E38 7 series questions

[Stu R]

certainly is a 4.4, it's the very last of the S'

After probably 4-500 miles I can honestly say it's surprised me. I certainly wasn't expecting to be so content sitting there bimbling along under the speed limit. I'm normally at least on the speed limit wherever I go, if not a bit over (30's being the exception), but it's ace to just sit back and relax.

And the hyde to this jekyll, well it's surprisingly surefooted and nimble for such a big old girl, I've given it a run down some very curly roads and chucking it around corners, and couldn't quite believe how well it stuck to the road. No bangs, rattles, knocks, squeaks or anything of that ilk, it's smooth as silk it seems.

Thanks for the heads up on the smoked indicators, and a general thanks to everyone who's provided such useful advice on this thread, it's been invaluable and I dare say I probably wouldn't have bothered without it.

[Stu R]

yup, t'was reg'd pretty late. It's got quite an interesting ownership history actually. Well, not interesting par se.

Anyway, enough of that rubbish, While I'm here, a little progress report ;

Liking the car very much, and have been extolling the virtues of bangernomics, well, bargain barges, to everyone I know, no doubt boring them stupid in the process. Ordered some bits, and have started to formulate a small plan of attack to improve the car a bit.

New rear lights arrived today, and side indicators. Booked it in to get the paintwork made perfect the week after next, so I'll probably just fit the lights then. Musing over some angel eyes for the front and a rear lip spoiler for the boot too. Threw it in for a service today, wasn't far from being due an oil change so had a proper service done while it was there as a matter of course. Didn't really need it but I figured why not. Also gave it a proper clean and polish, so it's looking miles better. Seems it's got a K&N filter fitted, which looks newish, that'll be going in the bin and something better put in it's place, never was their biggest fan.

Which brings us onto the first main thing I need help with, as now we need some wheels, any recommendations? I want something with a rather deep dish. The standard ones are too small and not dishy enough. However, I don't wish to look like a bradford based drug dealer. Any suggestions (other than leave the standard ones on, which won't happen) as to who to look for, I'm not really all that clued up on who knocks wheels out for Beemers, but I've looked at Breyton, Alpina, OZ, and a few others to little avail, with a certain set of BBS being the only ones I like, but they're not dishy enough either.

Also in search of suspension upgrades, nothing too extreme, just a minor lowering without generating too thrashy a ride, but it's supple enough to lose a small amount of it's overall comfort in favour of something sporty. Again suggestions would be ace. No rush for that, can wait till the wheels are on as I'll probably replace some of the arms as a matter of course anyway.

Exhaust wise I'm going to drop it in to get a custom one made at a very highly regarded place locally, free up the V8 a bit, and give it a bit more of an entertaining soundtrack, not that I expect to be able to hear much through the double glazing. Nothing offensive, just get the old girl rumbling a bit.

Once that little lots done in the next few weeks I'll be looking for brake upgrades, as the front brakes are a bit, well, they could be beefed up a bit, already got an idea of what's replacing them but more on that later, and also I'll be investigating methods on extracting a few more ponies from the old girl and making a few more little tweaks. Also I fear the standard sound system is a bit lukewarm at best, so I'll be putting a decent set of speakers in, again, for sound quality, not mcdonalds car park stuff.

Shaping up to be a fun little project for a daily smoker, past history dictates I find it impossible to leave anything standard, so some mild fettling was always going to happen. Nothing vulgar or 'chav' don't worry, though I am considering a vinyl wrap after the paint's sorted ( ), more on that later...


Cheers,
Stu

[Stu R]

Cheers for the reply monthefish.

We've got an exhaust maker up here called AAS who do some amazing work, they've built some lovely systems for me in the past, not very expensive either.
Paintwork wise, yep I'm getting the lower valances & skirts colour coded while it's in.

Oh, an M parallels are nowhere near deep enough a dish


Slothario, not sure if you've read, but I have one now lol