Retro Autobahn Stormer - V8 Content Inside (840CI)
Discussion
league67 said:
Lovely car, very good friend had one in light blue (Estoril?). Enjoy.
Many thanks, absolutely loving it so far 
Estoril blue is a beautiful colour definitely. This was a bit of a spur of the moment thing really, I had been offered good money for my Impreza and began seeing if there was anything interesting local, when I spotted this. Had I been inclined to take the time and travel across the water, I would have perhaps held out for a more interesting colour.
Simple enough job done this evening. The handles embedded in the seats to allow access to the rear (Ha!) wear out over time and after 18 years my passenger side one finally gave up. They crack and snap where the handle connects to the cable and thus no rear access.
Means feck all to me but it's an MOT fail so had to be sorted. BMW re engineered them with a metal strengthening plate where the handle connects, so hopefully this will be this side done anyway. The seats alone have more parts to them than an entire cars from that era with integrated seatbelts, a number of computers and a few dozen motors and sensors...
A few interior shots at last.
Just a bit of an update really.
I've been driving the car daily for the past 3 months and loved every minute.
Jobs I've done so far;
Definitely gelling with the car more and more each day. I don't keep cars long as there's always something else I fancy, but driving the 8 is always such an event.
It's not supercar fast, it has Marmite looks, you can feel it's weight on the twisties, but on a day like today in 20 degree sunshine with all windows down and the sunroof open, it's definitely special on a 200 mile round trip on great roads. I'm averaging about 20MPG which is al you can expect really. On run, mid 30s are easily attainable with the crazy final drive ratios.
The reaction from the public is beyond anything I expected too. It often gets more attention than something next to it worth 20 times as much.
Anyone hmming and hah'ing about buying one (if I had a £ for every time I heard "Ah I'd love one/nearly bought one but I couldn't fuel it/maintain it" I could nearly get a full tank of fuel
), just do it. They're getting seriously thin on the ground and I've no doubt in 10 years time a good one will be the preserve of a wealthy gentleman seeking a weekend toy.
I've been driving the car daily for the past 3 months and loved every minute.
Jobs I've done so far;
- Rebuilt the front Brembos after one started seizing - horrible job but very satisfying, especially considering most places refused to touch them and replacement items are fantasy prices.
- Full engine service.
- Replaced the handles to move the front seats forward after one broke. New items are reinforced with a metal plate so that should be that sorted!
- Gearbox service (peace of mind)
- Rocker cover gasket on PS - leaking oil into the spark plug holes. Should be straight forward enough and the parts aren't expensive from BMW, just need the time.
- Sort a minor shimmy around 55mph - will get it up on the ramp and check out the arms, etc. It flew through MOT without a single advisory but maybe they missed something.
Definitely gelling with the car more and more each day. I don't keep cars long as there's always something else I fancy, but driving the 8 is always such an event.
It's not supercar fast, it has Marmite looks, you can feel it's weight on the twisties, but on a day like today in 20 degree sunshine with all windows down and the sunroof open, it's definitely special on a 200 mile round trip on great roads. I'm averaging about 20MPG which is al you can expect really. On run, mid 30s are easily attainable with the crazy final drive ratios.
The reaction from the public is beyond anything I expected too. It often gets more attention than something next to it worth 20 times as much.
Anyone hmming and hah'ing about buying one (if I had a £ for every time I heard "Ah I'd love one/nearly bought one but I couldn't fuel it/maintain it" I could nearly get a full tank of fuel
), just do it. They're getting seriously thin on the ground and I've no doubt in 10 years time a good one will be the preserve of a wealthy gentleman seeking a weekend toy.
k, you could eat your dinner off that. Absolutely gorgeous!
Coker said:
Good Lord, that's bloody marvellous.
Every time I see one of these (aqnd I mean every time), the urge to own one grows that little bit more.
You should do it Every time I see one of these (aqnd I mean every time), the urge to own one grows that little bit more.
Shares many parts with the 5 and 7 series of that vintage and very easy to work on if you can wield a spanner.
I daresay it's no more expensive to keep in good order than your M3
Art0ir said:
You should do it
Shares many parts with the 5 and 7 series of that vintage and very easy to work on if you can wield a spanner.
I daresay it's no more expensive to keep in good order than your M3
I'll be after an automatic barge at some point, one of these will certainly be on the list Shares many parts with the 5 and 7 series of that vintage and very easy to work on if you can wield a spanner.
I daresay it's no more expensive to keep in good order than your M3
Art0ir said:
* Sort a minor shimmy around 55mph - will get it up on the ramp and check out the arms, etc. It flew through MOT without a single advisory but maybe they missed something.
e31's are very sensitive to absolutely any play or softness in the front suspension and steering.First port of call are the inner track control arm bushes (the upper steel control arms as opposed to the aluminium ones). The bushes soften (particularly if covered in oil from an engine leak) but often look ok and will pass an MOT. Either replace with new ones (buy the complete arm with the bush fitted unless you have a press or access to one. Alternatively, Powerflex bushes are available, very good and well worth fitting. You won't need a press for those. Also check the steering linkage for play absolutely anywhere. Its a convoluted system with many joints, rods and bushes. The relay lever bush is a common area for play and a small amount (enough to still get through an MOT) is enough to generate shimmy. Once sorted, the steering and suspension control should be very good but many of the items should be treated as standard service items to be replaced regularly. They're not particularly expensive parts. A quick, easy check to pinpoint the control arm bush wear is if the shimmy occurs under light braking but lessens under heavier braking. Not foolproof but an easy check.
I can also recommend Eibach pro kit springs. The e31's respond very well to lowering and stiffening.
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