Almost Monty...BMW 318is 'loon

[Stuart]

A thorough underseal on its own is about 7 hours work so to fit in a full valet, exhaust silencer overhaul and pretty much full machine polish in just under ten hours was pretty good Rob just needs to get the roof and boot down to match, and then get a layer of decent quality wax or sealant on there to protect things until I can do it properly

I was supposed to be taking it easy on Fridays!!

[Tk]

Looks nice and clean in the pics
I hate undersealing, but have only done it on axle stands (probably why I hate it)

[Ben]

amazing work as always.

[Rob S]

Can't believe that it's been eight months since I've posted on here!
Since I've last updated this, I've enjoyed some ups and downs with finances, which has led to some difficult car decisions.
I've been restricted to essentials only, and have left it to servicing and part worns ( oh the shame!) I'm gathering a list of things to do with it this year to try and maintain my aim of keeping the old girl long enough to stick a snail on it. I added an M sport front end at a bargain price (birthday treat!), but it now needs

1. Front wings replaced or repaired (replacement will be cheaper but take longer to sort)
2. Exhaust blow mid section
3. Door cards
4. Get some fogs
5. Save, save, save, save for a snail..........
The bumper was grubby to start with, and the headlamp has misted up AGAIN (I've sealed it up with silicon etc)


But cleaned up ok

[pablo]

The old girl still looks good

[Stuart]

Looking nice bro' Are you door cards fabric centres or leather? I have two black leather ones in the shed if you want them (FOC of course)

[Rob S]

A bit like the old Mk3 Golf, it can be easy to take for granted a cheap reliable daily driver. I often find myself looking lustfully at other cars, but I'd struggle to get anything fast, reliable and cheap otherwise we'd all be driving them. It's only taken me 25 years of car ownership to realise it's all about which one of the three you are more willing to compromise on!

As Avus blue saloons come in 2 varieties (crumbly and mint) decent spares from Sport or M models are rare and often expensive.
I decided I'd rather emulate a m-tec kitted car, and giving up in a sensible rear bumper, bought this insert for £30 new. After a fair bit of fiddling about, it's on and helps smarten up the posterior.

Rear shot


Then onto the reality of my car slowly crumbling
I sourced a wing in Colchester that was the right paint code and then set about stripping off the old. Several rounded bolts later I was left with two scary sights!
Wingless


Crusty

After


And then onto my most recently purchase, some Motorsport style wheels. These were too cheap to ignore at £120, so off I toodled to Braintree and snapped them up.
Just had some tyres fitted so will be out later for proper before and after pics!
Wheels

[pablo]

Glad to see the Bimmer is being good to you. Those little jobs the bumper inserts and wheels really do smarten the car up and make her look younger. Nice work on the wings as well, thank god for bolt on wings so much easier than filler and spraying

[Rob S]

Wheels now on and please with the overall results.

From this upon purchase


To this after some cheap quickfixes


To where I am now





Still loads to do, but so far I'm back in love with it

[pablo]

Looking really good Rob