E31 840Ci - first ever BMW (and a daily!)
Discussion
SturdyHSV said:
Love the E31, great choice 
You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
When I had my E31 it originally came with the 17" "throwing star" wheels like those on the OP's car. I replaced them with a set of 18" M-Parallel wheels like those above. However if I owned an E31 today I think I'd rather have the throwing stars, they are iconic to this model (having only been fitted to the E31 and E34 M5 whereas the M-Parallels were fitted to just about every BMW of the era other than the 3-series).You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
SturdyHSV said:
Love the E31, great choice
You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
That looks lovely on those wheels. You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
Nice car and story OP. Regarding mods, it’s your car do what with it what makes you happy; stuff like wheels always be swapped back etc.
CRA1G said:
SturdyHSV said:
Love the E31, great choice
You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
OP.. Why would you want to modified it...? keep your E31 original...l Those wheels.. and V8 side badges...You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
keep it standard and you will end up with an appreciating classic..?At the end of the day, the OP can decide...
BTW, love the 8 Series!
jamesson said:
helix402 said:
MitchT said:
The plates look great. Are they legal though? I might get some done for my E36 but the .gov website implies that the background has to be reflective.
They are legal and reflective.
alec.e said:
CRA1G said:
SturdyHSV said:
Love the E31, great choice
You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
OP.. Why would you want to modified it...? keep your E31 original...l Those wheels.. and V8 side badges...You mentioned modifications, any chance of a set of these very appropriate wheels going on...
keep it standard and you will end up with an appreciating classic..?At the end of the day, the OP can decide...
BTW, love the 8 Series!
Sort of like Alec.e had done with his M6 and Jaguars!
Having said all that I'd really like a set of M parallels as the current Throwing stars need to be restored.
We shall see!
beambeam1 said:
jamesson said:
helix402 said:
MitchT said:
The plates look great. Are they legal though? I might get some done for my E36 but the .gov website implies that the background has to be reflective.
They are legal and reflective.Here is where I bought mine - and their FAQ states its reflective and it has the necessary marks:
UK Metal Plates
I paid £39.98 for them in March 2020.
Hi everyone, thanks for the continued nice messages - time for an update…
Pootling
So, the first lockdown has happened and we’re approaching August 2020.
Since 22nd March I’ve been working from home, which is great news in terms of saving petrol but less so on social life, and more importantly, keeping the car healthy.
I’d decided early on to take it for a merry pootle once every 5-7 days to ensure nothing seized up, both batteries remained healthy, etc. Having read online that keeping cars in storage can in some cases do more damage than good I really didn’t want to experience that! The only headache was every other drive coincided with the grocery shop so I had to go into Tescos and with a vulnerable parent it meant taking a lot of precautions.
My circuit was a 9 mile/30min lap up a dual carriage way and then back using some single residential/b-roads. The dual carriage way got it up to a 40mph cruise and the b-roads, which had curves and speed bumps, meant the brakes got used.
(As an aside I’ve found as I’ve progressed through car ownership they have gotten more powerful, and the more I’ve spent on them, yet the need for speed has decreased dramatically. Either this is called “growing wise” or its to do with the fact I’m terrified of crashing the bloody things
).
First test of the warranty
Anyway, I digress…
Its August 2020 and I’m coming back from Tesco and the temperature needle starts to rise. Uh oh. Unlike before its not gradual and this time immediately jumps to the right. Just before it goes into the red I find a parking spot and park.
There’s steam coming from the bonnet and some coolant leakage underneath. A quick look in the engine bay shows no hose pipes, clips, etc loose, viscous fan seems fine and expansion tank and other plastics intact. At this point I’m thinking this probably means something more serious and get someone to help tow it home.
I didn’t want to faff about with airlocks, bleeding, etc and wanted to nip the coolant issue in the bud so eat some brave pills and phone Autoprotect warranty claim. I speak to a helpful agent who explains the procedure. I need to take it to any garage (or a Halfords – lol), have them diagnose the issue within 14 days (I pay for diagnostics), and finally get them to put in a claim.
Now, as the forum title says, this is my first BMW – so I have no ideas on who’s a good garage in West London. I of course peruse the Pistonheads forum but am no closer to picking. I therefore decide to take a gamble and phone a few on availability. (This was the time when MOTs were restarted so there was a huge backlog on servicing cars).
After half a day of calls the earliest I can get a look in is 12 days at Tuner Automotive in Twickenham. They have a good reputation online so I pop down in the family Zafira, and the owner Barry, comes across as knowledgeable and willing to take a look.
He chose… poorly
I tell someone (a BMW 3 series owner) I’m about to book it in when they mention I should take it to another garage in West Drayton,/Hayes who they know and have been going to for some time and that “they’ll know what to do”.
It takes some persuading but the fact they are available the next day swings it, and I book it in. This turns out to be the worst mistake of my 8 series ownership thus far. Also, now, the recomendee is dead to me.
Now unfortunately Pistonhead rules state I cannot outright name the company. So instead I’ll strategically comment on the below image, and let people infer something from the formatting:
“What a lovely M2. I think it’s a CS automobile from Bavarian Motor Werks”
I’m amazed that they run a car garage with some of the tomfoolery they got up to.
I leave the car with them at 9.45am on. the. dot the next day. I speak to the owner face to face and give him a tour of the car. I explain the issue in detail. I let him know it’s a warranty claim and he needs to diagnose (and put the claim in) within 13 days.
“No problem – leave it with me, youre in safe hands”
Cue SEVEN DAYS later and I find out the car hasn’t moved. They’ve apparently started it, seen it overheat and turn it off again. They decide it needs a run to diagnose the cooling. However it hasn’t been all bad as in the interim they have diagnosed other issues. I politely ask the owner if his head is in a place where the sun isn’t shining and tell him I’m taking the car off his hands tomorrow and if he even looks at it in the meantime I’ll be most displeased.
What he’s diagnosed is not the coolant issue but the fact the alloys need refurbing (and would you know theres a unit next door to his!), a paint correction, and one front bush could be replaced.
The next day an hour before I’m to collect I phone to say I’m on the way.
“oh sorry sire, yesterday before you phoned we left the door open for around 2 hours, which meant the welcome light stayed on and we didn’t realise this. So now the batteries died. We’re recharging them now, please come in 2 hours”
Cue much questioning of the owners parentage.
At this point I was worried about the cars famously pernickety electronics and battery requirements.
Thankfully when I got there it started. I noted they drove it 2 miles.
He chose… wisely
At this point with 7 days left for the claim period I phone Autoprotect back and relay the above story. They again prove helpful and say “not to worry, we’ve made a note on the claim file, just get it diagnosed as soon as possible”.
I do some more research and phone up P&R BMW, also in Hayes/West Drayton. They’re actually only 2 miles away from the first garage (as the crow flies).
What a difference between the two garages – it really is night and day.
I speak to Rob who could not be more helpful or accommodating. Luckily a spot has opened on the day and if I can get it to him in a hour or so they can take a look tomorrow. I readily accept his offer.
I leave the car and as promised Rob comes back tomorrow morning (around 11am if memory serve me correctly) to say the car is getting ready to be diagnosed. At 4pm he phones back to say diagnosis is complete and…it’s not looking good.
It seems the radiator has completely shat itself, with a quite large failure near the bottom joint. A large percentage of the fins are also bent. I enquire how that could happen and am told it’s the original radiator!
They also checked the water pump, thermostat and other cooling components and said they were very healthy and no point changing them. This is good, as the paperwork indicated the viscous fan had been changed in the recommissioning, so it was good to hear it was true.
Rob puts the claim in with Autoprotect that day. Two days later I hear back from him saying Autoprotect have approved the claim! Well holy crap how did that happen!?! Both my bank manager and I breathe a sigh of relief.
It isn’t all sunshine as Autoprotect insist on using a genuine BMW radiator which they will part cover. It takes a week to arrive and fit from Germany (there was no stock in the UK at the time and I don’t want to use a second-hand or refurbished one).
Total cost of replacing the radiator, topping up the coolant, labour, diagnosis, etc is £602.52. From this I pay £200.36.
Considering I paid £400 for the warranty, with its first claim it has already covered this and put me in the black by £2.52.
I'm hoping E31 ownership is not a tribute act to Doug Demuro, featuring his Range Rover and a CarMax warranty
Pootling
So, the first lockdown has happened and we’re approaching August 2020.
Since 22nd March I’ve been working from home, which is great news in terms of saving petrol but less so on social life, and more importantly, keeping the car healthy.
I’d decided early on to take it for a merry pootle once every 5-7 days to ensure nothing seized up, both batteries remained healthy, etc. Having read online that keeping cars in storage can in some cases do more damage than good I really didn’t want to experience that! The only headache was every other drive coincided with the grocery shop so I had to go into Tescos and with a vulnerable parent it meant taking a lot of precautions.
My circuit was a 9 mile/30min lap up a dual carriage way and then back using some single residential/b-roads. The dual carriage way got it up to a 40mph cruise and the b-roads, which had curves and speed bumps, meant the brakes got used.
(As an aside I’ve found as I’ve progressed through car ownership they have gotten more powerful, and the more I’ve spent on them, yet the need for speed has decreased dramatically. Either this is called “growing wise” or its to do with the fact I’m terrified of crashing the bloody things
).First test of the warranty
Anyway, I digress…
Its August 2020 and I’m coming back from Tesco and the temperature needle starts to rise. Uh oh. Unlike before its not gradual and this time immediately jumps to the right. Just before it goes into the red I find a parking spot and park.
There’s steam coming from the bonnet and some coolant leakage underneath. A quick look in the engine bay shows no hose pipes, clips, etc loose, viscous fan seems fine and expansion tank and other plastics intact. At this point I’m thinking this probably means something more serious and get someone to help tow it home.
I didn’t want to faff about with airlocks, bleeding, etc and wanted to nip the coolant issue in the bud so eat some brave pills and phone Autoprotect warranty claim. I speak to a helpful agent who explains the procedure. I need to take it to any garage (or a Halfords – lol), have them diagnose the issue within 14 days (I pay for diagnostics), and finally get them to put in a claim.
Now, as the forum title says, this is my first BMW – so I have no ideas on who’s a good garage in West London. I of course peruse the Pistonheads forum but am no closer to picking. I therefore decide to take a gamble and phone a few on availability. (This was the time when MOTs were restarted so there was a huge backlog on servicing cars).
After half a day of calls the earliest I can get a look in is 12 days at Tuner Automotive in Twickenham. They have a good reputation online so I pop down in the family Zafira, and the owner Barry, comes across as knowledgeable and willing to take a look.
He chose… poorly
I tell someone (a BMW 3 series owner) I’m about to book it in when they mention I should take it to another garage in West Drayton,/Hayes who they know and have been going to for some time and that “they’ll know what to do”.
It takes some persuading but the fact they are available the next day swings it, and I book it in. This turns out to be the worst mistake of my 8 series ownership thus far. Also, now, the recomendee is dead to me.
Now unfortunately Pistonhead rules state I cannot outright name the company. So instead I’ll strategically comment on the below image, and let people infer something from the formatting:
“What a lovely M2. I think it’s a CS automobile from Bavarian Motor Werks”
I’m amazed that they run a car garage with some of the tomfoolery they got up to.
I leave the car with them at 9.45am on. the. dot the next day. I speak to the owner face to face and give him a tour of the car. I explain the issue in detail. I let him know it’s a warranty claim and he needs to diagnose (and put the claim in) within 13 days.
“No problem – leave it with me, youre in safe hands”
Cue SEVEN DAYS later and I find out the car hasn’t moved. They’ve apparently started it, seen it overheat and turn it off again. They decide it needs a run to diagnose the cooling. However it hasn’t been all bad as in the interim they have diagnosed other issues. I politely ask the owner if his head is in a place where the sun isn’t shining and tell him I’m taking the car off his hands tomorrow and if he even looks at it in the meantime I’ll be most displeased.
What he’s diagnosed is not the coolant issue but the fact the alloys need refurbing (and would you know theres a unit next door to his!), a paint correction, and one front bush could be replaced.
The next day an hour before I’m to collect I phone to say I’m on the way.
“oh sorry sire, yesterday before you phoned we left the door open for around 2 hours, which meant the welcome light stayed on and we didn’t realise this. So now the batteries died. We’re recharging them now, please come in 2 hours”
Cue much questioning of the owners parentage.
At this point I was worried about the cars famously pernickety electronics and battery requirements.
Thankfully when I got there it started. I noted they drove it 2 miles.
He chose… wisely
At this point with 7 days left for the claim period I phone Autoprotect back and relay the above story. They again prove helpful and say “not to worry, we’ve made a note on the claim file, just get it diagnosed as soon as possible”.
I do some more research and phone up P&R BMW, also in Hayes/West Drayton. They’re actually only 2 miles away from the first garage (as the crow flies).
What a difference between the two garages – it really is night and day.
I speak to Rob who could not be more helpful or accommodating. Luckily a spot has opened on the day and if I can get it to him in a hour or so they can take a look tomorrow. I readily accept his offer.
I leave the car and as promised Rob comes back tomorrow morning (around 11am if memory serve me correctly) to say the car is getting ready to be diagnosed. At 4pm he phones back to say diagnosis is complete and…it’s not looking good.
It seems the radiator has completely shat itself, with a quite large failure near the bottom joint. A large percentage of the fins are also bent. I enquire how that could happen and am told it’s the original radiator!
They also checked the water pump, thermostat and other cooling components and said they were very healthy and no point changing them. This is good, as the paperwork indicated the viscous fan had been changed in the recommissioning, so it was good to hear it was true.
Rob puts the claim in with Autoprotect that day. Two days later I hear back from him saying Autoprotect have approved the claim! Well holy crap how did that happen!?! Both my bank manager and I breathe a sigh of relief.
It isn’t all sunshine as Autoprotect insist on using a genuine BMW radiator which they will part cover. It takes a week to arrive and fit from Germany (there was no stock in the UK at the time and I don’t want to use a second-hand or refurbished one).
Total cost of replacing the radiator, topping up the coolant, labour, diagnosis, etc is £602.52. From this I pay £200.36.
Considering I paid £400 for the warranty, with its first claim it has already covered this and put me in the black by £2.52.
I'm hoping E31 ownership is not a tribute act to Doug Demuro, featuring his Range Rover and a CarMax warranty
Edited by salmanorguk on Saturday 17th April 20:50
Jumping ahead
I have one or two more historical posts and then I’ll be up-to-date with E31 ownership. However, like those unfathomable Marvel movies, I thought I’d jump ahead in the timeline and post some pics from yesterday when I gave it a wash.
This is the first car I’ve bothered to wash myself, before I just took my cars to a hand car wash on the way home from work.
So – car detailing – first time I tried this and all I thought was: “what an absolute ballache”.
I decided early on I didn’t want to use a pressure washer or a mechanical polisher, as not having the experience I didn’t want to flake off or burn the paint. I also think the paint is soft so its probably best if my ham-fisted approach is as gentle as possible.
I read up on a few forums (Pistonheads, Detailingworld, etc) and watched a few videos (AMMO, AutoFinesse, etc) and decided to give it a go.
My setup is basic and manual so it took a whole weekend the first time I tried it (beginning of January). In the end after applying washing, waxing, polishing, etc I did get protection and beading – happy days. No pictures however – boo!
Yesterday I gave it a maintenance wash and remembered to take pictures this time.
So heres a picture of my setup (from top left, clockwise):
Tire shine, Autofinesse wheel cleaner, window cleaner, Autofinesse shampoo, two microfibre towels, squeegee, kitchen tissue roll, (bastardised) hosepipe, 3 x buckets, brush for alloys, manual pump sprayer, cooking measuring jug (to measure the snow foam)
The manual pump sprayer is obviously not a match for a pressure washer but it still produces a good steady stream of foam. Does knacker the arm though!:
Not pictured is the Autoglym snow foam, and Autofinesse polish, wax and clay bar.
The car does have a few swirl marks (revealed another time as to why) but it still comes up well.
The colour is Cosmos Black and if you look closely the flakes give off a purple, green, gold sparkle:
Anyway heres some pics:
Chapter 3 – done
So ill leave it here for now. Next time will hopefully get around to the other warranty claim!
Also, if anyone knows of any scenic spots to take car pictures in West London (say 5-10 miles of Heathrow/Hounslow/Twickenham) it’d be most appreciated.
Not previously owning a car worthy of pics I didn’t really bother so I’m at a complete loss at the moment and am getting a bit bored of taking them outside the house!
I have one or two more historical posts and then I’ll be up-to-date with E31 ownership. However, like those unfathomable Marvel movies, I thought I’d jump ahead in the timeline and post some pics from yesterday when I gave it a wash.
This is the first car I’ve bothered to wash myself, before I just took my cars to a hand car wash on the way home from work.
So – car detailing – first time I tried this and all I thought was: “what an absolute ballache”.
- So. Many. Steps.
- So. Many. Products.
- So. Much. Love. For. “Beading”.
I decided early on I didn’t want to use a pressure washer or a mechanical polisher, as not having the experience I didn’t want to flake off or burn the paint. I also think the paint is soft so its probably best if my ham-fisted approach is as gentle as possible.
I read up on a few forums (Pistonheads, Detailingworld, etc) and watched a few videos (AMMO, AutoFinesse, etc) and decided to give it a go.
My setup is basic and manual so it took a whole weekend the first time I tried it (beginning of January). In the end after applying washing, waxing, polishing, etc I did get protection and beading – happy days. No pictures however – boo!
Yesterday I gave it a maintenance wash and remembered to take pictures this time.
So heres a picture of my setup (from top left, clockwise):
Tire shine, Autofinesse wheel cleaner, window cleaner, Autofinesse shampoo, two microfibre towels, squeegee, kitchen tissue roll, (bastardised) hosepipe, 3 x buckets, brush for alloys, manual pump sprayer, cooking measuring jug (to measure the snow foam)
The manual pump sprayer is obviously not a match for a pressure washer but it still produces a good steady stream of foam. Does knacker the arm though!:
Not pictured is the Autoglym snow foam, and Autofinesse polish, wax and clay bar.
The car does have a few swirl marks (revealed another time as to why) but it still comes up well.
The colour is Cosmos Black and if you look closely the flakes give off a purple, green, gold sparkle:
Anyway heres some pics:
Chapter 3 – done
So ill leave it here for now. Next time will hopefully get around to the other warranty claim!
Also, if anyone knows of any scenic spots to take car pictures in West London (say 5-10 miles of Heathrow/Hounslow/Twickenham) it’d be most appreciated.
Not previously owning a car worthy of pics I didn’t really bother so I’m at a complete loss at the moment and am getting a bit bored of taking them outside the house!
Looking very good indeed - I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread as cleaning/detailing is a slippery slope, and with this car I have an inkling you may start to get carried away with it!
Well done following up on the first BMW 'specialist' and extricating the car with old a slit dip in battery voltage. That could have been much worse.
As I'm in Twickenham may I recommend Bushy Park? There's a few tarmac routes to car parks and cafes that are usually very quiet. Here's my GT6 of two visits:
Its also the complete opposite of the 'hell on earth' that is Richmond Park.
I would also be tempted by some Victoriana given the 840's sleek but industrial lines - Kempton Park or Hampton water treatment works perhaps? If you're heading over this way ever give me a PM, would be great to see the car!
Well done following up on the first BMW 'specialist' and extricating the car with old a slit dip in battery voltage. That could have been much worse.
As I'm in Twickenham may I recommend Bushy Park? There's a few tarmac routes to car parks and cafes that are usually very quiet. Here's my GT6 of two visits:
Its also the complete opposite of the 'hell on earth' that is Richmond Park.
I would also be tempted by some Victoriana given the 840's sleek but industrial lines - Kempton Park or Hampton water treatment works perhaps? If you're heading over this way ever give me a PM, would be great to see the car!
Spinakerr said:
Looking very good indeed - I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread as cleaning/detailing is a slippery slope, and with this car I have an inkling you may start to get carried away with it!
Well done following up on the first BMW 'specialist' and extricating the car with old a slit dip in battery voltage. That could have been much worse.
As I'm in Twickenham may I recommend Bushy Park? There's a few tarmac routes to car parks and cafes that are usually very quiet. Here's my GT6 of two visits:
Its also the complete opposite of the 'hell on earth' that is Richmond Park.
I would also be tempted by some Victoriana given the 840's sleek but industrial lines - Kempton Park or Hampton water treatment works perhaps? If you're heading over this way ever give me a PM, would be great to see the car!
Thanks very much on the recommendation! Despite spending 4-5 years commuting past Twickenham/Teddington, rather embarassingly I has no idea Bushy Park was so close.Well done following up on the first BMW 'specialist' and extricating the car with old a slit dip in battery voltage. That could have been much worse.
As I'm in Twickenham may I recommend Bushy Park? There's a few tarmac routes to car parks and cafes that are usually very quiet. Here's my GT6 of two visits:
Its also the complete opposite of the 'hell on earth' that is Richmond Park.
I would also be tempted by some Victoriana given the 840's sleek but industrial lines - Kempton Park or Hampton water treatment works perhaps? If you're heading over this way ever give me a PM, would be great to see the car!
As you said Richmond is a nightmare, even Hampton and Osterley Park nowadays, and I think the first two don't allow you to stop either?
More importantly thats a lovely GT6 - bet that sounds lovely!
Hi again,
Time for another few updates…
So after the radiator change I went back to enjoying the car as usual. As the UK was still doing the hokey-cokey on whether to stay or come out of lockdowns, I continued to work from home. This meant the car was still doing the once a week local loop to keep everything tip top.
Truncated years cost
January 2021 comes around and marks one year of ownership. I feel this is a good time to break down costs of running the car in this peculiar year.
Repairs:
This covered one issue, split into four items in March 2020 and August 2020 –
This would have been lower still but it includes the £102.00 the first mechanic shafted me for to run the battery down (see last post)
Misc:
(I didn’t bother to include insurance as that is such a big variable)
Overall
Overall total was: £1881.14
Overall mileage during this period was: 716 miles (lol)
Assuming my maths is correct, cost per mile: £2.62
Ouch. Thank God I don’t have to justify this to anyone yet, and this magnificent b
d best start to appreciate!
If you exclude the fuel and road tax it falls to 98p per mile. As a reference a fellow Pistonheader (Andrew Crown) mentioned his W221 S Class cost around 32p per mile (excluding fuel and tax) over his 5 year ownership.
I need a lie down…
Time for another few updates…
So after the radiator change I went back to enjoying the car as usual. As the UK was still doing the hokey-cokey on whether to stay or come out of lockdowns, I continued to work from home. This meant the car was still doing the once a week local loop to keep everything tip top.
Truncated years cost
January 2021 comes around and marks one year of ownership. I feel this is a good time to break down costs of running the car in this peculiar year.
Repairs:
This covered one issue, split into four items in March 2020 and August 2020 –
- the coolant top-up in March
- the “diagnostic” cost at that atrocious first “mechanic” in August
- the labour and parts cost at the brilliant second garage in August
- the coolant cost for the second garage
This would have been lower still but it includes the £102.00 the first mechanic shafted me for to run the battery down (see last post)
Misc:
(I didn’t bother to include insurance as that is such a big variable)
- 19 fuel stops in the year at £834.71
- Road tax at £300
- Warranty purchase at £400
Overall
Overall total was: £1881.14
Overall mileage during this period was: 716 miles (lol)
Assuming my maths is correct, cost per mile: £2.62
Ouch. Thank God I don’t have to justify this to anyone yet, and this magnificent b
d best start to appreciate! If you exclude the fuel and road tax it falls to 98p per mile. As a reference a fellow Pistonheader (Andrew Crown) mentioned his W221 S Class cost around 32p per mile (excluding fuel and tax) over his 5 year ownership.
I need a lie down…
"Hello, warranty people, me again…"
January 13th, 2021 rolls around and I’m walking back to the car following a Tesco grocery shop. Get in and start it up and nothing. Try again and nothing. Hmm this seems wrong. I let it rest for around 10 min more (as I don’t want to flood the engine) and try again, and it splutters into life.
Something is definitely not right and I can see the £ signs in front of the eyes. I respond by hitting the forehead against the steering wheel centre cap. Cue the most feeble car horn you have ever heard. Oh dear, another issue.
With the service also coming up (I think its best to do a yearly one rather based on mileage at this point) I pop open another couple of brave pills and phone Autoprotect three days before the warranty expires.
Let them know of the issue and they say again “get it to a Halfords (lol) or another garage and get it diagnosed in 14 days”.
I manage to get a slot in with P&R BMW the next day and Rob says he’ll take a look. I get a call later to say the starter motor has failed.
Well that’s weird, especially considering it had a new one put in just last year. I ask them to keep the car longer and when they have time to do another test just to be sure.
Lo and behold… it’s the starter motor. Now I knew BMW were only second to VW in finding legendary ways to fail, but I had hoped it wouldn’t extend to its suppliers. Both Rob and I agree we should look for a genuine part.
They put the claim through the day before the warranty expires and surprise, surprise, it’s approved. We’re two for two on warranty claims here!
A new starter motor is sourced and fitted for £271.05. I contributed £83.80 of it, and now the warranty has me in the black by £189.77.
I, of course, renew the warranty.
Time for a service
The service turns out to be an Inspection II service, at a cost of £473.20.
I also had the horn inspected and thanks to it’s wonderful placement by BMW on the car (immediately behind the front splitter) it needed to be replaced, at a cost of £199.29. Turns out it has a hi-tone and low-tone horn, and both were bashed. Further the connectors and wires were corroded.
MOT time
Following this, in March it was time for it’s MOT. I was a little apprehensive as its an old car but needn’t have worried – passed first time without any advisories. Cue a very happy drink of coke.
Also, while in the air having it’s undercarriage ogled and jiggled, a BMW collector turned up to have his family car MOT’d. This person knew the owner so they spent some time discussing the car while it was being tested. All I heard was “steering box”, “clean”, and “low miles”. I also saw him do a lot of sage nodding whenever the tester shook something – whatever that meant! In the end he approached me and inquired about the car. Said he has a few BMWs (including E34 and E39 M5s) but has never had an E31. Asked how much I would look to sell it for and (after I gave him a ball park figure) he gave me his contact details.
And rather amusingly two days later when I undertook my first ever car detailing session (out on the street) an acquaintance of my neighbour also started asking about the car. Gave the same ball park figure and he also gave me his contact details.
Let’s see what happens.
Chapter 4 – done
This now brings me up-to-date with everything, and the car has performed faultlessly in the last er… 98 days.
I’d imagine updates to be slow going forward – at least until some form of normality returns – but hopefully not too slow.
Any questions please ask!
January 13th, 2021 rolls around and I’m walking back to the car following a Tesco grocery shop. Get in and start it up and nothing. Try again and nothing. Hmm this seems wrong. I let it rest for around 10 min more (as I don’t want to flood the engine) and try again, and it splutters into life.
Something is definitely not right and I can see the £ signs in front of the eyes. I respond by hitting the forehead against the steering wheel centre cap. Cue the most feeble car horn you have ever heard. Oh dear, another issue.
With the service also coming up (I think its best to do a yearly one rather based on mileage at this point) I pop open another couple of brave pills and phone Autoprotect three days before the warranty expires.
Let them know of the issue and they say again “get it to a Halfords (lol) or another garage and get it diagnosed in 14 days”.
I manage to get a slot in with P&R BMW the next day and Rob says he’ll take a look. I get a call later to say the starter motor has failed.
Well that’s weird, especially considering it had a new one put in just last year. I ask them to keep the car longer and when they have time to do another test just to be sure.
Lo and behold… it’s the starter motor. Now I knew BMW were only second to VW in finding legendary ways to fail, but I had hoped it wouldn’t extend to its suppliers. Both Rob and I agree we should look for a genuine part.
They put the claim through the day before the warranty expires and surprise, surprise, it’s approved. We’re two for two on warranty claims here!
A new starter motor is sourced and fitted for £271.05. I contributed £83.80 of it, and now the warranty has me in the black by £189.77.
I, of course, renew the warranty.
Time for a service
The service turns out to be an Inspection II service, at a cost of £473.20.
I also had the horn inspected and thanks to it’s wonderful placement by BMW on the car (immediately behind the front splitter) it needed to be replaced, at a cost of £199.29. Turns out it has a hi-tone and low-tone horn, and both were bashed. Further the connectors and wires were corroded.
MOT time
Following this, in March it was time for it’s MOT. I was a little apprehensive as its an old car but needn’t have worried – passed first time without any advisories. Cue a very happy drink of coke.
Also, while in the air having it’s undercarriage ogled and jiggled, a BMW collector turned up to have his family car MOT’d. This person knew the owner so they spent some time discussing the car while it was being tested. All I heard was “steering box”, “clean”, and “low miles”. I also saw him do a lot of sage nodding whenever the tester shook something – whatever that meant! In the end he approached me and inquired about the car. Said he has a few BMWs (including E34 and E39 M5s) but has never had an E31. Asked how much I would look to sell it for and (after I gave him a ball park figure) he gave me his contact details.
And rather amusingly two days later when I undertook my first ever car detailing session (out on the street) an acquaintance of my neighbour also started asking about the car. Gave the same ball park figure and he also gave me his contact details.
Let’s see what happens.
Chapter 4 – done
This now brings me up-to-date with everything, and the car has performed faultlessly in the last er… 98 days.
I’d imagine updates to be slow going forward – at least until some form of normality returns – but hopefully not too slow.
Any questions please ask!
salmanorguk said:
Hi Mitch, yes its apparently all legal.
Here is where I bought mine - and their FAQ states its reflective and it has the necessary marks:
UK Metal Plates
I paid £39.98 for them in March 2020.
Nice one, cheers!Here is where I bought mine - and their FAQ states its reflective and it has the necessary marks:
UK Metal Plates
I paid £39.98 for them in March 2020.
Hi everyone,
So the perils of street parking a semi-nice car in London have reared their ugly head
This weekend gone I was up north celebrating the arrival of neice number two. Had gone up with parents in their Zafira battle bus (we were transporting a massive amount of care packages that wouldnt fit in my car).
Cue Sunday night 2.15am and I get a call from my neighbour.
"Some thieves have come and cut out the catalyst converters from three cars, including yours"
Utter utter bds
The cars hit were my E31, his Honda Insight, and the neighbour opposites Mk 4 Golf.
From what I was told the two other cars were done in 30-60sec each whereas mine took around 5min of work.
Neighbours say there were three of them arms with bats. When a young, petite, new mother confronted them they started swinging at her so she backed off. Here are the thundertts (from a neighbours CCTV):
Police arrived but couldn't help as no one saw their faces clearly enough and the car (silver A4) was on false plates. Brazenly the bds changed the plates 10 metres from the scene just after a bend and sped offf
I hope a thousand hornets enter their bottoms and live in their cavities for the rest of their miserable lives.
Anyway, came home yesterday to assess the damage and thankfully they are quite skilled in their sthousery as the chassis, body, brake lines, hoses, etc have all been spared any damage. They took the two cats and the two lamda sensors:
My options to repair were:
Second hand OEM I ruled out as they could be back and even with a metal plate underneath it wouldn't stop them.
Stainless steel cats to existing was tempting however in the end after getting prices I will go with the custom stainless steel exhaust system. I'll keep what's on there in storage and if I come to sell give both to the new owner.
For anyone interested I got the following quotes:
The only slight positive from this debacle is that the car now sounds like amplified thunder, but perhaps a bit too much for a daily!
https://imgur.com/H4gTeUT
Lastly, just a shout out to the E31 WhatsApp and FaceBook groups, who have been extremly helpful and quite a few have gone out of their way to help. From recommending garages, to swap deals, to just commiseratory messages, they've been very reassuring and kind.
PS -
The obvious solution to this problem would be to garage the car but unfortunately I am currently not able to do that. My flat has designated parking at the rear and at my parents (where this car was) we've been trying to buy some land for 5 years from the council.
So the perils of street parking a semi-nice car in London have reared their ugly head
This weekend gone I was up north celebrating the arrival of neice number two. Had gone up with parents in their Zafira battle bus (we were transporting a massive amount of care packages that wouldnt fit in my car).
Cue Sunday night 2.15am and I get a call from my neighbour.
"Some thieves have come and cut out the catalyst converters from three cars, including yours"
Utter utter b
dsThe cars hit were my E31, his Honda Insight, and the neighbour opposites Mk 4 Golf.
From what I was told the two other cars were done in 30-60sec each whereas mine took around 5min of work.
Neighbours say there were three of them arms with bats. When a young, petite, new mother confronted them they started swinging at her so she backed off. Here are the thundert
ts (from a neighbours CCTV):Police arrived but couldn't help as no one saw their faces clearly enough and the car (silver A4) was on false plates. Brazenly the b
ds changed the plates 10 metres from the scene just after a bend and sped offfI hope a thousand hornets enter their bottoms and live in their cavities for the rest of their miserable lives.
Anyway, came home yesterday to assess the damage and thankfully they are quite skilled in their s
thousery as the chassis, body, brake lines, hoses, etc have all been spared any damage. They took the two cats and the two lamda sensors:My options to repair were:
- Insurance claim for OEM parts
- Second hand OEM cat and new sensors
- Stainless steel cats welded to existing exhaust system
- Custom stainless steel exhaust system
Second hand OEM I ruled out as they could be back and even with a metal plate underneath it wouldn't stop them.
Stainless steel cats to existing was tempting however in the end after getting prices I will go with the custom stainless steel exhaust system. I'll keep what's on there in storage and if I come to sell give both to the new owner.
For anyone interested I got the following quotes:
- Powerflow Exhausts - £1,000 for stainless steel cats welded in
- Profusion Customs - £1,080 for stainless steel cats welded in
- Style Dynamics - £1,460 for custom setup
- Longlife Exhausts - £1,500 for custom setup
- Second hand OEM - £1,290
The only slight positive from this debacle is that the car now sounds like amplified thunder, but perhaps a bit too much for a daily!
https://imgur.com/H4gTeUT
Lastly, just a shout out to the E31 WhatsApp and FaceBook groups, who have been extremly helpful and quite a few have gone out of their way to help. From recommending garages, to swap deals, to just commiseratory messages, they've been very reassuring and kind.
PS -
The obvious solution to this problem would be to garage the car but unfortunately I am currently not able to do that. My flat has designated parking at the rear and at my parents (where this car was) we've been trying to buy some land for 5 years from the council.
What a bunch of utter scumbags 
I'm aware that this is a common crime in many areas, although I always thought that they tended to go for newer stuff and particularly hybrids like the Prius presumably as the materials on those are more valuable. I'm surprised that they went for a >20 year old car, although I've no idea what makes one model more attractive than the next.
I think you're right to go down the decat route as there's a high likelihood they will come back
I'm aware that this is a common crime in many areas, although I always thought that they tended to go for newer stuff and particularly hybrids like the Prius presumably as the materials on those are more valuable. I'm surprised that they went for a >20 year old car, although I've no idea what makes one model more attractive than the next.
I think you're right to go down the decat route as there's a high likelihood they will come back
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