BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

paulalbion
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BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Finally got myself a BMW E21.

316
Henna Red
1981
5 Speed Manual

It has been garaged for a good 10 years of its life and has only been put back on the road this year.
Apparently the garage that serviced it couldn't believe how good the condition mechanically and structurally the car is the owner told me.
The only advisory were the breaks which he had changed.
Theres a little bit of rot on the passenger sill, both the wings at the bottom have got a little bit of rot and lower valance has had a knock, apart from that the car is extremely good condition.
It has full BMW service history and most of the old MOT sheets.
I also have the original receipt of sale from when it was first purchased brand new, £5800, unbelievable.
The interior of the car is pretty much spotless with just a little bit of wear on the drivers seat.
It has all the original glass in the car from factory which I'm amazed at and it polished up a dream.
The paint was a little faded but I've already spent a good 6 hours giving a really good clean and buffing the paint and I'm very pleased with the result, could probably do with a few touch ups but i'm not expecting it to be spotless for the year of the car.

My plans for the car

- Get the rot sorted on the wings and passenger sill - SORTED
- Either get the lower valance repaired or source a better condition one - SORTED
- Get the bumpers re-chromed or spend a good few hours with the metal polish
- Get the car on air ride [any help with the set-up is welcome] - COILOVERS
- Maybe get a radio fitted as the car never had one from factory, or just find a decent bluetooth speaker. - SORTED
- Keep interior as standard as possible because I find it really comfy and think the cream really suits the car

I would appreciate any recommendations in the West Midlands area that specialise in these cars for servicing, bodywork etc as well because I want to maintain the car as well as it has been regardless of cost and give it the respect it deserves.

Thanks for reading, I will keep the photos and information as up to date as I can :-)

Paul

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Last edited by paulalbion on Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:06 pm, edited 9 times in total.


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arshad76
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by arshad76 »

Hi Paul,

Nice car and nice plans. I like the sound of those OZ wheels too. Keep the photos coming.
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Jeroen
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by Jeroen »

Congrats Paul, looks like a clean and unmolested example already!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Its really clean, I cant get over how well it drives for a car of its age, its my first time owning a classic car and I love it more overtime I get behind the wheel. Its even got the original spare wheel with its original tyre and has never been on the road.
Will post a lot more photos tomorrow hopefully, try and get as much detailed ones up as I can.
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uwbuurman
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by uwbuurman »

Welcome Paul! Nice and clean 316 you've got there. Great plans to.
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
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Reck
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by Reck »

Welcome!

Looks tidy! Good to see another Henna 316 on UK roads. :)
paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Couple more pictures added, everyone loves pictures! Been slacking on this thread, I will do a heavy photo update next week!
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Jeroen
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by Jeroen »

:thumbsup
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Added a couple of new additions to the car as well as a really good polish pretty much every weekend!
Stereo and audio will be going in next Thursday will post more pictures when that happens, excited to have music in the car!!!

Nardi Deep Cone steering wheel
Nardi gear stick to match
Momo Boss from eBay with an adapter from driftworks for the Nardi to fit, feel like a big don behind the wheel now!

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BBS Mahle 13's making a massive difference, original steels will be getting a refurb while they're off!

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I have also changed the chrome piping on the windscreen and rear screen, makes it look so much better!, but a pain of a job, lubricant is vital!
Next steps will be putting the double headlight setup on the car, managed to get an original set up from a car thats being broken near to me.
Need to get the little ding out of the lower valance, constantly putting that job on hold.
Possibly get the seats re-done in the same leather as the door cards if I can find a good price.

:boogie :boogie :boogie :boogie :boogie

Finally got the audio in!
All the wiring done by Bass Junkies, couldn't be happier, didn't want to tackle the wiring myself seen as it never had one in from factory!
Didn't want anything too over the top seen as it is an old car after all, I think the set up really suits the car and would recommend these little speakers to anyone who's after an upgrade, the clarity is surprising!
I've gone for an under seat subwoofer as well, after all who doesn't love a bit of bass!
I personally think I haven't taken any originality out of the car either, just added what should have been there from the start!

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:logospin :logospin :logospin

Well while they were off, thought I might as well give them a refurb, quoted £50 a wheel so thought sod it i'm going to tackle it myself, very happy with the outcome :banana
Managed to find some new centre cap inserts as well, wasn't really a hard find, wallothnesch.com again coming up with the goods!

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Last edited by paulalbion on Thu Jan 28, 2016 3:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
LeeLee
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by LeeLee »

Nice one bruv ;)
paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Coilovers are here! Will update with pictures soon once everything is put back together!
paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Well, I ditched the Oz Turbo's, and managed to get hold of some very good condition BBS RS's for a decent price! Excuse the height of the car on these pictures :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Changed the BBS logo to red, looks a lot better against the car.

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While the suspension has been off, thought I may as well give the car a real good scrub! The more I look around this car the better it seems to be, everything literally just needs a good clean.
Ignore the tesco carrier bag :lol:

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Decided to change the wishbones to better quality Febi Bilstein both sides, also the same with the outer tie rods. Only the wishbones pictured, tie rods still waiting to come off. I just love having new parts, makes it look better and me feel better :boogie

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paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

:popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

COILOVERS FINALLY TURNED UP!

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Contemplating taking the brake pad sensor out!!!

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I think new brake discs and pads will be on order come pay day as well, cant have them looking like that with brand new suspension! e_geek

Will update with more pictures when we drop the car back down and get it sitting pretty :thnx
Last edited by paulalbion on Tue Nov 03, 2015 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Peter V.
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by Peter V. »

So, that's becomming a very clean car. What are you using to clean the surface?
Gr Peter V.

.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.

BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
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paulalbion
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Re: BMW E21 316 Henna Red 1981

Post by paulalbion »

Peter V. wrote:So, that's becomming a very clean car. What are you using to clean the surface?
Thanks, pictures do sometimes make it look cleaner than it is however, I use mainly Auto Finesse products, snow foam first, and again because I wanted to give it a good clean then used the Rejuvenate product before waxing it. It needs doing again though, kept its shine pretty good considering I haven't cleaned it in a couple months.
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