Betty the Black E21 BMW 320i

[Senor_Taylor]

[Senor_Taylor]

[Senor_Taylor]

New rear seats from Al Taylor. Front seats from Dave's 02. The 2002s had seat belts on the trans tunnel and the late e21 had seat belts on the seat itself. There is a shaft built into the seat frame that allows a place for the seat back hinge to mount on and the shaft for the title handle runs through it. The shaft on the e21 seat is longer to also allow the seat belt buckle to mount on it. I had to grind down the base of the shaft to allow more space. Sketchy, yes. Smart? Probably not. I worked on them for a while and eventually got enough space for everything and then could just BARELY get the circlip snapped in. The seats are a major improvement in looks, but are inferior to the original e21 seats in build quality and comfort, but they do have better lumbar support.

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[Senor_Taylor]

500 miles on her! Got all of the junk out of the air conditioning vents and all of them work now. Heat blows well and the ac compressor kicks on. Continuing to bathe everything in leather/vinyl conditioner to get it supple and healthy. I'm also letting all of the rubber and plastic soak up back to black whenever I can and it's really making things look nice. Replaced the front two speakers as well and it sounds pretty good now. Took off the rear brake lines and blew compressed air through them and now have 3/4 brakes. Still need to figure out why the back left doesn't get fluid. I check and air gets through from the soft line to the bleed valve on the caliper, so the blockage has to be between the T in the line and the hardline on the trailing arm.

Got all of the lights working as well and picked up some Coco Mats from a Porsche for $50. Sure they don't fit, but they're the best mats out there and I couldn't even buy parts store mats for much less. Pulled the fuel sending unit and have it soaking in vinegar to try to free it up as it's been stuck at the level the tank was at Doe 30 years. Put a new oxygen sensor in it as well and reset the oxygen sensor timer, which is a box that tracks mileage and flips on a light every 30k (?) miles to remind you to install a new sensor. The engine still idles high and I can't adjust the air fuel mix because it seems the screw is mixing. That will have to wait because the air volume chamber is a crazy complex part and must be dissembled to put a new screw in. I. Also believe there is a small vaccum leak through the oil pan gasket. It's on the list.

Met a guy at cars and coffee would wanted to talk about about E21s. He had told me about his super clean example he had down at VA beach for storage. He finally brought it up and I was blown away when I saw it. Has a bunch of IS goodies and that color is so beautiful. Interior is 9/10 due to a crack in the dash, but otherwise perfect. Absolute goals.


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[Senor_Taylor]

Great success! Soaked the fuel sending unit in a mix of water and vinegar. I checked it this morning and could feel the float moving inside it, so I reinstalled it and plugged it up. Bingo! Working fuel gauge.

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[davej]

I missed the fact that those mats were the real-deal coco's. hellyeah I'd trade a poor fitment for $50 also.
Also, you are officially banned from selling it until at least June 1, 2021.
Join the caravan down and we'll all go to http://www.atthevintage.com/

[Senor_Taylor]

I missed the fact that those mats were the real-deal coco's. hellyeah I'd trade a poor fitment for $50 also.
Also, you are officially banned from selling it until at least June 1, 2021.
Join the caravan down and we'll all go to http://www.atthevintage.com/

Yes sir! Real deal coco mats. Black and beige match the e21 as well! If I want, I can just order one custom made driver mat and be in for a set of cocos for under half retail.

I'd love to go to The Vintage! Let's see what happens.

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[ScottyB]

looking awesome Taylor. this has to be one of the best "brought back from the dead" projects on the forums, ever. that red one is gorgeous.

i hadn't heard of Coco mats either, and just took a look...holy crap did you ever luck out, and they still look like they fit pretty good too at least from those pictures.

[Senor_Taylor]

New master cylinder installed and the car is a completely transformed. It went from being something that was a hassle to drive to a car that feels modern and simple. It's great having brakes! Previously even with the pedal to the floor, I was unable to knock the rust off the rotors. With the new master cylinder, I knocked the rust off on the first stop and it locks up the front wheels at like 50% brake pressure.

Car is reluctantly for sale. I love it and want to keep it, but I also drained the bank to buy this and fix it. Not sure what to do.

[ScottyB]

I love it and want to keep it

so i've seen lots of stories of people regretting "that one car" that they sold that they can't get back again, either because their life has become too complicated, or money's too tight, or kids, or the partner doesn't want it back.  

lemme ask you this.  if you've really connected with this car, do you think its the kind of situation where if you sell it, the odds are strong you'll never get another one either due to spousal disapproval or the fact that this car was the deal that it was?  how hard is it to find old E30 fixer uppers?  do you really think you'd drive this around often or do you think you're just in "celebration mode" of having a car work after putting lots of sweat and blood into it?

i'd hate to see you lament that one car you should have kept.  on the other hand, maybe you turn your skills into flipping old bimmers periodically, and then you can get this feeling after every project instead?

[Senor_Taylor]

I love it and want to keep it

so i've seen lots of stories of people regretting "that one car" that they sold that they can't get back again, either because their life has become too complicated, or money's too tight, or kids, or the partner doesn't want it back.  

lemme ask you this.  if you've really connected with this car, do you think its the kind of situation where if you sell it, the odds are strong you'll never get another one either due to spousal disapproval or the fact that this car was the deal that it was?  how hard is it to find old E30 fixer uppers?  do you really think you'd drive this around often or do you think you're just in "celebration mode" of having a car work after putting lots of sweat and blood into it?

i'd hate to see you lament that one car you should have kept.  on the other hand, maybe you turn your skills into flipping old bimmers periodically, and then you can get this feeling after every project instead?

That's the concern. I enjoy every old BMW I pick up, fix, drive, then sell. This one is by far the best and least likely to blow up in my face which is why I want to keep it. It's also the most unique and hard to find. However, holding onto this car means this is my project for the foreseeable future, and part of the thrill comes from finding that next gem in the rough and saving it.

[ScottyB]

hrmm. sounds to me like you're a talented fixer upper. maybe roll this experience into resurrecting old 2002s, E21s, and E30s. those are all cars that should command a profit once you finish with them and they all seem to share a lot of the same components, so your experience with this E21 was good training.

i think its a really cool car to drive around in, so i sympathize there. i have a lot of sentiment wrapped up in my cars, i always want to keep them.

on the other hand, it just happens to be the coolest/nicest one you've fixed up *yet*. you may uncover some more gems in the future and as you said that's part of the enjoyment.

[.RJ]

I drove an E21 a long time ago....

Its neat, but if you can flip it and make some money, move on. Its nice enough that it will go quickly, but its not a time capsule and will bankrupt you trying to make it really nice.

[Senor_Taylor]

New Gear Oil, New Trans Oil, and replaced a completely clogged brake line to the right rear drum. I can finally drive the car like it was meant to be driven: HARD. Fantastic brakes that easily over power the little 185s.

[Senor_Taylor]

Euro E21s had very cool bumpers. USDM E21 got impact bumpers that stick super far out and ruin the shark nose look. Euro Bumpers are a $1000+ investment, but tucking your US bumpers is free. Take bumper off, drill a hole in the shocks, drain the oil, and press them in. The oil EXPLODES out and smells terrible. Built the bumper back up and trim the accordians on the side (I did a bad job).

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[Senor_Taylor]

Another tank of gas down!

The reflector of one of the headlight bulbs was oxidized so it put out zero useful light. $13 and 15 minutes later, we have lots of light!

I've always diagnosed the rough idle at start to be a slipping alternator belt. It slips and doesn't provide enough current to the coil and the car misfires. (Originally thought it was running rich, which is almost partially true here). I've had a new belt and alternator bushing sitting in the garage, I've just been lazy.

Cars and Coffee Pics.

First is pre bumper tuck.






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[Senor_Taylor]

Picked up a cheap 5 speed parts car. It's donating it's headliner, sunroof mechanism, PRISTINE front seats, and various bits and bobs to mine. I've already made my money back selling some weird stuff off of it, so the rest is pure profit.

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[BLINGMW]

[Senor_Taylor]

First improvement! E21 sport wheel from an IS model!

Swapped tan 02 seats out (thanks Dave!) And installed real tan e21 seats. In the photo, you can see the e21 seat on the driver side and the 02 seat from Dave on the passenger side. You may remember I modified and installed those a while ago to get rid of the disgusting cloth seats. The 02 seats are a very old, spring design and not comfortable or supportive.

Poached the toolkit from the parts car, which mine was missing.

Also snagged the steering column trim on the bottom I was missing from the other car.

Center console side panel was torn in my car, parts car had a minty one.

Shift knob

Mirror in much better shape

Better, but not great sun visor. All of them turn to mush after 30 years.

More to come!

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[Senor_Taylor]

Swapped out this piece of trim that's been bent forever and got the center console piece swapped out. Drove it to cars and coffee and met up with my e21 mentor. Whenever I need to see how something is supposed to be on these cars, I look at his.

I also spent about 3 hours tonight swapping sunroof parts around. I eventually got it worked! Then it stopped working! The screws holes are stripped on one side and it let's everything come apart and get wonky so I'll need to take it all apart again.

It's a shame that it is actually 100% impossible to replace the sunroof cables without destroying the headliner, hence why mine is so messed up. My plan is to get the sunroof 100% working so I never need to touch it again, and then get an upholstery shop to do the headliner. It's a full glass out procedure to replace the headliner so it's not something I want to do and risk messing up.

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