E39’s-different flavours & a ST Fiesta
Discussion
After years of different cars ranging from Mk 1 GTi’s, Mk1 MX5 BBR turbo, 106 Rallyes, GTi-6, e36 Tourings, Volvo wagon, SAAB Aero wagon, Brabus E class wagon, Porsche 944S2, TVR Cerbera & Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (6.4 litre).
The SRT and Cerb were sold for a house project, had the Cerbera 4 years & the SRT 2, loved them both and great fun in completely different ways.
I already had a Mk8 Fiesta ST 2, so thought that would do for fun and added some Dreamscience & Mountune goodies to it. It was frozen white and a 5 door, after 25k miles I found a Silver Fox 3 door with the performance pack from the same local dealer and just 7 k miles. As was then with mad car pricing the white one had hardly lost anything, quick deal done, un screwed DS & Mountune bits, traded in and spent a day bolting them onto the Foxy one. Still have it and now over 22k miles. A lot of Fordy fans don’t like the Mk8 as much, less tuneable (to a certain extent) or they prefer the 4 pot. Me? I really like a characterful triple, the interior is far nicer than any previous Fiesta I’ve ever seen and who doesn’t like to park their arse on a Recaro! It drives a little like an old skool hot hatch, it can move around quite a bit (even with the diff) under power (up to an alleged 265 bhp) with the DS map but great damping in the style of proper old Peugeots and very quick steering with just 2 turns lock to lock (same as the Cerb) make it just bloody good fun when you are in the mood. Thing is, it also settles down quietly when needed on a schlep, gives 40 mpg, i.e, proper hatch.
But once the house was finished….well you know what happens next….smiley face etc.
Didn’t know what I wanted and just kept looking through the classifieds. It needed to have 4 proper seats as all the hooligans were too big for daft stuff and after the Jeep I’d told myself I wasn’t allowed the top rate of rfl and it need to be older-ish, classic insurance, at least 6 cylinders and so on.
Flicking through C&C on my phone one afternoon waiting for a client and there it was, 1998, Alpina B10 V8 in Oxford green with gold deco stripes. Great spec for its age including double glazing, biscuit hide, rain sensing wipers, power mirrors. Lots and lots of history. Dealer was friendly and helpful. Negotiations began with work to the sills, some interior trim fixes, wheels refurbed, mot and oh yeah delivery (bought unseen….) over 550 miles away. Have done lots of little jobs to it over the last 3 years (and some big….) and I really enjoy having it around.
A year or so later and a 2001 low miles (46k miles) 525i se Touring came up, 1 owner, full history. I needed a tow car. Phone call, haggle, single ticket to Huntingdon, tax & drive home. It had been given a cheapy oil change and an mot so I could drive it home. Over the next few weeks it was serviced to within an inch, new tyres all round, tow bar and ceramic coated as it has to live outside unfortunately. It is now nearly on 52 k and we have done lots of other titivations to it. Dunno if much interest in any of these but happy to share if anyone wants to know!
It took a few weeks to get all the pre-sale prep done but it arrived looking not too bad at all for a then 22 year old car with 115k. All the usual stuff then took place, big clean inside and out, I refurbed the steering wheel which made a huge difference, cleaned/treated all the leather & then off to the Man for a big service including new brakes all round, pollen filters, BMC air filter, oil & filter, new sump gasket, new front under tray, top coolant hose and general nosey around underneath to confirm everything good. The a/c decided it didn't want to blow cold. Took it to another specialist where it consumed £183 quids worth of gas......had a whinge at the dealer who without any fuss sent me £250 to cover the cost so can't complain.
Looking much better;
Looking much better;
Kept the Alpina like that for the next few years then this summer it went off for 'a small refresh...' Every suspension arm & bush was replaced, the springs were already very recent and as I know most read Barry's threads on the M5 wagon etc the dampers are currently (dunno if still are?) NLA from Alpina.
This all made a huge difference as most bits were by now almost 25 years old, there was the odd drop link and arm that were not original. However, last xmas I managed to get a deal on a full set of Supersprint extractor manifolds. We all know the V8's including the M5 & Alpinas used the standard factory stuff that are somewhat compromised. These proved a real pita to fit but after a couple of months and some fab work to allow them to join to the factory cats and Alpina system we got there.
and then finally fitted;
This all made a huge difference as most bits were by now almost 25 years old, there was the odd drop link and arm that were not original. However, last xmas I managed to get a deal on a full set of Supersprint extractor manifolds. We all know the V8's including the M5 & Alpinas used the standard factory stuff that are somewhat compromised. These proved a real pita to fit but after a couple of months and some fab work to allow them to join to the factory cats and Alpina system we got there.
and then finally fitted;
Small world eh?! The 525i isn't fast (at all), but it's a lovely way to smooch around. After towing the caravan up to the Highlands in the summer we decided that we needed to add some improvements if we were going to keep it. Plan was suspension which although only just over 50k covered was 22 years old, some sort of blue tooth/music streaming/DAB, wheels and possibly some extra power. Plan was OE+.
After watching Streten's vids I went down the Sachs sports dampers, sports springs, new top mounts, drop links and anti roll bushes as they are effectively what a sports spec touring comes with from the factory, keeps good ride quality and retains the SLS that I need for towing. So, boot full of bits (ignore the tube sub, that was for testing);
Then onto the sounds. Gambled on an Eonon android unit and to fair thus far its been not too bad at all with DAB+, nav, streaming and you can add an amp unlike the boggo stuff the car came with. The bonus is it looks very OE if you specced the factory upgrade.
Upgraded the door speakers with some pretty Focal stuff. Put some of their speakers into an M135i we had previously and liked the sound quality so these were a no brainer. Extra sound matting added into the doors.
Then removed about 1 million plastic 22 year old clips in order to feed the required cables from the new HU down to the boot where a super small Vibe MONO block amp hides under the false floor and powers the Focal sub.
The HU has a DSP function so much faffing later and we had nice balanced sound with tuneful bass too.
After watching Streten's vids I went down the Sachs sports dampers, sports springs, new top mounts, drop links and anti roll bushes as they are effectively what a sports spec touring comes with from the factory, keeps good ride quality and retains the SLS that I need for towing. So, boot full of bits (ignore the tube sub, that was for testing);
Then onto the sounds. Gambled on an Eonon android unit and to fair thus far its been not too bad at all with DAB+, nav, streaming and you can add an amp unlike the boggo stuff the car came with. The bonus is it looks very OE if you specced the factory upgrade.
Upgraded the door speakers with some pretty Focal stuff. Put some of their speakers into an M135i we had previously and liked the sound quality so these were a no brainer. Extra sound matting added into the doors.
Then removed about 1 million plastic 22 year old clips in order to feed the required cables from the new HU down to the boot where a super small Vibe MONO block amp hides under the false floor and powers the Focal sub.
The HU has a DSP function so much faffing later and we had nice balanced sound with tuneful bass too.
Next up were the wheels. The original 16" ones really need a refurb. They are not damaged, it's just that the original factory finish is very tired. Put refurb money into decent rims and keep the originals for winter plan hatched!
Much better, genuine 17" BBS RC090's and some Falken rubber fill the arches much better but retain good ride quality.
So happy for the time being. I had considered a supercharger kit but after watching Streten's (M539 restorations) inlet temp issues without an intercooler that has been put on hold for the time being until he manages a solution.
Much better, genuine 17" BBS RC090's and some Falken rubber fill the arches much better but retain good ride quality.
So happy for the time being. I had considered a supercharger kit but after watching Streten's (M539 restorations) inlet temp issues without an intercooler that has been put on hold for the time being until he manages a solution.
Yes, but the original has done such low mileage and that would be difficult to replace without having to re build a 3 litre. If I was going as far as changing the motor then I think I'd be more tempted with an M3 donkey as they more of everything but its all cost. The supercharger seemed relatively bolt on (and off) on the drive and would give potentially more torque too. Hopefully Streten with T21 will do the S58 I/C and cold air upgrade and then we shall see from there.
Got stuck in with Bill Hamber UB & S50 during the early part of summer. All wheel arch liners out, everything scrubbed (not that it need much) and clear wax into the arches and under the sills, cavity stuff into all the crevices where a straw could be stuffed!
Don't plan on using it much when the salt is down but there always that time when you need it to move something big.
Got stuck in with Bill Hamber UB & S50 during the early part of summer. All wheel arch liners out, everything scrubbed (not that it need much) and clear wax into the arches and under the sills, cavity stuff into all the crevices where a straw could be stuffed!
Don't plan on using it much when the salt is down but there always that time when you need it to move something big.
Cheers chaps, Miles from HPC was pretty good to deal with and I still keep in touch now and again 3 years on. Oddly enough he had contacted me a year or so earlier to buy my Cerbera from me, that didn't happen in the end and it was only once we started exchanging emails I realised who he was!
More pics on the Old Military Road north of Braemar. The Fiesta would have torn the road apart but the old 'un did pretty good job of it too. You can see the road way off in the distance in the top pic. If you look at the lay-by on the right, somebody had an oil problem!
More pics on the Old Military Road north of Braemar. The Fiesta would have torn the road apart but the old 'un did pretty good job of it too. You can see the road way off in the distance in the top pic. If you look at the lay-by on the right, somebody had an oil problem!
Weather up there always a challenge. That Inver stone isn't exactly a lightweight skimmer is it??! Cracking road when the weather is good and no traffic! I did one more just for fun mod to the B10. I managed to procure a pair of M5 V10 Carbon/Kevlar Simota intakes for very reasonable money.
I'd been looking at Gruppe M/Eventuri stuff but the prices are just too up there for an air filter box that probably isn't going to release anything power wise. I just wanted a sniff of intake noise and some under bonnet bling.
They arrived in really nice nick and the chap had clearly cleaned the filters and re-oiled too. It sits really nicely where the 2 cold air intake pipes feed in from the wing and the carbon shell is supposed to be good at not absorbing heat. Only drove it 5 miles once fitted before sorning for winter but there was a touch more intake noise whilst managing to stay 'Alpina' at the same time.
Ultimately, if I decide I don't like it, its only couple of clamps to remove and refit the original air box.
I'd been looking at Gruppe M/Eventuri stuff but the prices are just too up there for an air filter box that probably isn't going to release anything power wise. I just wanted a sniff of intake noise and some under bonnet bling.
They arrived in really nice nick and the chap had clearly cleaned the filters and re-oiled too. It sits really nicely where the 2 cold air intake pipes feed in from the wing and the carbon shell is supposed to be good at not absorbing heat. Only drove it 5 miles once fitted before sorning for winter but there was a touch more intake noise whilst managing to stay 'Alpina' at the same time.
Ultimately, if I decide I don't like it, its only couple of clamps to remove and refit the original air box.
Remember reading about the back box mod you did. I toyed with the idea on the touring as the original tailpipe trim was very sad looking. All the black chrome effect had long gone. The trim came off in one piece and plan hatched. Its award shape of something like 78mm x 55mm in a squared oval so nothing aftermarket was really going to fit. BMW wanted £98.........One rattle can of black engine enamel and voila!
......the least exciting pic on PH.....
......the least exciting pic on PH.....
Thought I'd better put up something about the ST since it's in the title. Fess up time, until 4 years back I'd never owned a Ford anything. Had previously owned Suzuki Swift Sports, Audi A1 tfsi, Mini Cooper and then read about these. After the usual 'test' there was no going back, insurance and fuel is much the same as the others. This is an ST3 so all the usual Ford stuff including quick clear screen, 6 speed 'box, 18" wheels, auto wipers etc. Added to that is Nav, heated steering wheel, folding mirrors, pretend part pleather Recaro seats, phone charger and so on. However it does have the performance pack so Quaife Diff, launch control and change up light. This one was also specced with full LED headlights that are much better than the standard '4 candles' nonsense.
On top of all that I've added;
1. Dreamscience maps (3) giving approx 230 and up to 265bhp (claimed)
2. Dreamscience intercooler
3. Dreamscience velocity intakes
4. Mountune metal airbox with K&N filter fed by the dreamscience intakes and the 3rd intake underneath
5. Mountune turbo elbow
6. Pro Hoses top intake from airbox
7. Paintmodz carbon look airbox cover, carbon fuse box cover and Aircon pipe and plain black battery cover
8. ND styling bonnet struts
9. Ford flaps
10 Pro Alloy crossover pipe
11 Mountune 'hi-flow' hot side pipes
If you look at the pics below you can see the velocity intakes behind the grill. I kept these black to keep as stealth as possible, these are sealed into the original Ford intake pipe that goes across the front of the donkey into the air box. The 3rd intake is underneath the air box with a tube going down into the cool air under the car for plenty of breathing. The I/C is something like 191% bigger than standard. The rest is just more efficient pipework. Its had 4 oil changes in 22k to keep it healthy! Over 2 ST's and getting on for 47k miles none of these bits has given any issues....so far!
Intakes and I/C;
Bling;
Not exactly a pretty motor, no wonder they put cover on it.....large diameter crossover pipe around the back;
On top of all that I've added;
1. Dreamscience maps (3) giving approx 230 and up to 265bhp (claimed)
2. Dreamscience intercooler
3. Dreamscience velocity intakes
4. Mountune metal airbox with K&N filter fed by the dreamscience intakes and the 3rd intake underneath
5. Mountune turbo elbow
6. Pro Hoses top intake from airbox
7. Paintmodz carbon look airbox cover, carbon fuse box cover and Aircon pipe and plain black battery cover
8. ND styling bonnet struts
9. Ford flaps
10 Pro Alloy crossover pipe
11 Mountune 'hi-flow' hot side pipes
If you look at the pics below you can see the velocity intakes behind the grill. I kept these black to keep as stealth as possible, these are sealed into the original Ford intake pipe that goes across the front of the donkey into the air box. The 3rd intake is underneath the air box with a tube going down into the cool air under the car for plenty of breathing. The I/C is something like 191% bigger than standard. The rest is just more efficient pipework. Its had 4 oil changes in 22k to keep it healthy! Over 2 ST's and getting on for 47k miles none of these bits has given any issues....so far!
Intakes and I/C;
Bling;
Not exactly a pretty motor, no wonder they put cover on it.....large diameter crossover pipe around the back;
d_a_n1979 said:
Yeah; on the V8s it works well IMO; enough of a burble to know it's a meaty engine, cold starts are great and then smooth/subtle when warmed up etc...
Youtube clip of my previous 540i here:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wsCPv5IeSSk
Heard a few on the M54 engines and TBH I wouldn't bother personally... They suit being more quiet and smooth sounding
That does sound rather nice fella!Youtube clip of my previous 540i here:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wsCPv5IeSSk
Heard a few on the M54 engines and TBH I wouldn't bother personally... They suit being more quiet and smooth sounding
That's me chap! I still go on now and again but what happened was a shame.
Last run out up to Pitlochry before they started throwing salt everywhere and it rained and rained and then chucked it down...despite being 4 up and the a/c running to keep the windows clear I got an all time best of 26mpg (previous was 25, 3 up and no a/c same route). I put this down to the new manifolds being more efficient to justify the cost.....
They make it sound slightly different especially when cold but its no louder thankfully other than when you lift off and the over run spits from the tailpipes are slightly sharper than before.
Old bits that came off; you can see the poor manifold design especially on the two right hand parts.
...still raining...
The councils salt throwing championships have now started this week so sorn for the B10 and the touring, sentry posted......;
Last run out up to Pitlochry before they started throwing salt everywhere and it rained and rained and then chucked it down...despite being 4 up and the a/c running to keep the windows clear I got an all time best of 26mpg (previous was 25, 3 up and no a/c same route). I put this down to the new manifolds being more efficient to justify the cost.....
They make it sound slightly different especially when cold but its no louder thankfully other than when you lift off and the over run spits from the tailpipes are slightly sharper than before.
Old bits that came off; you can see the poor manifold design especially on the two right hand parts.
...still raining...
The councils salt throwing championships have now started this week so sorn for the B10 and the touring, sentry posted......;
The ST has been winterised (thank you Q...), the MPSS tyres are hopeless when it's cold and even with the diff it will try to rotate the tyres out of junctions which is of course sub-optimal. The car is on its standard 18" rims.
Lots of research this time last year showed that 15" steelies would fit over the brakes. I wanted to run as small a wheel as possible so I could increase the sidewall size but keep the radius as close as possible. Good Year all seasons (195/60), new TPMS sensors, new wheel nuts for the steelies & some of the bays finest trims to complete.
Made a huge difference last year, no struggling out of junctions and far better through standing water. Comfort was much improved too! Kept them on for 7 months and was surprised how well the GY's lasted. Checked the tread depth last week when I put them back on and they all still have 7mm so fine for at least 1 if not 2 more winters yet.
Handling wise there is touch more squish on turn in but then they just dig in and grip.
Rozzers spec;
Covert spec;
Lots of research this time last year showed that 15" steelies would fit over the brakes. I wanted to run as small a wheel as possible so I could increase the sidewall size but keep the radius as close as possible. Good Year all seasons (195/60), new TPMS sensors, new wheel nuts for the steelies & some of the bays finest trims to complete.
Made a huge difference last year, no struggling out of junctions and far better through standing water. Comfort was much improved too! Kept them on for 7 months and was surprised how well the GY's lasted. Checked the tread depth last week when I put them back on and they all still have 7mm so fine for at least 1 if not 2 more winters yet.
Handling wise there is touch more squish on turn in but then they just dig in and grip.
Rozzers spec;
Covert spec;
I'm down Dundee way Dan but go up that way for glamping or a nice day out. Annoying getting older innit! The body's rubber and magic ability to repair quickly buggers off....
As to the manifolds, they are all the same. whether M5, Alpina or 540i. The Supersprint ones I have fitted are for a RHD M5 but the ports & studs are all exactly the same at the head. Supersprint, Evolve & Russ Fellows (who I believe helped design) all claim around 25bhp from these alone on an M62 lump. Can't find figures for mine or even a 540i but if they gave even 10-ish extra ponies then worthwhile in my book. It always seemed strange that after all the effort that went into the Alpina lump with different crank, pistons, cams & gas flowed, they left these nailed on.
And who doesn't like a speedo that goes up to the double ton!
As to the manifolds, they are all the same. whether M5, Alpina or 540i. The Supersprint ones I have fitted are for a RHD M5 but the ports & studs are all exactly the same at the head. Supersprint, Evolve & Russ Fellows (who I believe helped design) all claim around 25bhp from these alone on an M62 lump. Can't find figures for mine or even a 540i but if they gave even 10-ish extra ponies then worthwhile in my book. It always seemed strange that after all the effort that went into the Alpina lump with different crank, pistons, cams & gas flowed, they left these nailed on.
And who doesn't like a speedo that goes up to the double ton!
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