EP. 5 My BMW E30 Restoration - Front Struts - Complete Restoration & Upgrades

This is a video of the restoration of my front struts from my e30 touring. This is part of my subframe series where I am restoring each part of the front subframe assembly, with the struts I wanted to upgrade the brakes to Willwood Minilites to have enough stopping power with the s38 swap, and the upgrade to bc coilovers for the increased stiffness and adjustability.
I first disassembled both assemblies, then got the struts sand blasted, I then could cut the strut to accommodate the BC coilover sleeve which I then welded on. I used POR15 gloss black paint for the hub assembly which I prefer over powdercoating.
Willwood Midilite 280mm kit purchased from @vrdclassic on instagram.
BC BR coilover kit
POR15 Metal Prep
POR15 Gloss Black

[@Dallo422]

Hoping to see some more vids from you mate, your editing is top notch!

[@BadE30]

Sorting one out now! Should be soon

[@madmike5144]

Those front brakes...I like it, maybe some day i will get in my e30 like those

[@BadE30]

Cool right! Good to hear😎

[@markellis4240]

Another brilliant video, don't know who gave you that skill 😁

[@BadE30]

Haha thanks!! 😎

[@christhestone]

Looks great mate, killin it 👌

[@BadE30]

Thanks g

[@ALKUKES]

Are you using a mig or tig welder? Cheers , great job you done pal

[@BadE30]

This is just MIG, I probably should’ve used TIG.. But that is all I have at home!

[@drakeremoret3642]

Nice welding man!

[@BadE30]

Glad you like it

[@RestorationApprentice]

Major upgrade, looking great too!

[@BadE30]

Maybe overkill for my needs, but I’ll be glad they’re there when i need them!

[@richardgibson1347]

Fantastic work mate 👏

[@BadE30]

Thanks Richard😎😎

[@briangreen6602]

Nicely done.

[@BadE30]

Appreciate it!

[@nightnomad635]

Looks awesome. I’m about to do the same to my front struts with GAZ coilovers and an RX7 brake upgrade. Do you feel a brake dust shield isn’t necessary?

[@BadE30]

They’re installed to prohibit build up on the surrounding components, but I’ll be making sure to clean the car regularly!

[@SmokeTheMist]

Yesssssss

[@jameshay469]

Very cool upgrade. Do you need change the master cylinder to accommodate more pistons?

[@BadE30]

Thanks! Yes, i do plan to go for a larger bore master cylinder. I can get away without it but will lose the feel of the brake pedal. It’s something I’ll sort down the line when i get to working on my engine bay

[@mwcrilly]

Thanks man! Bout to do the same. What voltage are you using on the MIG? Debating whether my machine can do it or if I should get it done by someone with TIG capabilities.

[@BadE30]

Nothing crazy voltage wise, can’t remember exactly but I’m sure if you have experience with welding it’ll make sense! However you can’t beat a TIG finish

[@RobertWaldi]

super video please write the article number in the video description of the braking system Thank you.

[@BadE30]

They’re the wilwood midilite calipers, I purchased from @vrdclassic on instagram who supplied me the adapter and discs to suit

[@darraghoreilly311]

Great job great info to well done 👍

[@BadE30]

Gald you appreciated it, thanks!

[@marcocerqueira2732]

Those calipers look like they stick out much farther than the original. Did your wheels still fit or are you running spacers?

[@BadE30]

They are much bigger than original! I won’t be running the standard bbs, but I’ve been told from VRD where I purchased them that they do clear! (Albeit rather close)

[@marcocerqueira2732]

@@BadE30 thanks for the quick reply

[@ZiGGiA]

SO how is the brake performance compared to stock brakes ? Is it noticeably different ?

[@BadE30]

Unfortunately I won’t know this for a while as the car is a couple years from being completed! I’ve heard the performance is a huge increase but most notably the improvement in how much abuse they can take before dwindling like the oem calipers

[@danil3054]

Cap is fits from some models of Lada and its extremely cheep, but doing its work)

[@BadE30]

great idea, thanks!

[@danil3054]

@@BadE30 no problem) I did it with my E21)

[@alexoancea3775]

Hey! I just saw your video and I’m looking to buy the break kit…can you please send me a link? I cannot find this kind of kit on their website :(. Thanks a lot!

[@BadE30]

I purchased from VRD Classic directly through instagram!

[@alexoancea3775]

Thanks 😀

[@krampus174]

where did you buy this brake kit and suspension ?

[@BadE30]

Brake kit was from VRD Classic and the suspension was directly from BC UK!

[@taylanpeker3090]

Where did you get them brakes can you send me a link?

[@BadE30]

I purchased them from @vrdclassic on instagram, they do the complete set! No link though

[@spyroz78]

hey, what is the Wilwood kit part number for the brakets, rotors and caliper?

[@BadE30]

They are a set I purchased from VRD Classic. You may have to contact them for the part numbers

[@spyroz78]

@@BadE30 you have their website or phone number?

[@BadE30]

@@spyroz78 I contacted them through instagram @vrdclassic

[@AdrianHernandez-hs5nv]

Hello, BC RACING Strut tube is of 44 or 51MM? Thanks

[@BadE30]

51mm struts on this, for the touring model

[@jackcornick8017]

How do you find the ride comfort on BC coilovers?

[@BadE30]

Haven’t finished the car yet! But I bought them as my mates have the same and say they’re a great set with large adjustability depending on the height you go

[@drifty1523]

@@BadE30 any update on your opinion on the ride of these?

[@mattyb1624]

"HOT" TIP: It's not a good idea to weld to cast steel, it's somewhat brittle when welded as it doesn't have the same properties as rolled/extruded steel. Should weld to the tubes instead, keeping them longer (circa 70mm), and drilling a few holes in the coilover sleeve to do some plug welds to the tube for extra strength.

[@zaydogg]

part number for the new wheel bearing hub cup?

[@zaydogg]

31211126790

[@BadE30]

31211130125 Luckily I had the number saved

[@1WATSY1]

@@BadE30 are these still available from BMW, if so how much. Also did you find an alternative for the dust cap that is NLA, I’m after them aswell. Looks great btw, I’m currently doing the exact same thing👍🏼

[@BadE30]

They haven’t been for a year or two, i heard they were coming back into stock. I’ll have to double check! Not found anything alternative, but I’m in no rush atm

[@aniluzun2321]

Can you share disc and kalipers part numbers

[@BadE30]

I purchased the kit from @vrdclassic on instagram, I don’t have the numbers to hand unfortunately

[@aniluzun2321]

Anybody know ? 3.18 and 325 caliper is same ?

[@BadE30]

4 pots unless touring and convertible, are the smaller size with the 45mm struts

[@aniluzun2321]

@@BadE30 i have 3.16 strut45 mm . I found 51mm from 3.18cabrio . Disc and strut but dont have calipers on disc. Can i use my calipers to it ?

[@aniluzun2321]

@@BadE30 and new strut have air cooled disc .