in your face and stick my fingers in my ears, and I apologise, but since then I've realised it is good advice, and I have gone through all the thought process'. "Should I sell it? Should I patch it up and MOT it and then sell it? Should I get it fixed properly?" etc.

The answer I have arrived at is that I should get it fixed properly so that I can keep and enjoy it, however I have also realised that I don't particularly want to chuck 2 grand at it (which is what it would likely cost to have it done at a specialist with VAT and materials etc), and that it would take me too long to develop the skills I'd need to repair it to a standard I'd be happy with. So I am trying to find a middle ground. Minimize costs by providing my own materials and repair panels, but seeking the help of a friend of a friend who is experienced in this area so the welds aren't complete cack.

Honestly if I chuck £750 at it and it keeps the rot at bay for 3 - 5 years, happy days. And it should do at the very least.
 
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