My E9 2800cs restoration journal

GenXer · 10-07-2019, 04:23 AM

That is going to be one sweet ride. I remember when BMW used to be sleek and thin. Now it's chunky and thick.

MPOWER5266 · 10-07-2019, 12:35 PM

I had a busy weekend so I didn't work on the E9, but my dad got some work done. When we removed the carpet from the passenger side, we found this foam form in the footwell. It was in bad shape and of course its NLA so it needed repair.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I grabbed some fiberglass cloth from work, and he laid it up. He also painted it, not sure why but its fixed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

He also starting putting the door cards back together. The wood came out so nice.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

He also started on the gauges. The bezel came out so nice, it was worth doing 5 times. Haha

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

m_thompson · 10-08-2019, 12:33 PM

Make sure the clock works before you install it. If it doesn't work it is likely that the internal fuse is blown.

MPOWER5266 · 10-08-2019, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

Make sure the clock works before you install it. If it doesn't work it is likely that the internal fuse is blown.

Funny you bring that up. Check the video below.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We plan on going through all the instruments before putting them back in.

My dad also assembled a few more of the panels.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I have to find some trim bits, and I didnt notice the door handles were wrong(the should be tan) but its really coming together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

m_thompson · 10-09-2019, 08:16 AM

You should join https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/
Lots of the Coupe experts on that forum.

You should also add your VIN to https://bmwcsregistry.org/list/

MPOWER5266 · 10-09-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

You should join https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/
Lots of the Coupe experts on that forum.

You should also add your VIN to https://bmwcsregistry.org/list/

I am down there and I have thought about doing a build thread but as you said there are a lot of experts on there. I have broken a few e9 rules already, like pulling the dash without pulling the windshield, they say that cant be done. Haha. I have tried to add my vin on the registry but I havent been approved and its been a few months.

MPOWER5266 · 10-09-2019, 10:29 AM

I cleaned some more of the E9 interior parts up last night. It doesnt really show in the photos but they were pretty dirty. They are now clean and very soft, they don't make leather like this anymore, its so nice when its right.

Dirty.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Cleaned up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Both sides. Its hard to see but they way the rear window switches are mounted in these are pretty cool. Bonus dog butt shot.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And then I cleaned up the center piece that mounts between the rear buckets. Here is the dirty shot.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And clean soft leather.. I think one of the panels on this has been replaced, the color seems off. I am going to order a colourlock (or similar) kit for this car when its gets to the final detailing stage.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

MPOWER5266 · 10-11-2019, 10:43 AM

Cleaned up the speedo, tested the lighting with the stock 2w bulbs.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And then swapped the bulbs for 4w ones.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Now we have to do the rest.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Test fit in the bezel.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Here are some gratuitous wood pics just because.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

MPOWER5266 · 10-14-2019, 10:12 AM

Did some more cleaning on the gauges this weekend. I love the faces on these, they remind me of a vintage watch.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Just waiting on some special solder to fix the fuse on the clock. After that we can start putting the dash back together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

m_thompson · 10-14-2019, 11:35 AM

Make sure that the odometer works before you assemble the dash.

MPOWER5266 · 10-14-2019, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

Make sure that the odometer works before you assemble the dash.

It does, I checked in when I did my initial test drive.

NL-J · 10-14-2019, 12:21 PM

Awesome work, love it!

tracer bullet · 10-14-2019, 04:05 PM

It's been said already but I'll say it too - this is awesome! Thanks for the continuing updates and pictures.

chassis · 10-14-2019, 09:37 PM

Great build. Any estimate on a fire the engine date?

0-60Motorsports · 10-15-2019, 05:41 AM

Amazing work on this awesome project. Looking forward to updates.

MPOWER5266 · 10-15-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

Great build. Any estimate on a fire the engine date?

It runs and drives now. The plan is to get it drivable and fix the front end damage so the headlights can be installed. We will fix the dents and paint what needs to be painted and drive it to the vintage. After a year or so it will get a real glass out paint job.

MPOWER5266 · 10-30-2019, 04:26 PM

Not a huge amount of progress as of late but another small update. We have pretty much buttoned up the headliner and realized that we forgot to locate the holes for the roof handles. So we measured the old headliner and broke out the borescope to be sure, and whew.... crisis averted.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Up next was install some more chrome bits inside and figure out what goes in this hole. I'm sure its with the rest of the rear door card parts..

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The old map light lens didnt look worthy of living on this new headliner so we picked up a NOS lens.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Work continued on the front trim piece of the headliner. "Tools" had to be made to help the glue stick to the forms in this piece.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the final product.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

overcoil · 10-30-2019, 05:47 PM

I’m totally infatuated with the dash gauges.

Obioban · 10-31-2019, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I’m totally infatuated with the dash gauges.

Agreed! Makes me like screens as gauge clusters all the less.

MPOWER5266 · 12-09-2019, 10:18 AM

Sorry its been a while, we have been doing the annual on the airplane. We started on the body work a little this weekend. It looks like we might be able to save the nose with out cutting it off. It still needs a lot of hammer and dolly work, and some fill weld but I'm thinking is going to come out okay.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

m_thompson · 12-09-2019, 01:10 PM

You can use undamaged front trim to make sure that you get the contour of the nose back to the original shape.

MPOWER5266 · 12-09-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

You can use undamaged front trim to make sure that you get the contour of the nose back to the original shape.

That's the plan, I actually sourced a clean piece recently.

10-07-2019, 04:23 AM	#45
GenXer Major 1394 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: Like a bat out of hell. Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: here and there iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Chevrolet Volt [0.00] 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe [0.00]	That is going to be one sweet ride. I remember when BMW used to be sleek and thin. Now it's chunky and thick.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2019, 12:35 PM	#46
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	I had a busy weekend so I didn't work on the E9, but my dad got some work done. When we removed the carpet from the passenger side, we found this foam form in the footwell. It was in bad shape and of course its NLA so it needed repair. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr I grabbed some fiberglass cloth from work, and he laid it up. He also painted it, not sure why but its fixed. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr He also starting putting the door cards back together. The wood came out so nice. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr He also started on the gauges. The bezel came out so nice, it was worth doing 5 times. Haha Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
	Appreciate 5 IllSic_Design2125.00 Fakemike371.00 GenXer1394.00 MmmmmM22664.50 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

10-08-2019, 12:33 PM	#47
m_thompson Major 137 Rep 1,423 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]	Make sure the clock works before you install it. If it doesn't work it is likely that the internal fuse is blown. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2019, 08:16 AM	#49
m_thompson Major 137 Rep 1,423 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 should join https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/ Lots of the Coupe experts on that forum. You should also add your VIN to https://bmwcsregistry.org/list/ __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2019, 10:29 AM	#51
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	I cleaned some more of the E9 interior parts up last night. It doesnt really show in the photos but they were pretty dirty. They are now clean and very soft, they don't make leather like this anymore, its so nice when its right. Dirty. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Cleaned up. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Both sides. Its hard to see but they way the rear window switches are mounted in these are pretty cool. Bonus dog butt shot. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And then I cleaned up the center piece that mounts between the rear buckets. Here is the dirty shot. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And clean soft leather.. I think one of the panels on this has been replaced, the color seems off. I am going to order a colourlock (or similar) kit for this car when its gets to the final detailing stage. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
	Appreciate 3 Matt@EuroJerks497.50 m_thompson136.50 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

10-11-2019, 10:43 AM	#52
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Cleaned up the speedo, tested the lighting with the stock 2w bulbs. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And then swapped the bulbs for 4w ones. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Now we have to do the rest. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Test fit in the bezel. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Here are some gratuitous wood pics just because. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
	Appreciate 2 andino481.00 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

10-14-2019, 10:12 AM	#53
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Did some more cleaning on the gauges this weekend. I love the faces on these, they remind me of a vintage watch. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Just waiting on some special solder to fix the fuse on the clock. After that we can start putting the dash back together. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
	Appreciate 5 happyjack1673.00 Justin@autocouture202.00 clee1982802.50 jmg19260.50 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

10-14-2019, 11:35 AM	#54
m_thompson Major 137 Rep 1,423 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]	Make sure that the odometer works before you assemble the dash. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
	Appreciate 1 clee1982802.50 Quote

10-14-2019, 12:21 PM	#56
NL-J First Lieutenant 21 Rep 313 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: May 2010 Location: NL iTrader: (0)	Awesome work, love it! __________________ www.vierenzestig.nl
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2019, 04:05 PM	#57
tracer bullet Brigadier General 3673 Rep 4,216 Posts Drives: '25 Z4, '15 X3 35i (135i sold) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN iTrader: (1)	It's been said already but I'll say it too - this is awesome! Thanks for the continuing updates and pictures.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2019, 09:37 PM	#58
chassis Colonel 7940 Rep 2,488 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Great build. Any estimate on a fire the engine date?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2019, 05:41 AM	#59
0-60Motorsports Brigadier General 869 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: BMW M3 JB 04 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kingdom of Bahrain iTrader: (1)	Amazing work on this awesome project. Looking forward to updates. __________________ Current Mods: 2004 E46 M3cs JB/CSL 2010 E70 X5M AW/BLACK 2011 VW Golf R DSG White/Black IG: @060Motorsports
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2019, 04:26 PM	#61
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Not a huge amount of progress as of late but another small update. We have pretty much buttoned up the headliner and realized that we forgot to locate the holes for the roof handles. So we measured the old headliner and broke out the borescope to be sure, and whew.... crisis averted. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Up next was install some more chrome bits inside and figure out what goes in this hole. I'm sure its with the rest of the rear door card parts.. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr The old map light lens didnt look worthy of living on this new headliner so we picked up a NOS lens. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Work continued on the front trim piece of the headliner. "Tools" had to be made to help the glue stick to the forms in this piece. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr And the final product. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr Last edited by MPOWER5266; 10-30-2019 at 04:48 PM..
	Appreciate 4 clee1982802.50 NL-J20.50 Ickdeep5722.50 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

10-30-2019, 05:47 PM	#62
overcoil Major General 3117 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	I’m totally infatuated with the dash gauges.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2019, 10:18 AM	#64
MPOWER5266 Major 4772 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Sorry its been a while, we have been doing the annual on the airplane. We started on the body work a little this weekend. It looks like we might be able to save the nose with out cutting it off. It still needs a lot of hammer and dolly work, and some fill weld but I'm thinking is going to come out okay. Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
	Appreciate 4 MmmmmM22664.50 Ickdeep5722.50 chassis7939.50 DrFerry6811.00 Quote

12-09-2019, 01:10 PM	#65
m_thompson Major 137 Rep 1,423 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 can use undamaged front trim to make sure that you get the contour of the nose back to the original shape. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
	Appreciate 0 Quote