87 beemer with rust problem

Some_randomer · 15-06-2019 12:18pm #1

Hi I have a 1987 BMW 316 which was off the road and under cover for the past 6 years. I'm in the process of getting it back on the road again and had some work done on it, so it passed the NCT in January and now it's good for 2 years.

I need to fix up the body now as it has some rust here and there, and also a couple of other jobs:

- rust spots on wheel arches and under doors
- rust and blisters on both bumpers
- something draining the battery (I put a disconnector on it as a temp measure)
- driver side lock not working

Looking for a good garage / body shop in Sligo (or I can get it to Dublin also) that would sort out these issues. Any recommendations appreciated - pics attached.

Mad_Mike · 15-06-2019 1:38pm

Buy yourself a cheap multimeter and use it to test the draw on the battery
Its a simple check where you disconnect the battery lead and put the multimeter between the lead and pole of the battery and measure in amps to see what darin is on the battery. Then one by one, you pull fuses until the amp draw drops to zero.

I'll try find a video showing how it's done and post back

[EDIT]Here you go[/EDIT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIKNnwEjIs

rizzodun · 15-06-2019 1:44pm

For the rust and body work I'd try Currids in Grange, they do pretty good work by all accounts.

For the electrical, if you can't source it, try IMC Electrics on Connolly Street in Sligo Town, he has a good reputation.

elperello · 15-06-2019 1:49pm

Some bumpers.

https://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=bmw+e30+chrome+bumper&_frs=1

You could try https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/

Try to avoid pattern replacements as the quality is often patchy. OEM is dearer but better in long run.

Dr Turk Turkelton · 15-06-2019 1:51pm

Place in Boyle called Riverside Customs are supposed to be very good. My cousin has used them before and highly recommends them.

Captain Slow IRL · 15-06-2019 1:57pm

That rust seems to be confined to the bumper and door which are bolt-on components. Your battery tray seems to be in great nick which is a normal place that gets it badly.

Google common rust on e30's and check those locations closely.

high horse · 15-06-2019 2:20pm

rizzodun wrote: »

For the electrical, if you can't source it, try IMC Electrics on Connolly Street in Sligo Town, he has a good reputation.

I used to get my car serviced by Fred, I was always happy with their work. They knew what they were doing.

Also, is E30owners still going? It was a great resource for me when I had an E30. I would love to have my old 318iS back!

Isambard · 15-06-2019 3:16pm

from what we can see from the photos, that is no rusty at all.

You don't show the underside, that's where I'd be looking.

If it's as good as it looks, it's a great car.

Captain Slow IRL · 16-06-2019 2:01pm

high horse wrote: »

.........Also, is E30owners still going? It was a great resource for me when I had an E30......

It's still going but very quiet these days.

16-06-2019 4:52pm

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

It's still going but very quiet these days.

Any other active Irish classic BMW groups?

Captain Slow IRL · 16-06-2019 8:46pm

Not that I know of, I've been a few years without an old bmw so don't frequent the sites as much. There's still activity on e30owners, it would be worth posting up there.

Some_randomer · 18-06-2019 4:07pm

Thanks for all the replies very helpful, I'll start contacting some of those garages as soon as I get insurance sorted out.

The car is in pretty good nick overall and only has 120k miles on it. I haven't checked the underside yet but will take a look and see if there's much rust there.

high horse · 18-06-2019 8:53pm

Some_randomer wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies very helpful, I'll start contacting some of those garages as soon as I get insurance sorted out.

The car is in pretty good nick overall and only has 120k miles on it. I haven't checked the underside yet but will take a look and see if there's much rust there.

Have a look at the places that E30s typically rust.

The scuttle panel below the windscreen, around the sunroof if it has one, the rear wheel arches, around the rear lights and above the number plate is are all well known for rust. Of course the age of the car means the rust could be anywhere but I'd inspect those areas first

87 beemer with rust problem

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