My E9 2800cs restoration journal

MPOWER5266 · 03-10-2021, 08:03 AM

Another super small boring update but I like to keep track of these things and hopefully you all enjoy it.

Prepped the bumpers to paint the insides. We noticed they were pretty rusty so we figured it wouldn't hurt to protect them.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the rear emblem.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the rubber covers for the bumper mounts.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finally, bolted on its pinchers, I mean front bumper mounts. I thought it looked a little like a crab.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

More to come soon.

MPOWER5266 · 03-15-2021, 07:38 AM

Another small set of E9 updates from the weekend.

Installed the rear emblem. For now, a reproduction but we will eventually source and restore an original.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the original front roundel. This will be restored as well when we source a rear one.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Stripped and polished more trim.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And installed that trim on the car.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Painted the inside of the bumpers.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Mounted the bumper center on the car. We are waiting on over riders for the bumper to show up before we can install the rest.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Finally, we test fit the hood grills.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We are waiting on some parts, so the car will come off the lift this week. Its at a point where we can start putting the interior back together so thats the plan this week.

spazzyfry123 · 03-15-2021, 01:42 PM

This thread is the only reason I come into the BMW folder of this section. Bravo!

2000cs · 03-15-2021, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

No its an aftermarket thing probably from the 80's. It just kinda works in the car. I might change my mind when the interior is fully installed though.

Late getting to this, sorry. These wheel wraps were common on imports in the early 70s. The wheel is typically hard black plastic and gets really hot in the sun. The cover softens it and stays a bit cooler to the touch. Eventually car manufacturers including BMW started using soft wheels, and now leather wrapped. And that ended the use of these.

All that by way of saying it is definitely correct for the vintage of this car, as would be sheepskin seat covers (and headrest covers!).

Gray_Panther · 03-16-2021, 06:27 AM

This thread is amazing!!! It inspires me to finish paying off my house so I can buy a project car like this for my dad to restore it with him!

MPOWER5266 · 03-17-2021, 08:40 AM

Just a couple of small bites out of the elephant.

Tracked down some wiring issues and got the tail lights working again.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

This also made the under hood light work. :dunno

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Glued down some elephant skin in the trunk and got it pretty much buttoned up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finished installing the trim.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

tracer bullet · 03-17-2021, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

This also made the under hood light work. :dunno

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Random thought - if you think you'll have the hood up a lot, to work on it or at shows, you might consider a real low wattage bulb or an LED, so it doesn't sort of overheat or anything.

MPOWER5266 · 03-17-2021, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Random thought - if you think you'll have the hood up a lot, to work on it or at shows, you might consider a real low wattage bulb or an LED, so it doesn't sort of overheat or anything.

Thats a good idea, I might even have an LED laying around.

MPOWER5266 · 03-23-2021, 08:35 AM

This might be my most boring update yet but I have the photos and time so why not.

Saturday I cleaned the seat belts.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

While I did that, my dad worked on installing the needlessly elaborate door trim and weather stripping. I really cant explain the process but the pics should kinda show it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Ok, that was boring and I hope you are still awake. Here is some rubber on the rear bumper.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The over riders for the front bumper showed up, ignore the pile of fried chicken in the back ground.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finally, my dad started to install the vapor barriers on the door and rear 1/4. But there was an issue.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The E3 is a sedan for those that dont know, so we got one that would work for the E9 but the rest are trash. Funny story, the first time we ordered from this company they just sent an empty shipping tube so they are getting better. Rather than waiting we are just going make our own. More updates soon.

MPOWER5266 · 03-24-2021, 10:08 AM

Another small but time consuming update.

Made vapor barriers for the rears.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And installed the rear cards.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The time consuming part, is getting the door card, weather stripping, and metal pieces for the window sill all stacked in the right order. I think we got it right.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Here is a more detailed photo of what I am talking about.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Anyway, more to come.

happyjack · 03-24-2021, 10:31 AM

no stone unturned!

your attention to the details is amazing!

MPOWER5266 · 04-01-2021, 09:36 AM

Last Thursday night/Friday morning, my house was hit by an EF-4 tornado. It took some heavy damage but held up pretty well. I had planned on working on the car last weekend but I had other things to do. My wife and twins are great and no one was injured, it could have been much worse.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Anyway, enough of that bs. My dads shop was fine so he continued to work on the e9.

He got the back seats installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the rear carpets.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Drip rails.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the hazard switch, and I think a fog light switch( I was a little distracted when I talked to my dad. )

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Got the ignition reinstalled. Fahrt, hehehe.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finally redyed and installed the kick panels.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

In process, not fully installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

m_thompson · 04-01-2021, 12:43 PM

You got blue paint on the electric window wire harness...

MPOWER5266 · 04-01-2021, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

You got blue paint on the electric window wire harness...

I believe that was from a previous respray, I dont believe we painted the jambs. Least of my worries right now. Haha.

tracer bullet · 04-01-2021, 02:42 PM

Glad everyone's OK. Thanks for the continued updates even in the middle of it all.

chassis · 04-01-2021, 09:49 PM

Wow sorry to hear about the tornado, and glad your family is safe. Best wishes for a successful return to normalcy.

Nice progress pics.

BeEmVe · 04-02-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

Got the ignition reinstalled. Fahrt, hehehe.

Just don't miss the ausfahrt.

wdb · 04-04-2021, 11:51 AM

So sorry to hear about the tornado, very glad to hear there were no injuries! We had a force 3 go through a few miles from here many years ago; it was 1/4 mile across where it contacted the ground. Made a real mess. Brick buildings took the hit pretty well.

MPOWER5266 · 04-06-2021, 09:18 AM

The house is still a mess and thank you for the kind comments. I am getting ready for a big work trip, and with the house I am not really working on the car. But my dad is still knocking things out. He installed the rest of the carpet.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the passenger seat.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I love the little finishing details.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And steering wheel and drivers seat in.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its really coming together. I will probably be able to drive it when I get back from my trip. We do have a lead on brown door handles, but the black is fine for now.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

tracer bullet · 04-06-2021, 10:09 AM

I love the balance between getting things fixed & repaired, working, etc. and not trying to make it look brand new either. You'll have a car that's been driven, and loved, but is also back to being solid and reliable.

jab23 · 04-06-2021, 10:59 AM

Just found this thread today and spent the last hour reading though every post. Incredible job you and your father are doing. Your updates, photos and descriptions are like reading a good book. I could feel a sense of gratification with every completed part. Especially the leather. Thanks so much for sharing and so sorry about the tornado. Had to be terrifying. Glad everyone is okay and hope the damage gets fixed up as good as the e9.

auburnf30x · 04-06-2021, 12:10 PM

I just found this thread and read it from beginning to end. And man, perfect timing on my part, looks like I caught it at just the perfect time to read all the way to completion (or very nearly so). Absolutely amazing work, beautifully done restoration. Motivates me to finally getting around to restoring my grandad's truck that's been sitting for years now. Can't wait to see your final result and first drive.

Was very sorry to come across your tornado report, but I'm glad everything looks fixable and that you and your family are okay. That's the most important part.

03-10-2021, 08:03 AM	#199
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Another super small boring update but I like to keep track of these things and hopefully you all enjoy it. Prepped the bumpers to paint the insides. We noticed they were pretty rusty so we figured it wouldn't hurt to protect them. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Installed the rear emblem. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Installed the rubber covers for the bumper mounts. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And finally, bolted on its pinchers, I mean front bumper mounts. I thought it looked a little like a crab. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr More to come soon. Last edited by MPOWER5266; 03-10-2021 at 08:08 AM..
	Appreciate 3 tracer bullet2410.00 m_thompson132.50 chassis6537.50 Quote

03-15-2021, 07:38 AM	#200
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Another small set of E9 updates from the weekend. Installed the rear emblem. For now, a reproduction but we will eventually source and restore an original. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Installed the original front roundel. This will be restored as well when we source a rear one. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Stripped and polished more trim. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And installed that trim on the car. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Painted the inside of the bumpers. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Mounted the bumper center on the car. We are waiting on over riders for the bumper to show up before we can install the rest. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Finally, we test fit the hood grills. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr We are waiting on some parts, so the car will come off the lift this week. Its at a point where we can start putting the interior back together so thats the plan this week.
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03-15-2021, 01:42 PM	#201
spazzyfry123 Lieutenant Colonel 4359 Rep 1,913 Posts Drives: Here and There Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: North Georgia Mountains iTrader: (1) Garage List 97 Toyota Land Cruiser [7.50] 16 Toyota Land Cruiser [10.00] 11 BMW E90 M3 Stripper [10.00]	This thread is the only reason I come into the BMW folder of this section. Bravo!
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03-16-2021, 06:27 AM	#203
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1555 Rep 3,234 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	This thread is amazing!!! It inspires me to finish paying off my house so I can buy a project car like this for my dad to restore it with him! __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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03-17-2021, 08:40 AM	#204
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Just a couple of small bites out of the elephant. Tracked down some wiring issues and got the tail lights working again. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr This also made the under hood light work. :dunno Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Glued down some elephant skin in the trunk and got it pretty much buttoned up. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And finished installing the trim. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
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03-23-2021, 08:35 AM	#207
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	This might be my most boring update yet but I have the photos and time so why not. Saturday I cleaned the seat belts. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr While I did that, my dad worked on installing the needlessly elaborate door trim and weather stripping. I really cant explain the process but the pics should kinda show it. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Ok, that was boring and I hope you are still awake. Here is some rubber on the rear bumper. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr The over riders for the front bumper showed up, ignore the pile of fried chicken in the back ground. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And finally, my dad started to install the vapor barriers on the door and rear 1/4. But there was an issue. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr The E3 is a sedan for those that dont know, so we got one that would work for the E9 but the rest are trash. Funny story, the first time we ordered from this company they just sent an empty shipping tube so they are getting better. Rather than waiting we are just going make our own. More updates soon.
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03-24-2021, 10:08 AM	#208
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Another small but time consuming update. Made vapor barriers for the rears. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And installed the rear cards. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr The time consuming part, is getting the door card, weather stripping, and metal pieces for the window sill all stacked in the right order. I think we got it right. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Here is a more detailed photo of what I am talking about. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Anyway, more to come.
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03-24-2021, 10:31 AM	#209
happyjack Captain 1657 Rep 922 Posts Drives: '21 F87 M2C 6MT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: old line state iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 MINI Hatch 5-door [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [9.67] 2023 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00] 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i [0.00]	no stone unturned! your attention to the details is amazing! __________________ my garage: '23 G05 xDrive40i m-sport; '21 F87 M2C, 6MT; '17 F25 x-drive28i SAV; '15 F55 mini hatch 5-door retired: '87 E30 MT 'vert; '92 E36 sedan; '99 E36 MT 'vert; '06 E90 x-drive sedan; '07 E83 x-drive30 SAV; '09 E91 x-drive wagon; '12 E89 Z4 MT M-sport; '15 F22 sport line
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04-01-2021, 09:36 AM	#210
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Last Thursday night/Friday morning, my house was hit by an EF-4 tornado. It took some heavy damage but held up pretty well. I had planned on working on the car last weekend but I had other things to do. My wife and twins are great and no one was injured, it could have been much worse. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Anyway, enough of that bs. My dads shop was fine so he continued to work on the e9. He got the back seats installed. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And the rear carpets. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Drip rails. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Installed the hazard switch, and I think a fog light switch( I was a little distracted when I talked to my dad. ) Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Got the ignition reinstalled. Fahrt, hehehe. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And finally redyed and installed the kick panels. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr In process, not fully installed. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
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04-01-2021, 12:43 PM	#211
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	You got blue paint on the electric window wire harness... __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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04-01-2021, 02:42 PM	#213
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2410 Rep 3,546 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	Glad everyone's OK. Thanks for the continued updates even in the middle of it all.
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04-01-2021, 09:49 PM	#214
chassis Colonel 6538 Rep 2,310 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Wow sorry to hear about the tornado, and glad your family is safe. Best wishes for a successful return to normalcy. Nice progress pics.
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04-04-2021, 11:51 AM	#216
wdb dances with roads 4722 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	So sorry to hear about the tornado, very glad to hear there were no injuries! We had a force 3 go through a few miles from here many years ago; it was 1/4 mile across where it contacted the ground. Made a real mess. Brick buildings took the hit pretty well.
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04-06-2021, 09:18 AM	#217
MPOWER5266 Major 4753 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	The house is still a mess and thank you for the kind comments. I am getting ready for a big work trip, and with the house I am not really working on the car. But my dad is still knocking things out. He installed the rest of the carpet. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Installed the passenger seat. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr I love the little finishing details. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And steering wheel and drivers seat in. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Its really coming together. I will probably be able to drive it when I get back from my trip. We do have a lead on brown door handles, but the black is fine for now. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Last edited by MPOWER5266; 04-06-2021 at 10:03 AM..
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04-06-2021, 10:09 AM	#218
tracer bullet Brigadier General 2410 Rep 3,546 Posts Drives: '11 135i , '15 X3 35i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	I love the balance between getting things fixed & repaired, working, etc. and not trying to make it look brand new either. You'll have a car that's been driven, and loved, but is also back to being solid and reliable.
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04-06-2021, 10:59 AM	#219
jab23 First Lieutenant 224 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 2017 X5M Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Just found this thread today and spent the last hour reading though every post. Incredible job you and your father are doing. Your updates, photos and descriptions are like reading a good book. I could feel a sense of gratification with every completed part. Especially the leather. Thanks so much for sharing and so sorry about the tornado. Had to be terrifying. Glad everyone is okay and hope the damage gets fixed up as good as the e9.
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04-06-2021, 12:10 PM	#220
auburnf30x Lieutenant 435 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 330i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Auburn, AL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 330i xDrive [8.50]	I just found this thread and read it from beginning to end. And man, perfect timing on my part, looks like I caught it at just the perfect time to read all the way to completion (or very nearly so). Absolutely amazing work, beautifully done restoration. Motivates me to finally getting around to restoring my grandad's truck that's been sitting for years now. Can't wait to see your final result and first drive. Was very sorry to come across your tornado report, but I'm glad everything looks fixable and that you and your family are okay. That's the most important part. __________________ 2017 330i xDrive Imperial Blue Exterior / Venetian Beige Leather with Oyster Accent Interior / Anthracite Wood Trim
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