Start and costs of partial restoration of E9

[vladkuk]

Hey folks,

here is my introduction story

http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20755

Below - few pictures of my coupe.

Since I'm quite busy with my job, I've decided to make some repair/renovation at my home country - Lithuania, where the wages are still low (here in Brussels prices are crazy).

The works that I will be doing to this lady:

1. Removal of the rusted parts(and weld new ones) + new paint (without deconstruction of saloon) + strengthening of the shock towers.
2. Replace passenger safety belts + installing new belts on the back (there are none now)
3. Dismantle and cleansing of carbs

I've found a company who is working only in restoring old-timers. So their proposed me such prices:

1. 3000 EUR
2. 200 EUR + the price of belts itself
3. 200 EUR

As I wrote in introduction - the car was parked for a long period of time approx. 6-8 years. It started without a big hustle and I was able to drive it to my place. Was thinking to change the gearbox from automatic to 5 speed, but then changed my mind, because I am not that speedy driver and I always admired slow cruisin instead of speeeeeed + I hope my beautiful wife will be better driving an automatic version of this car

Can you please give me some hints on what else should I consider on doing (like those shock tower for example)?

I will publish better pictures after the works will be done and also the quality of work of this garage - maybe you will be interested as well.

Thanks,
Vladas

 

[peterkaczynski]

nice looking coupe, your best bet would be to consult with a few reputable places and get quotes, then consult with your family and see what is the best decision. Its tough to say how much a car resto will cost it depends of what you want, you can have a $6000 paint job or a $25000 paintjob it all depends on what you want and how you want your coupe done.
Best of luck hope it helped

 

[Arde]

Those prices are good prices for most of the world I know.

The main improvements to consider are:
- New shocks, Bilsteins possibly.
- Steering parts if the car has any play
- Rubber seals, some improve wind noise, some reduce fumes and fuel smells

Of course 5-speed transforms the car into a different car. You can still drive slow in a manual car ...

 

[vladkuk]

Peter and Arde,

thanks for replies.
My wish is to do as much things in the shop that I really couldnt do at my own ( personally I would leave only small repair works for my self).

Ok, so new shocks you say, thanks, well noted.
Rubber seals? How many do we need, because I was checking and they seemed to be very expensive?

 

[teahead]

1. That seems pretty cheap. Did they give you EXACTLY a COMPLETE list of what they'll do? And how they will do it? Get LOTS of references.

2. Seems fair. Although belts are pretty easy to change yourself. Maybe find some used ones?

3. Seems fair too, but again, get references or do your research on who has experience cleaning/tuning Zenith carbs.

 

[vladkuk]

teahead

That garage already had one or two E9 restored, so I believe they know what their doing. At first I wanted to do a full restoration, but they advised me not to, since the car is in a good shape. I was surprised - here I am, ready to spend some cash and they advice me to save it and do what I wrote.

Also I've just got an offer to buy some old alpina look R14" wheel from Vossen, 7J and ET10 (picture attached). The price is around 150 EUR for the whole set. Do you think they will look good on E9?

 

[teahead]

Those wheels can look good if they're restored properly. I prefer the look of 16" BBS wheels, but that's just me.

Why does the shock towers need strengthening? Are they rusted and weak?

 

[vladkuk]

teahead

thanks for reply. Will think about those wheels, not my first priority.

regarding the shock towers - I've read everywhere that this is the first thing to do when restoring...

 

[Stevehose]

The rear shock towers need to be reinforced no matter the condition. AMHIK:

http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18208

If nothing is wrong w/the shock towers, there shouldn't be anything needed.

Of course, repair them if they're rusted out, but if not, what was the shop exactly planning on doing w/them? I assume you're talking about the front shock towers?

 

[adawil2002]

Recommend reinforcing the shock towers if you are putting Bilstein HDs all around. Metal fatigue over the years can cause failure quite easily, have seen it happen to 2 coupes and it's not pretty.

Obviously replace all fuel lines, belts, hoses and flexible brake lines. Replace all fluids in the drive line too. Then the car should be good to go with regularly scheduled maintenance for years to come.

If there is any rust be sure to take care of it, then spray waxoil on everything under the car, especially the fender wells.

Suggest getting larger Suspension Techniques anti-sway bars. makes the car roll much less around corners. Though it's an automatic one can still drive spiritedly.

 

[mark]

hey, is is jan car factory in lithuania. i have been thinking for a long time to send my car there from australia.

cheers

 

[vladkuk]

Mark, I've been in touch with Jan but he doesnt have time until summer and knowing his target market - Norway, I think the costs would be 3 times higher than the one I got. I am planning to sign the papers this week and will keep you posted on the works.

adawil2002
thanks for the advices, I will certainly use them.

 

[vladkuk]

Rust rust everywhere (almost)

Folks,

received few pictures from the garage...
First picture is from the back and that piece is totally rusted. Can anyone tell me please whats the name of it - will need to find it somewhere?

thanks

 

[adawil2002]

Walloth-Nesch has what you need, they are having a 20 Euro sale on orders over 200 Euros with the code 20TC if you place your order today, April 11th 2016.

 

[vladkuk]

Thanks adawill,

no luck yet:

"sorry but the part you ask for is not available and we don´t have a new delivery date yet."

 

[vladkuk]

Hey guys,

received some pictures from the garage that I would like to share with you. The part that was totally rusted (read the recent post) couldn't be found so they had to make it + 250 EUR (with chroming) to the costs. See how it looks.

 

[vladkuk]

Now some rust removal and welding pictures...

 

[vladkuk]

and more...

 

[vladkuk]

One more thing - wheels. Found original 15" alpinas (see the pictures) for 350 EUR and I'm wondering are they worth it? New paint on them would cost 200 EUR. So 550 EUR in total. One cup is missing though, but I was thinking to paint centre part in black and buy small cups. What you all think? Should I go for it?

 

[Markos]

One more thing - wheels. Found original 15" alpinas (see the pictures) for 350 EUR and I'm wondering are they worth it? New paint on them would cost 200 EUR. So 550 EUR in total. One cup is missing though, but I was thinking to paint centre part in black and buy small cups. What you all think? Should I go for it?

Good job on the rework. Your trunk looks much like my polaris. Overspray on the torsion bar. Overspray on the elephant skins. What is it with these crappy old paint jobs?

As far as the wheels go. Since they are a 15" wheel I would ditch the center caps and paint the centers black. The wheels aren't going to appeal to newer car owners who would want the centers. I'd say that if you refinished them you could easily sell for 800 EUR, and the caps could go for 50 EUR each or so... New caps are expensive!