850 CSi - first steps
Discussion
Hello! I thought I'd join back into the discussion...
Well, not too much to comment on previous posts and comments - apart from:
- yes, I should have definitely waited with the respray until all mechanical repairs were repaired. Lesson learned, would do it differently today. However, all repairs recently done or still outstanding are small(ish), so where does one stop? It is an old car, full of electronics, and it will always require a certain amount of maintenance.
But as previously described, I only developed the true passion for originality and perfection along the way - I certainly had not planned to go into such depth with this car. As long as it is worth it at the end!
- I have full trust into the glorified wheel-refurb mechanic - I wish I knew as much about MY job as he knows about the E31...
Well, not too much to comment on previous posts and comments - apart from:
- yes, I should have definitely waited with the respray until all mechanical repairs were repaired. Lesson learned, would do it differently today. However, all repairs recently done or still outstanding are small(ish), so where does one stop? It is an old car, full of electronics, and it will always require a certain amount of maintenance.
But as previously described, I only developed the true passion for originality and perfection along the way - I certainly had not planned to go into such depth with this car. As long as it is worth it at the end!
- I have full trust into the glorified wheel-refurb mechanic - I wish I knew as much about MY job as he knows about the E31...
The car is now back in the work shop for previously listed repairs (brakes, ABS, diff, sun roof, xenon lights, ventilation system, door handles) - and will be for the foreseeable future.
I did have it for a whole week to take it into and through the Alpes and Dolomites...
Here some impressions
I did have it for a whole week to take it into and through the Alpes and Dolomites...
Here some impressions
The car gave me no grief whatsoever, nothing but pure joy!
The 993 did beat me in the Alpes as I was rather hesitant to go to the limit on very wet roads, without ABS...and the weight of the car is more than apparent on those serpentine turns, sometimes even frightening!
But on straights and on the Autobahn I was certainly keeping up, the car sits solid and comfortable at 155mph, and I still think that it is capable of and good for at least another 15-20mph. I will keep you posted on that.
Fuel consumption varies between 15 and 20 litres per 100km, I am yet to slow down enough to get below that...
Overall - it is the very perfect car, and although it hurts to have now 39k miles on the clock - I loved every single mile and every single minute in it.
For the moment that is it from me, car is in Germany now, I doubt whether I am gonna see it back in the UK this year. If you are interested I will keep this thread going until all repairs are done, as I should receive photo evidence as we progress.
Again, thank you for your interest and for the encouragement - it has been most helpful to speak to and hear from so many knowledgeable and enthusiastic people!
The 993 did beat me in the Alpes as I was rather hesitant to go to the limit on very wet roads, without ABS...and the weight of the car is more than apparent on those serpentine turns, sometimes even frightening!
But on straights and on the Autobahn I was certainly keeping up, the car sits solid and comfortable at 155mph, and I still think that it is capable of and good for at least another 15-20mph. I will keep you posted on that.
Fuel consumption varies between 15 and 20 litres per 100km, I am yet to slow down enough to get below that...
Overall - it is the very perfect car, and although it hurts to have now 39k miles on the clock - I loved every single mile and every single minute in it.
For the moment that is it from me, car is in Germany now, I doubt whether I am gonna see it back in the UK this year. If you are interested I will keep this thread going until all repairs are done, as I should receive photo evidence as we progress.
Again, thank you for your interest and for the encouragement - it has been most helpful to speak to and hear from so many knowledgeable and enthusiastic people!
Hello!
Sorry, it has been a while! I was a little preoccupied with work, planning a wedding and the refurb of three cars.
Upon temporarily parting with the car for Wokke to complete its refurbishment I made the mistake of obtaining another project, beginner's mistake. Another childhood dream car of mine, although more through sheer size rather than style and sleek...the mighty W140 600 SEL.
But first of all some updates for you, as I am flattered that you guys are still interested!
After my 8 was resprayed I drove it over to Wokkes place near Duesseldorf (on 6 cylinders as one of the fuel pumps went on strike, in France obviously...).
That must've been about two years ago now!
Since then Wokke has done quite a few smaller, mostly cosmetic repairs, i.e. Steering wheel refurb, installing LEDs behind the BC/MID, front light reflectors, replace heating sword and one rather annoying replacement of a supplementary water pump (there's bloody everything double on this car), after drowning a German supermarket car park in water resulting in an expensive tow. All beautifully repaired, Wokke is indeed a magician when it comes to these complex cars.
Not sure who followed the Facebook updates but I did upload the results of the dyno tests, very interesting!
Let me see whether I can get the photos up here too.
Sorry, it has been a while! I was a little preoccupied with work, planning a wedding and the refurb of three cars.
Upon temporarily parting with the car for Wokke to complete its refurbishment I made the mistake of obtaining another project, beginner's mistake. Another childhood dream car of mine, although more through sheer size rather than style and sleek...the mighty W140 600 SEL.
But first of all some updates for you, as I am flattered that you guys are still interested!
After my 8 was resprayed I drove it over to Wokkes place near Duesseldorf (on 6 cylinders as one of the fuel pumps went on strike, in France obviously...).
That must've been about two years ago now!
Since then Wokke has done quite a few smaller, mostly cosmetic repairs, i.e. Steering wheel refurb, installing LEDs behind the BC/MID, front light reflectors, replace heating sword and one rather annoying replacement of a supplementary water pump (there's bloody everything double on this car), after drowning a German supermarket car park in water resulting in an expensive tow. All beautifully repaired, Wokke is indeed a magician when it comes to these complex cars.
Not sure who followed the Facebook updates but I did upload the results of the dyno tests, very interesting!
Let me see whether I can get the photos up here too.
I have driven the car several times when I am in Germany, and it still puts a huge smile on my face!
It even made it to the Car Classic meet in Germany!
The next steps of the projects, amongst the very small tweaks, are tightening of the banjo bolts, spray painting the door handles, beautifying of the entire engine bay, replacing the undersized batteries with appropriately sized ones, replacing the new and much too thick felt of the inside roof and sunroof with thinner fabric or alcantara 😱, and whatever else Wokke may find along the way. But I don't expect anything major.
It even made it to the Car Classic meet in Germany!
The next steps of the projects, amongst the very small tweaks, are tightening of the banjo bolts, spray painting the door handles, beautifying of the entire engine bay, replacing the undersized batteries with appropriately sized ones, replacing the new and much too thick felt of the inside roof and sunroof with thinner fabric or alcantara 😱, and whatever else Wokke may find along the way. But I don't expect anything major.
And eventually the car will of course find its way back to Blighty but there is no rush from my side, especially as winter is coming.
As mentioned earlier the big Benz is currently being refurbished, and I also decided to parallel bringing the old R107 500 SL back to its original beauty in order to make it my wedding car next year...so slightly stretched financially at the moment.
That's all from me for the moment, I will try to update this a bit more often-thank you for still showing interest!
And finally a photo of two design icons! (in my eyes)
As mentioned earlier the big Benz is currently being refurbished, and I also decided to parallel bringing the old R107 500 SL back to its original beauty in order to make it my wedding car next year...so slightly stretched financially at the moment.
That's all from me for the moment, I will try to update this a bit more often-thank you for still showing interest!
And finally a photo of two design icons! (in my eyes)
Edited by niki0712 on Sunday 27th September 12:42
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