This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
Well its now over a year since I updated the list below.........
If you are new the forum and not on the list, let me know and you'll be added......
I have updated the status as far as I have gleaned from reading the posts. But please feel free to edit/update your own entry.
1 - Martinclan, (Robin) Bedfordshire E30 2.5 Mechanics mostly done - Engine running -most body fitted - just needs interior and SVA.
2 - Andy Dane, Bromsgrove, E36 2.5 - SVA passed, and on the road,
last seen at Stoneleigh show last May.
3 - Peterux - Peter, Uxbridge, E30 2.0 - now fully SVA'd and registered, part way through fitting the windscreen and hood and has an M52 engine upgraded 'in-planning'
4 - Patrick & Richard, Hampshire, E30 2.5 SVA passed and is on the road. Well it was until the wishbone snapped, Now back on the road again with M20 upgraded to 2.8 litre and throttle bodies upgrade being built
5 - Stuart, On the road and now painted Orange with windscreen and hood fitted.
6 - Jason(GOO), Northampton, E30 2.5 Rolling chassis and all engine fitted and first run 5th jan 2009. Currently playing with the knitting...
7 - Jeremy, Belfast e30 chassis, e36 engine 2.5 - nearly finished?
8 - Alfie, somerset. E30 2.5. Engine running?
9 - PJ, from Holland, Cosworth 2.9 v6, moved house and is now painting everything RED
10 - Will, not sure where, E30 2.0
11 - Simon, rebuilding a Marlin Cabrio with E30 2.5 in the cleanest garage on earth - now completed and SVA'd. He's thinking about a psychodelic colour scheme...
12 - Rob Dorey, E36 , SVA'd and on the road
13 - Mike C, E30 2.5 watching Terry rebuild his sportster??
14 - Mike - M50 based Cabrio - rolling chassis and engine in
15 - Son of KDo - taken delivery of Sportster chassis - unknown status
16 - Tim Brierley (Timbo) - building first M52 based Sportster - rolling chassis and engine installed, working on the wiring...
17 - Kieran - 318i based Sportster - stripping and painting the donor parts
18 - Jeremy (Ward)- building a Z3 (M3) based Sportster - rolling chassis with the engine fitted...
Do we have any new builders or anyone I missed who want to own up and join the list?
Well its now over a year since I updated the list below.........
If you are new the forum and not on the list, let me know and you'll be added......
I have updated the status as far as I have gleaned from reading the posts. But please feel free to edit/update your own entry.
1 - Martinclan, (Robin) Bedfordshire E30 2.5 Passed SVA and is currently 'naked' having his body painted
2 - Andy Dane, Bromsgrove, E36 2.5 - SVA passed, and on the road,
last seen at Stoneleigh try to sort his cooling system?
3 - Peterux - Peter, Uxbridge, E30 2.0 - M52 engine still lurking in the garage but paint job nearly finished
4 - Patrick & Richard, Hampshire, E30 2.5 finished and painted, They won the MOC Best Car at Stoneleigh last year!
5 - Stuart, On the road and now painted Orange with windscreen and hood fitted, expert on wing stays :-)
6 - Jason(GOO), Northampton, E30 2.5 Fully IVA passed and flying from her nest. Expected to be seen prunning her feathers at Stoneleigh this year :-)
7 - Jeremy, Belfast e30 chassis, e36 engine 2.5 - busy been getting married, honeymooning and building heat shields
8 - Alfie, somerset. E30 2.5. Engine running, still making progress...
9 - PJ, from Holland, Cosworth 2.9 v6, moved house and is now painting everything RED-no updates on his website?
10 - Will5, not sure where, E30 2.0 - busy building his extension?
11 - Simon, rebuild a Marlin Cabrio with E30 2.5 in the cleanest garage on earth - now completed, SVA'd and painted silver with new balck wheels.
12 - Rob Dorey, E36 , SVA'd and on the road and speedo fixed
13 - Mike C, E30 2.5 watching Terry rebuild his sportster - no update??
14 - Mike - M50 based Cabrio - exhausted and battered, looking at his wiring next
15 - Son of KDo - taken delivery of Sportster chassis - selling or sold?
16 - Tim Brierley (Timbo) - build the first (and only?) M52 based Sportster - passed IVA and is on the road when the BMW immobiliser isn't sulking
17 - Kieran - 318i based Sportster - stripping and painting the donor parts-no update
18 - Jeremy (Ward)- building a Z3 (M3) based Sportster - rolling chassis with the engine fitted...-no update
19 - David C - Cabrio bulder trying to get IVA'd before 2th April
20 - Chris Cussens - his Cabrio is IVA'd and painted BRG. If not driving to work in his Cabrio every day can be seen running through Dorset villages
21 - new bulder - lost post?
Do we have any new builders or anyone I missed who want to own up and join the list?
If you have any other updates , let me know and see you all at Stoneleigh?
I may be that new builder! Sorton Jones retired in N. Dorset. Trying to get going on my build of an E30 based Sportster using bits from my dead 325i Sport. I bought the chassis too long ago to remember and have been tied up with life. However, I decided to join this forum to give myself an incentive to get on. I hope to be at Stoneleigh on Sunday all being well.
Thanks Sorton, yes you were the one, but I couldn't find your last comment.
Anyway, good to have another builder to add to the list and i'm sure we'll all provide lots of advice and encouragement!
It'll be good to meet up at Stoneleigh...
Here is the list updated...
1 - Martinclan, (Robin) Bedfordshire E30 2.5 Passed SVA and is currently 'naked' having his body painted
2 - Andy Dane, Bromsgrove, E36 2.5 - SVA passed, and on the road,
last seen at Stoneleigh try to sort his cooling system?
3 - Peterux - Peter, Uxbridge, E30 2.0 - M52 engine still lurking in the garage but paint job nearly finished
4 - Patrick & Richard, Hampshire, E30 2.5 finished and painted, They won the MOC Best Car at Stoneleigh last year!
5 - Stuart, On the road and now painted Orange with windscreen and hood fitted, expert on wing stays :-)
6 - Jason(GOO), Northampton, E30 2.5 Fully IVA passed and flying from her nest. Expected to be seen prunning her feathers at Stoneleigh this year :-)
7 - Jeremy, Belfast e30 chassis, e36 engine 2.5 - busy been getting married, honeymooning and building heat shields
8 - Alfie, somerset. E30 2.5. Engine running, still making progress...
9 - PJ, from Holland, Cosworth 2.9 v6, moved house and is now painting everything RED-no updates on his website?
10 - Will5, not sure where, E30 2.0 - busy building his extension?
11 - Simon, rebuilt his Marlin Cabrio with E30 2.5 in the cleanest garage on earth - now completed, SVA'd and painted silver with new balck wheels.
12 - Rob Dorey, E36 , SVA'd and on the road and speedo fixed
13 - Mike C, E30 2.5 watching Terry rebuild his sportster - no update??
14 - Mike - M50 based Cabrio - exhausted and battered, looking at his wiring next
15 - Son of KDo - taken delivery of Sportster chassis - selling or sold?
16 - Tim Brierley (Timbo) - built the first (and only?) M52 based Sportster - passed IVA and is on the road when the BMW immobiliser isn't sulking
17 - Kieran - 318i based Sportster - stripping and painting the donor parts-no update
18 - Jeremy (Ward)- building a Z3 (M3) based Sportster - rolling chassis with the engine fitted...-no update
19 - David C - Cabrio bulder trying to get IVA'd before 2th April
20 - Chris Cussens - his Cabrio is IVA'd and painted BRG. If not driving to work in his Cabrio every day can be seen running through Dorset villages
21 - Sorton Jones - North Dorset -dusting off the cobwebs from his chassis and rebuilding his dead 325i Sport into bright new e30 based Sportster
Hi Peter,
Thought it about time I registered on this site as the threads have been quite interesting to read.
I completed my Sportster build a while back passing the SVA first time on July 13th 2005. It's based on a BMW E30 325i and it's now finish painted in Jaguar Carnival Red (maroon metallic).
Probably don't qualify as a builder yet but that's about to change.
I built a Marlin Roadster back in the late 80's before the days of SVA and IVA and fuel injection and engine management systems and internet and build threads and forums. All I needed was a minimal instruction set, a quick MOT and a meeting with the local vehicle registration office (who came to me!!) and I was on the road. It was all Marina based - lovely long legged B series engine meant it barely needed a gearbox but it didn't have much of a top end. I kept it for about five years and then other priorities and lack of space meant it had to go.
Now seriously contemplating a repeat excercise with a Sportster. But looking at all your build sites and reading the forums it looks like a much more complex endeavour that it was 25 years ago. But I seem to recall most of the fun was in overcoming the challenges so I'm not put off yet. Faint heart never......... etc.
I would really like to make contact with some of you to see and talk about the fruits of your labours. I live in Reading so I'm not too far from anywhere. As you can imagine, ('cus you've all been there) I've got loads of qestions at this stage that which could easily be answered over a chat rather than fill up a forum so it would be good to meet. I see I'm too late for Stonliegh this year.
One question to start though at this planning stage:- E30 or E36. I see earlier in this thread that the E30 wins the popularity stakes but there's some question over the E36 ECU reliability.
I'm looking forward to being part of this forum and once I've worked out how to do it I'll post some pictures of the old Roadster on flickr.
I've been enjoying your build site. A real inspiration and a woderful resource for anyone starting out.
It'll before few weeks before I can get to you. I'm recovering from a broken collar bone, ribs and wrist following a mountain bike accident - hence the time on my hands to research this project. But I would really appreciate having a chat with you and seeing your roadster before I embark on this venture. I'll put a note on the forum when I am able to drive (and write notes..!!) again
Probably don't qualify as a builder yet but that's about to change.
I built a Marlin Roadster back in the late 80's before the days of SVA and IVA and fuel injection and engine management systems and internet and build threads and forums. All I needed was a minimal instruction set, a quick MOT and a meeting with the local vehicle registration office (who came to me!!) and I was on the road. It was all Marina based - lovely long legged B series engine meant it barely needed a gearbox but it didn't have much of a top end. I kept it for about five years and then other priorities and lack of space meant it had to go.
Now seriously contemplating a repeat excercise with a Sportster. But looking at all your build sites and reading the forums it looks like a much more complex endeavour that it was 25 years ago. But I seem to recall most of the fun was in overcoming the challenges so I'm not put off yet. Faint heart never......... etc.
I would really like to make contact with some of you to see and talk about the fruits of your labours. I live in Reading so I'm not too far from anywhere. As you can imagine, ('cus you've all been there) I've got loads of qestions at this stage that which could easily be answered over a chat rather than fill up a forum so it would be good to meet. I see I'm too late for Stonliegh this year.
One question to start though at this planning stage:- E30 or E36. I see earlier in this thread that the E30 wins the popularity stakes but there's some question over the E36 ECU reliability.
I'm looking forward to being part of this forum and once I've worked out how to do it I'll post some pictures of the old Roadster on flickr.
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
welcome to the forum. The building of a Sporster can be quite challenging and you will need to plan to spend quite a few hours or plan to do it over a number of years but the result is a superb car to own and drive!
I'm only up the road (M4) from you at Uxbridge, so when your fit I'll be happy to show you my car.
I think when most of us started building on this forum, the e36 was too expensive as a donor, but I believe that is changed.
The newer the car and engine the more challenges you will face with emmissions at the IVA but it depends on what you are trying to achieve. Some have buit e36/M50 based cars successfully but i would avoid the e46/M52 or M54 engines as the immobiliser electronics is a nightmare, as Tim will tell you!
In the meantime, ask away with your questions, as i'm sure one of us will have come across the issue, whatever it is!
Hi Nigel,
welcome to the forum. The building of a Sporster can be quite challenging and you will need to plan to spend quite a few hours or plan to do it over a number of years but the result is a superb car to own and drive!
I'm only up the road (M4) from you at Uxbridge, so when your fit I'll be happy to show you my car.
I think when most of us started building on this forum, the e36 was too expensive as a donor, but I believe that is changed.
The newer the car and engine the more challenges you will face with emmissions at the IVA but it depends on what you are trying to achieve. Some have buit e36/M50 based cars successfully but i would avoid the e46/M52 or M54 engines as the immobiliser electronics is a nightmare, as Tim will tell you!
In the meantime, ask away with your questions, as i'm sure one of us will have come across the issue, whatever it is!
...peter
Hi Peter,
Your not very far away at all so thanks for your kind offer and I'll certainly be along to see you.
I was reckoning on a much longer build than my roadster. That took me less than a year so I was thinking of at least doubling that for a Sportster. I was looking at Jasons 4 year build, but then realised that at least a year of that must have been devoted to his fantastic build site...............!!
Thanks for your thought on the E30 / E36 choice. Is it specifically the M52 engine immobiliser wiring that is the problem or is it the E46/M52 combination. I am guessing from Tim's comments that it's the M52 engine and that I should opt for an M50 to save the heartache
I am based in Biggar Scotland (30 miles south of Edinburgh) and having had kit for over 6 years (50th birthday present!) am starting to make some progress! Have front suspension on, rear trailing arms (although problem with bump stop alignment).
Currently preparing engine for painting and cleaning other bits to be painted. Diff nearly ready to go on but just spotted something needs to be ground off any guidance from you experts would be appreciated.
Have not been keeping anything in way of photos etc but may start if I can get to grips with Flikr or the like.
some of websites (Patrick and Marlinpeter) are excellant and without these to guide and encourage.....
Anyway must go and get working with needle gun on block ro get ready for painting.
Hi Nigel
The M52 engine requires a matching ECU, immobiliser and key which is not too much of a problem...however, I have found that this is not enough to maintain the rolling codes for very long, as they all communicate via the instrument cluster as well.
My attempts at wiring in an instrument cluster after doing the rest of it I thought had gone well, except that the same problem of getting about 50 starts and the immobiliser cutting in recurred.
My Sportster is currently in the hands of a BMW wiring expert in Caerphilly, he has wired up another loom to solve the problem, except it hasn't, yet....
Hopefully if you go down this route, forewarned is forearmed Although keeping as much of the donor loom and instrument cluster as possible would give you a much better starting point than I had.
Hope this helps.
Tim
Probably don't qualify as a builder yet but that's about to change.
I built a Marlin Roadster back in the late 80's before the days of SVA and IVA and fuel injection and engine management systems and internet and build threads and forums. All I needed was a minimal instruction set, a quick MOT and a meeting with the local vehicle registration office (who came to me!!) and I was on the road. It was all Marina based - lovely long legged B series engine meant it barely needed a gearbox but it didn't have much of a top end. I kept it for about five years and then other priorities and lack of space meant it had to go.
Now seriously contemplating a repeat excercise with a Sportster. But looking at all your build sites and reading the forums it looks like a much more complex endeavour that it was 25 years ago. But I seem to recall most of the fun was in overcoming the challenges so I'm not put off yet. Faint heart never......... etc.
I would really like to make contact with some of you to see and talk about the fruits of your labours. I live in Reading so I'm not too far from anywhere. As you can imagine, ('cus you've all been there) I've got loads of qestions at this stage that which could easily be answered over a chat rather than fill up a forum so it would be good to meet. I see I'm too late for Stonliegh this year.
One question to start though at this planning stage:- E30 or E36. I see earlier in this thread that the E30 wins the popularity stakes but there's some question over the E36 ECU reliability.
I'm looking forward to being part of this forum and once I've worked out how to do it I'll post some pictures of the old Roadster on flickr.
Nigel
Hello Nigel
I too built a Marlin Roadster - mine was Triumph based so probably even longer ago than you... I completed my Sportster last year. It's true that modern engine management and the SVA (now IVA) make the build more difficult (and expensive) but you end up with a much better car as a result.
Mine is E30 based. The engine isn't as sophisticated as that from an E36 but the electronics are simpler and it's not so difficult to fit - in fact it fits pretty well... The E30 rear suspension seems better as well - I have seen people mention problems with travel (or lack of it) on the rear of E36 models.
On the downside there have been some problems with the front wing mounts on the E30 - and there is much less choice of wheels for the 4 bolt pattern.
I'm getting the feeling from all your comments that an E30/M20 route offers the least barriers
- easier IVA - emmisions
- prefferred rear suspension option
- much simpler electronics, particularly the immobiliser
- easier fit under the bonnet
- lots of experience on the forums
I was also thinking about a mix and match route with an E36 front for the wing stays if that was possible or maybe an E36 with a M20 engine but am I right in thinking that all the major donor bits need to come from a single vehicle to get an original year plate.
E36 front struts would certainly be better from the wing stay point of view. But the E36 used 5 bolt wheels so, unless you wanted different wheels front and back you would have to find some 4 to 5 stud adapters for the back. Not so major a problem as it might seem as they do exist and, anyway, the back needs spacers with most wheels.
I don't suppose that the DVLA would even notice the fact that the front was E36 and the rear E30.
I'm getting the feeling from all your comments that an E30/M20 route offers the least barriers
- easier IVA - emmisions
- prefferred rear suspension option
- much simpler electronics, particularly the immobiliser
- easier fit under the bonnet
- lots of experience on the forums
I was also thinking about a mix and match route with an E36 front for the wing stays if that was possible or maybe an E36 with a M20 engine but am I right in thinking that all the major donor bits need to come from a single vehicle to get an original year plate.
Probably E30/M20 would be my first choice.
Nigel
Nigel
I know I am biased, and not even building a Sportster, but why not consider the E30 with an M50 engine - not the M52: then you have the best of both worlds. If you get the M50 with vanos you have a sliky smooth 24 valve with variable timing, plus electronic ignition - but without the complicated EWS (the requirement to tie the engine management loom in to the fascia dials and key fob).
Even better, with the M50, because it is pre August 1995, you do not need a CAT, so the stated output at 192bhp, is worth an other 10 bhp.
You will still be able to get an age related plate based on the main donor car (E30 if that is what you prefer) as you are allowed two non donor major items - being the engine and gearbox.
Best of both worlds....................??
Could you not modify the e30 strut so that you had some mounting studs? Drill through the upright and slide in some threaded rod, which could be welded in place? or would that weaken the upright too much?
E36 front struts would certainly be better from the wing stay point of view. But the E36 used 5 bolt wheels so, unless you wanted different wheels front and back you would have to find some 4 to 5 stud adapters for the back. Not so major a problem as it might seem as they do exist and, anyway, the back needs spacers with most wheels.
I don't suppose that the DVLA would even notice the fact that the front was E36 and the rear E30.
Robin
...and now i'm wondering if an e30 hub and bearing would fit in an e36 strut? If it does, you could keep all the wheels the same? On the e30, if you by a new front wheel bearing you get the whole bearing and hub so sourcing the bits is easy.
I think if I was starting now, i'd look for a pre 1995 e36 (with m50 engine) as a donor car and I expect that is what Mark would recommend now?
I think e30's are getting too old now to find a good selection of donors to choose from. My M20 is pretty knackered which is why I went for an M54 engine (but that's another story which I wouldn't recommend). Apart from the fiendish electronics I think the whole M54 engine and ancillaries is far too complex and expensive to look after in a kit car.
I'm south of you between Basingstoke and Winchester you're welcome to pop round and have a nose at the Sportster if you like