New compact update,
Tints removed, nightmare job as they’d been on years and gone really brittle so came off in many many pieces. And left all the glue on the window. Still some reside left, but it’s a hateful job so can only tackle a bit at a time before I get fed up.
It only came with one key, thankfully I have a spares compact with its full set of four original keys.
Unfortunately the ignition barrels weren’t compatible, and I couldn’t work out how to get the one off the old car apart, so stripped its boot lock to get the code for the sliders.
Disassembled the new ignition barrel and mixed and matched with some parts from a lock from one of the old boot lids I’d bought for the m3 at some point. New ignition barrel works with old keys
boot lock and drivers door handle were swapped over.
Old compact had a blank pass door handle, which is fitted to the silver compact. I could have just disconnected the lever attaching the lock to the latch, but did similar to the ignition and stripped it down and mixed and matched slides to get it working with the old keys.
Phew.
Pass door electric window regulator was knackered, both arms horribly twisted. Luckily I had a spare car for that. Unfortunately they’re riveted in and we’re a pain to drill out. Reattached with nuts and bolts, new slider clips fitted to both doors.
Inevitably pulling the door cards off meant most of the clip brackets fell off the card, gorilla glue epoxy to the rescue.
Nice shiny new numberplates in the correct pre 2001 font fitted.
Silvered bulbs fitted to front and rear indicators to get rid of the fried egg look.
Didn’t like the black grilles so ordered some chrome ones. They didn’t fit. Turns out it’s had a new nose and got a pre facelift one, but had had some aftermarket facelift style grilles fitted. Handily I had a spare set of early grilles. It needs a new nose anyway, and had been thinking about fitting an early one as I prefer how they look and it would also match the ‘96 M3.
Headlights removed, opened up and cleaned as the internal lenses had gone misty. Aftermarket hid kit removed as the compact uses cheaper reflector lights. I’ll swap to some full fat e36 lights at some point, or maybe finish the aftermarket his projector conversion I started when I had the silver compact…
Oh, and welded up one of the downpipes which has cracked down the seam for some reason.
Not sure what to do with the suspension, I don’t like how it sits, and much as I hate to admit it, the front might be too low
genuine AC Schnitzer springs though. Might see if there’s room for a spacer under the topmounts to raise it a bit while I decide what to do.
The classic "We've no idea but we need you out of the way" line.
boot lock and drivers door handle were swapped over.
genuine AC Schnitzer springs though. Might see if there’s room for a spacer under the topmounts to raise it a bit while I decide what to do.
