Meet Hans, 1 of 1 '95 540i/6, "Mauritiusblau Metallic"

[staystackin]

Bleedsblue, 100% definitely staying OEM color - how dare you!! lol. Interior will certainly be changing though... :



Wow. Matt and the guys at convenience are really going to town. The pass side quarter panel was always the biggest, most obvious source of rust on the car... I bought an OEM patch panel, hence the size for how much they cut off of the car to replace. In doing so, they uncovered a bit more under by the gas tank, which should also be replaced (the return line was rusted nearly through!) - "full restoration" right??

Happy to see it moving forward and getting done right. Scared to find more, lol.

E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 bodywork updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 bodywork updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

[BleedsBlue]

Bleedsblue, 100% definitely staying OEM color - how dare you!! lol. Interior will certainly be changing though... :

Strange times, my boy, strange times... But I had faith

I'm enjoying this stage of your thread, as I'll need to do the same soon and it's motivating.

[staystackin]

Here are some new photos I got from Convenience Collision today.

E34 bodywork updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

You can see the power flex subframe bushings in this one rust be gone!

E34 bodywork updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

and this shot just makes me feel warm and gooey inside. AHHHHH I'm very excited.


I'll be 27 in a few weeks, and I've had this car since I was 20, learned a lot from it and met a lot of great people because of it. As it approaches this next stage of it's life I'm really looking forward to being able to treat it like a damn adult. Put it in a garage, detail it, tinker on it....




Also - dammit! Photobucket ruined the beginning of this thread. House cleaning is in order.....

[Leonator134]

Lookin good Weston Von Hammerschmidt!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[staystackin]

E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr


They also talked me into (rightfully so) having the floors done now while it's at the shop instead of when it's done and I pull the carpet and am let down by the condition of it. So that's on the agenda next... Still looking for a black carpet, was talking with Justin Murray but shipping seems unreal and driving to Georgia for the carpet is unappealing at the moment.

My front fender bottoms are scrap however, so I'm looking for a set of late model rust free fenders. Potentially early model? Maybe delete the reflector? I kind of like the amber reflector on the blue though, and it's a subtle reminder the car is late model despite the early mirrors and front end.

That's all for now
-Wes

[staystackin]

Here are some more bodyshop updates!!

E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates early August by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr
E34 rust repair updates mid September by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

Lots getting done, lots left to do. Some scary photos in there, but the car's in good hands and I know they're doing it how it should be. Just trying to be patient


Still looking for, black carpet, black floor mats, potentially another rear m sport bumper if I can get my hands on one, and potentially a new front bumper if they're still available new anywhere. Any leads appreciated

[atl530i]

Can't wait to see this done. That's a lot of work that would make most people part the car. Kudos for sticking with it. I've also been fortunate to meet a lot of cool people on this community (local and not so local). We have a great group of people.

[BleedsBlue]

These latest updates give me hope for my rustbuckets!

At some point, PM me (I'll remind you) what you're looking at for total $$ for the rust fix and respray. This can't be cheap and I have x2 E34s that need it.

[struka]

These latest updates give me hope for my rustbuckets!

At some point, PM me (I'll remind you) what you're looking at for total $$ for the rust fix and respray. This can't be cheap and I have x2 E34s that need it.

I can get my door dings removed and paint the entire car for $ 2,500 so that's gotta be like a $4k paint job with all the added work.

[staystackin]

I can get my door dings removed and paint the entire car for $ 2,500 so that's gotta be like a $4k paint job with all the added work.

this is so so so much more than that.

[BleedsBlue]

this is so so so much more than that.

Wes was kind enough to PM some details.

Struka, I can't even get a respray (with zero body work) locally for $4k from a place I trust (the last bit being the important part). Typically a $4k paint job and a $10k paint job can look pretty similar for the first year or so, it's after multiple details, weather, etc, that the proper job shines through.

[Tre0Tre34]

Ya... I wouldn't be surprised if this detail oriented job was well over $15k

Looks like the shop really is doing it right

[M540fella]

Wow Wes! I know I gave you guff the other day about this but that's because I'm freakin jealous. This thread is getting good. Can't wait to see the finished product

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

[anonoh]

RIP wallet. I am interested in seeing the end result though. I have been looking for a body shop who is not focused solely on quick churn and burn insurance jobs.

[E38740iMD]

Lmao@ Rip wallet

[staystackin]

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

E34 rust repair updates November 2017 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr

moving along. passenger side floor was rough! at this point I'm considering just dropping the 1300 for brand new OEM carpet sections shipped..... having NO luck finding black carpet in part out cars and i'm not interested in dying my parchment carpet at all.


anybody got some black carpet leads? I have an e91 daily and I will drive hours to come get it if it's clean.

[KingDavidsCourt]

The E34 is classic... the fact that you got such a rare one is magnificent... great job restoring it right.

[moroza]

That's a serious restoration project!

E34 black carpet? Does not exist unless dyed, or BMW Individual.

[staystackin]

That's a serious restoration project!

E34 black carpet? Does not exist unless dyed, or BMW Individual.

well, the carpet from black interior cars - anthrazit

thanks for the kind words RIP wallet

[moroza]

Black interiors came with "anthracite" (>9/90) or "slate" (<9/90) carpets, both a medium shade of grey. There were also "silver grey" carpets on >9/90 cars, and I don't know which shade of grey came with the grey and white interiors. Only the various beige and blue (and red, though none US-spec AFAIK) interiors didn't have grey carpets, in other words. Maybe that'll increase your chances of finding one locally.

I had some success dyeing mine. For what you're dropping on the bodywork, I'm sure you could get any color you like, professionally dyed.

What's wrong with your carpet (sorry if this info is above somewhere, but the thread is 15 pages)? Just some rust stains, or worse?

[kouks]

Dear Mother of God! What a restoration project! You must really love the e34 chassis. I hope you don't drive this car every day when you're done.

[tantumaude]

Dear Mother of God! What a restoration project! You must really love the e34 chassis. I hope you don't drive this car every day when you're done.

I disagree with that sentiment. After all that work it'd be a shame if the car wasn't driven as much as possible. After all, what's the point if you don't get to enjoy the fruits of all that work?

[moroza]

I strongly disagree with it too. Cars are for driving, not pouring massive resources into just to have them sit.

[M540fella]

He lives in NYC so dd'ing isn't in this cars future, however I'm sure it will driven on the weekends

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

[staystackin]

I'm not one for half-arsing things.

I have an e91 325xi 6MT that I daily drive and fill with camera gear for work. The car is long from done - it will begin the next phase in the spring when the paint and bodywork are 100% If you didn't read back far or photobucket has ruined my photo postings... here's just a sample of what's going in. I'll have a black dash, black door cards (with inserts to match the interior from the grey door cards it shipped with), euro m5 wood trim I sourced, and these hurricane alcantara seats.


Moroza, thanks for the insight. I'll keep my eyes peeled. I hear you on having something professionally dyed, I'm planning to do the interior swap myself with help from friends so I'd really like to keep it with just OEM parts. I've got some interesting OEM add ons like a driver side glove box and electric rear sunshade as well. The car, when complete, will be my homologation of my favorite e34 options available on the chassis that's 1 of 1 for the 6 speed 540i's. I know it won't ever be all original and I'm not going for that, my ideal e34 though


It will be garaged, and driven every chance I get to every event I can. I will shoot videos of it as often as I possibly can (that's my profession) and I plan to enjoy the car for years to come. This was my first manual transmission car, my first bmw with circle headlights, and will remain mine. they'll probably bury me in it :p

IMG_2516 by WestonHelmsley, on Flickr