Author Topic: longtallsally (Read 13389 times)

longtallsally · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2010, 09:24:55 AM »

I thought I'd take a couple more pics of the car with the new wheels as I washed it today.

YetiX · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2010, 03:21:09 PM »

Dig the new wheels.

They're wider than I thought too.

You should at least paint your front lip, it looks ghetto with that big ol' white rash. Just sayin

longtallsally · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2010, 12:53:33 AM »

Yeah I know. I had some SEM stuff, but I couldn't move over here with it. However, the whole front end of the car is thrashed from last winter.

All the white you see all over the place is generally me just literally slathering cheap wax- turtle wax I think- as a means of just trying to keep rust away. There is NO rust on the car, and I'd like to keep it that way to make the eventual paint job devoid of bodywork beyond simple dent repair.

Based on these pics, though, I'm excited to get it painted. I'm planning on doing all the prep myself as I've never done bodywork myself. Once we get back to CA and I don't need a car any longer, I'll just go panel by panel; sand, fill, sand, sand, sand, sand... I know I can't paint at home, but I think I might be able to do the primer, or some of it. If I can get that mostly done, and possibly just go to paint panel by panel, I might end up with a heck of a nice paint job without spending $5k.

My plan is to paint doors, hood, bumpers, front valence, and probably fenders separately (albeit at the same time), and then take- or get- the car to the shop last to get the shell done with all trim and glass removed.

This process will leave the car pretty darn near done at that point (none of this will be done until we are back in CA which could be anywhere from under a year to a couple years). It will truly be a heck of a nice car at that point as the only piece of the ENTIRE automobile left to be done, will be an engine rebuild.

The engine rebuild will be a process I'm equally excited for as the bodywork since I've never done more than tear an engine down and replace parts.

I'm getting to the point that I'm enjoying myself with the car since I'm past some of the real annoying stuff.

longtallsally · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2010, 04:20:36 PM »

I did a little work today on my rear fog light. This might help some folks understand how it works. Of course I'm cheating and am using all German spec parts.

Prior to starting out, I finally put in the 2nd trunk light. I didn't take any other pics as it is really straight forward; simply solder the wires on to the existing light and you are good to go.

This is the German spec housing I picked up last week.

I also grabbed the plug to make it easier.

I ended up cutting a couple of the wires out of the plug and simply snapping the wire into the existing plug as there is an opening on the US spec plug that is where the OEM fog light hot wire goes.

This is the US spec tail light housing and the German spec next to each other.

US spec

German spec

US spec

Here are the switches

The German spec one has the prongs that go diagonally.

Interestingly they both have just 4 wires plugged into them. I still need to study the wiring diagram to know which ones are which as I'm planning on putting a light in the cluster to indicate the rear fog light is on.

So I cut out a couple of the wires from the German spec plug out. The US and German spec plugs are the same and there are openings if I need more wires for the cluster.

In actual lights themselves, the US spec ones have the hole for the rear fog light plugged.

All I did was cut out the plug with a dremel.

So that's all I got for an update today. I ran the hot wire for the rear fog light to the cab, but didn't end up having time to pull the cluster to start working on the rest of it.

In my junkyard run last week I picked up another perfect seat with the crazy material and I'm just going to use those in my recover. I also got a whole new front bumper with German spec bumper trim that was even diamond schwartz, so I'll be putting that on shortly.

trackjunkie21 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:22:45 PM »

I'm really loving those wheels. They go so well with the car. IMO I would leave the tan interior, as it sets everything off nicely. A quick question, those are H&R sport springs, correct?

longtallsally · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:43:12 PM »

Yes, H&R sport. Perfect compromise for me as I've had everything from bone stock to 450 & 600 GC Eibachs.

I know what you mean about the tan. However, I've never liked the tan interior in the E30- actually always hated it- and I think the new seats will be pretty cool and offer just a touch of contrast.

trackjunkie21 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:50:59 PM »

Quote from: longtallsally;95749

Yes, H&R sport. Perfect compromise for me as I've had everything from bone stock to 450 & 600 GC Eibachs.

I know what you mean about the tan. However, I've never liked the tan interior in the E30- actually always hated it- and I think the new seats will be pretty cool and offer just a touch of contrast.

I liked light interiors in dark colored cars, and dark colored interiors in light colored cars. And I just always hated grey interior. Another note on the suspension, not to threadjack or anything, but would you know how big of a deal it is to put in H&R sports meant for a 6 into a 4 cylinder e30?

longtallsally · « **Reply #22 on:** August 25, 2010, 05:44:11 AM »

Quote from: trackjunkie21;95750

I liked light interiors in dark colored cars, and dark colored interiors in light colored cars. And I just always hated grey interior. Another note on the suspension, not to threadjack or anything, but would you know how big of a deal it is to put in H&R sports meant for a 6 into a 4 cylinder e30?

Yeah I guess my affinity for German cars started on how purposeful the dark interiors are, regardless of exterior color. I've seen really nice tan interiors, but I dunno, I guess I like to be surrounded in darkness and just look out when I drive at night. Whatever, I'm strange.

On the suspension, it shouldn't be any different than the 6 cyl machines. My only concern would be that the springs may sit the car a touch higher as I've heard the rates are just a bit different. I have no proof or experience with that, and it's been a while since I've done a suspension in an E30, but I do recall this for some reason. I put the same type of springs in my last E30 (325is) and it had the same height in the front. The car I have now came with the shocks and springs already done.

The process is really simple:
1- jack and remove front wheels
2- use the correct tool, or some huge flippin vice grips like me

to remove the shock nut on the strut housing (this saves you from fighting it after you get the assembly out- darn things are unruly)
3- pull the caliper,rotor, abs sensor and brake pad sensor (driver side)
4- remove the tie rod and control arm ball joint nuts (you hopefully know the drill on not mangling things unless you're replacing them)
5- remove the 3 nuts up top
6- remove the strut
7- (hope you have a gun or the "special tool") put on your spring compressors with mild tension (just to keep from shooting junk all over creation) and pull the shock nut up top.

If you are putting in new strut bearings, or camber plates or drop hats or the like, those get done and the rest is basically reverse of removal. Don't get too nuts with the gun on the shock nut holding down the strut bearing for fear of making it a total bear to remove in the future.

Hope that helps.

longtallsally · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2010, 04:30:16 PM »

A little more progress. I took the cluster out and did a bit of prep for the wiring there. As it turns out the extra US spec fog light switch is very similar to the German spec one.

The wiring will be easy as well.

This is my solution to the indicator on the dash.

Next is to finish the wiring.

Wizard · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2010, 07:47:03 PM »

^^^^ I wonder if we have a new source for Euro parts?....LMAO
Nice work...The right parts do make it easier...

Dan

longtallsally · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2010, 03:47:08 AM »

Quote from: Wizard;96074

^^^^ I wonder if we have a new source for Euro parts?....LMAO
Nice work...The right parts do make it easier...

Dan

I seriously would love to do it, but I'd get in beaucoup trouble as I've been specifically told not to; my wife works for the gubment.

I'm going to try to get everything more or less done today, so we'll see...

rjcaptsean · « **Reply #26 on:** September 02, 2010, 08:47:41 AM »

quick question, what is a "rear" fog light? When I think of fog lights, I assume they are mounted low on the front for driving in reduced visibility, are the rears for brighter identification during same? Hopefully you will get a chance to post some pics when you are done.

YetiX · « **Reply #27 on:** September 02, 2010, 09:12:48 AM »

Quote from: rjcaptsean;96163

quick question, what is a "rear" fog light? When I think of fog lights, I assume they are mounted low on the front for driving in reduced visibility, are the rears for brighter identification during same? Hopefully you will get a chance to post some pics when you are done.

Over in Europe they (are required to?) have a single red (duh) fog light to the rear. That helps increase your conspicuity to drivers behind you. Some US cars have this too, Audis do and maybe others.

I had a Euro delivery M3 for a while and it had a rear fog. It was in the driver's side brake lights where a red reflector is on US models. It was a great way to fend off tailgaters since they had no idea what the single bright red light meant.

longtallsally · « **Reply #28 on:** September 25, 2011, 02:03:17 AM »

Well guys and gals, my time is coming to an end with this E30. A number of factors have come into play, but I've decided to sell it. Basically, it is too much of a PITA to work on a car in Germany, it will be too expensive to ship home, we have a new toy to work on as a project, and most importantly my wife and I are expecting a baby.

There are a number of stipulations with us living here, one of which is that we are only aloud to register 3 cars here. With the baby on the way the third car needs to be family oriented.

Also, the new toy is about as cool as I've ever seen:

We just got a new hard top for it as well (IMPOSSIBLE to find and $$$$$$$$).

Here is how it currently sits. I've stripped a bunch of parts to uncover how bad the rust is (pretty bad) but already have a line on panels that should be pretty easy to replace.

Many may not even know what it is. Specifically, it is a 1985 Mercedes 300GD Cabrio. 4 speed n/a 5 cyl diesel, selectable front and rear lockers, solid axles, and a massive top speed of maybe 70 mph. We don't know the total history of it, but are pretty sure it was initially sold in Italy and then ended up here in Germany at some point.

I knew NOTHING of them until my wife found it and wanted it. I've since started a bunch of research (you guys know me) and it is ultra rare even for Germany. It is over 25 years old so we get to bring it back without the federalization nightmare. The end goal is to be able to run on straight vegetable oil, biodiesel, or straight diesel. Fuel economy is incredible at 22mpg and we've not a clue as to how many miles are on it since the odometer turns over 100k km (we think it's around 280k- with 80k showing currently).

The list of cool things about it are too long to list, but it is the complete antithesis of modern machines and is the quintessential example of simplicity and functionality; there is even a little hand pump on the fuel pump to prime the system if for some reason you remove a fuel line or the like.

Bottom line, I might be back some day as my love for E30s has not dwindled. I may post a FS ad here as a matter of course as I think you can get a car shipped to the east coast for under $1k, but it may not be worth it as the car is not totally perfect cosmetically and I expect a fairly simple and quick sale here.

Take care everyone!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #29 on:** September 25, 2011, 08:52:30 AM »

That's a bunch of good news...congrats on your new additions! While I'm sorry to see you leave the e30 fold, I expect you'll get the itch again.

Thanks for the update. Post some ads about parts before you leave...I'm sure a lot of newer members might be tempted by some parts from over the pond.

I didn't know they made that in a short wheelbase version, what an unusual and fun little beast. That diesel is unbelievably durable. The Gelandewagon is an unusual bird, that's for sure. M-B did build those to last; I hope spares aren't as pricey as I've heard. You can always ask the USMC or CAF for parts, eh?