BMW E30 325i Convertible - My Wife's New Car

Sorry for the delay in updating the thread - I have been busy, honest!

The good news is that the seats are finished and look really great;

The carpet was pretty shabby - even after a jet-wash. The heater matrix had leaked into the passenger footwell and it had dyed the carpet blue. So, the only option was to dye the carpet;

I even managed to employ my wife to help out spraying the carpet;

The first coat went ok, but we soon ran out.... So, with more paint purchased the second coat covered really well and I'm pleased with the result - I've ordered some carpet matts too, so most of the original carpet will be covered.

I've also been working on the door cards and deck lid, re-colouring then the same as the seats - for the best results, its all in the prep....

Masking the deck lid - it is part painted and has some black plastic covers that I couldn't remove;

Seat backs;

Door cards;

Used the same process as the seats - acetone on a green scourer to remover all the crap. Then, the first coating applied is an adhesion enhancer - like a kind of etch primer, I guess. Then it is applying the colour, lacquer, etc. It took bloody ages and I kept running out of gas....

The door card had a split in the top corner, on the leading edge of the door - very noticeable and a common issue when E30 door cards have been removed/refitted several times. I reinforced the corner with some two-pack epoxy filler and some gauze, then filled the facing side with the leather filler - neat job and should last;

More pics of the completed panels to follow......

I've also been finishing the door glass and trims - very time consuming.

I've replaced the flexible brake lines with stainless braided - I have no idea how long the rubber ones have been on for and the could be minging inside. Plus, I wasn't happy with the huge gap between the arches and the tyre - the car didn't have Mtech suspension, so it has been slightly lowered and I think looks better.

Carpet is now in and the sill trim and speaker covers, etc. Old seat is in so I can move the car to my house and fit the interior......

The big finish at the weekend, just in time for the nice weather to end.....

Right, we're on the final lap now.....

I decided to bring the intrior back over to the workshop as I had two clear days when nobady else would be about to get in my way!

Rear deck lid on - new seal purchased from BMW to stop a small leak into the hood stoage area;

Trims and chrome reattached;

Rear quarter cards on;

Rear seats in;

Front door next - Checked the operation of the re-installed electric windows and lubed up the mechanisms and runners;

Moisture barrier;

Door card on - the door bins are discoloured and there is not much I can do about that really, so on the look out for some better replacements;

And, repeat;

Going retro with the sound system and have obtained a period Blaupunkt Bremen, which is being updated to accept an Ipod input;

I'd removed the glovebox back in September when the heater matrix decided it wanted to dump the coolant in the front passenger footwell - what a bugger of a job that is to do on an E30! - anyway, I had no idea how the glovebox and fitting, etc went back in and actually had to consult a manual..... success! Plus, centre console, gaitors, ashtrays, lighter, etc;

Front seats in;

Job done!

And very good it looks too....

The car was finished, but was very, very dusty;

So off it went to the Valeter at the end of the lane for a proper clean, polish, etc. Took it home and presented it to my wife - she loves it, I quite like it too;

That was Saturday night, so we went off for a drive and did about 50 miles. Car feels great, no problems, very happy! Sunday and Monday it rained - just my luck! Julie used the car on Tuesday - all going well. Then I clean the car again yesterday and take it to the local MoT shop to get the headlights adjusted, then popped into the workshop for an hour to see progress on Carl's (StumpyRS4) cage in the Audi.

I didn't make it home.....