The 328i - A bit of a project

InvaderGIR said:
:p

Was more the point of it burnt out, rather than the element snapping as normally happens.

And it gave me a chance to ask about better lights.

Paradigm, you did a HID conversion or something? Do you have more information on that?
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Not really a "conversion" as such, but I do have HID's for the dipped beam. I will also be doing the "black shroud" mod, which will remove the reflective surface from around the HID bulb, completely removing light bleed and thus preventing dazzling (not that there should be much anyway, given the projector lens).

The only thing I don't have that exists in current OE HID's (which were never an option on the e36) is autolevelling. I've got the headlight washers (I assume retro-fitted given the wiring :p).

The kit I have is from HIDS Direct (has an ebay shop), and they are very reasonable pricewise.
 
Ok, I'll take a look at their ebay shop. :)

As for auto leveling...when I start the car and put the lights on and stand in front of it, I can hear what sounds like motors adjusting what seems to be the lights. :/
 
Due to space available I haven't been able to do the rear brakes till the last couple of days. I did the rear discs and pads yesterday and then realised my handbrake shoes were duff...part of the braking material fell off when I pulled the old disc off!

That was at 4pm yesterday...a little late for getting to somewhere to buy some new ones.

Popped into my local motorfactors this morning and picked up a set so fitted them today.

No progress shots as I was more interested in getting it done, as well as having my brother milling about telling me I'm doing everything wrong, makes taking pictures the last thing you want to do.

I also washed it today as it really needed a clean...

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...wait...that's not grey cloth interior...

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On Thursday I was browsing the e36coupe forum's for sale section, viewing what I couldn't afford and I spotted a post about half leather interior for a coupe for £100. I PMed the guy and asked for pictures and just what was included.
Pictures showed very minimal wear and all the bits I was after, Front and Rear seats as well as front and rear door cards.
Also, helpfully the person was located about 50 miles from where I was that evening. After a few PMs I arranged to pick the interior up at about 11.30 the following day.
I turned up early...about 11 the next day...underestimated traffic...and my car. :p We then realised, I was driving a coupe that may not have the space for all the interior...but no worries...I've played tetris and as the seats/parts were handed to me I slotted them into the car without needing the use of the front seat(s).

And some pics of it all installed...

Got back and installed the seats yesterday as well as sorting some of the brakes, and finished off the interior today, as well as the brakes.

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TaKeN said:
Tidy, loving that interior. Half Leather / Half Cloth?

Looks a bargain!
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Yup, half leather, dark blue cloth and black leather

NickXX said:
Wow, you've done well there, really works with the Blue. I paid £100 for cloth Sport seats (sold my old cloth interior for £50).
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Yeah, the colours work well, and for £100, awesome stuff, they are from a 328i Sport. They also have the adjustable leg things at the front of the seats. :D
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Good buy there, now all you need to top it off is those lovely BBS split rims, and a 325 inlet manifold.
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There is a set of BBS Splits on the forum at the moment too...but I don't have the money for them really. :(

Rust next I think, unless something like BSS splits come up at a bargain price when I have the cash. :)
 
Clean that engine bay, even with the long distance small photo I can see its dirtier than an East London hooker!

Good job on the leather though!
 
paradigm said:
Clean that engine bay, even with the long distance small photo I can see its dirtier than an East London hooker!

Good job on the leather though!
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\o/

It is caked in road grime. I was cleaning under the bonnet, looked at the suspension struts and said...no...if I do that I do the whole sodding thing...which I should do really anyway. :p

jellybeard999 said:
While som BBS wheels would look nice, those wheels you have really suit the car IMO.
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Yeah, originally I didn't like then all that much, but they've really gown on me. Same with the orange indicators, didn't like to start off with, but quite like now. :)
 
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*googles*

To be honest, by the time I cleaned the car it was about 6pm, and I'd been working on it since about 11am almost constantly, so was tired and engine cleaning was effort.

My family has lots of back and joint problems (which I know I suffer from) and have been made extra obvious these last couple of days, even so I'm going to be sorting some final brake problems on the car tomorrow and also probably set to cleaning the engine bay, and the interior properly too. So it's lovely and clean for my drive back to Reading (~200miles) to get dirty again. :p
 
InvaderGIR said:
There is a set of BBS Splits on the forum at the moment too...but I don't have the money for them really. :(

Rust next I think, unless something like BSS splits come up at a bargain price when I have the cash. :)
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Wait till you need to replace the tyres, then have a look. There are always cheap BBS split rims going. I've got the 328 Sport ones (although powdercoated black).
 
digitalwolf said:
Not intending to de-rail the thread.

How much would something like this cost privately?

http://www.petrolheads.com/sales/987070.htm

Massively over priced eh?
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I'd say massively overpriced. When I was looking (over the last 6-9months) a 328i Sport in that sort of condition could be had for £2.5k, and the M3 being around £5k upwards.

Also, despite what the e36coupe.com guys say, 328i Sports are not easy to find and cheap...else I'd have one. :p
 
InvaderGIR said:
I'd say massively overpriced. When I was looking (over the last 6-9months) a 328i Sport in that sort of condition could be had for £2.5k, and the M3 being around £5k upwards.

Also, despite what the e36coupe.com guys say, 328i Sports are not easy to find and cheap...else I'd have one. :p
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Imo, just the sort of price you'd expect to pay for such a fine example from a place such as Old Colonel Cars! They are a well known "Classic BMW specialist", the price will reflect the condition (remember what I said about disregarding age & miles?) not to mention it'll have a warranty and should be perfect with no faults for that kind of money.

Certainly not what I'd pay, but, were I in the market for a mint effective classic, then thats probably the sort of money I'd possibly expect to pay.

The difference is, something like that Old Colonel Cars 328i should not need any jobs doing to it, jobs that on a cheaper example could soon bring the price back upto the level this one is priced at, plus, it'll have the backup that you won't find in a cheaper private sale.

There are not many around with such low mileage and such a desirable spec as this one.
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This is no lie, hence the price. :)

Sure, e36 M3's are around for that money, I'd imagine an M3 in similar condition from Old Colonel would command a similar price premium.

Bookmark that car & check it in a week or so, I'd bet money it'll be sold.
 
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