Lugy's BMW 740I and friends
Discussion
sparks_E39 said:
I'd love that 740i, if you ever fancied a swap for a 530i drop me a line 
If you'd said last Friday when it wouldn't start then I'd be all for it Edited by sparks_E39 on Monday 23 November 23:35
. But then once it was working I remembered why I love this car!I have actually been considering selling it but I can't think of anything I'd want instead. Would love an 840 but the borkage potential seems strong and more expensive than a 7!
alistairolsen said:
Migweb circa 2004-2010 ish! I had a white nova.
I have no use for the fleet, but the 740 I have a severe soft spot for, especially with those wheels.
Yeah, I remember going to a rolling road day at Dastek you were at, I had my white Nova which was very similar though you had EFI, I was running a Pooburg. IIRC I made a few horses more I have no use for the fleet, but the 740 I have a severe soft spot for, especially with those wheels.
. Them were the days, not a care in the world .Didn't you start a Locost build or am I confusing things?
I'd definitely recommend a 740, everything seems 'right', I doubt we'll see any cars built like it again!
Aye! I later found out the cam timing was out by a tooth following an awkward 4th to 5th but actually third shift....
I did indeed, went from the nova to an XE corsa and then the locost project alongside various odd dailies (rover 620 on LPG, volvo T5, vectra sri, some cavaliers) and then started a zetec conversion into a jago jeep, built a corsa for autotesting, then my bora, an MG ZR for the mrs (top end rebuild, who'd have thought) and a trackday clio. Four jobs and three flats/houses later I'm finally in a position to get back on with the locost and the Jago!
Aye, it's one of the few relatively inexpensive V8 options that actually make sense as cars! I really like the looks too unlike something like an LS400!
I did indeed, went from the nova to an XE corsa and then the locost project alongside various odd dailies (rover 620 on LPG, volvo T5, vectra sri, some cavaliers) and then started a zetec conversion into a jago jeep, built a corsa for autotesting, then my bora, an MG ZR for the mrs (top end rebuild, who'd have thought) and a trackday clio. Four jobs and three flats/houses later I'm finally in a position to get back on with the locost and the Jago!
Aye, it's one of the few relatively inexpensive V8 options that actually make sense as cars! I really like the looks too unlike something like an LS400!
Lugy said:
If you'd said last Friday when it wouldn't start then I'd be all for it . But then once it was working I remembered why I love this car!
I have actually been considering selling it but I can't think of anything I'd want instead. Would love an 840 but the borkage potential seems strong and more expensive than a 7!
Haha well if you ever do want to part with it do drop me a PM . But then once it was working I remembered why I love this car!I have actually been considering selling it but I can't think of anything I'd want instead. Would love an 840 but the borkage potential seems strong and more expensive than a 7!
alistairolsen said:
Aye! I later found out the cam timing was out by a tooth following an awkward 4th to 5th but actually third shift....
I did indeed, went from the nova to an XE corsa and then the locost project alongside various odd dailies (rover 620 on LPG, volvo T5, vectra sri, some cavaliers) and then started a zetec conversion into a jago jeep, built a corsa for autotesting, then my bora, an MG ZR for the mrs (top end rebuild, who'd have thought) and a trackday clio. Four jobs and three flats/houses later I'm finally in a position to get back on with the locost and the Jago!
Aye, it's one of the few relatively inexpensive V8 options that actually make sense as cars! I really like the looks too unlike something like an LS400!
You have to love the old 8v Vauxhall engines, relatively bombproof but if it did break it only cost pennies to fix. Would love a 1400 Nova again, twin 40s, lumpy cam, nice exhaust and an F13 close ratio box would do me nicely!I did indeed, went from the nova to an XE corsa and then the locost project alongside various odd dailies (rover 620 on LPG, volvo T5, vectra sri, some cavaliers) and then started a zetec conversion into a jago jeep, built a corsa for autotesting, then my bora, an MG ZR for the mrs (top end rebuild, who'd have thought) and a trackday clio. Four jobs and three flats/houses later I'm finally in a position to get back on with the locost and the Jago!
Aye, it's one of the few relatively inexpensive V8 options that actually make sense as cars! I really like the looks too unlike something like an LS400!
I admit to appreciating the Lexus for it's reliability but such a dull car. Reminds me of an old Honda Legend inside and out. Only needs beaded seat covers to finish it off!
The 7s needn't cost the earth to run either, parts are reasonable for what it is, you're fairly handy with the spanners and Tim Meek's site; http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/ has a run down of pretty much every job on these cars!
sparks_E39 said:
Haha well if you ever do want to part with it do drop me a PM
Noted!
Davie said:
The pictures of the Cavaliers sills and what lies beneath makes me nervous... very very nervous!
It is worrying how something can look so good on top but be so bad underneath, I suppose they are British though!The executive decision has been made I think, calling it a day with the Cavalier, I could spend loads of time and money getting it mint but it'll only ever be an old Cavalier. I've got quite a sorted one already, it's a Saab 9-3
. The old car's done me well though, I'll say that!Things have been fairly quiet round these parts, the most I've done is an oil change and a visit to Costco for some Michelin PS3s on the front on the Saab. With the Forth Road Bridge being shut most of December (my garage is in Fife!) and me being drunk more often than usual I didn't really have much "car time", apart from buying a new RC car!
This weekend we went up the north west for a trip as part of my birthday and stayed the night in Oban, we took the BMW, mainly because it's ideal for the job!
We had planned to go on to Mull, but baw face here was looking at the Summer timetables and only discovered the error once we got to Lochaline. Instead we had a wee explore around the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, somewhere I've not been in quite a few years before heading back to Oban, where I found a great steak pie and had a few beers.
On the way back we met the Scottish BMW Car Club folks at Stirling for the monthly meet (and another steak pie).
First photo stop at Loch Lubnaig....
It was a bit chilly but definitely made for great scenery....
At the Glencoe view point....
On the Ardnamurchan Peninsula....
The roads were quite narrow....
Probably not the best roads for a 7 series but it still coped fine....
Wild goats?!
The car looks so small!
Stopped at Taynuilt and took some pictures on the way home, the water was quite still!
And one that Neil from the BMW club took at Stirling....
All in, I think we covered 350miles and as always, the big car never put a foot wrong!
Hopefully I'll start cleaning it up in prep for the summer time (if we see it!), give it a yearly service and do some preventative maintenance over the next few months.
That's all for now!
This weekend we went up the north west for a trip as part of my birthday and stayed the night in Oban, we took the BMW, mainly because it's ideal for the job!
We had planned to go on to Mull, but baw face here was looking at the Summer timetables and only discovered the error once we got to Lochaline. Instead we had a wee explore around the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, somewhere I've not been in quite a few years before heading back to Oban, where I found a great steak pie and had a few beers.
On the way back we met the Scottish BMW Car Club folks at Stirling for the monthly meet (and another steak pie).
First photo stop at Loch Lubnaig....
It was a bit chilly but definitely made for great scenery....
At the Glencoe view point....
On the Ardnamurchan Peninsula....
The roads were quite narrow....
Probably not the best roads for a 7 series but it still coped fine....
Wild goats?!
The car looks so small!
Stopped at Taynuilt and took some pictures on the way home, the water was quite still!
And one that Neil from the BMW club took at Stirling....
All in, I think we covered 350miles and as always, the big car never put a foot wrong!
Hopefully I'll start cleaning it up in prep for the summer time (if we see it!), give it a yearly service and do some preventative maintenance over the next few months.
That's all for now!
The past month or so has been all about the Saab, the BMW has been getting used occasionally but has mostly been kept away from the salt.
We start off with a cold Monday and a wee drive into Northumbria, Cumbria and back home through Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders on some superb roads (still quite a bit of snow around that day though!).
Then another drive on a sunny Sunday into Dumfries and Galloway....
Also got it's first proper clean this year on a sunny Monday, looks better in the pictures though....
By now I decided that it was time to actually spend some money on it and bought it a few presents....
We have:-
Eibach springs
Sachs OE shocks
Meyle lower arms
Meyle ARB drop links
PPS strut top mounts
Some Deutsch track rod ends
Mann oil/fuel/air filters
Genuine pollen filter
Mintex hand brake shoes/fitting kit
Not shown:-
Neo Brothers handbrake cable
2x rear calipers
Old vs new lower arms, the bush wasn't too clever....
Old vs new front shock, I had intended on going for Bilstein B8s but decided that I'd spent enough (my final bill is about £900 :wall....
Front parts fitted, I ground off the worst of the rust from the front leg and badly painted it (then didn't let it dry properly before refitting it all
). I plan on sorting out the crusty bits at some point soon so will see to it then ....
Also dropped the sump, it was fairly immaculate but still attacked it with the brake cleaner....
Old hand brake cable was a bit knackered....
Now, after having new park brake shoes fitted and adjusted the hand brake sits at a pleasing level....
And the new rear calipers that are still unpainted....
Wonder if these parts will last another 140k? Everything I took off was Saab/GM branded so could have been original....
I'm pleased to say it drives really good now, part of me wishes I'd just bitten the bullet and bought the B8s but I'm happy enough just now, maybe next year if it lasts.
There's still a few more jobs to do, the clutch is slipping, the turbo seems to be smokey at full throttle and high revs (I hope it's the turbo!) and the exhaust isn't looking too clever. I'll do the clutch in April, along with flushing out the gearbox oil. I'm swithering whether to replace the turbo with another standard one or have one rebuilt with a 19T compressor, this will require a 3" down pipe but could map to ~300bhp if the injectors cope and the **** isn't blown out the engine! The exhaust system part hasn't been decided on, maybe a stainless Jetex/Maptun effort for longevity more than anything.
Next up, the Cavalier. Well it was sold then it wasn't. I've since decided to get Mrs Lugy's dad to weld her up and painted. Not done anything about it as he's been a bit busy. That way I can get it MOT'd and sell it as a 'car' rather than a project. Or keep it :lol:.
Finally, the BMW has still been getting love....
We start off with a cold Monday and a wee drive into Northumbria, Cumbria and back home through Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders on some superb roads (still quite a bit of snow around that day though!).
Then another drive on a sunny Sunday into Dumfries and Galloway....
Also got it's first proper clean this year on a sunny Monday, looks better in the pictures though....
By now I decided that it was time to actually spend some money on it and bought it a few presents....
We have:-
Eibach springs
Sachs OE shocks
Meyle lower arms
Meyle ARB drop links
PPS strut top mounts
Some Deutsch track rod ends
Mann oil/fuel/air filters
Genuine pollen filter
Mintex hand brake shoes/fitting kit
Not shown:-
Neo Brothers handbrake cable
2x rear calipers
Old vs new lower arms, the bush wasn't too clever....
Old vs new front shock, I had intended on going for Bilstein B8s but decided that I'd spent enough (my final bill is about £900 :wall
....
Front parts fitted, I ground off the worst of the rust from the front leg and badly painted it (then didn't let it dry properly before refitting it all
). I plan on sorting out the crusty bits at some point soon so will see to it then ....
Also dropped the sump, it was fairly immaculate but still attacked it with the brake cleaner....
Old hand brake cable was a bit knackered....
Now, after having new park brake shoes fitted and adjusted the hand brake sits at a pleasing level....
And the new rear calipers that are still unpainted....
Wonder if these parts will last another 140k? Everything I took off was Saab/GM branded so could have been original....
I'm pleased to say it drives really good now, part of me wishes I'd just bitten the bullet and bought the B8s but I'm happy enough just now, maybe next year if it lasts.
There's still a few more jobs to do, the clutch is slipping, the turbo seems to be smokey at full throttle and high revs (I hope it's the turbo!) and the exhaust isn't looking too clever. I'll do the clutch in April, along with flushing out the gearbox oil. I'm swithering whether to replace the turbo with another standard one or have one rebuilt with a 19T compressor, this will require a 3" down pipe but could map to ~300bhp if the injectors cope and the **** isn't blown out the engine! The exhaust system part hasn't been decided on, maybe a stainless Jetex/Maptun effort for longevity more than anything.
Next up, the Cavalier. Well it was sold then it wasn't. I've since decided to get Mrs Lugy's dad to weld her up and painted. Not done anything about it as he's been a bit busy. That way I can get it MOT'd and sell it as a 'car' rather than a project. Or keep it :lol:.
Finally, the BMW has still been getting love....
Didn't see your post, Cheers Melv!
Been a few things going on this month....
The BMW got it's annual service, oil/filter, air filter and fuel filter along with a once over in prep for it's MOT in the summer. Everything appears tip top, though the steering drag link has developed some play so that needs taken care of soon - especially before it's trip to Germany in July! Also fitted some ATE discs and pads on the front and stripped the calipers down to stop the sticking, what a difference over the cheap 'Apec' branded stuff that came off.
Full compliment of lights again....
New discs and pads....
It was used daily for the first few weeks of the month, the reason for this will be clear soon, and it also made an appearance at Knockhill on the stand the BMW club had arranged....
So, on to the Saab, well after the work/money I put in last month, it developed a knocking. Turns out the diff side bearing had worn out, quite common on these. So another gearbox was sourced and I cracked on with the job....
Also had a genuine Viggen clutch to fit, along with a new genuine slave cylinder. The old clutch had seen better days....
Got it all back together, bled up and filled with fluid, only to find out the better gearbox wasn't any better. I went off for a cry, then jumped on eBay/Gumtree looking for another 'box.
Well, I did find one, only problem is that it was inside here....
:wall::wall: Yup, for some reason I bought another car.
I don't know what the original thinking behind it was, but it drove really nice, has great history (the PO spend £1k on it's service MOT last year!) and although it was filthy, it was actually quite straight.
The current plan is to run around in it while I sort out the Aero, then we're going to look at paying off the OH's Skoda, selling that and then she can run this - she loves it, pretty much every journey she's driven it!
It's just the 150bhp LPT but it goes well enough for daily use and it's very comfy.
Some initial clean up pictures....
Definitely an improvement!
Finally, a guy I know expressed an interest in the old Cavalier and so a deal was done. Should be going away this coming weekend but here's what should be the final picture of the car. It's a shame about the underside, it looks so good otherwise....
Been a few things going on this month....
The BMW got it's annual service, oil/filter, air filter and fuel filter along with a once over in prep for it's MOT in the summer. Everything appears tip top, though the steering drag link has developed some play so that needs taken care of soon - especially before it's trip to Germany in July! Also fitted some ATE discs and pads on the front and stripped the calipers down to stop the sticking, what a difference over the cheap 'Apec' branded stuff that came off.
Full compliment of lights again....
New discs and pads....
It was used daily for the first few weeks of the month, the reason for this will be clear soon
, and it also made an appearance at Knockhill on the stand the BMW club had arranged....
So, on to the Saab, well after the work/money I put in last month, it developed a knocking. Turns out the diff side bearing had worn out, quite common on these. So another gearbox was sourced and I cracked on with the job....
Also had a genuine Viggen clutch to fit, along with a new genuine slave cylinder. The old clutch had seen better days....
Got it all back together, bled up and filled with fluid, only to find out the better gearbox wasn't any better. I went off for a cry, then jumped on eBay/Gumtree looking for another 'box.
Well, I did find one, only problem is that it was inside here....
:wall::wall: Yup, for some reason I bought another car.
I don't know what the original thinking behind it was, but it drove really nice, has great history (the PO spend £1k on it's service MOT last year!) and although it was filthy, it was actually quite straight.
The current plan is to run around in it while I sort out the Aero, then we're going to look at paying off the OH's Skoda, selling that and then she can run this - she loves it, pretty much every journey she's driven it!
It's just the 150bhp LPT but it goes well enough for daily use and it's very comfy.
Some initial clean up pictures....
Definitely an improvement!
Finally, a guy I know expressed an interest in the old Cavalier and so a deal was done. Should be going away this coming weekend but here's what should be the final picture of the car. It's a shame about the underside, it looks so good otherwise....
It's been a while since I updated around these parts......
Starting with the BMW, it's been to a couple of shows with the BMW car club, starting with the Bridge of Allan show....
Then at Thirelstane Castle....
The car went down really well at both shows, with working in the oil and gas sector, times were uncertain and I'd considered selling it before. After some of the comments I'm glad I didn't make that decision.
The air con wasn't the best so I bought a DIY kit and had a go at topping it up....
It appears to have been succesful and I've had ice cold air since!
Next up, a long weekend to Germany. I'd been using the car daily for the week running up to leaving when on the day before we were due to leave the water pump shat itself!
Fortunately I managed to get one that day and got it fitted outside the flat with minimal tools.
Old pump....
Some pictures from the trip....
The car performed superbly, covering just under 1600 miles and averaging 26mpg by the time we got back, including some Autobahn action and Eifel mountain hooning. We got from the Nurburgring to Dunkirk in a touch under 4 hours without fuss. Quite impressive for an 18 year old Luxury-barge.
Onto the Saab, as mentioned previously, the replacement gearbox had issues so it was time to start sorting it out.
This time, the engine came out....
And the engine bay was tidied up and given a lick of paint, not prefect but better....
The little bush that caused all the hassle in the gearbox, surprisingly easily replaced....
Had to get new oil cooler pipes made up as the original ones were weeping oil....
All back together, along with a new air con radiator....
Almost ready....
Then finished and undercover....
Next up, it needs two tyres on the back and should hopefully go in for some body repairs.
Starting with the BMW, it's been to a couple of shows with the BMW car club, starting with the Bridge of Allan show....
Then at Thirelstane Castle....
The car went down really well at both shows, with working in the oil and gas sector, times were uncertain and I'd considered selling it before. After some of the comments I'm glad I didn't make that decision.
The air con wasn't the best so I bought a DIY kit and had a go at topping it up....
It appears to have been succesful and I've had ice cold air since!
Next up, a long weekend to Germany. I'd been using the car daily for the week running up to leaving when on the day before we were due to leave the water pump shat itself!
Fortunately I managed to get one that day and got it fitted outside the flat with minimal tools.
Old pump....
Some pictures from the trip....
The car performed superbly, covering just under 1600 miles and averaging 26mpg by the time we got back, including some Autobahn action and Eifel mountain hooning. We got from the Nurburgring to Dunkirk in a touch under 4 hours without fuss. Quite impressive for an 18 year old Luxury-barge.
Onto the Saab, as mentioned previously, the replacement gearbox had issues so it was time to start sorting it out.
This time, the engine came out....
And the engine bay was tidied up and given a lick of paint, not prefect but better....
The little bush that caused all the hassle in the gearbox, surprisingly easily replaced....
Had to get new oil cooler pipes made up as the original ones were weeping oil....
All back together, along with a new air con radiator....
Almost ready....
Then finished and undercover....
Next up, it needs two tyres on the back and should hopefully go in for some body repairs.
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