E30 M3 Resto

[benny.c]

I'm currently having my M3 restored and we're at the point where reassembly will be starting soon. Given I'll likely need some advice and info from the PH E30 experts I thought I'd start a thread to keep all my questions in one place.

First off - I'd rather not install the engine bay bulkhead sound deadening. It's a rust trap and I'd rather be able to keep an eye on and clean my freshly painted engine bay as easily as possible. Is there any good reason not to omit it other than increased motor noise in the cabin? I wont be doing many long journeys in the car and the sound of the S14 is rather nice anyway.

This is where we're up to at the moment….

[Mariachi]

I went through the same thing last spring.
It all depends if you want that oem look. Or maybe potentially selling.
What colour is yours?
Macau or diamond black? Can't tell from the pics.

[benny.c]

I wont be selling any time soon and I'm not overly concerned about the OEM look provided it's something reversible. As an example the chassis has all been painted in the body colour, Macau Blue, rather than the beige primer/underseal on the underside and I will be having gloss sills

Did you put your insulation in or leave it out?

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 16th May 20:04

[Mariachi]

I left mine on, but it was all in tact and good condition. Sometimes they go very brittle, or have chunks missing and they can shrink from the heat.
I personally would replace them, but it's your car and if your prefer it like that, then leave them out. I was mostly worried about getting my interior back in properly (new main carpet) but in the end it turned out fantastic.
Your cars looking great btw

[Rob747]

Hi Ben,

Good to see you on here.

Imo put new insulation in there, otherwise it’ll be hot, noisy and there’ll be more vibration through the dash etc.

Mine has been finished for 3 years now and I put new stuff in with no problems. If it’s garaged and not getting driven in all weathers it’s very unlikely to be come a rust trap again.

Keep us updated

R

[stevesingo]

I replaced mine with new. I believe you can still get the insulation, it comes in three parts and is not prohibitively expensive.

[benny.c]

Thanks for the opinions guys, something for me to ponder. It’s a while since I looked at mine but I think it’s pretty ratty so I’ll get a price from BMW and take it from there. I’ll post some updates from time to time.

[996owner]

So long since I had my E30... I guess the soundproofing will also prevent stones flying up chipping the paint behind it. I really cant remember how far down the bulkhead the material goes.
If it were me, id reinstall it. for the oem look and to protect the paint from engine heat.

car looks great so far

[Yil]

I am also restoring a Europamaister. Waiting for rear wings to be produced. Did you get new ones for yours?

[benny.c]

I only needed one side and fortunately I purchased it about six years ago when they were easily available and ‘only’ around £300. There were recent rumours that they would be available again March/April this year but that has been and gone.

[benny.c]

Out in to the sunlight properly for the first time in a long while....

[E30M3SE]

Macau.

[benny.c]

I know! I’d forgotten how good it looks in the daylight

[BSSBMW]

Will your M3 be left outside 247?

Will you jet wash your engine bay on a regular basis?

If not then its not the rust trap that it potentially can be.

One of the main causes of the bulkhead sound insulation trapping moisture for reasons other than the above is if the scuttle drain often referred to as the 'elephants trunk' is missing as water will flow straight through the scuttle grills, into the scuttle and out the drain onto......the bulkhead sound insulation.

To be honest its not the major rust trap it is made out to be as the heat from the engine and gearbox also help dry out any moisture retained by it.

I replaced min with new when my body shell was restored at the tail end of last year and in my opinion looks sh!t without it let alone the functionality of of it.

Body colour underside and gloss sills are a pet hate of mine on E30 restos but your car your choice and all that.

[benny.c]

Thanks for the input. I’m leaning towards fitting the insulation now, just need to dig mine out of the garage and see if it’s as bad as I remember. You see plenty of restorations on on other cars such as Escorts and American Muscle where the engines bays look lovely stripped back but I guess they are older and the mechanics are more simple to start with.

With regards the body colour, I can see the appeal of the OEM finish but they were only ever done that way because it saved BMW money. If the underside was all original I’d leave it be but as it’s been repaired and painted the finish will never be OEM anyway. If a future buyer really wants the OEM look then it’s not a huge job to repaint it in the correct baby puke colour. Don’t get me started on satin sills though! I can’t see one good reason for them. Just like the hideous black sills on a 348 that make it look like a 4x4