1972 E9 3.0 CSI - Chamonix

[RTHLSS1]

Hi guys,

Been posting some updates regarding restoration of my E9 and @Peter Coomaraswamy suggested to open a thread to see progress over time which is great.

I first have opportunity to check E9 up close 6-7 years ago when my friend bought 2800CS restoration project.

I fell in love with the car and been checking to buy it ever since. I skipped some very rusty cars that I went to check in Italy (but looking now I should buy them all since they were super cheap). Last year I found E9 with e24 M engine and suspension swap in Bosnia. Made an agreement with seller that I will came to check and buy the car in a few days, but when I called him for address car was already sold in Denmark. Wasn’t able to go before and seller received 1000€ in advance from seller from Denmark… I was devastated quite some time.

This year in June I found newly listed add for E9 CSI from Italy. Contacted the owner and agreed with him to come and check the car next day. Car looked in decent shape on photos and owner said it has little rust. Went to check it with my father car was solid but I didn’t know what is hiding under the paint. Car was “repainted” somewhere around 1995 and after that it was sitting in garage partiality assembled by new owner. Paint job was awful and I realize that they fill up holes for chrome trim moldings around the car, logos, and bumpers and so on. All the missing parts were in the boxes except both bumpers and chrome moldings were missing. Maybe they decided to have car without bumpers and moldings I don’t have any other explanation why to fill the mounting holes.

Anyway I decided to buy the car and get it towed back to Slovenia after a couple of days.

Car info: BMW 3.0 CSi VIN 2261124 was manufactured on January 04th, 1972 and delivered on January 14th, 1972 to Italy.

Some photos I saved from posted add:

Towed to my home:

 

[RTHLSS1]

Next day was already in the garage. We tried to start it; engine was showing life but didn’t start since fuel pump was dead. Replaced fuel pump and engine started but fuel was leaking everywhere so all fuel hoes under the car were replaced. Brakes were jammed so we dismantled brake calipers replaced seals and clean pistons.

After that all water hoes were replaced, water pump, thermostat, engine and gearbox oil, differential oil, power steering fluid, sparks brake fluid, filters…

Then I was able to take her down the street for the first time. Differential was noisy, rear exhaust was leaking and there was some not healthy noise from suspension. Also no power window was working, lights weren’t working and wiper motor wasn’t working.

Took out window motors clean them, grease them and they start working, but probably they will need to be replaced eventually. Removed wiper glass motor cleaned away rust and grease it – works now.

Also I replaced headlight connectors and bulbs now they are working. Also I replaced sway bar bushings and there is no strange noise anymore.

I had rear steel exhaust made (not happy with it will replace it when I will be putting stainless steel exhaust system on).

 

[RTHLSS1]

Bought used bumpers and rubbers and started assembling her.

During the assembly my father who helps me a LOT also got in love with the car. Since car was already assembled we decided to have the car in driving condition drive it and enjoy it during summer time and when I will gather all the necessary new parts (moldings, gaskets, and other outside trim…) since some cannot be bought new anymore, car will receive body restoration.

Since they filled holes for trim line I will put on chrome tape. Tried a few and they didn’t look good so I had to remove them. Now I found great solution for the time being just had to install it.

 

[RTHLSS1]

Messy paint job under the hood bothered me so much I decided to take the engine out and have engine bay re-done.

 

[RTHLSS1]

Underneath car is solid

View attachment 42504

 

[RTHLSS1]

Before I towed her to paint workshop I removed carpets and seats to drive them to auto fabrics shop to have them repaired and replace upholstery. Also they will make me new floor carpets and trunk carpet.

View attachment 42508

Also I removed heater box and heater core since it was leaking.

Removed differential as well to have noisy bearing replaced.

 

[RTHLSS1]

A few days ago I got her back from body workshop and I like engine bay now:

Waiting for some hoses to come to replace them before putting engine back in.

I am thinking of sandblasting valve cover and paint it in black and polish of BMW sign and stripes but I have doubts about doing it

Don’t know what to do with air intake that it would look tasteful. Cleaned it as much as I can "polishing" wouldn’t last long....

Any suggestions?

 

[Stan]

looking good

 

[Philippe db]

Love your seats!

The fabrics they used look very close to the original.

 

[sandhu]

Looking good ... am going to have the engine taken out and get the whole engine bay sprayed , like you have done in a few weeks ..

Keep you the good work ...

 

[RTHLSS1]

Love your seats!

The fabrics they used look very close to the original.

This are actually seats as they were before I drove them reupholstered I just cleaned them. They look quite nice on the pictures but there were some holes in fabric. But we did source very similar fabric to original. Wanted to keep them as original as possible, so only middle part (that is damaged) will be reupholstered.

Will post photos once I get them back.

 

[RTHLSS1]

Looking good ... am going to have the engine taken out and get the whole engine bay sprayed , like you have done in a few weeks ..

Keep you the good work ...

Thanks!

Post it once you have it done

 

[Philippe db]

Good choice. That is the only thing I would like to redo on mine. The upholstery was nicely done but the blue is just to light. Since the fabrics aren't made anymore I would very much like to find an original blue interior but no luck so far.

 

[RTHLSS1]

Good choice. That is the only thing I would like to redo on mine. The upholstery was nicely done but the blue is just to light. Since the fabrics aren't made anymore I would very much like to find an original blue interior but no luck so far.

If you will like it I will get you info where they order it.

 

[sandhu]

Thanks!

Post it once you have it done

I will do ... early next year !!!

 

[RTHLSS1]

Got some parts from Wallothnesch. My first order from them - very happy!

 

[autokunst]

It is always a good day when a W&N box arrives from Deutschland!

 

[RTHLSS1]

Update guys

Made new firewall insulation. Of course I used non flammable material + it does not absorb water.

Also I rewrapped installation cables.

Engine is back in the car, heater is restored and not leaking now, differential restored and mounted, made custom stainless light muffler (i like it will post photo how it looks simple, light and nice sound).

And I got seats back and new carpets + trunk carpet.

I am waiting for electrician to check some wiring for headlights, taillights, wipers, indicators - sometimes they work sometimes they don’t... might be switch.

I was also checking for wheels fitment.

Also I find some rust spots on rocker panel where car is being lifted - will take it to body shop to sort it out before spreading.

That is it for now will get back with some new updates in a while.

 

[sandhu]

Looking good !!!!

 

[tmason]

Looks great! And very cool your Dad likes it too!