The $2k Imola/Nat Brown 6MT "Beater" Transformation

[GeorgeH]

Nice find, where was it listed? I try to keep an eye out for these cars and never saw it online.

[MINIz guy]

Nice pick up! I'm doing my own refresh on my $2k ZHP too.

[fredo]

Nice find, where was it listed? I try to keep an eye out for these cars and never saw it online.

He bought the car from a friend, I don't think it was listed.

[Will]

Nice pick up, OP! Keep us posted with progress!

[cjulian]

He bought the car from a friend, I don't think it was listed.

That's correct -- I've "known" the car for 10 years and have been courting it for at least the last 4-5!

[cjulian]

Update! So obviously the first order of business was to get the car running. The previous owner said the last time he started the car, it seemed to hesitate and he saw a small amount of white smoke under the hood. Here's what my mechanic and I figured out in 2 different visits:

-New battery
-A/C compressor was intermittently seizing - causing the "smoke" so replaced the compressor and drive belt and recharged the A/C
-New front brakes
-Fluid and filter changes
-Full suspension rebuild front and rear (everything appeared to be original)

At the time that this service was done, my mechanic didn't see any other obvious issues and did a full inspection on cooling system, VANOS and all hoses, belts, etc. Once I got the car running, I decided to focus on cosmetic items starting with interior.

At this point, I've done the following on the interior:

-Re-wrapped both front seats with genuine BMW natural brown leather
-Replaced entire center console and all attached parts like armrest, etc.
-Fresh Coby Wheel, shift boot and knob
-Avant Avant 4 headunit and BavSound complete speaker replacement
-Relocated climate control and added USB ports for CarPlay support
-New center vents
-BMW all weather floor mats

Still planning to replace headliner which is sagging in some places, fix faded gauge cluster needles and replace all interior lights with LEDs. Then I'll be done with interior work. Here's a quick before and after for some instant gratification:

[az3579]

So now I need to know... how many mortgages did getting new leather seat covers for the front cost you? I'm dying to know how many years I'll need to save up! lol

[cjulian]

So now I need to know... how many mortgages did getting new leather seat covers for the front cost you? I'm dying to know how many years I'll need to save up! lol

Lol -- really not *that* bad. You just have to ask around until you find a solid (but slightly off the beaten path) local upholsterer who has the ability to get BMW upholstery and has good attention to detail. The shop I used in North Austin charged me $1,000 for the whole job and had it done in 2 days. They are also going to do the headliner for me, including all pillars for $700.

[az3579]

Lol -- really not *that* bad. You just have to ask around until you find a solid (but slightly off the beaten path) local upholsterer who has the ability to get BMW upholstery and has good attention to detail. The shop I used in North Austin charged me $1,000 for the whole job and had it done in 2 days. They are also going to do the headliner for me, including all pillars for $700.

Whaaaaaaaattt???? That leather from BMW is known to be at least $600+ just for a bottom or top half, so about $1200 per seat just for the material... And they definitely used seat covers from straight from BMW? Damn, almost sounds too good to be true.

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[t.er]

Hooooooly chit that before/after is so satisfying