850 CSi - first steps
Discussion
wax lyrical said:
The cost of all those repairs has probably left the poor OP in shock. Now he realises he could have bought a nice M3 or 911 for the same outlay! 
Read through the whole post youll see that even allowing for the work done he's well up and total cost i expect is still some way off a real 911 or a decent m3and as said, he wouldnt own an 8er (and im a pork guy!)
These cars are awesome both in mechanical ability and body design. I would concur with another post on here though...I would probably have had the car mechanically sorted first, driven it for a while and then had the paintwork done...
However, all respect to the OP for taking on such a project, and hopefully he will drive it lots when it is all finished !
However, all respect to the OP for taking on such a project, and hopefully he will drive it lots when it is all finished !
Paul S4 said:
I would concur with another post on here though...I would probably have had the car mechanically sorted first, driven it for a while and then had the paintwork done...
I think all the mechanical work NECESSARY was done first but once the bodywork was done, ne decided to go further with the restoration.Radiator is normal for an older car and had no leaks or excessive corrosion, brake hoses were fine with no cracks or chafing and the O2 lambda sensors were fine as it sailed through the MOT and had no EM codes shown.
For example, the discs and pads operated perfectly but showed signs of corrosion which could have waited until the next disc/pad change, however, with the bodywork all restored, he decided to go even further on the cosmetic stuff.
Hopefully, skimming those discs will not induce brake judder as they are very difficult to skim, being a floating disc and now with a thinner brake surface.
Edited by 8Tech on Monday 18th August 09:42
To be honest, I'm a bit nervous on the OP's behalf with all this work being done overseas and by a guy who seems to be a glorified alloy wheel refurber.
Hope it doesn't all end in tears.
Radiator is normal for an older car and had no leaks or excessive corrosion, brake hoses were fine with no cracks or chafing and the O2 lambda sensors were fine as it sailed through the MOT and had no EM codes shown.
For example, the discs and pads operated perfectly but showed signs of corrosion which could have waited until the next disc/pad change, however, with the bodywork all restored, he decided to go even further on the cosmetic stuff.
Hopefully, skimming those discs will not induce brake judder as they are very difficult to skim, being a floating disc and now with a thinner brake surface.
Hope it doesn't all end in tears.
8Tech said:
Paul S4 said:
I would concur with another post on here though...I would probably have had the car mechanically sorted first, driven it for a while and then had the paintwork done...
I think all the mechanical work NECESSARY was done first but once the bodywork was done, ne decided to go further with the restoration.Radiator is normal for an older car and had no leaks or excessive corrosion, brake hoses were fine with no cracks or chafing and the O2 lambda sensors were fine as it sailed through the MOT and had no EM codes shown.
For example, the discs and pads operated perfectly but showed signs of corrosion which could have waited until the next disc/pad change, however, with the bodywork all restored, he decided to go even further on the cosmetic stuff.
Hopefully, skimming those discs will not induce brake judder as they are very difficult to skim, being a floating disc and now with a thinner brake surface.
Edited by 8Tech on Monday 18th August 09:42
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!
thefrog said:
Oh the memories (mostly of expensive services !!!), here's a picture of L741UVG we owned for a few years (850Csi), number plate search returns nothing now, wonder if she's still around, hopefully on a new private plate.
Greg, unfortunately I'm sure I saw that being broken up for spares last year. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff