• Non-Volvo
  • Just like Spac - bitten by the BMW disease

It might not be a rally car - but just like Spac ended up getting a BMW as a weekend ‘fun & cruising ’ car.
had to be an auto as the wife only has an auto license.
Had to be a four seater so all three of us could come along.

Saw an ’88 320i in Sydney on Carsales and was talking to the PO for a few months remotely.
Always loved the E30, timeless style, easy to work on, built like a BMW should be…

Spare time is my biggest issue. I’m realistic what I can get done in the weekends and after work.

The car is original and unmolested and car is true to original specs:
Prod. Date 1988-02-15
Type 320I (EUR)
Series E30 (3 Series)
Body Type CABRIO
Steering RHD
Engine M20
Displacement 2.00
Power 95kw / 129hp
Transmission Automatic
Colour MALACHITGRUEN METALLIC (205)
Upholstery Natur (0295)

Driver Assistance And Lightning
S520A Fog Lights
S530A Air Conditioning
S540A Cruise Control

Yes it’s a 320 – would have a loved a 325, but there are hard to find in good condition especially convertible. Because it’s original, the timing belt, tensioner, water pump & belts are the first things to be done.

In the meantime enjoy the pics.











Oh, and I broke my first rule – ‘…get the critical and important mechanical work done before the cosmetics…’
Spotted a set 14” basket weaves for very reasonable price and had to buy them.

As it turns out the seller was a true gentleman and E30 aficionado. Tyres were Michelins and 90%, rims were in great condition. Some Iron-x, claybar and painting of the centre caps they look awesome. Also hit them with a ceramic coating to make cleaning easier down the track.

An E30 on basket weaves. Mmm... excellent work.
I'm a Group A kid.
“Just like Spac” is not something to be proud of... :)
4 days later
looks very well kept. :+1:
Nice cabrio wreck at one of my local bimmer guys.... Nooooooo
3 months later
Productive weekend with the driver's seat removed on Friday night and ready for re-install on Sunday night.

Leather seats were recovered back in 2016, but had very little love since then - plus the Australian climate and lots of open top motoring to the beach had taken it's toll.
Driver's seat was the worst. Dirty, hard leather, blown shocks, sticky tilt mechanism and the backrest wouldn't stay-up.

Disassembly was straight forward, although one of the two backrest screws had come loose (explains the wobbly seat back!).
Shocks swapped, brake cleaner fixed the recline mechanism plus a new tilt cable and cleaned & painted the rails.

I was sceptical about Leatherique on coated leather.
But my leather had lots of hairline cracks in the protective coating. The first treatment brought the dirt out.



And lots of it.



After using the rejuvenator oil and pristine clean a second time, the dirt kept coming and the leather became softer and softer. Final treatment was the oil with cling wrap on the top and a hairdryer. No more dirt, but the leather was good as new.



After 30 years - time for a new seat belt receptacle.



But the seats look like a million bucks and I don't have to re-cover them.



Also, BMW sport seats are good, but nothing like Awesome Volvo seats in the various V70 an especially the V60 :)
The came up really nice, well done!
3 months later

When I bought the car, I knew the suspension was tired.

Ended up doing a complete suspension refresh over a few months in weekends & evenings.

Rears

Swapped out the OE shocks after 190,000 km - they were buggered.

The piston went down like a sack of spuds.

Bilstein B4, factory springs, HD upper mounts and new spring perch rubbers worked like charm - No rattles or clunks.

Cleaned & re-painted the wheel well with Rustoleum epoxy satin black.

Fronts

A bit more involved as I had some minor surface rust due to a missing lower RHS splash guard panel.

Admittedly, the rust I was repairing was nothing to some seen in the UK or the U.S.guys

RHS Before wash-down:

LHS dirt before wash-down

LHS after washdown

After a good clean & degrease, painted on some more Epoxy satin black.

New wheel arch liners, lower control arms - ready to receive the rebuilt struts.

Which reminds me...

August was 'strut month' with new Bilstein B4 inserts going in, along with bump stops boots and spring seat rubbers and new strut tops.

Plus a good lick of satin black.

Finally getting close to having the wheels on the ground again.

30+ year old leaky power steering reservoir cleaned up with new ZF reservoir + new suction & return hoses.

Front stoppers also had a refurbish and upgrade.

ATE calipers stripped, cleaned, painted with ceramic caliper paint cured and reassembled with new seals/guides.

Before...

During

After...

​Thanks to DVS Performance for supplying the DBA T2 Street Series rotors and Q-FM HP-X Pads.

17 days later

My dad used to own one in the same color,

If your dad bought the car from Capitol BMW in Sydney back in April 1988 it could be his!

13 days later

Finally... Rear muffler fitted, new centre resonator and cat, brake fluid flush and ready for RWC.

Had to re-chrome the front bumper.

Wasn't cheap but can see why - looks a million bucks (cheaper than used).

Was able to freshen-up the front trim and grille.

Still sitting a bit too high in front with the new suspension - will see how it settles over the next few months.

Ready for club reg and a good clean & paint correction.

Very nice indeed!

Perfect for warm nights on the cruise and beach adventures!

3 months later

Thanks lads.

With a few hours here and there over summer holidays, I've been able to start cosmetic stuff and fixing the small things that bring a smile to your face...

 - Replaced the broken heater control panel

 - New backlight bulbs & cleaned the fibre optics for the heater sliders

 - New A/C switch that finally stays on

- Cleaned all the trim panels, radio and replaced bulbs in switches

Now all the controls work and I can see them at night!

Getting the basics working makes you appreciate them more

Lovely colour!

If your in the market for some oddball bushes, my buddies make some for the old stuff

https://www.bbmgarage.com.au/collections/e30

    Ghettobird

    Lovely colour!

    If your in the market for some oddball bushes, my buddies make some for the old stuff

    https://www.bbmgarage.com.au/collections/e30

    Aaargh - I just ordered some accelerator pedal bushings from Denmark...

    Could have purchased the good stuff from your mates.

    Also gave the RH rocker panel a repaint.

    Most of the rocker schutz textured coating was in good shape - but 30+ years of road debris had taken it's toll on the paint.

    Scuffed, masked & wipe down with wax & grease remover...

    Preview with the subframe anchor plate installed...

    I had a leftover can of SEM Trim Black 39143 and used that.

    It's a nice semi-gloss/satin black.

    Not sure what the gloss level is for the OEM finish, but the SEM looks fine.

    Still getting used to the Post editor.

    I'm used to oldskool [IMG] codes!