Today I finished taking off all the trim off of my car and tomorrow(I start school in September) I will start sanding the body.
I will update daily.
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3313/320i004e9ko.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/9067/320i002e2hh.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/4357/320i001e8bx.jpg
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/4951/320i003e5iv.jpg
And my new chrome handles.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/b4/58/a3_1_b.JPG

you censored yuor own pics???? I looks good, take care of it, and yes not bad for being 14

*************Tonights update**************

I sanded for a while this evening(went to town)and almost finished the trunk lid.
I also polished the front bumper, but the back one still needs a lot of polishing.
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/2079/320i009e7vs.jpg
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/8896/320i010e5ov.jpg

How did you polish your bumper?

thanks,
John

How did you polish your bumper?

thanks,
John
I used polishing compound and just buffed by hand for a long time. :cool

I didn't get much done today.
I am buying a new sander tomorrow,so it will be a little faster than hand sanding.

Today a friend came over and helped me with body work, so now I know how. :)
There are only two small spots where it rusted a small opening about as big as this.> :)
I will post photographs tomorrow.

I finished fixing the dings on the trunk lid.
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/5921/320i003e7ks.jpg
I patched this rusted out spot and smoothed it out with body filler.
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/7427/320i004e2km.jpg
And a few other dings.
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/4403/320i007e7fv.jpg
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/8770/320i006e1cg.jpg
http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/5278/320i008e2ur.jpg

This is what is looked like before.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/431/bmw2007e9br.jpg

...and just buffed by hand for a long time. :cool

So going through that stage in your teen years really helps your hand strength huh? ;)

Just kidding... Nice job so far. Good luck.

Braze the panel gaps under the rear lights, and also the holes that hold in the black filler piece between the lights. You can mount the license plate under the bumper. It will give it a clean look. Also a good idea to fill in the rear 1/4 lights. But dont fill in these areas with filler, weld them in then use filler, but only in light moderations. Are you going to block the whole car? I know you did just the dings but once you throw paint on there you most likly will be able to surf on those waves, I highly recommend this to you.

Braze the panel gaps under the rear lights, and also the holes that hold in the black filler piece between the lights. You can mount the license plate under the bumper. It will give it a clean look. Also a good idea to fill in the rear 1/4 lights. But dont fill in these areas with filler, weld them in then use filler, but only in light moderations. Are you going to block the whole car? I know you did just the dings but once you throw paint on there you most likly will be able to surf on those waves, I highly recommend this to you.

I am going to block the whole car that way the paint job is as close to perfect as possible.

I would like to delete the 1/4 markers, but my dad does not like that idea.

But I do think I will fill in the gaps under the taillights.

I am thinking about putting the plate under the bumper.

Start crying and throwing a temper tantrum and say "I'll do what I want its my car, and I'm 14 so I'll do what I want!"


















I kid, I kid

I don't know what you are doing about covering your wheels, or what you did with your old ones, but I'd recommend that you put the old ones on for the repainting.
Jake

I don't know what you are doing about covering your wheels, or what you did with your old ones, but I'd recommend that you put the old ones on for the repainting.
Jake
I think I will buy new tires for the new wheels and put the old tires on the old wheels for when I paint.

black handles are so much better than chrome :)

Why?

Paint your handles the body color. BTW, are you painting yourself? Has anyone that is responding to this repainted themselves using own tools?

John

My Dad's friend will be doing the painting, but I am doing the body work.
I will paint the old handles the body color and see what set looks better.

:eyecrazy i painted mine in my back yard..warning to you newyorkers..well this time of ear is perfect..humidity isnt thaaat bad, but..i warn paint early and allow to dry brfore night fall or condensation occurs on roof and turns white patchy cloudy haha..yea happened to me..otherwise cale out pretty swell..(considering the cody work wasnt done but sprayed paint to put it on the road, and to prevent anymore rust..damn rust..damn it..to hell

because black provides a nice contrast to the body colour and all the chrome.

ill probably do my paint job and body work my self(my dad has a warehouse on his lot), but i have to wait until i can get another car (toyota 4-runner). white w/ a black stripe following the rise on the hood. then ive decided to put a black intirior on it.

because black provides a nice contrast to the body colour and all the chrome.

Well thats kinda true, I like the look of the Chrome handles because it goes better in my opinion with the chrome window trim.

When and if you weld in the rear 1/4 side marker lights get a piece of metal does not have to be cut out for the hole make a piece kind of a back plate in a way and do tac welds a few to make sure it will hold do not weld a beed all the way around you will cause the panel to buckel in ( My cousin did this I know from experience). The reason I say use a piece of metal square or rectangle is if you cut out a perfect size hole in sheet metal that fits perfect it will be more likely to move than if you weld in a piece shaped like a square. Also if you have a big dent use fiberglass first then bondo (with any rust I would recommend fiberglass) make sure before you paint or have painted you primer with high filler primer dupont it's like $80.00 for the primer and reducer. After primer use guide coat and sand all day the guide coat tells you where you have low spots or high spots this will allow for the best paint job.

I have painted before not yet my e21 :( that will be soon :D but it should be fun.

I hope it turns out perfect. :redspot :buttrock

I want to know when you turn 15 :D

Why do you want to know when I turn fifthteen?

My Dad's friend will be doing the painting, but I am doing the body work.
I will paint the old handles the body color and see what set looks better.
I think I might do it I didn't really like the job he did on my brothers truck. :confused

Today I sanded the right side down.
Tomorrow I will spread some body filler on tha area that I push a dent out of.
I will post photos tomorrow.

Why do you want to know when I turn fifthteen?

It was more of a joke. Because your sig says not to bad for being fourteen I just thought I would ask when you turn fifteen because then your sig will say not to bad for being fifteen. :lol

It's great work you're doing there man, keep it up. I think it's cool that you are working on your own car at when you're younger, I wish i had my car just a few years earlier, like you, because now I just have no time to work on it.
Btw, what colour are you going to paint it, and what rims are your new ones?

I am going to paint it the same color, mabye with a pearl clear coat to make it a looker or a neck breaker. :confused
The wheels in my siginature are the new ones (turbines) I looked at different one, but I really like the turbines.
This is what my car looked like before the new stuff I have been buying.
The old wheels are on the car.
http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/9569/acecombat5edit6af.jpg

It was more of a joke. Because your sig says not to bad for being fourteen I just thought I would ask when you turn fifteen because then your sig will say not to bad for being fifteen. :lol

:rofl

Once you see what pearl in clear looks over this blue, you will wish you didnt. It will give it a purple tint

Thanks.
What about a matallic clear coat? :confused

Thanks.
What about a matallic clear coat? :confused

Why dont you leave the clear coat, well... clear?

I most likely will, but I was just asking questions to see what I really want to do.

Just spray the clear on the car outside around dusk with a flood light on it and you'll get all kinds of cool stuff in the paint.

Just spray the clear on the car outside around dusk with a flood light on it and you'll get all kinds of cool stuff in the paint.
?

I most likely will, but I was just asking questions to see what I really want to do.

Work with the painter, ask for samples in various shades, with/without clear, metallic/flat, etc. If they wont do it go to another shop. All the shops I've been to are willing to help, and the shop I used to work at did the same.

?
he meant that if you sprayed it then, you'd get gnats and all kinds of other bugs that are attracted to light in your paint. maybe it'd give a cool texture.
Jake

lol... keep us posted on the progress, id like to be able to paint my own. first i have to fix the damage caused by my dad :mad

taiko...im 15 and i work on my bimmer, and jake is 15 and i think he works on his too.

That's really cool, I didn't know there were many younger guys that worked on E21s!

my car is my most prized posetion, and it happens to be one of my fav cars to...

jake is 15 and i think he works on his too.
to tell the truth, I don't do anything on my car. I'd do something if the car weren't like 15 miles away and I have no ride. Plus, I have no parts for it. That said, anyone got some fuel injection parts they want to give me?
Jake

he meant that if you sprayed it then, you'd get gnats and all kinds of other bugs that are attracted to light in your paint. maybe it'd give a cool texture.
Jake
:rofl
I forgot to take photos today.
I finished sanding the right side, took the sunroof out for a paint job done right, and sanded part of the roof.
Tomorrow I will finish the roof and work with some body filler (it's fun :) ), but you need to do it right.
My friend that showed me how to do the body work worked at the Denver Natural History Museum and made the displays in the museum, after that he worked at a body shop.
He is on the cover of the December 1995( I think) National Geographic.

I finished the sunroof today and sanded on the roof.
It looks like an awful lot of filler on the side of the car, but I have not sanded that yet.
I can smell the awful smell of body filler just thinking about it. :drool:
And a random photo of "Timmy" my dog that I bought a year and a half ago.
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/1845/320i013e8pg.jpg
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4929/320i015e1kb.jpg
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/9592/picture2859lp.jpg

I forgot to say that my new chrome door handles came in the mail today. :D

I would not recommend fiberglass or bondo for rust or rust holes. It will last 1, maybe 2 seasons. The only way to fix it is to cut it out completely and weld in a patch.

I would not recommend fiberglass or bondo for rust or rust holes. It will last 1, maybe 2 seasons. The only way to fix it is to cut it out completely and weld in a patch.
The Bondo is not for rust, I just have a few dings. :)

Thats good. By the way, your work looks good. I'm very impressed, especially for being 14. :) I didn't get deep into projects on my car until I was almost 18.

Are you going to be taking the removing the lock? Even if you weren't right away, I would recommend doing it now, as it saves on repainting a filler later. Also looks better/better security IMO.

Are you going to be taking the removing the lock? Even if you weren't right away, I would recommend doing it now, as it saves on repainting a filler later. Also looks better/better security IMO.

No, I am not going to remove the lock.
I kind of like keyed entry. :)

No, I am not going to remove the lock.
I kind of like keyed entry. :)

n00b

awesome project man. cool to see you're doing your own work. looks like your doing a nice job also.

keep up the good work :thumbup:

Thats good. By the way, your work looks good. I'm very impressed, especially for being 14. :) I didn't get deep into projects on my car until I was almost 18.

im 18, i started mine when i was 15-16. haha. :lol :alright

Today I finished sanding/fillling the hail damage on the roof.
Tomorrow I will tackle the hood and if I have time I will do some finishing touches to the sides.:winknudge

(I just set the sunroof panel up on the roof to keep it out of my way)
http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/3477/320i016e9hj.jpg
http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/1428/320i017e6vi.jpg

Dear CJ,
I know how you like your car clean, smooth looking and free of any door locks, so tomorrow I will take a photo of my wiper blades/arms because mine are very clean looking.
I looked at your homepage an yours are not very clean looking(No offense).
I think you will really like mine.

Sincerely,
'79BMW

Nice one, keep us updated.
Not too bad for 14 at all!

Dear CJ,
I know how you like your car clean, smooth looking and free of any door locks, so tomorrow I will take a photo of my wiper blades/arms because mine are very clean looking.
I looked at your homepage an yours are not very clean looking(No offense).
I think you will really like mine.

Sincerely,
'79BMW

Awww, your just soo adorable.

ohh man, etch priming, thats a whole heap of bother.

Yesterday while working on my 83iS that Im restoring, I found a motor lodged in the drivers door to open it. Works, too; I dont have a remote to make it work. Im glat the PO didn't delete the locks though. He f'ed up most of the mods he did, god knows what he would have done there.

ohh man, etch priming, thats a whole heap of bother.

?

ohh man, etch priming, thats a whole heap of bother.

Used to key the bare metal and prevent corrosion.

"Etching" is an auto body term that basically means using an acidic compound to dissolve rust and create a surface on the metal for the primer to adhere to.

Used to key the bare metal and prevent corrosion.

"Etching" is an auto body term that basically means using an acidic compound to dissolve rust and create a surface on the metal for the primer to adhere to.

You need a primer to inhibit rust.
I had my 323i acid etched and zinc oxide primed. Its defiantely the way to go when restoring an old car. Get the car acid etched.

later,
J

so tomorrow I will take a photo of my wiper blades/arms because mine are very clean looking.


So I have been patiently waiting for about 5.5 hours now at work for your wiper blades/arms pictures. I want to see them. Pics or teh Ban!

I want to see if I will really like yours, then I can steal them, and replace my rusty 27 year old arms, I'll keep my Bosch blades though, they are only a month old.

CJ, lemme get them blades (79's), mine are dry rotted...
Jake

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/5443/320i019e3th.jpg
http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/1954/320i018e9rj.jpg

Whoa :eyecrazy

Those look exactly like mine, minus the uber cool Tenzo Type-R Wiper blades, good for another ~7hp.

Suddenly, stealing them has lost all its gleam...

Do you wiper arms have a pin or a hook?

Neither the rust is so bad it crumbled off. If I turn them on it just scrapes agaisnt the glass. I am a fan of RainX

Neither the rust is so bad it crumbled off. If I turn them on it just scrapes agaisnt the glass. I am a fan of RainX
Than what do you have?

I am a fan of RainX

:rolleyes

:rolleyes
Do your wiper arms have a PIN or a HOOK on the end?

Neither the rust is so bad it crumbled off.

:rolleyes

I worked all day staring at 8:00 AM this morning, so I did not get a chance to work on my car, but I have a lot more money now. :) :redspot

I worked all day staring at 8:00 AM this morning, so I did not get a chance to work on my car, but I have a lot more money now. :) :redspot

Mowing lawns is a good thing... lol

Mowing lawns is a good thing... lol
Sure is. ;)

Car is looking great. Can't wait to see the finished product. May I suggest not using a clear coat though. If you can get ahold of some good old fashioned laquer I believe. Cars used to be painted with this then they went to enamel and added a clear as a cheap fix to give it depth and protection. The problem is when the clear goes your paint job is ruined. If paint without a clear coat gets dull you can usualy buff it and make it look like new. The old laquer is much better paint from what I have heard. Its just hard to get ahold of.

Well, I did not really get to work on my car this weekend, due to working (But I have added tons of funds to my reserve) :redspot :) .
I will work on my car tomorrow after my first day of school.
This weekend I am going to go pick out the paint (PPG) at the nearest PPG dealer. (Two hours away)

Good luck, any ideas? Metallic or solid? Every time I think I have a preferance, I see another color that I like more :stickoutt

Good luck,
John

I am going to get Biscay Blue solid PPG clear coat paint.

Why go base/clear? If it's a non-metallic, single stage is great. In fact, it's what BMW used on solid coloured cars until sometime in the late 80's. I am using an ICI single stage paint on my 323i, and it will be perfect. Single stage is also easier to spray, easier to polish later, easier to fix, and cheaper! The PPG Concept single stage is a nice product. Expect to spend $4-500 on all your paint materials. Get 3 quarts sprayable product.

Al

Why go base/clear? If it's a non-metallic, single stage is great. In fact, it's what BMW used on solid coloured cars until sometime in the late 80's. I am using an ICI single stage paint on my 323i, and it will be perfect. Single stage is also easier to spray, easier to polish later, easier to fix, and cheaper! The PPG Concept single stage is a nice product. Expect to spend $4-500 on all your paint materials. Get 3 quarts sprayable product.

Al
I totaly agree. If I were to EVER respray ANY car i would NEVER use a clear coat. When my car gets to the body work stages I wont use a clear coat. It didnt come with one. Then was resprayed with one and its total crap. So once all the other things are taken care of I will have the body one correctly.

The thing that really sucks with clear is that you cant "break the seal". If you get a scratch or area that needs repair you will have to sand the clear off that entire panel. For instance if you get a dent on the rear 1/4 panel you will have to sand about 1/2 the car down from the roof to the 1/4. I've seen it done where this is avoided but you can easily see where the break marks meet, its harder to blend clear.

In my case clear makes my color. The metalic paint wouldnt have any depth and would flatten out without it. It would look like crap.

Go to mexico. Get a good laquer like they used to use on old hotrods. The paint will turn out as good if not better then if you were to use a clear, and it will be more durrable and more user friendly if repair is ever needed.

Clear makes a paint job look 10 times better IMO my car is currently painted single stage hennarot and it has faded severely and when you wax it it practically does nothing base clear is how most show cars go.

Clear makes a paint job look 10 times better IMO my car is currently painted single stage hennarot and it has faded severely and when you wax it it practically does nothing base clear is how most show cars go.

Time to polish it. Wax does NOTHING to actually make a car shine. It simply protects the shine that you get out of it first. A talented detailer will have that paint back in no time flat. That assumes it is actually good paint to begine with. Paint jobs DO wear out, base/clear or single stage. BMW painted our cars with a base/clear if they were metallic like CJ's Resedagrun, or single stage like my original non-metallic Safaribeige. My 633csi is Burgundrot-Metallic, and has a base/clear. When that one gets repainted, it will be base/clear.

Also consider the different types of paint available. If your car was painted with some low end commercial use single stage, it's gonna have problems. A PPG Concept, or my high end ICI single stage will shine for a long time, as long as they are looked after. Steer clear of the PPG Omni, unless on a serious budget. It was good stuff back in the day, but has been long passed by the Concept paint.

Al

I am sticking with clear coat.
I will get the paint tomorrow on our "mini vacation" for the weekend.
I will post photos when we get back.

keep us posted, as ill probably be painting mine soon too. did u paint it out of a spray can, or a gun? im gonna end up spraying it, and brush the engine bay and the door jams and the trunk.

keep us posted, as ill probably be painting mine soon too. did u paint it out of a spray can, or a gun? im gonna end up spraying it, and brush the engine bay and the door jams and the trunk.

I have not painted it yet, like I said I am buying the paint tomorrow.
A spray can? I don't think so, that would turn out to be a horrible paint job.
A paint brush? Why not just stick with the same color?

because its white, and being the busy (lazy) person i am, dont like messing w/ the high matnance involved in having a white car. i figure it needs a new paint job neways, so ill just paint it red.

because its white, and being the busy (lazy) person i am, dont like messing w/ the high matnance involved in having a white car. i figure it needs a new paint job neways, so ill just paint it red.


White is about the lowest matinence color you can get, it does not show dirt, scratches ect.

Red would be more matinence than white.

uv never seen the dirt and stuff around here. id rather deal with the wash a week w/ the red paint (we have light brown dust and dirt) than the 2 or 3 a week w/ white. plus it looks a whole heckuva lot cooler.

Red cars attract attention i.e. police.
Jake

thats why im going w/ a dark red, so its less noticable by the po-po. something like this RED

thats why im going w/ a dark red, so its less noticable by the po-po. something like this RED
When are you planing on doing this?
What paint system?

I am getting Biscay Blue at the PPG dealer tomorrow.

uv never seen the dirt and stuff around here. id rather deal with the wash a week w/ the red paint (we have light brown dust and dirt) than the 2 or 3 a week w/ white. plus it looks a whole heckuva lot cooler.

I have been to Texas.
We have a black GMC Suburban and a Summit White (very white) Chevrolet K3500 Crewcab and the black Suburban needs a wash a week, Summit White pickup needs it every month.
The Suburban has a fresh washing and the crewcab has not been washed in about a month.
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/4056/myguy008e6wa.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/616/suburban016e6tg.jpg

thats why im going w/ a dark red, so its less noticable by the po-po. something like this RED
If you think your white is high maintinance now, when you paint your car a dark anything such as the red you want it will be a whole lot worse. Dark colors are known to show up dirt more then light. I have a white car and I make a point to wash it once a week. I live in cali where the dust is horrible. Hence the invention of the california car duster. My car is cleaner then 80% of the cars i see and is easily the cleanest of all the cars in my family. My brother has a white 4runner that he rarely washes and it still looks clean. If you want low maintinace stick with white.

And I have seen amature rattle can jobs turn out better then spray gun jobs. Its all about the tips you use. If you use good tips then the only downside of rattle can is that you have to use a crap load of them because they use alot of thinner.

My car is cleaner then 80% of the cars i see and is easily the cleanest of all the cars in my family.



All of my family members (besides my brother) are clean freaks about the vehicles.
Our Crewcab (white truck photographed above) does not have one scratch or ding on it.

my sis and i are the only ppl in mine that r ocd about clean cars. she wanted to wash a p.o.s camaro thats on my dads lot that she wanted to wash. i think ill probably end up getting it in the red color and dealing w/ the maitnance, as i want a red car.

ive got a pretty big garage, so if i get it as clean as possible, and put a box fan out the door, than ill probably end up rattle canning it. i dunno what way im going to paint it yet, but if i can find some valour in a spray can than ill get that.

We got back from our vacation!
First the transmission in the Suburban went out, so we rented an vehicle, then we spent the night in The Hotel from #$!*.
The next day we had lots of fun and spent the night in a big suite with a couch. :redspot

Well, here are the photos.
Paint can label.
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/3512/breakaway020e5te.jpg
Paint color. (BISCAY BLUE)
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/887/breakaway021e4jf.jpg
Mercury
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/4738/breakaway011e5vd.jpg

And a sport steering wheel I found a salvage yard for $2.95 and it still has the leather wrap.
Almost looks new. :D :D :D :cobra :winknudge :jump
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/1/breakaway022e1gv.jpg

Heres a good site with some tips and tricks
http://www.repairnation.com/paint_n_bodywork/index.htm

We got back from our vacation!
First the transmission in the Suburban went out, so we rented an vehicle, then we spent the night in The Hotel from #$!*.
The next day we had lots of fun and spent the night in a big suite with a couch. :redspot

Well, here are the photos.
Paint can label.


And a sport steering wheel I found a salvage yard for $2.95 and it still has the leather wrap.
Almost looks new. :D :D :D :cobra :winknudge :jump
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/1/breakaway022e1gv.jpg
cool wheel for ~$3 lol

subscribed - looks like an awesome diy project.

Today I finished the left side of the hood, but I forgot to take pictures.

Today I finished the left side of the hood, but I forgot to take pictures.

What good are you if you dont take pictures...

Pics or ban biaaatch. :nono

I talked my Dad into Aircraft paint remover.
I did all of this tonight. :redspot :redspot :redspot
It's sooooooooooooooooooo much faster than sanding. :stickoutt

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9681/320i0129do.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/4277/320i0158ga.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/3697/320i0140ra.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6922/320i0181ow.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/5730/320i0178sp.jpg
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9162/320i0202ql.jpg

DUDE!!!! WHERE DID U GET THAT STUFF!!! im gonna have to get me some for my paint (and yes im still thinkin red)

have fun w/ the rust tommorow, because the oils in ur hands will rust it in a few hours.

have fun w/ the rust tommorow, because the oils in ur hands will rust it in a few hours.

I do not think I am going to have rust because the trunk and the roof have been striped of paint for a few weeks and I have no rust.
If anything oil is going to protect it. :shifty

DUDE!!!! WHERE DID U GET THAT STUFF!!! im gonna have to get me some for my paint (and yes im still thinkin red)
I bought it at the local auto parts store for~$20
Don't think red, think WHITE.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7041/viewcds4ft.jpg

is what ur thinking of painting it now? My project car is Alpine. I was able to bring back the paint nicely- one thing about this shade of white- you better be wearing sunglasses while you approach the car in the sun or else! I like it. It looks really good with mirrors painted to match, but you have chrome and that will look great too. Good job, kiddo. I would also suggest keeping the front end with out the bumper and just filling in holes of the valence and painting body color (looks WAY cool) but I dont think your dad would approve, and one minor 'tap' in a parking lot will cause it to dent and go to hell..here is a link to my car just b4 I bought it, just to give an idea:http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/gallery/index.php?path=11460,1;-11,6;

What other colors r u considering?

John

Paint can label.
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/3512/breakaway020e5te.jpg
Paint color. (BISCAY BLUE)
http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/887/breakaway021e4jf.jpg


This is the color I bought Friday, Biscay Blue, BMW OEM paint code 140.

And, no, my Dad or Mom would not approve, but I like the bumper.
Your car looks nice. :stickoutt

Nice! I like that. It is similar to the color that MG painted the MGB's. I always wanted an MGB painted that color, like a 'robin egg blue'. It sets off the chrome- make sure that you replace the window gasket lockstrips with new chrome/plastic ones- it is Sooo worth it.

Good choice on the paint dude. Time for Recarros! :cool

John

Nice! I like that. It is similar to the color that MG painted the MGB's. I always wanted an MGB painted that color, like a 'robin egg blue'. It sets off the chrome- make sure that you replace the window gasket lockstrips with new chrome/plastic ones- it is Sooo worth it.

Good choice on the paint dude. Time for Recarros! :cool

John

I have new lock strips sitting in a box in my bedroom.
I already have Recaro's I just need to reupholster them. :cool

This is the color I bought Friday, Biscay Blue, BMW OEM paint code 140.

And, no, my Dad or Mom would not approve, but I like the bumper.
Your car looks nice. :stickoutt


You like that ugly bumper... gross... :nono

Park the car next to a pool and jump in!

You like that ugly bumper... gross... :nono

Park the car next to a pool and jump in!

Are you trolling? :shifty

Are you trolling? :shifty


No but that bumper is freaking huge... Hell, I could win the world olympics for diving off that thing... :alright

No but that bumper is freaking huge... Hell, I could win the world olympics for diving off that thing... :alright

But it's safe. :stickoutt :shifty

But it's safe. :stickoutt :shifty

Yeah, I will show you pics of what happened to mine without the bumper, but I didn't freshly paint my car like you will be doing... The look is much better, but its fugly.. Safe but ugly... You could shorten them there shocks... :D But yeah, if you spend all that time on body work, its not worth taking off your bumper and risking it.

I do not think I am going to have rust because the trunk and the roof have been striped of paint for a few weeks and I have no rust.
If anything oil is going to protect it. :shifty
The oils from your hands are different. They are currosive to metal. Believe me, I shoot and have seen guns that have been destoryed from people handling them and not wiping them down when they were done.

i learned that from tv (the oil)

i like that white, so i might just repaint mine that color, with black or silver accents.

shortening the bumper(or tucking) is what i did to mine, and i must tell u, it looks a thousand times better and still retains some of its safety.

......and still retains some of its safety.

Keyword being, "SOME" of it's safety.

Keyword being, "SOME" of it's safety.

as long as you dont drive like a dumbass, you should be fine... ;) A lot of people have euro's and no bumper on this board, but you rarely see anyone post about a crash that damaged the front end, I had no bumper. and I have just a dent....

If you actually ever hit anything other than a wall with that car the bumper wouldn't matter, since the bumpers of everything other than a focus or equivaliant car will be so much higher your just going to hit them in the bumper with your headlights....

If you actually ever hit anything other than a wall with that car the bumper wouldn't matter, since the bumpers of everything other than a focus or equivaliant car will be so much higher your just going to hit them in the bumper with your headlights....

This is so true.

And also, the bumper will only really make a difference if the collision is less than approximately 5-8 MPH.

Go on... swap it for euros... you know it makes sense. ;)

im putting e36 bumper covers over mine, because it looks damn good.

Just remember what the original 5mph bumpers were for: low speed crashes! This act was driven by the insurance companies of the day originally, not by our govnt, but it made sense to reduce small claims. The damage at 20 or above is going to be the same with or with out the bumpers. If you park on the street (no driveway) and have euro bumpers, they will be trashed in no time! And you are more likely these days to rear end an SUV or a truck, so your bumper will be just fine. It's your hood that will get mangled!

John

thank god i have a garage!!!

Today I striped the paint off of the left side, did some body work, and striped the paint out of the gas fill lid.
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/8896/320i0230zq.jpg
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/3145/320i0245uq.jpg
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/2157/320i0225wc.jpg

I forgot to say the primer is going on the car Sunday. :redspot :D

It's kind of fun stripping the paint of the car:flamethro, but don't get it on your hands, it burns.(wear gloves) :nono

"but don't get it on your hands, it burns"
You dont know this by experiance, do you?? :help This is the kind of chemical that will eat you up later on in life. Esp. if it contains HF. Hydroflouric Acid displaces calcium in your bones and requires immediate mediacal attention for even minor contact- it's like rabbies- you go to the doc and get shots, calcium enritched, in the area. Bad shit. :eek:

On another note, I saw a 320i that had it's bumpers painted the body color on the chrome, and it looked great with the rubber strip. I am seriously considering putting a bumper on the front of my car now and pulling it in. What are these E30 bumper covers? I can't picture how they would look on an e21...

I do not have experiance in burning my hands, a spec of remover touched me and , um, well, IT SCARED ME, it feels like that spot the size of a pin head is on fire.

He was talking about an E36 front spioler. Look on a body parts website and look up E36 (not E30) front spiolers.

Waferman: Sent you a PM concerning the alternative front spoilers/bumper covers, etc.

1979: Good luck with the toxic stuff...seems to be a good solution if you're up to it.

Nick

Got your PM...Those mods look very well done- I can't believe I have never heard of anyone doing this b4, and I have been into this car for over 10 yrs now! I still want to see one with painted us bumper (and tucked) to see how it would look...
waferman

yeah, thats what i plan on doing to mine, and i might end up painting it a really cool blue color i saw today.

Sorry, no photos today, I had to work all day, but I have more funds for my reserve. :redspot

thats always good.

1979, im no longer thinkin the red. im thinkin this blue i saw or the alpine white.

If you go with a different color it could be noticable that it has been repainted.

...which is why you have to remove the engine, interior, and strip the entire damn thing if you want a color change. THEN you've covered your bases.

...which is why you have to remove the engine, interior, and strip the entire damn thing if you want a color change. THEN you've covered your bases.


You mean like my 323i?

From this:
http://e21.tricord.be/members/AlCanuck/323i.JPG

To this:
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/pics/E21/DSCF0002.JPG

To this:
http://www.seamsperfect.ca/pics/E21/Blasted%203.JPG

To this:
http://e21.tricord.be/members/AlCanuck/primer%20engine%20bay.JPG

To this:

Oh, that's where it is now. Still in the paint shop. They've block sanded over a gallon and a half of primer off of it now, and still have more to do. If anyone ever wanted to see a $10k body/paint job, this is it.

Al

its nice.

my plan is to tape of the edges of the intiorior, and paint the door jams, take everything i possibly can out of the engine compartment(without getting the engine out, but i might have to anyways, so i can put on a new clutch) and bag off the engine, so i can paint around it (so most of it is covered)

I think it would be less difficult to just drop the transmission to replace the clutch.

yeah, good point.

If anyone ever wanted to see a $10k body/paint job, this is it.

Al

I just look in my driveway...

Today my Dad helped me and we just about finished the body work.
I still need to sand the dent that I pushed out.
I think it will be in primer Tuesday-Thursday.
The hail damage on the hood looks terrible, but it is not as bad as it looks.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1074/320i026e0uu.jpg
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6311/320ii026971ct.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9828/320i0284qz.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2453/320i0308bx.jpg

awesome project man, i wish i had a garage :(

This evening I almost finished the dent I pulled out on the door, I just need to sand down some new body filler I put on because I had some low spots, fix a small ding on the rear valence, finish the rocker panels, then the bodywork is DONE. :redspot :) :cool :D .
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/8236/320i0013dp.jpg
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7696/320i0029kn.jpg

The primer will most likely be on my car Wednesday-Friday for sure.

This evening I stripped the rocker panels of thier plastic covering and finished the dent I pushed out in the door.
Tomorrow night I will finish a ding on the rear valence and finish the front valence then the body work is finished. :redspot

I almost forgot, I am having my seats reuphostered on October 3rd. :redspot

From the pics of your car I'd previously seen, I wouldn't have guessed there was that much work to be done. Guess you never know until you get it stripped down...Good to hear it's progressing.

This evening I finished the bodywork!

Tomorrow my Dad and I are going to primer my car.
I will post photos tomorrow. :redspot :redspot :redspot :D

Today we put two coats of primer on my car!
Tomorrow we will put alot more on.
I will post photos of it primered tomorrow.


My beloved bumper shocks. :D
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/4199/320i0309rt.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/3749/320i0221dd.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9030/320i0266dp.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7017/320i0271mz.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/4375/320i0284we.jpg

:buttrock
hahah that brings back memories..and i think..why the hell didnt i use that paint remover..instead of sanding my arms out. hahaha..good work kid

How long has it been sitting exposed to the metal like that?

Also I would recommend you spray it with the hood, deck lid, and doors off if you want it to be done the right way.

I'm with CJ here. Mine sat in bare metal for a while, but it was inside a nice heated shop, out of the elements. If it's been outside, you may have a problem with rust down the road. Give it a good final sand before primer.

I also agree about having panels off. My paint is taking several days because of this. The inners are all being shot today(yeah!), and then tomorrow they will all be flipped over, and have the tops painted. Once those are cured, he will shoot the body of the car, and then bolt the panels back on. No chance of dry paint this way. Takes a while, but it's the different between a resale respray, and a magazine respray.

My final concern is the booth. Glad you got a shelter built, and the fan is a good idea, but a dirt floor is not so good. Not only will your fan suck the paint out, but it will likely also pull dust all over your paint. Every step you take in there will also create dust. Might want to buy a HUGE tarp, lay it on the ground, move the booth over it, and then drive the car in.

Al

Also before spraying wash down the sides of the tarp and get the ground damp, or as Al said get a tarp for the ground and make sure that is very damp as well. After a final sand you do to rid the hidden rust (which there is) make sure you do a good once over with some solvent like acetone, toluene, trichloroethylene, etc.

Good luck.

How long has it been sitting exposed to the metal like that?

Also I would recommend you spray it with the hood, deck lid, and doors off if you want it to be done the right way.
It has been exposed for about a week in the garage .
I did not take the paint off of the door jams, so I just masked them off.

I'm with CJ here. Mine sat in bare metal for a while, but it was inside a nice heated shop, out of the elements. If it's been outside, you may have a problem with rust down the road. Give it a good final sand before primer.

It has only been outside lastnight, but it was in primer in the "paint booth".
I completely sanded the whole vehicle with 180 grit sand paper , washed, degreased, and tacked it before we primered the vehicle.

Also before spraying wash down the sides of the tarp and get the ground damp, or as Al said get a tarp for the ground and make sure that is very damp as well. After a final sand you do to rid the hidden rust (which there is) make sure you do a good once over with some solvent like acetone, toluene, trichloroethylene, etc.

We completely washed down our "paint booth" and wet down the new gravel we put in.
And yes I did remove all of the dust and did a wipe down of the whole vehicle with solevent.
Thank for all of your help

Okay here are the photos.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4109/320i045edited5xs.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6574/320i0479rj.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4396/320i0504ru.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/9894/320i0515kk.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6241/320i0542hk.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4995/320i0533lt.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5744/320i0396aw.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6062/320i0488eh.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2828/320i0366gf.jpg

Great progress! Keep it up. There have been more than one of my friends cars painted in driveways that have won trophies at hot rod shows. Careful prep and sanding will make a huge difference.

Heck, my old VW I had repainted in a semi-pro booth had 2 bugs in the hood. Filter wasn't one the air inlet in the booth tight and it was painted at night, attracting insects.

This evening I did the guide coat and all of the imperfecttions sanded out!
Tomorrow we will put on one more coat of primer and Thursday we will put sealer on it.

looks awesome buddy. Makes me envious, i want to do it to mine now.

wow that is quite the project, i wanted to do that to my rabbit, until now, haha just kidding, best of luck to you for the final product!

I got the whole car wetsanded this evening!
It's sooooo smooth and no imperfections.
We are painting the final coat tomorrow. :redspot

sweet, post pics when done!

I sure will. :)

We will paint it tomorrow.
Here is my new site: www.3-SeriesDynasty.co.nr

I will post photos tomorrow.

I will post photos tomorrow.
sweet job your doing man... any idea what you've spent so far? if you don't mind telling... (just on prep and paint, not on parts or anything)

looks like your doing a mighty good job. seems like your the hard working type and should have a good future ahead of you. :thumbup:


btw, i love your paint booth... lol :D

Hi,

I have spent about $390.00 on products. Paint, filler etc...

Here is a photo from today.
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/4366/320i0615ox.jpg

its lookin GREAT!!! that last pic makes it look like a stripped 2002

Are you're side windows still in?

Omg this thread makes me want an E21.

I can get 1 for 200 dollars..

so get one
Jake

easy to work on, cheap on gas, and parts are cheap for a bmw

used parts are, brand new, you have to pay out the ass...
Jake

used parts are, brand new, you have to pay out the ass...
Jake

Are you kidding me? E21 parts are practically free! Try an 02, an E24, or worst of all, an E9!

Al

Are you kidding me? E21 parts are practically free! Try an 02, an E24, or worst of all, an E9!

Al
are u sure that shit fits? cos if it does, that opens a MUCH bigger window of part availability

I think he was saying their parts are a little more expensive then the e21 parts.

What a great thread! I want an e21 now. What shape is your interior in?

I think he was saying their parts are a little more expensive then the e21 parts.
haha, ewww, how embarrassing! i should trying being awake for more than 5 minutes before i read and post ! :P

for a bmw the parts are cheap... i worked at a shop that specialized in bmws and the price for an e36 fuel pump was like $300 whil an e21 is 120 bucks.

Hi to all,


Today we finished the spraying of my my car.
We only had two minor runs that I am going to fix and my Dad will respray in a few days, so the paint can completely dry before we mask..
The interior will be in PERFECT condition on Tuesday or Wednesday when the upholstery shop finishes my Recaro seats.
Here are the photos.
Turned out REALLY shiney for this being my dad's first paint job and the very first time that I ever did body work which I learned from a book.
It looks really gray because it is dark out and I had to use the flash.

Our homemade "paint booth".
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3748/320i0696jk.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/622/320i0706ok.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/1456/320i0712ie.jpg
:D New paint job.
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/4097/bbq0087le.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/9952/bbq0095qs.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/9894/bbq0109dn.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3259/bbq0114ta.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/7639/bbq0126sy.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/9670/bbq0139rd.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3706/bbq0148zp.jpg

:eek: Can't wait to see the panels in some good light! Looks great man, good job on the body prep.

it looks great!!! i think we should sticky this thread so others can see it later on to get ideas.

^Thats a good idea.

We are parked.
Here are the photos in sunlight. Sorry the camera lense is dirty:redspot

http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/9204/320i0914ta.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/9752/320i0946jg.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/2261/320i0887ly.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/8594/320i0871hc.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/9056/320i0952gw.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/6056/320i0969mx.jpg
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/737/320i0971fs.jpg
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/1713/320i0864ct.jpg

Beautiful. I myself am getting a new paintjob soon, once I get my engine swapped. Looking good, can't wait to see it when all the peices are back on.

Teh r0x0rz! I must admit now that I have seen that colour properly, the chrome goodies you have will look pretty good.

Teh r0x0rz!

That just makes me feel old :help


1979BMW, paint looks great. Why did I wait 7 months, and spend over $10k on mine?!?!

Al

That just makes me feel old

How do you think it makes ME feel!

1979BMW, I applaud you for doing such a great job with your car. It takes patience and dedication rarely found at your age... :clap :clap

dude that is SWEET. i love it. if only i had somewhere to spray *sniff*

i could do the smaller panels at uni with no problems, but the main body :(

so nice. i really wanna do mine a metallic candy apple red OR if i go really pimp; purple, and change all the chrome parts to gold :D... sigh.. i need a life

im gonna paint mine at my dads office w/ a booth like 1979's... my girlfriend wants me to paint it black, but i dunno.

Black is a nono. :nono

Black is a nono. :nono

I dunno, I saw a black E21 in portland. It was sweet. Really nicely done, good amount of clear coat made it shine good... But then again, its just an average color and doesn't stand out.

you live in Texas, black cars are always hotter.
Jake

yeah, i hate being like everybody else. I like being unique, but you can be unique classy and unique ricey...

yeah, i hate being like everybody else. I like being unique, but you can be unique classy and unique ricey...

...and nobody wants to be unique ricey...




Reply 200, page 9. :)

What kind of gun are you using? Did you wet sand at all? It looks schlllinngggg!!!! Did you pull air into the booth through a filter?

awesome job man. i want to see more pics. very nice job, keep up the good work.

if i had a garage, i would of bought this 300$ e21 last month. and would be doing the same as you... but sadly i don't have a garage. :(

What kind of gun are you using? Did you wet sand at all? It looks schlllinngggg!!!! Did you pull air into the booth through a filter?

We borrowed a gun from my dad's friend, it's a Nesco.
I wet sanded the whole vehicle with 400 grit sandpaper.
What does "schlllinngggg" mean?
I taped a few filters for central heating to the box fans to form a seal and I sealed the box fans to the booth.



[QUOTE=wayfast]I want to see more pics.[QUOTE]
I will post some tomorrow night when all of the trim is on, I will post a photo of the sunroof in and the reuphoster job I did on the headliner for the sunroof later.

im gonna build a booth in my dads warehouse...

im not thinkin i'll paint it black.. i dont think its gonna work out (with the car or her)

i'll probably paint it uberwhite or mitsubishi white pearl.

Okay here are the photos.
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3121/320i0987ay.jpg
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2342/320i0996tl.jpg
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/1230/320i1014up.jpg
I painted the headlight rings Biscay Blue too.:)
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/8953/320i1021nj.jpg
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9527/320i1008bs.jpg

Looking very nice! I am glad my friend showed me this thread! Keep up the great work!

400 Grit?? That is way to course! You should wet sand the final coat with 1000-1500 and then go to 2000 for a super smooth paint and gloss. Make sure you have enough paint on the car too. Watch the corners when wet sanding and buffing so you dont remove the paint and get down to the primer.

400 Grit?? That is way to course! You should wet sand the final coat with 1000-1500 and then go to 2000 for a super smooth paint and gloss. Make sure you have enough paint on the car too. Watch the corners when wet sanding and buffing so you dont remove the paint and get down to the primer.


I think he meant he wet sanded the primer with 400, BEFORE the paint went on. That's fine to do. Most body shops use somewhere between 320, and 400for that. The paint does need something to stick to.

Al

Yea, 400 is perfect for that. I thought he ment that he wet sanded the final coat!

Yea, 400 is perfect for that. I thought he ment that he wet sanded the final coat!

He caught me for a second with that, too. I read it, and awful images of destroyed paint popped in my head. Then it hit me......primer!

Al

:rofl
Yes I sanded the primer with 400, not 320 because we did that on my brothers truck and um it's not very shiney.
No I did not wet sand the final coat because it's really shiney the way it is.
Here are some photos after I put some of the trim on, I will put the rest on tomorrow night.
I still need to put the "i" on the trunk.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9923/320i1039rt.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6175/320i1076ov.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2435/320i1089mp.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5092/320i1103vo.jpg

:rofl
Yes I sanded the primer with 400, not 320 because we did that on my brothers truck and um it's not very shiney.
No I did not wet sand the final coat because it's really shiney the way it is.
Here are some photos after I put some of the trim on, I will put the rest on tomorrow night.
I still need to put the "i" on the trunk.
[/IMG]
she looks great... hurry up and finish her, and get bigger pics too :buttrock

I tried to get farther away from the car, but there is not much room in the garage.:)

If you hit it with 2000 and buff it out, it will give it a greater gloss. Plus, it will get rid of the orange peal, thus the better smoother gloss. Since you used a single stage (good for trying your first paint job by the way) you don't have to worry too much about sanding through the clear. How many coats of color did you spray anyway?

Kudos! It really looks great with the trim on it. As you state in your avatar "not bad for 14" - Your right, not bad at all - Keep up the fantastic work! Keep posting your pics and we'll feed you with so many compliments, your going to have a large ego! Bravo!

dont let anything ever touch your car from now on.. absolutle sex

that looks awesome. I have been doing the body work on my car for the last 3 years...... I start one panel and it will take me a couple of months, I can't put a whole weekends worth (I could when I was younger)
People keep asking me when I'm going to finish the car...... After seen your work I think i'm going to actually finish my car now

Looking good, if only you didn't have a crappy camera... lol.

if only I were that motivated when I was his age...like a year ago...
Jake

THe camera isn't dumpy, I just didn't have the flash on and it was dark, so it looked out of focus.

There are four coats of paint, didn't want to get it too thick and run.

u've motivated me too...plus my car will be sitting a while while i wait for the money for the pump.

How much did the paint run you? Ive got the same color on mine. I havent seen too many with that color blue. Bring it to Bimmerfest 06 I'm bringing mine when she's all done. Ill post pics of my project once my stuff starts goin into my car. PM me if anyone wants to know about a lil project ive got goin.

Hi to all,
The paint cost about $200, and that is every thing I needed to mix the paint ect.
Here are the photos in sunlight, enjoy.
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/4280/320i1222na.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3711/320i1239er.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/1888/320i124edit1ag.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/6296/320i1272px.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/4238/320i1332mo.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/2253/320i1342sw.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/527/320i1285sa.jpg
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/976/320i1309yi.jpg

Thats awesome. Good job. High five to you... But I think I will wait until you can actually drive it.... lol

Thanks for all of your compliments.
I will post photos of my seats hopefuly tomorrow.

Looks good!

But after all this talk about wipers and you still went with the rice boy ones?

Are the rear skirts just a 2 piece with no center section?

Looks good!

But after all this talk about wipers and you still went with the rice boy ones?

Are the rear skirts just a 2 piece with no center section?

I woundn't say they are "rice", but they were a Christmas gift and I like how they wipe the windshield clean of any water.
CJ,
do you have 18" wipers?
And yes the the rear skirt is a two piece with out a center section, I bought them new for ~$24.99 on Ebay which is a good deal because the other set went for ~109.99:eyecrazy
Did you buy your ALPINA front spioler new?
I really like it, I was going to buy a new one, but I didn't want to put $705.00 under my front bumper.

Yes they are 18" Bosch Super Blades, yours are Silver Tenzo Type R, so I call them rice.

Yes I bought ithe spoiler new for half the price you claim.

Looks awesome dude!!

Well Done :)

Did you buy your ALPINA front spioler from this company? > http://www.alpina-usa.com/

nice job on the paint... but that front bumper is HUGE... lol

I bought it from BavAuto before KSK bought the rights.

Hey man, your car looks awesome. I tell the truth, I am suprised at how well it turned out (it being your first paint job at 14 and all), it looks brand new. You should tuck the front bumper and paint the front air dam, then it will be hella cool.

Con grats on the work I am 20 and don't have that dedication to follow through on something so rapidly, good job just tuck that bumper and it would be awesome

I love your '02. Beautiful.

Con grats on the work I am 20 and don't have that dedication to follow through on something so rapidly, good job just tuck that bumper and it would be awesome

I saw your 2002 in the 2002 forum, very nice.

I've read this from day one, and the work you did is AMAZING!! Seriously, that car is just f'in sweet.

Makes me sad that a friend of mine who got one of these 320i's and doesn't want to rebuild it. Engine is shot. Just needs new chrome, new paint, locks and engine and some good cleaning and dash. But the body and transmission are straight and good. He could get a sweet car cheap. But nooo. I thought of rebuilding it myself. But I have a car and don't have the time.

Your an inspiration to me.

neat project you had going here. Turned out very nice.

Thanks!

And I thought this thread was dead........

Hi to all,
I am getting my driving permit on Thursday!
I will be able to normaly drive my car for the first time!
I am so excited, a song come to mind...

Congrats.. I remember the first time I drove my 2002.. I stalled out.. haha. Good luck!

Congrats.. I remember the first time I drove my 2002.. I stalled out.. haha. Good luck!
Thanks, I have driven it once before, but it was when I first got my car and it was running on three cylinders... ... I made it out of first gear the first time, but that was almost two years ago...

i love the work you have done..i think i'm due for a respray/touchup soon. how much do bbs front bars go for in the U.S?

On Ebay they go for over $200...

thats expensive. i paid $75aud so at a guess thats round $45-55 mark :D is it that hard to get euro bumpers in U.S?

is it that hard to get euro bumpers in U.S?
No.

Whooo Hoooo!
I just got my permit!
I passed the writen test!
I drove my car with my mom for an hour.
We are going to go out later.
But, I do have one question,

"If you vehical has anti-lock brakes, how should you stop your car if you need to stop quickly?"
A. Pump the brakes.
B. push on the brake pedal and pull the E-brake at the same time.
C. Push down firmly and maintian until the vehicle has stopped.

Just put the letter(A,B, or C) in your post and I will tell you why I am asking.

I'd say, (A), but I prefer no ABS, as no system that I've driven with has been very good.
Jake
P.S. Gratz on your license, and happy birthday.

I'd say, (A), but I prefer no ABS, as no system that I've driven with has been very good.
Jake
P.S. Gratz on your license, and happy birthday.
The correct answer is (C), But I got that one wrong because they think ( B) is better.
The Lady that gave me the test does not think that (B) is correct also.

And your birthday is coming up on Saturday, correct? If so Happy Birthday!