bmwe21.net forums

Hello all

Recently bought an e21 316, some info on my website...
http://www.greatdayinthemountains.com/bmwpage/

More pics to come once it gets sorted out! Any probs with the webpage, let me know!

Jim

Welcome to the board and not a bad buy I think. If my memory serves me correctly, the guy who was seliing this was in Twickenham and also had a nice 323i for sale too? I was almost tempted to buy that as a daily driver but never managed to get round to have a look.

All the best with the resto, keep us posted.

Welcome!

Sweet car, love that color. Definitely needs some TLC but ok. On another thread there's some discussion about the E21 base models like the 316. My first E21 years I spent in a 316 and I always had great fun in them... so much fun I still drive E21's 20 years on!

So good luck with this project. You already found Phil, he might be a great help for your future parts needs as well.

BTW you have one hell of a daily driver!

kam wrote:Welcome to the board and not a bad buy I think. If my memory serves me correctly, the guy who was seliing this was in Twickenham and also had a nice 323i for sale too? I was almost tempted to buy that as a daily driver but never managed to get round to have a look.

All the best with the resto, keep us posted.

That's the guy, he seemed very genuine, so I'm working on the assumption he didn't know the weld had failed on the fuel tank.

Phil will be getting some more emails as I go along - definitely need new door rubbers and the interior trim that holds the carpet down next to the door.

Jeroen wrote:

BTW you have one hell of a daily driver!

Indeed!

Hello there Jim,

Congrats on the car and it’s a pleasant to see a fellow Manc on this forum too. My dad is actually a semi retired consultant Psychiatrist. He’s worked at most of the major hospitals in Manchester doing locum work.
Anyway, back to your car, it was probably around 3 years ago since I last saw another E21 in Manchester, so I will definitely look out for yours. Feel free to give me a shout if you need any help with your 316, I’d be glad to help if I can.

arshad76 wrote: 3 years ago since I last saw another E21 in Manchester, so I will definitely look out for yours.

A bit of mutual headlamp flashing will occur!

Feel free to give me a shout if you need any help with your 316, I’d be glad to help if I can.

Will bear it in mind.

HI,

Nice car you have there m8, keep us posted on the progress you make

Congrats on your E21 and a damn cool daily driver

Nice car dude, hope you bring her up to pristine standards.. really theres nothing like an old drive from an excellent E21.



jimi

Barely started on the car, but I spotted these on eBay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1
Didn't manage to resist, as I'll be buying new tyres soon, might as well fit them on alloys rather than the steelies.

Does anyone know if the wheels will need different bolts to fit them, or are they the same?

Jim

You need special wheel bolts, which you can obtain from (for example) Wallothandnesch.com.

Walloth and Nesch looks like a NICE shop!

Small update, I went shopping at http://www.screwfix.com for jacks, stands, grinders etc. I now have new toys!

Exhaust man (Vinny) came round - looks like I need a gasket, not a pipe. The guy actually works at a fast fit place, and agrees it's standard for the robbing gits to say you need new pipes even if it needs £2 of gaskets. He'll fix it at his work on Monday. He also does welding, which solves the major bodywork issues.

Not got any pics, but there's a rust patch in the top of the drivers side sill, which needs a piece welding in. I need new rear under the bumper corners, and the best bet is two new wings. I can see some wings on eBay for not a lot of cash, so will go with them. I've looked at Walloth Und Nesch - they have rear repair panels for 19 euros each plus shipping. I'll have a chat to Vinny on Monday about whether he can make a bit easily, or whether it'd be easier to get these parts ready made.

Engine wouldn't start today, WD40'd the dizzy, and it starts first time! Going to the garage for full service on Wednesday, I decided it was better to get everything sorted professionally, then do the basic maintenance myself from there on.

Bought some stainless steel braided brake hoses off a guy on flea bay as well (brakes = important, so getting the best possible setup is wise), paid less than from Demon Tweeks, so happy. He didn't have them in stock, so had to order from Goodridge directly - ordered yesterday afternoon, arrived today!

Strange experience whilst out shopping for a new toolbox this afternoon though - parked car in the rain, when I came back the drivers seatbelt was wet. Hadn't been trapped in the door, just wet all the way into the reel. Trim removal tomorrow to see where the waters getting in!

If anyone knows a good, but cheap car sprayer in the North West of England, let me know - chaps round here seem to be either perfectionist expensive, or can't be bothered.

JIm

I’ve found you can cut costs using a cheap mechanic; however, good, but cheap sprayers are really an oxymoron.
I have personally used Globe in Ardwick, who aren’t exactly cheap, but less expensive than main dealers (0161 273 5943) They do a great job though.
I’ve also heard good things about AC body repairs in Stockport (0161 477 1697), and finally BMTEC in the town centre, run by ex-BMW mechanics who also do bodywork. Good, but not that cheap.
As for others, there are cheaper options that may look good initially, but some neglect the prep work, and rust and filler shrinkage can settle in later on. If you don’t mind taking a chance then there are a few bodywork guys in Old Trafford industrial estate that seem very cheap. I can’t say if they are good or bad as I haven’t used them personally, but I knew a guy who used to go there to get accident damaged cars repaired for sale and they seemed to do a good job. Hope that helps