Alpina B8 #64 of 93 Limo

[Scooter]

I thought I'd post up a thread for my B8. I know it's already in my intro thread, but I'll keep this thread updated with things I'm doing to make my car "better." in quotes because I'll only be making the car better from the point that I want to get this car being back original condition....or as original as it can be for the mileage.

Here's a few most recent photos I have:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvxhEKlAf_w/TskkKW6kvhI/AAAAAAAAAuI/GEb2N8AfCNA/s640/DSC01917.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bk4tqMvwt4Y/TskkHz9C5TI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FFRKdNCfeIg/s640/DSC01912.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-An_uKStyHv4/TskkMA8TKEI/AAAAAAAAAug/bX_7G4lfXCw/s640/DSC01919.JPG

So here's the current plans:

Get Nixon Automotive to do a few things I don't want to do myself (trans oil, fuel filter etc).
Have front left fender damage (caused by shipping) fixed and replace old cracked and faded pin striping to back of driver's door
Tune up, so she's not running so rich
Get the blower fan working again
Reattach rearview mirror (only held on with double sided tape for some reason)
Remove "wood" trim because it's all cracked and looks like crap
Remove all wiring that had to do with the GPS system installed in Japan (this might be a bit of a PITA)
Fix water leaking into car (this might already be done as my carpet doesn't seem to be getting wet anymore, but I'll have to keep an eye on it)


Anything else that comes up or I realize I've forgotten and I'll add it on :)

....WTH!!! I can only add a few images? Lame...I'll post more pics once I get some better ones.

[admin]

You should be able to add more pictures now Scooter.
Are you going to replace or just remove the wood trim?

[Scooter]

Right now the plan is to not replace it, but I'm going to remove the trim very carefully trying not to damage/bend the backing. Then I'll see if I can reattach the "wood" to the backing. If I can do this and the cracks aren't too noticeable, then I'll put the trim back on.

Here's a couple of photos of what the trim looks like right now:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yh9gvQekRuU/Ttv01PLb02I/AAAAAAAAAws/8VGDQkGUF_Y/s640/Photo0266.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1dKm6nQY2zA/Ttv0tEtmF2I/AAAAAAAAAwk/pYkzUNt3eUo/s640/Photo0264.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RtY0rQXLNfU/Ttv0rS61rLI/AAAAAAAAAwc/7RqcxKtjD_c/s640/Photo0265.jpg

[saint]

ryan the gps wiring u refer too , was there some type of antena on the front windshield as well . mine has this goofy antena stuck on the windshield on both the passenger and drivers side and im really not sure what its for .
it sucks that your wood is like that because to replace it would be crazy expensive . im guessing the running rich means new o2 sensors .

[Scooter]

No the antenna for mine is on the rear deck on the inside of the car. Same kind of thing my Land Cruiser has. The issue is going to be that it was wired to the deck, TV on the dash, and the DVD player that's in the trunk. I pulled the rear seat to see where the wiring goes and it looks like it goes straight down the middle :mad: I'm hoping that if I remove the center console I'll have access to the wires and be able to pull them through. Otherwise, I guess I might have to remove the seat and pull back the carpet. Similarly there is some sort of "hands free" system that has a button near the shifter and a mic on the top left pillar. I also have to things mounted on the dash. One has a solar panel on it...no idea what it's for.

Your antennas....one might be for GPS the other maybe to pick up TV signals.

About the wood trim...yeah, that's why I'm only going to replace it if I can fix what I've got because it kind of seems like it was an optional thing anyway.

Running rich - yeah O2's which I'm going to try universal Bosch ones if I can extend the harness properly. If not, I'll have to shell out for proper ones. I also need to replace the spark plugs.

I picked up the final stage unit this morning, so hopefully that's the fix for the blower fan. LOL...BMW wanted $230 for it!!!! :eek:

[saint]

its a good thing there are lots of places to get parts from now besides the dealer . here is where i bought my o2 sensor for my b3 and it fit perfect and from the description the lead will be longer than oem not shorter so u will be good to go and free shipping over 75$ . best price i have seen on o2 sensors in canada .
http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartList.cfm?BMW/1994/530i/Base/3.0L_V8/allB/Emission_Control/Sensors/Oxygen_Sensor/pagenum1/tabS

[Scooter]

I cross referenced the O2 part number on the B8 and it looks like the actual one that is specified was only used in the Euro E34 540i. I'm pretty sure the only difference in a number of those O2 sensors is the length of the lead and possibly the connection to the car. I have 3 left over from when I had a 325i, so I'd like to just lengthen the lead on them, so I can make use of them.

I did a bit of work yesterday and got the fan fixed...yay! :). Since I was already in there I started removing the wiring for the hands free system that was in there as well. I also pulled this off the dash, and I'm not really sure what it is....maybe some sort of fake alarm thing where the lights come on? The lights don't come on though, so I don't think it's good for anything. (sorry terrible cell pics).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kIAdYt_YFRI/Tx8vBvxH81I/AAAAAAAAAxM/_UQcQNGkQms/s640/Photo0283.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SpSg8_nS4ds/Tx8vBCI8N-I/AAAAAAAAAxE/10fppmkFl6U/s640/Photo0284.jpg

I'm pretty happy that the display on the on board computer is so good. I know it was a weak spot on some of the earlier E36's. Does anyone know if the pixels still start to go on these things when they made some changes to the car around 95-96?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7tOUZgM6hTQ/Tx8vB66sXiI/AAAAAAAAAxU/4UiI6XAFy8M/s640/Photo0282.jpg

[saint]

im thinking its a sport button giving u 50 more hp :rolleyes: . but on a serious note i dont have a clue , looks like it will end up in the not sure why u dont throw it away box :D

[Scooter]

LOL :D I'm trying not to have anymore of those boxes, so yes, after the pics it went straight in the garbage.

[Scooter]

I picked up the car from Nixon Automotive yesterday after I had the following done:


diff oil changed
gearbox oil changed
brake fluid flushed
gear lever bushing replaced
engine oil changed
new fuel filter


Normally, I would change the engine oil myself, but I need to drive the car as my DD over the next week or so, and I don't have my order of Castrol TWS yet, so I thought it would be best to get them to change it rather than driving around with old oil.

When I dropped the car off I also mentioned to them that I was getting noise from one of the pulley's or something up front. I figured it was the power steering pump. Since Nixon is such a great shop :) they also gave my car a pretty good look over as well as address the items I requested. I'm happy to report they didn't find any issues :D They said it looks like it's been pretty well taken care of, but does have some TLC cosmetic issues (nothing I'm not already aware of though).

It turns out that the noise is coming from the power steering pump. They can't find any issues, but they noticed some air bubbles in the system which may just be there because the car has been sitting for quite a while. After driving around a fair amount yesterday the noise already seems to have gone away. I was usually hearing it when the car was cold as well, but I didn't hear it this morning either, so that's good.

Next on the list...not sure exactly, it it will be something I do myself because I'm spending a bunch of money on my Land Cruiser this week as well, so I'm not going to have any funds to spend on anything else for at least a month or so. Stay tuned! :)

[saint]

thats great to get all that done and after they checked the car over it got a clean bill of health . my car is at the shop this moment getting saftied . im pretty confident that it wont need anything .

[Scooter]

LOL...I'm pretty sure the only comment on your car will be something like "yeah, we found some hair from the previous owner under the seat." :p :D

[saint]

LOL...I'm pretty sure the only comment on your car will be something like "yeah, we found some hair from the previous owner under the seat." :p :D

lol i think u are right . they called me just as i was responding to your thread and when i asked him if it was ok he got all serious and said , we will talk when u get here . i pressed him until he cracked and laughed and told me it passed only thing was no shift pattern on the knob but he let it slide . the mech said the brakes were at 90% and all the steering and suspension was very tight .
after driving e36's for 6 yrs it really takes some getting used to the sound of the v8's growl in one .

[Scooter]

Major milestone passed last night....:(

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jGVrV7mPy5Q/TzC9q5OiodI/AAAAAAAAAxk/B3TFqt9w4cE/s800/Photo0285.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fmhQBp1IopY/TzC9qzHB45I/AAAAAAAAAxg/Wu4jwsdlcos/s800/Photo0287.jpg

[Scooter]

New spark plugs and new O2 sensors now installed. The O2 sensor on the passenger side was easy. The one on the driver's side was a bit of a b*tch. I had to buy this removal tool which actually worked really well.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rmZTC6cVo_Q/TzhdGWyJZUI/AAAAAAAAAy0/aHT8FX-MjXQ/s640/DSC01973.JPG

I was hoping to use O2 sensors I had left over from my old E36 325i would work....and they did!!! :D The lead is too long, but you just need to zap strap it shorter :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0_akIBzPQNU/TzhdFpatiBI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Ah-N1SIFMwo/s640/DSC01974.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iZISsAA6fNc/TzhdGIQww5I/AAAAAAAAAys/8XNKItB_-Mg/s640/DSC01971.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BeTTY_6zdtY/TzhdFEWrlfI/AAAAAAAAAyc/jm417WRNRv0/s640/DSC01972.JPG

The car runs smoother for sure, but it's not as smooth as I was hoping it would be. The old 320i that I had ran sooooo smooth sometimes I had to look at the tachometer just to see if the car was running. Still love this car though.

[saint]

glad to see the 325i o2 sensors worked , im thinking of replacing mine just because . as far as your rough idol mine isnt totally smooth and there is a thread on the alpina forum about that . most guys say none idol totally smooth .

i recently did some work on mine . i kept hearing a rattle and i thought the oil pump was loose so i took the pan off and it was all good , the problem was an exhaust pipe was hitting on a cross member so i fixed that and the rattle . i also installed a 3.15 lsd and i love it , it woke the car up and didnt effect the high speed aspect , it still does 160 in 3rd gear and i have had it up to 270k and it still had lots to go . at 270 it was only at 5500 rpm

[Scooter]

Hmmm..That's too bad. It's nice to have the smooth idle. It runs fine and smooth otherwise, but you get the odd bounce here and there when sitting at traffic lights.

Strange I wonder why your exhaust was doing that?

Had a nice day so I gave the car a wash and then gave it a wax with Meguairs' Ultimate Quick Wax (I love this stuff for getting a quick layer of wax on the car :D ) I also started cleaning up the engine bay. It's not done, but I have a good start on it. I've done most of the black plastic covers, so that will be the most noticeable.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0AOCZ3so3I0/T0rTQc7X6qI/AAAAAAAAAy8/1Exr5KNleFw/s640/Photo0290.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRjWd25-xbQ/T0rTSYLPaSI/AAAAAAAAAzg/_0v3FVnfXJY/s640/Photo0291.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-okHSwcrNElA/T0rTRWPhIYI/AAAAAAAAAzM/sdJWlFPHtPM/s640/Photo0292.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SepJdA-SNL4/T0rTRL8LLkI/AAAAAAAAAzE/VaW9iTsrSfo/s640/Photo0293.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ovv-hTlUj2w/T0rTSBTJTmI/AAAAAAAAAzU/kB_tVk_O6V8/s640/Photo0294.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JYSX_NAou7w/T0rTST7igCI/AAAAAAAAAzc/eOsW2v2Eeug/s640/Photo0295.jpg

[Scooter]

Dropped the car off at the body shop today to have the front left quarter fixed and have the Alpina pin striping redone on the front left half of the car and the trunk. I hope they remember to do the trunk...

[Stirling]

Do they appreciate what a fine piece of machinery they will be working on?:)

[Scooter]

Honestly....no, I don't think so, but I'm not too concerned about it. After thoroughly going over the car from waxing it a few times it has some other paint issues I'd like to get sorted out before I spend decent money on a paint job. Or rather I should say, I'm going to get the whole car done properly with a good quality paint job at some point, but that's not now.

When I bought the car I knew it wasn't a show winner and I'll try and slowly get it there, but I'm not ready to spend money on the paint right now. The only reason why I'm getting the quarter panel repaired is so I can get the car registered as a collector and save some money on insurance since I have three cars insured at the moment :rolleyes:

[Scooter]

Small details done today...Replaced the hood and trunk badges with new BMW ones. Changed the cabin microfilter and hopefully reattached the review mirror. Looking at it from the outside it looks like I didn't get quite enough glue on it, so we'll see how it holds up.

I also had the front left quarter repaired and I'm happy to say that I'm quite pleased with the work that the shop did. For the price I expected it wouldn't be very good, but with my untrained eye I can't even tell it's been painted :):):)

I'll post a couple of photos in the next couple of days.

[saint]

sound good ryan . did u give your paint code to the bodyshop and did they have any trouble getting the paint? i have some painting that needs to be done on my b3

[Scooter]

No, I just left the car with them and they didn't grumble about finding the paint colour or code :)

[Scooter]

Here's photos of the fender (still have to change the pin striping on the driver's door):

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ot-AiK4tfrc/T2ZdEwoa1tI/AAAAAAAAAz8/dgaiA-zNUqU/s640/DSC02028.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aYgB7FswZXk/T2ZdFM30VVI/AAAAAAAAA0E/_tMZ1ohE_KQ/s640/DSC02029.JPG

New emblems on the hood and trunk (bonnet and boot for those in Europe :p)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x50Thki95eQ/T2ZdECpuUKI/AAAAAAAAAz0/VwN5HNjWGEU/s640/DSC02027.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BE6FxRriVts/T2ZdFkd_nqI/AAAAAAAAA0M/dG6znswsra8/s640/DSC02030.JPG

Some extra leaves and crap that came out when I pulled out the cabin microfilter:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aAjn6KXQzzk/T2ZdGvMx9NI/AAAAAAAAA0U/9F01uSjqX9Q/s640/DSC02026.JPG

Old micro filter vs new. BLECHT!!!! I'm glad I decided to change it!!! :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uJds_WMqHQU/T2ZdC4c9qyI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ACAn_PjVNqA/s640/DSC02025.JPG

[saint]

your car is looking great , should be a fun summer

[Scooter]

Collector status achieved!!! :D

I took the car for a nice drive out to Porteau Cove on Sunday afternoon. I took a couple of pics, but there were too many other people around to get any good photos. I really enjoyed the drive though :)

[Scooter]

Following with quattro's deco thread I've redone my stripes on the trunk and drivers door. The others have been replaced at some point so the original ones on the trunk and particularly the drivers door were sticking out like a sore thumb. I'm not entirely satisfied with the result, but most people won't know the difference.

I'll post pics after I download them from my phone :)

[Scooter]

Took some photos with my camera tonight, so they look better than the ones from the phone :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FI67YHMWoEA/T-fSzWrzc3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/5JhwaTiraIM/s640/DSC02269.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-evN8tTXwEII/T-fS00GqpFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/YDVLJc2NKVE/s640/DSC02270.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GGULXCszr4E/T-fS6a2FIbI/AAAAAAAAA2o/lDiTz6w3iVU/s640/DSC02271.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-duRs4-JDk88/T-fTIzVstpI/AAAAAAAAA2w/fK2VPix-EIo/s640/DSC02272.JPG

[Scooter]

I also did some work on the exhaust tips. They've been annoying me ever since I got the car...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b9PEJuIkikA/T-fSx7KFVnI/AAAAAAAAA2I/fOUrMHo07cc/s640/DSC02267.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vuWdMSaU0Ps/T-fSzWLrkwI/AAAAAAAAA2U/zNz9j3sACDQ/s640/DSC02268.JPG

[saint]

its crazy when u post pics its like im looking at my car . did u install that one way valve? and if so did it solve your starting issues .
have u had a chance to race anyone yet with your car . i came across a 2009 maserati a week ago at a red light heading out of town and i think i suprised the heck out of him when i beat him .

[Scooter]

LOL...yeah, funny how these cars all look alike :p

I bought the valve, but I haven't had it installed yet. I think I will be dropping it off today to get installed.

I haven't raced anyone, but I've done some nice hard accelerations and definitely turned some heads :D

[saint]

ryan put the valve in yourself , its so easy it takes about 15 min

[Scooter]

It's not the actual work I don't want to do, it's getting the car jacked up and rolling around on the ground I'm trying to avoid :o

Maybe I'll put it off for now and see if I get a chance to do it on the long weekend. If not, I'll get it done elsewhere, but the issue is I want to just take it in and wait for the 5-10 mins to have it put in. I don't want to drop it off and have to pick up the car later.

[saint]

It's not the actual work I don't want to do, it's getting the car jacked up and rolling around on the ground I'm trying to avoid :o

Maybe I'll put it off for now and see if I get a chance to do it on the long weekend. If not, I'll get it done elsewhere, but the issue is I want to just take it in and wait for the 5-10 mins to have it put in. I don't want to drop it off and have to pick up the car later.

lol its a shame u didnt live here i would do it for u over a beer

[Scooter]

lol its a shame u didnt live here i would do it for u over a beer

If I lived there, I probably wouldn't have to worry about it because I would actually be able to afford a house! Otherwise, yeah, I'd definitely take you up on that!

[Scooter]

As mentioned in the other thread I have a CD43 deck wired in now :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SfZuZR0pjdA/T_I0RjTASCI/AAAAAAAAA6k/ZjAnfcP4rU0/s640/DSC02294.JPG

Still have to get the valve put in the fuel line. It rained too much this weekend for me to find time to install it myself. I'll probably just drop it at a shop later this week.....probably, not definitely.

[Scooter]

Working on the wheels....Soooo much work to get the hardened crap off these things. I've only managed to finish one rear wheel and it took me over an hour and it's not even super clean. I can tell you this though....I'm definitely taking the other ones off the car to clean them. It should make it a bit easier.

A couple of pics from when I was part way done. You can definitely see the difference in where I've cleaned. I'm not looking forward to the fronts....they have more stuff caked on :(

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PuoFwgw4ys8/T_-qn3D2HJI/AAAAAAAAA94/rDPH5juzNMk/s640/Photo0372.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8s0PRuG8bfY/T_-qjawtCPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/CXu-cvFwN_8/s640/Photo0371.jpg

[Scooter]

I did a drive up to Duffey Lake the other day and this drive is nothing short of f***ing amazing!!!!! Pretty much from Whistler onwards is full of lots of twisty roads and not a lot of traffic. I'm sure the weekends have more, but I was able to do the drive on a week day. I think it might have been the best day I've had all summer :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VQj5TBMfUVA/UEbeUSw_AoI/AAAAAAAABFI/2RpYVlz4bm0/s912/P9040002.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GsCuwuuEHEY/UEbeY8Zx9RI/AAAAAAAABFk/EAxiVPVUydU/s912/P9040024.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HckU2I0uTss/UEbeZcfQ1gI/AAAAAAAABFw/AQtri2-CCdY/s912/P9040027.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AFDeAK--728/UEbecopA6KI/AAAAAAAABF4/uVyJv5KJBSo/s912/P9040031.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2ZwaWdDghU/UEbehoIWWII/AAAAAAAABGI/wJ1RJ1PGXE4/s912/P9040111.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8YjpChZ6640/UEbeoDjAVCI/AAAAAAAABGQ/H3BoaglSrPc/s912/P9040112.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zLw0voEnj14/UEbeuC1h2SI/AAAAAAAABGg/eX5spGsoGtY/s912/P9040117.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hdM4fSIHOv0/UEbe3JhrzoI/AAAAAAAABGw/-lhzeyasBEw/s912/P9040120.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qgydktT67VM/UEbe6gx9MzI/AAAAAAAABHA/uxc0P-3VamI/s912/P9040122.JPG

[admin]

Wonderful pics Scooter. Looks like you're having an extended summer as are we.

[jrsmitchell]

Awesome pics, what a great location!

[Scooter]

Got one last wash and wax in before the rain started. The Porter Cable made the hood, roof and trunk much easier to wax, but there was lots of bumps and stuff to go around on the sides, so I might just wax by hand in the future.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jnc3RsM_pe4/UHOExSJT7RI/AAAAAAAABOM/0TxowIND97c/s640/DSC02556.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K6j-DjOz8zo/UHOE1DdS1tI/AAAAAAAABOk/8-1iGwpXOjg/s640/DSC02564.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iyAFWXZYakE/UHOEyMYtFQI/AAAAAAAABOU/7gqTzKs4DOc/s640/DSC02558.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wJ0ukhgUu5c/UHOE11ndAdI/AAAAAAAABOs/rEw-VFOuMfU/s640/DSC02566.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lEc9diqRSE8/UHOE3Ne-bgI/AAAAAAAABO0/VVHxOm_pY9k/s640/DSC02567.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RPv10Uh4x_g/UHOE3qZ2ykI/AAAAAAAABO8/8PocRJJqhI8/s640/DSC02568.JPG

[roadster-s]

Nice :cool:

You may want to try 4" pads for the sides, front and back, much easier to spread around curves and creases.

[Scooter]

You may want to try 4" pads for the sides, front and back, much easier to spread around curves and creases.

Good thinking! I'll have to see if I can pick some up.

Took a couple of Fall photos today.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7SjGhEe4Wlo/UI2uelttWpI/AAAAAAAABQw/0Bcj61SX6hw/s640/DSC02595.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E5PcL47yZdw/UI2ucC2qY2I/AAAAAAAABQo/b3SdLdUorV4/s640/DSC02592.JPG

[Scooter]

Fresh oil change today :) Looking forward to nicer spring summer weather....I hope.

The car developed a misfire a few weeks back. It seems to be intermittent with it misfiring most of the time. I'm not sure if it's from the older gas in the tank or maybe a coil pack issue. I disconnected the MAF and the car was surging on idle, so i don't think the MAF is the issue.

I have new valve cover gaskets coming in a few weeks, so I'll give it a better diagnosis when I replace those. And after I run through the gas that's in the tank.

[Scooter]

Oh yeah, I also have replacement rubber seals coming for the door handles and the rear windscreen. I really should have done this stuff in the fall before we got the winter rain. Oh well. She's getting a bit better all the time :D

[jrsmitchell]

Did you fix whatever caused her to break down in the middle of the road like that in the fall? :D looks great and I'm sure you're getting excited to drive her again, I know I can't wait to get the B3 back on the road...

[Scooter]

Did you fix whatever caused her to break down in the middle of the road like that in the fall? :D looks great and I'm sure you're getting excited to drive her again, I know I can't wait to get the B3 back on the road...

:p You sound like an E30 owner :D :rolleyes:

Yeah super excited to drive her more. I plan to do more "pointless" road trips and cruises this summer. Have to wait and see if that actually happens...

Various rubber seal components waiting to go in....need some good weather so I can get some work done on it!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DjQfil73ZR4/USxFomUmmpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Q6PWeWgO_BE/s912/Burnaby-20130224-00010%2520%25281024x768%2529.jpg

[Scooter]

One step forward, one step back. I replaced the rear window seals today, but the drivers door stopped opening from the outside :mad: Not an uncommon problem with these cars, but annoying none the less.

Removing the old seal...sooooo much crap in behind the old seal. All four corners on the old seal had rotted out, so I'm glad I got this done today :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oJfhcG0rnFI/UTQCaClUkXI/AAAAAAAABX4/CkjxLQRBRLA/s640/Photo0483.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0E8w8sjVKjA/UTQCaZHcWzI/AAAAAAAABYA/N6tDU_tf1Pk/s640/Photo0484.jpg

I cleaned out where the seal goes and applied some silicone spray to help the new seal slide in.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U0RXyXyvSh4/UTQCaOPabMI/AAAAAAAABX0/sHRIlf0L2AI/s640/Photo0485.jpg

New seal in place :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KCQo4QZa7QA/UTQCbzgbwFI/AAAAAAAABYQ/x1-Qna_21eY/s640/Photo0486.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nkOnXnWyuqk/UTQCb3hsTsI/AAAAAAAABYM/9ReRQTFAyds/s640/Photo0487.jpg

[Scooter]

Fixed the misfire :)

I checked the resistance on all the coilpacks and they were good, so I started checking the park plugs. They didn't look too bad, but they were NGK's with 4 electrodes. I just put in the same kind that were in there when I got the car. I now switched to the Bosch FR7LDCR's that are recommended for the car and she runs great! :D

[Scooter]

Looks like I might have a few more expenses coming up than I was thinking....I knew the brakes were getting low and there is a rattle that's been annoying me, so I thought I'd get the car up, have a look at the brakes and fix what I thought was causing the rattle. I didn't find the rattle, the brakes seem ok, but anything under the car that has rubber seems to be going to shit.

I didn't get a pic, but the engine mounts aren't looking too great. Not failed, but splitting and such all over. They look like typical old rubber that's had it's day. Much worse is the top of the rear shock (which also may be slightly leaking) and some other bushing that can be seen in the last pic.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6Mt7_tJR6XU/Ue4LUl0MsoI/AAAAAAAABsk/V9vTXij4zHQ/s640/DSC_0010.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gw-hbkSZpXI/Ue4LVlMDLfI/AAAAAAAABso/WGIssQWIFCU/s640/DSC_0014.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FKfRsNio5fk/Ue4LTdbvoUI/AAAAAAAABsc/Tt9OchvPlsg/s640/DSC_0015.jpg

[Scooter]

With what happened to chrislux recently over on M5board I decided to order some new stuff:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NzKQOXByL4o/Ufcz6pnnX-I/AAAAAAAABtg/FXHSp1xto-0/s640/DSC_0018.jpg


Anyone know why it looks like an imprint has been removed on the fan? One company buy another or something?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zot5l41yCm4/Ufcz5jiGz9I/AAAAAAAABtc/QK_NWW2f3N0/s640/DSC_0019.jpg

[jrsmitchell]

Anyone know why it looks like an imprint has been removed on the fan? One company buy another or something?

Hmmm... that is very strange indeed. I would call the company you purchased from and ask.

[Scooter]

There was a sticker on the fan as well, but I didn't post it before because it's kind of a crappy pic (is says "ACM Germany"). I would assume this is possibly the "new" company. I'm not too concerned about it, I was just wondering if anyone else has some across this :confused:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sj6I8hWPFB8/Ufcz4RHMy3I/AAAAAAAABtU/cK7ELaZR1Ew/s640/DSC_0020.jpg

[Scooter]

I got new brake parts a while back and now that we should be into some better weather I'm starting to work on them :)

I don't have a pic, but after removing the rear wheels the rear brakes look ok. I guess the squeal has been coming from the front.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_nnL5qR90w/UnHIET1PbjI/AAAAAAAAB-M/cwjyau8Ungs/w941-h706-no/DSC_0112.jpg

[jrsmitchell]

Great to start working on the car again after the long winter. I've got some things I need to catch up on too.

Are the B8 brakes the same as the standard E36 (328) or US M3 or ?

[Scooter]

The rears are the same as the M3, but the fronts are specific to the B8. The front brakes are specially made by Lucas. Unfortunately, this means it's really expensive to get any components for the front brakes :( A member of the forum (testdriver) helped me out to get a better price on some new brake pads though :D

[jrsmitchell]

Bummer on the front brakes being expensive.

I guess if the rotors or calipers go you might be better to upgrade to an aftermarket big brake kit. Although I understand the desire to keep things original ;)

[Scooter]

Got some stuff to work on the rear struts.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bGM6CCmJ9Dw/U31bYJzXWKI/AAAAAAAACnE/Ig-Mesht6qg/w932-h699-no/DSC_0247.jpg

[Scooter]

Finally got to take the car on a road trip :) I thought the seats would get uncomfortable, but they were actually good for the whole trip. A couple of pics when I got where I was going:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dvwBOKyjxVy8vn6i1xuGkmvwubNVJYlP2k51kPztdrE=w932-h699-no

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mXT-aef5c1rCxvHf2e5Bre6ae-x8NQfnzoSBmn0xSL8=w932-h699-no

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g1Weg_FjBg4/U_VS2Afr7MI/AAAAAAAADjA/YPS46Bfa8m4/w932-h699-no/DSC_0469.jpg

Yeah, I had to drive on a small portion of dirt road through some road construction....not happy about that.

Sleeping while I enjoyed my time away :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LCowJMU4-bc/U_VSzA9O_JI/AAAAAAAADi4/Yck8E1ug3TQ/w932-h699-no/DSC_0472.jpg

Many, many bugs and dirt removed after I got home.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7_crAmRe5rtQfqoxku4GAXHnUV_4kOHvg4Coba3xPF0=w932-h699-no

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0yFfRlVJbvA/U_Z7ylzKZhI/AAAAAAAADkA/-baY0LL3voE/w932-h699-no/DSC_0488.jpg

[jrsmitchell]

Good for your for enjoying the car even though it get's a little dirty :D I'm sure it's a great road trip car. Nice to drive it after all the work you've put into it too.

[Scooter]

Good for your for enjoying the car even though it get's a little dirty :D I'm sure it's a great road trip car. Nice to drive it after all the work you've put into it too.

Definitely :) I take it on lots of short trips, but it was really nice to take it for a longer drive and use some of the V8 awesomeness to pass some slow pokes :D

Changed out the surround on the door handles tonight.

Before and after.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zKT5btBA1uM/VBEG1-0Mg3I/AAAAAAAAD2M/hEXl7aM2Ugw/w932-h699-no/DSC_0530.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FyqqHpqcHrU/VBEGz81SPRI/AAAAAAAAD2E/9tFEQEWTOdQ/w932-h699-no/DSC_0532.jpg

[Scooter]

I had a chance to give the outside a decent detail yesterday. I wanted to do a light cut, but I ran out of time so I clay barred, used a swirl remover on the hood and just waxed the rest. Ignore the sun shield in the front LOL.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RuiLGNx_q9A/VB8HoiNaDPI/AAAAAAAAEBs/zalfv8TE10w/w932-h699-no/DSC_0582.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-88lNr19UhYg/VB8HSauzbqI/AAAAAAAAEAk/n0pBwxfsGdk/w932-h699-no/DSC_0583.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xZIY3sJ-kjg/VB8HrLpoJSI/AAAAAAAAEB0/y-iP3EXmy18/w932-h699-no/DSC_0587.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AEM35CQSasY/VB8HdtwN_OI/AAAAAAAAEBM/aPNEbUmq30k/w932-h699-no/DSC_0588.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c3S40G3gaxI/VB8HPgCihUI/AAAAAAAAEAc/kPY02_DthdA/w932-h699-no/DSC_0589.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p05KFumfJU8/VB8HNKkATvI/AAAAAAAAEAU/nkCMs0j6vow/w932-h699-no/DSC_0591.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FQklzLDVXFg/VB8HUjRZmMI/AAAAAAAAEAs/N9-JbqBS4OI/w932-h699-no/DSC_0593.jpg

[Stirling]

Looks really great. Can you tell me more about the swirl remover you used? That is something I need for the L7.

[Scooter]

I used my Porter Cable 7424 with a light cutting pad and Meguair's #2 scratch and swirl remover. I think the results could be a bit better with a bit more aggressive cut, then the scratch and swirl remover and then a polish. It takes a lot of time and without a garage it's a lot of work for one day to wash, dry, clay bar, do multiple cuts and then wax.

You can do paint correction by hand, but it's a lot of work. If you have a couple of cars you are looking after I highly recommend the Porter Cable 7424. It makes waxing and paint correction soooooo much easier.

[tekazgtr1984]

Beautiful car. Kudos on all the work you've put into it. It looks great! :)

[Scooter]

Beautiful car. Kudos on all the work you've put into it. It looks great! :)

Thanks for the complement :)

One more small thing done today that has annoyed me from the start:

Before:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gXbVxAHRahv1uK12jwPaZWuk34a4QQ9X96z0s2f7bDM=w932-h699-no

After:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cx1DzqCENUg/VHEe-fEixjI/AAAAAAAAEcc/Y4cch4Aky3I/w932-h699-no/DSC03799.JPG

A keen eye will spot that it's not exactly the same, but it is genuine from Alpina. Massive thanks to testdriver for sourcing the part for me :)

It wasn't quite the right size, so I spent some time with some sand paper to make it the right size. I didn't want to take some quick and easy route where someone would be able to tell it had been cut down to fit.

[Scooter]

Worked on the driver's door panel wood trim this week. I actually don't like it, but it's what the car came with. As you can see in the second pic it's not as simple as just reattaching it. Holes were drilled in the panel to attach the piece, so if I want to have panels without the wood trim I'll need to buy replacement panels....annoying.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ewHdD1Lbn3qbYqgFlR-leIUbT8ivbwHp2SYL8iygsw0=w1049-h699

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fv3v9Yhk_sg/VKYrNK5qlsI/AAAAAAAAEgw/A6J9SmQ5P6s/w1049-h699-no/DSC_0162.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfYsLPzVOkk/VKhNE6i3r0I/AAAAAAAAEiE/KEGQwlTN_Jc/w1123-h842-no/DSC_0744.jpg

[jrsmitchell]

Worked on the driver's door panel wood trim this week. I actually don't like it, but it's what the car came with. As you can see in the second pic it's not as simple as just reattaching it. Holes were drilled in the panel to attach the piece, so if I want to have panels without the wood trim I'll need to buy replacement panels....annoying.

I have the same wood trim in my B3 and I'm also not crazy about it. But like you said, it's 4 new door panels to completely remove it, and actually I'm not sure if I could re-use my Alpina-cloth door cards with standard door panels?

Have you though about wrapping them? They have pretty good matte black vinyl wrap now, or if you want to get a little fancy you could do Piano black, faux aluminum or carbon fibre, etc.

[Scooter]

Have you though about wrapping them? They have pretty good matte black vinyl wrap now, or if you want to get a little fancy you could do Piano black, faux aluminum or carbon fibre, etc.

No, I haven't, but that is a great idea! :D

Found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-x-3ft-3M-DINOC-BUBINGA-Wood-Grain-Vinyl-Wrap-Film-Adhesive-Backed-Decal-/181603038836

Looks pretty similar and it's 3M, so it's probably pretty good and it appears to be pretty similar to the original Alpina wood trim. I actually wouldn't mind it that much if the trim wasn't cracked all over the place. That 3M wrap might be the way to go so it still looks original.

[jrsmitchell]

I actually hadn't considered wrapping it with a wood-look. That is kind of genius. Now I want a dark (almost black) wood grain in mine :)

[Scooter]

Got a replacement shift boot. It's not new, but the condition looks much better than the one that's in the car now:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5rteuEbIz3E/VLGFS8YWklI/AAAAAAAAEi4/rcIYL9DRW_g/w932-h699-no/DSC_0749.jpg

Presently in the car:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J8bsMqFC-s4/VLGFVfrYQcI/AAAAAAAAEjA/sA7SwTlzQho/w932-h699-no/DSC_0750.jpg

[Scooter]

Finally replaced the shift boot today. Since I was already in there, I applied leather cleaner/conditioner to the seats. It doesn't take that long to do, but for some reason I always hate doing it.

Old

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kyYPdi5iBkLLMYCJ_dH4t2gUGj0A7uA5Fthx8y05HNY=w929-h697-no

New

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PRwCcMcVe9w/VOkac889elI/AAAAAAAAEqI/VmZvnwCBWqM/w929-h697-no/DSC_0792.jpg

Looks much better :)

[Scooter]

I hate it when I either can't or don't want to do work on the car myself. Dropped it off today to have a leak checked out. Apparently, it's leaking at the high and low pressure sensors under the brake master. Since it's already at the shop I figured I'd get them to flush out the power steering fluid and do a cooling system flush. Going to cost me $750....barf. No wonder I usually just get my hands dirty!!!!

[Stirling]

I know what you mean. But sometimes it is just such a hassle... and slow... to do work at home without the special tools and the benefit of a hoist.

[Scooter]

Slow is ok...unless I want/need to drive the car. I like the satisfaction of fixing things myself, but yeah, sometimes it's too much of a headache.

Picked up the car yesterday, leak fixed, cooling system flush, power steering flush and the brakes feel much better now too. Not that they weren't working previously, they just didn't have as good of feel as they do now with the leak fixed. I wish I had this done a few weeks ago and then I could have taken it on my drive on the long weekend.

Next on the list...It's due for an oil change. I guess I should have ordered last week when the dollar was over 0.83...oh well.

[Scooter]

Expensive annual oil change completed the other day.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtRyK06g43U/VXm0ffowyAI/AAAAAAAAFKI/w1rLg6nGIS0/w1345-h1009-no/IMG_0181.JPG

[jrsmitchell]

Using only the finest paper towels :D Looks like she's in great shape.

[Scooter]

Yup! :)

Took her on a 800km run shortly after and she ran like a champ. Pretty shitty to have to drive through fresh crack seal though :( Now I need to clean the tar and sand off.

Anyone have a tar removing product they recommend?

[Scooter]

Just a clean up with a quick spray on wax :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VpqStdfG61k/VcEAzh8Y-wI/AAAAAAAAFRM/Pkw20S0Jfcg/s1280-Ic42/DSC_0116.JPG

[Scooter]

I finally did some work on the car :) A month or so back I managed to pick up a center console with an arm rest. After having this in other E36's I've owned I've really noticed not having it in this car, so when I found one in good shape I made sure I grabbed it!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPChAYkh4JE/V0O1TnJJvaI/AAAAAAAAFk4/FuP-3GLOvREo1n9AS87igrl2zthCqyzXwCCo/s640/IMG_5295.JPG

Lots of dog hair from the previous owner. Cleaned it as best I could for the moment (pic above was before I cleaned). One day I'll tear the interior all apart and give the car a thorough clean.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EoSqnUNhC4w/V0O1Tbj3jEI/AAAAAAAAFlA/qmiLskGTBt8jD4f49fByxMVeSPxuwlL0QCCo/s640/IMG_5296.JPG

Installed! The job was more involved than you would think. I had to cut away some carpet and buy new, longer bolts as well as remove a plug for a third bolt location that wasn't previously used. It's nice that cars are manufactured the same even if they don't have all the same parts :)

[Stirling]

Nice work. I'm without a centre armrest in the B10 and I miss it.

[jrsmitchell]

Car looks great! I too really like the arm rest. Not sure why anyone prefers it without to be honest.

[Scooter]

Not much to update here, but I took the car for a drive the other night and thoroughly enjoyed it! Sadly she hasn't been driven as much as I'd like this summer. Something on the front needs some work. I'm getting vibrations from the front right on braking. I don't think it's a warped rotor, but maybe it is. I just haven't had time to look into it.

The good news is that I'm moving in a few weeks and she will FINALLY get to live in a garage! :D I'm super excited about it. I've been waiting a long time to buy a house and store my car(s) in a garage. It will be especially nice to have a covered place to work on my cars. Hopefully, gone are the days of rolling around on the road next to and under the car and occasionally getting wet from rain or someone else washing their car down the road! It will also be nice to be able to stop work part way through a job rather than "needing" to finish in one day :)

[Scooter]

Long time no update...I'm dealing with a fuel leak. Just waiting for new parts now. In the mean time, I found replacement door cards in pretty good shape. The Alpina wood trim is old, cracked and expensive to replace, so I got other inserts. A bit of glue coming undone on the inserts, but not bad. Replaced 3 of 4 last night. Before and after of one rear door below.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bjsu8mbhSCeOy1OlDBX589xi3wuAVYErRt4Rf9kJruOTnek7cp LAUPsWXksbHFV3L58Sa9-8flx2E4erUMLiFuUJI06yO4QWmGcZrWhZQOV_EmdKmNho_bjff 1RQl_ryZrOIqL3eK0VcLETsoEauKBmlc0mt6yZwKqqEfnD1-8CKijZ_ZqVtlNv-Rr-gmDVHQzdy4JI2P_GREhCnUH585s1Ipo8z6MUjEPZOqrFh2-mEYx_xBjKo34dFWFs3BRAH6l-JrT5xV5PNgceOk3p-SdI-pc-8wZrC45KisZsRt4-gKDhdrh079riXW0I63Nr5GviNEjfCeRcpvrpktG_Bh7vtttQvm XjiHmFwrmu-S1AESmtxYAEhrWd2bF6X86eI4LidBD12PIsn1y_HItb57n3kCX LmIPhrjDFTBHbizKNo4YXEsTXln53KM_a4VetDvnokmTPU7GAb Kx-6Oech5BE04NtvWJtaoPwoOdaRfKpL9HsVVQNtoD00PpseNHl60 8GU32HFlJQQ8rNWOaS976kJUSblBBOgWt9bsMp0o9i550nEr8y BYaoFLakT5A_jigjdp15CazU6R_jvkCD33TYYGQR_nsaG6WC8Y XkxFbZq-N9wOZRPpWNhMJiRnX-QvQXH4InwgpkmNdmLD0ix6_Nh=w1292-h969-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EXjq-qUbepd1Y8OJsssHtiFgqHfXcNjydf1Uc1CIiSMnKlo2yjCQTT7 fXelRt-3ANlOGtANGq-4BkGwQQpI-AFS-udN25K0ZfR3fDbyFk0YwIbjVL7WruIa7SnUopWChaWMFJDqQzq XH0BMkhmBbjaEsBjf00BzhinTip6SHOhVE367Qc3E0W3Ah-0HGldLtRe6dLTHA-l-nfFxzBmi6t0vUV7noXxPcakRV2iibbejLy-ilwcdl9M-fGX16K_sACjbqWB2G77NZvnNMSqgBXzCiFGDErC047MovgwHzU HZ5h-TMNkiu3RlYSNu9nRXORN5mqb3OZ_LMH6-NUeiWYGx1OJoumVnUqAHHZLJuV4heXJYm3EIOKftjRV-VFLC0uaSkD6cZUjdJKPtHltYMpmCvGBDz176zrlaFyWa0wTxsx mUXDim-bHZ6MhCyVka2EU36DpwLIgfYZfy_Qap15hnOlR3tO7Guj05_6R UiSlDNsrA9ZYX7zqf4GBdW7tpo54-Zu_Q9DrQNa4WfK2jiv7LVHgLfJ06EfTcwJIxf3dypo7pmURxRw x6GJFUv1ed4pafZCG3d8kkQnlRfwEJwcXsuPKF8DbE15XNb8zi Ox0F4uMRyfwCrI5GyulS7_eL8FBcY-JRVYs-DdSfifEeZ-qt_=w1292-h969-no

Slight difference on the front doors was the tweeter speaker was different (my car 1996, donor car 1992). I was able to swap them out, but in my car the speaker was a bit smaller, so I had to get it lined up just right to not show a gap on the edge.

Both door cards showing the different speakers:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pZiLZV40k7pzktRQJICwxs8-CeMeXwAfhSnXz-AHM79En6itC62I0LrBfkWRltBF2f97gn1NgTpG1pnNgkH1Jqcg PQU5VpQwrQYoZCJBuSgFA1LXzPZ3-qLg-_lfmv4b1GrZy2lrIyT0f6S0SzU5vRY6XODmtyaw_V31Wof5BLl dI3fagXegm83WakFyx5VMexB2-FKRks_7x0OrdwznqNJuqW6DD7vHsSe_3Uuo_nZotbycm_LXtJ7 2YknuI9IIZgJIF2YzT5G7Qk2Ilhi4W22TVOZUJ0PaWpvys7q-iNXMvW3eoV0ELHFMh9k6EaKMb6TxYW8DXRO-Uiqk_dgMYGGMzaBI3nW9LqZXO6KN0GSQRbjQPoVKiU5WVW3AXd BfnCtZlFLX5qlV7Ij8H_KhBNAkxIlgWpxgBQSYf7gopVLy6LI0 YrCRr4APAIOF3vJLRBG3JNuJWVnLedNI4xSthhFSlIgGeerjDN 88K2CBekoBmFhohA_-tpFCvoSum_-TD53FMnFwYKWNK23DKoTzPJza261zByVQgBwG95cjkyrGJyJGN iV5_VVsf9q-1YIySV_DofJqJZiYidTomrcXAYq54Dv62vBDYBURHpGUtF4rUY kADU6r690hJydtm5cQzy_pbkFjnMU5fi9dVDSlpGb-=w1292-h969-no

Speaker swapped:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HA6K9ytykoqvOhtUXFzcbw9mtCRwTnlEZivG64hx-twdVzVsFITQy8PUlQieMIsr82L4zm2PXZs5bOoCmi3rOKM0McE D5TTHA1PTsdBvfFxOWmmha6GFLicbasXn1Z8MskLY4u7uxDXLd Uc2LULZLmewP6HPCuONwDP5ZddY_BNaQzP6fzgzdl0GE8TQbFR QXacIuvpn7RJYimpA863mZZJrvVdMTuGDYia9w6xE5_uusrmSj zZAm7L2bgJNLblF2pzTh9AmHWGgBLnz96Zo5NJ0FrEMaJg0mbA ws_qXQXukAHXbGGalYOrzqqrTA0MV2pvd6P454INiIUbz2hOIP 9ARyroEMrl6LnYfdHXwlzQwHSPjoKqeSeY6Cgf7AJewwQEngpx 0X3ixY--q0IyXtQsa9nmIh4Y_Z4Um8im2cEbcn_FCDoFMbkArAhtssM-CrHBE82dK6Rf0Sp7PcbCDE-QF3lR4DtvTmgWx7j0j0gFxN2wAOV2hNFtDI1idZDBYJPUZO6R4 oujz9coR8nl8CmVP8slHmrSsuyKxemEbbDSkyMxISEdZinccXf OiOLPBaPY9Mh-TZbL4Nck2hcXWKBTXMvofb7nHWswgR2ZevVvQmPq_eCMfIWuqP 5oXqgtt7Uk2WTAyWTI2jz2XFrDtu6bu=w1292-h969-no

You can see the larger imprint from the original speaker.

Next on the list is to replace the driver's door handle including swapping the tumbler so I don't have two different keys. I'll do the door card swap at the same time. Then on to the fuel leak.

[Stirling]

Nice job on the door card. The door cards were always my nemesis on the B10. So hard to find replacements that weren't peeling too.

[Scooter]

Thanks! Yeah, always tricky to find replacement interior parts for older cars.

I got a little over half way through the handle swap yesterday. Pic of old vs new, but I have already swapped the sensors over to the new handle.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BgFiejIQ2f0ue4czLJ2RyT_cFh08XPpt0uXeiEO2NBv9XfA03y Y41zj2I0-u_B_cOUPNAJRA-jkDtKm--ufWUSresgOqXiedZYmbyhWJglTaWLBCfQVB3qDOO91SHbnymNb bjGsIe1yPP9soaUBn-flVHY0OkR09N4W4W4Gzyi8nCycX0eHKptGynqk_-ISaS8sTZc_qROBiJ1HVhtipTQZI2kxdxQLWDIH6IGUzz1XIQm-znFkCNGXCHz8oPrsalO85A4xUj1ZkJAGTyCKd4zN2ywi2FSEeT F6iySZ0u1-sePJKX91LOTpiYAd7MAB_5Qu_lT49apfDGqH0xqGDrTCWO78Od LOY0DNyef4ZxYh1TrxijCIbVOW1qI4GYUeEUDNgdnaEyeLNuxv 4Bc3qVrx2yYbtKFcBNezmeCyHOClDOovOF1kjoaRZqZji4XOtD vSXZ4NdVKFDx-x3EJeU00KUGAkpU0PvyaiXZu4jRKU2K822MGDmaEjBlp-2iGEVOmACNTymXoHc5BXe2yH3VedfkC7MXdWVgqc1U3euddktu N62N3P6CsTi2uJbpyIU-bVrwIU29sVpnA0U2s2qdIKcEDUa9wq_oIzBXhtb5LXKQ0nW8BP WnOEyBuEkieEka6Gc4BOkS8VLtR2ICIHq2-NF=w1292-h969-no

So the whole issue was because of one little plastic piece on the linkage. You can see where it's missing on the picture below. If I had known that, I probably would have just tried to figure out a fix rather than buying a whole new handle. That would have saved me doing the tumbler swap.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eZjKnE8-HEmjygMOQvB0Mt25qQ52yrildqM1A8f4pTAkm1ED5qPgdhi76Y tzJmv0r1e_mKGmTt-EWwOIOZROaPXcUw1wZyw5MEJN3rtzwVARkho8-s0cpjXmhSQoTMGg2h1IOxAZh_vm3iEcII1lUe7xj5cQa6BShhe jQSQRFC15AqiO9RAE1CynHvkfWaL7Abdh6VW_1YRs5ESp7j9i1 WuzyBuFnswnDa0jNtY06JIs3rPKEKsaXJ5kW6WaxoXPCzPAdor lUP6zSHk8ijz0alJHl3o6U4whkhuRoZ1GpSaOMRNybaY3uI3Nv RQLfonOynTL7-eZNghmD4udcpkl0NuBFpgJfUggrAiL4mVPME5bjaZtbqZqKLJh FSHpumIv1wSpvS4dqpcgtrFYD_duQT-Cwrw7RYzAfqynhcNDiwBvb1MIq80ZDt-rS26ECxsO_v4BsjBoxiIo8uj86239L90L0oiADe-1dTBQmSmsHor11j-dJe4vSzkhduIEtdCPFfAA5F72b-dsXlNxTSifsPmqhrYEynZlbH9AGNXWLzRobpDBL-jTuX1EAhE7PaJhaY0wsFb6AFLP4EgnBk2_TWIZdR9v5mtZPGfa XMTdLO2U5a7xJhqXeJ2CU75eEtazUR_S38ksdN2ShDp1EPKf3Z 5a=w1292-h969-no

Tumbler swap wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be, but it did highlight how worn out my key is. Old vs new:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_HuuStimeiYjl221y-tGSTVmYK7PqdDrr_y5Jb41qyH_0Y1ZLd03TAsolOx5nyTOpm5P O_sQBQuZHtkTi2MQj4xIB_XBoEWPEugSiggq9YKqJrHWq_IK0_ X9jNKkSHFSuZJXgnomZ4mdbeCV9j1M97VidrBJUxEzosahCqqZ PcBXQxltTC_1h4gTDjMaB6SUm83Q-PQXfSRv6hmtL05w9WfTp2Zdggy5_owdVKTlJ7RcOk4fR8X8gXU ptQO6cj0ZzjhAddU8BPFxnM2NSqqKtE9aI0ac1q8Ot2NB6AWzJ 02D5hlf829pMspCuufNmnV2YOOFf8VvWAT1T1udF_jTvzfdT2N jgUpKOXkxqsv91a5QGS__0FZJWpakDLSI97IJfthu2hVTzSOx6 jYi6rsMWUWgPKVktM7M6SAyW5e8c7eF7nWOk3dbIsKxxZOHf-VXBb6Tb4sliYRtScZthHtXl_pbJo63Dk3B8Gc2DshEEDbD8eC8 YlNlZ0BQg0OqUxe6CQnWlukSquZCqjQXPbIEKbZQSLHeQ35uty KilL8AKgwSrekmCS4C3wcQ5TrB7JcMUpd6uQb9x6dCIu_oboBm 28Qq1JZxE3BPM0hM8V_0EB7TxYSXXlfmDuAnCOStJyM8nVacPI EmDTefN0qVhxxXuyju=w1292-h969-no

You can see the waffers sticking out a little bit on the old one (right) compared to the new one. This made it a bit tricky to remove from the handle, and it also isn't working properly with the new handle, but it works ok with my spare key, so I'll just need to get a new key ordered and use my spare key for now.

[Scooter]

Lots done over the last week. Driver's window installed with new plastic slider clips. I'll replace others later in the other three windows. I decided not to replace the vapour barrier seal for now. The barrier was sticking ok once it was heated. "New" door card also installed.

Fuel leak was also fixed. Here is the old line removed. I guess the seal is just old and was causing the leak.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lnPHauRx8sYkKpasjtJkp0OyOJCWk9g2MUEatQkD9hpspKpn7G 2qSksqmu5CeeUHW-0GYwlt_DPHOIurWHK4k_e74vJN2NrSh2_rKqnCY3SJx0OI2_TO I8pkc24vxRSm1UmWrX3dkUxHKGSM3eeSTWvQx16jXtOBskYk6T jsdr3Nz-Cc2MZwMgzlYB7ZK1qKEt4dVMrK-xFnvMFWrbZlQEk1XTZJ4DLMYLRQCi4l19m8EhkQdzw-xVq469Vci1SyPE7S-OwYvhh3uw83e1YvtX7CWPGsnZYcM_CcvftvUiXYYS_5hBkW33d q4pRIpPO7s5EBOV3urNF3Rnn2JEwtvxyHXlvN1I7EAaBj3sT9J 2rP1j9IK5V_NybTj42Kzo7Zf6uE5f3B9bUgMd5eKLRg_5W3p-by0eXB-BR7Nx4u5jk7XLyDOHzhOLIkR7QdWd69Z_1S_4yRSYv1xR-LFN2YE1QDJ9RPRkb4LF0O1SRtRc2gfnwq5pVhDF2uiC1_rsbNQ sEslxd60Dc3bEgshOKM7vMAJayfeuEdprvgNhOxqnWhfj74Px5 kWO8nde9sPbyngeYyfRBGhntcrGrFs6Z-YWd_I4yyQxST7d6a2X6ebBVJwIsWEl7t62K3Q-ijcZDif6eFlP6O4ISAPOYzX0Fbdryj-7lHq5A=w727-h969-no

I was able to replace the line without dropping the tank. Using my phone with the light on, I could see the clip on either end that you had the lift the line in/out of. If you have big hands or fat fingers it might be a bit difficult to do. The hardest part for me was getting the rubber line connected to the hard line under the car. If you have the car on a hoist I'm sure it's not a problem, but lying under the car and working in a tight space, it was a PITA.

Photos of the two clips on top of the tank.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ltZzorQraprmG6oeXf9O-504NzflBtEI7VlKD6-HId7LX3AbLTxiH4vVViIlx5bA2an10mal5wabMeSndcVXMvOAa k06xcXPWxn_CvjQ_EPT2lvM28hsxXMd_xvgZE9E1nUYu4BIVjO Js3wwUGGrHHyGRdQDjHR0Xi0qaGMEkRexgr5NhqAMfXaiJ65Dt QxdXMMOro3600tjY9qAY0ZyF4o9j4DouIxlmZpnWK9xoYOkdj2 YxuzrgtfgFx39ST2oMd340EHumjb6fOr1SOw38tZIitgZpxbL6 wWlRT_akX0P-D0kQzcw6A_kGgbCKB4_RzYksZzmTobHhGYxvhwK9JsVbmCqqc9 BqTnpoWqYXSPu6eq2WfYplfBKSqNa-F1uWdX2HRxSWrsUnpPw8XBKNtZT0h65cFsFm-WyXfT1w6KKn4zGlWAvYqGPC8XOrv1bPPak30qysmzQZ3SmS69m xlGa_NMHa8zdNVn7DuuqWgdbNYLVpvOvXFCqDLhtmVr1UcUrli XD6feYfaA5d9PJTQRktiM9RcjXHwXQ39drDskOEYFMmvsWwOgg 73S92kJHk27I9C1FgsSPeYvv3SxufsAN-quuqkm_XJDr7DEReyDi0P0TtT7IyuNsYExLHaBmKq0tKRX7UBD qdt8Cd0M04siAdJuzi60=w727-h969-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/74icluHuPeYNtNl6_HdTstTPlsODgDXC8TAj7v-jox0BrXAOIBuKC_gIXdO1Kq0Ima2ZpD9Ssfw95IjqRBqJBqZ5R 4iy01q4wjs-W0UgE6ed41rXRYz3WQYXoAVzWuOQcUatJ3K-ZYhQCZ-mpZvc19rNZ6bdGDBL8Re29CB-avYAOGBfDmgldpTHPuVlc7peVmT0TKh5PtvRsDtgrAf9rKnoL5 pjPd7FnppyywAdpuQYoDp-PsluclCkRxzMWWMNv6tt_kq3rf3FsVi12ikOy3dCUqZfsdYIUT j670kiuW1whjUtaU2VCru5et4_kJ973TUfsOEcNtQvKlubvnXU zcI8tfTBsnziKP7iGUuIJP0EimrFc98wvAgrxMVfLelUOFZ-PI40gZ0wKrXq6deRrDkBthMgIbxgcFDO89tZLqzrQd0jWhFkbW jRhn1lRf0LCCW8wCPGePWy2xjFJ29du9a1Ea-x6aLx5fv4S03IAfRpXVz7dIPP-cfgVlM49MEFRm-CLuBJwbtSPf39olLKKgvUngUuRXcCGT96NobG-Nl4K4XCAsjktGojqUCAxZuQEl-1geBJK5Ua-q2hLRxEKzc0rFVmO8vKQ_Md3UteBhZbM3ndIPIZHPfx-vdT2ZbYuFUxm208neaQXVojN49gYjsFZqivo3Y=w727-h969-no

She's now in good enough shape to put insurance on. I plan to put it on for 7 months before the end of this month since ICBC insurance rate hike comes into effect April 1.

When I was checking for the fuel leak I also noticed the exhaust hanger looked odd, so I ordered two new ones. I also suspect this may have been causing the mystery rattle I couldn't find. The old hanger was really hard, and was just hanging loosely at the hanger location. I'm guessing it was also some kind of generic type hanger.

Old left, new right.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WABebq5SG2YjMQUYJwON3zgDNKfIIAdJljMb0HXFl-yOSinqpDgjTvoMs4TymMppGdH4RibDmxKrQ4SiIII1NyVwvkfA 5OO-nFe9oJ90iFc0TW_zUVm_I327eIyGIK88rVTlU8dU_NGIHsPVxh wWMk8HYbF0o00Tf4YoOIECkat6ciy48MhM4ff3r-mfEAgAawKYi28w75EJ_jGyQsGLsUa9qnVxn9xN5WR55HEvKXu6 Rg5TZTuSmyxf7oq49lyD1frE6_GQ9P_-ldLBmyWBQJmcTKHYXbhZfA5rTkNtaR_SPdm8Y88bY7L1nliP0z UUagWpgQ8fNqpmG8V0VG6zpevnyrDCMYOSsFLd5d541B3Ey_2N RwGqs0CdbEk0hSgYvY0PZBRrToMdUUpmouKXV8PN9gBUECmb2m E1uKLOBbeS9926OW7pK0xuDZxj7WbjBfPgoDNxFe1hnTP4N6DJ SNiah0z4I61oymMX8kCN8qxSnVzj-FXwqeI6ve9i2qFFLxlMtl-NANiTZ2WMMONPYb66QITJiBSnIPZycSOxBpab9AVgodZphHhxD 6GBJAmSl1OU7XL0mQe_gETDpD1LqY-u3zGPO9jR5tgrxvA73sKT3E_OmDnalnBDAs23TnZcc4OP7FUxT SigrAwvKkgh3oYCdgN24mI=w1292-h969-no

[Stirling]

Must be nice to be able to work on your car in February/March!

Around here the snowbanks are over my head.

Are you able to get Hagerty insurance on the Alpina? Much, much cheaper than regular companies.

[Scooter]

Must be nice to be able to work on your car in February/March!

Around here the snowbanks are over my head.

Are you able to get Hagerty insurance on the Alpina? Much, much cheaper than regular companies.

If it makes you feel any better my place looked like this a few weeks ago.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OAWcJLx4eYzNjk79vUJiDumUP6JzMzOnQL67teR9cBrOuMpP1C QTN3upeDVa7KrrVVKO1O4NLAWRY9XMra6YqsVifM1FwbqA3mPa vlPqS32DwTfFUzzZdggFk-Tqc4rWvekx2-nZyKqHXF7eLiSAdstiZe78TyQtTv7fFzjv5iw2wAUjWpH5h13N 7fV36UdBngIL18fvH9xVNXmu48VSakVeEln81cp_lrmV4m-cBjtuOmWmE1xgyTFX-pq5yHD2-OAXLUdtOuCl5z7Lkk3k-bKHl3WiGde2H0b02NvHziTgvks4n1IomtxSmfI_P1Upi-76STGqjSCK52sPJn5rUzzketicqU9IJMwmR-hU2PmqmmPnPxNY58NbnF67W6E-ZrB5iMI1HPU2B1sMEFWhuTfZDnBU9C_xWUv4_yhHOlYXqcZOHc n_5pvtYkJJ8r9Otgg3n3gxNSmohySYrd0EkNKdwd31KNAE1bWu QirT7deoQ2bmualYSsF4cr4dRr54JV4s35kjTkaYu18vn3AHwP 6IX-aKYfBBwd_qaPmCJQCTc-W--wImVN84Ef6FDcls4HxAmskNKeDGjV_ye8M2XeQcqjZdNb-rML9njLWcL9PBqguS3NpIrFtrpO49h3iZfEdS7kXeGvN5VM5ib wlYQP0DK29YVKw=w1292-h969-no

Not really...Insurance over here must be purchased through government owned ICBC...well...Basic insurance needs to be. You can purchase extended insurance through private insurers, but so far, when I've checked it's more expensive or they won't provide coverage for vehicles more than 15 years old.

[Stirling]

Hagerty specializes in older vehicles and collectibles. Try their online quote mechanism here:

https://www.hagerty.ca/apps/manifold/Direct%20Quote/AllVehicles/SpecificVehicle/0/VehicleFacets?year=1997%3B1997&make=56%3BBMW

[Scooter]

Cleaned up and ready for a drive last weekend.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fbzfFG2g5pl1UPHm7Zf1hLWFv0l6W9nm4HquVOFq7bJFjnM4z7 ODoSSSv7Ma3ctozjjsNyNncmSWfZMPrUeSF-GDli9ek5VJPVMebGJdGvJKuXc_b3jUhweClGamhwDJbq4mNp-r9OcaZc04RkUznFWqFp4oP39N0iVh8X37abvKQutKTd3rIEzrP Bd3qo-0pvyLf4pTlj8rjNPS91OKKR8rJKS_mCFEY07_qc1wqwrdB5C96-x2KOj6BQGA_4uEvKk4XGHRcq1iLb-qz-qa22wshwHaRhmMksTi8z9MAT0y1XZ3h8Oav8ZWdlhuLOVVS4WN 9UK6zloC0AFXxvpKzSdQl96b5aPCdBPkqDZF42wJYlPVMqHkEC jdmBoNByNcloa04cmYUNDzPv99qh3eGXxIHvTS_7INGTgp_LfK FZjx8E9r3x8BicY1Cbq98HtRJeUV4lf2G1tQErnlXjgbm-IOcoDdDjYWRtZbT7zLGiLqBR9lvh2dkBq_bwxEWIrXFm17hUHt ndHBd5RrUaoLqV0Hwr28BOJI_3VDnaG9PxVu7ib0rkh9Ynd5XE G_bJcPfGiFU9NjJr4xqRGmrksio_xuKCA1aJAXyA4csSSvAMbW ibYMdtTsYtnsgOQwsvSYVUF4Yx-XKnDu86Qg4VAh0XMrkfHu-Jg=w1600-h1200-no

Quite a contrasting photo to the last one I posted!!! :D

[Stirling]

Gorgeous as usual, and the yard is looking good too.

[jeazyc]

hey im a local to your town of residence. I made an account to comment that I would love to see this car. thanks for your time!

[bimmerfan]

Is it legal in your town to wash your car on the street with chemicals?

[Scooter]

@jeazyc - Sorry I didn't see this sooner. No insurance on the car at the moment.

Yes, you can wash your car on the street. I usually try and wash on the grass, so the lawn gets watered at the same time :)

[Scooter]

Did an easy job of replacing the rear door handle surrounds. This is the second time I've done it, and looking back at my old photos the first time I did it, the surround didn't fade like this. Just the rubber had deteriorated. When I took this one off, it looked like it was a BMW part the same as the new one I got.

If this one fades, I'll have to go junkyard hunting for an original and see if I can just swap the rubber backing older. Photos below of "old" vs new.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IAhMca5CM5ht80kR1-O7Xji7amloC32X-J9Z8uxG4IFok3NA2EO_jkjFtU_mIeKQBUb_rCw-DaueN2BS5IxjEgyHAc0zrOoQrwU2crhBaAu5oyVkURscQnYhyu jL-YVRGHaHEUE4UAMc0F4kWEt9HQLv8KHmf3AtJj7RXBYVOoDnqfn Hr-6N_fnXwyhgeD0NTZ8bFT1t2_-FGFJw6iH0v3cI8zAyww5h8vi8Vi5FH8WEMr2eKg2PnCYQi8vqU oJqhP303wXAq5Hj18AL5vEevGGYOIfoExw4z-fEPSxp9YiSGj3m3xe5kkM8Qlq5ThlSvmIkx8OejJsJ9ZkC-4hcn0g5P118lfObwIzaK00if2RCL-sC0SGN_Z67uooFpHGG685QBV4KteTto6svO4_a0M_JRdCG5w18 4vOMMmIYM65Pgz9k1PELMZ_aSV7hnYetTA1D0i8i1bUq2plvqd kiCgPofPWH28jmD7NHfdSdpf0Sfjcv97sQ2QEzhVXZIwyLkEto B7L_J__iq6_BCOjIgGKlnym7mtYAV_rqmQ1c-UjS_deifxfpzWYyJ-XdxQ0AOCj0_gEO1loGnAdc6t8Umm3SNG31Za_npW6kuQ96ixN2 syniPtTVGQtaKB6YlDJHbXMimoyCv2rhf2zJ5Lh6HbW7P_3nnR C466JTKfjMJHdxLi1O3Tn7zkcVG-PJ=w1052-h789-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uk9eVNE6fnvJPRbjvrAWIHLD3Q3K5Ma1OQe9OGe1wVjcLU1qOT 5ldupytuk1AZBgPzYwaS4XFN0885Wf4JpBQQOKors7wR7kzkz9 3HaHwT8pgmrOf7jRa7d4UFffViy7IStlTM9nKMxaPsZo2ZcNst BTA4cdfDFJOC0SuE_tmCEHTislPqqa4LV-1_p51FSLTOhL1d3KSiEnzMPFFwU_fkk1B5b9XURdGpR4Yb0O81 X1fowazFlJfu3Bq5on9ysHlOVG7mPXsLazXUf-BV0JO_YL3j-_tlSftbQLD7151Gn0X6UjmTh-vICeWghDY0dxQpSPWmIC3ImYkM4FDHsOdtQFOZamGtb4a4kCXO sPHbsrNhKMgYtKrpid0X4uLisKBZOzRCbCFatKlHSVN0GB0DuO 5Ll9CBvtHlSESSx6CPIzEXiVleBaTRBOhDQDe0ZpnGuJUGi-778p3lrJsZ4tYFqy_ZaAHL9MvKXtxwGy6-hHYzXB7gvi4XDcOubn5Ymi_s9x4UHcc9s7WEFw3SYunRWdNBdA tNUzN3xgDJ2IPPH8nYRNfCrGVxigC-kBV-rh2-vrH72_OejOUGD43zwvjl6GDmXz603-bZKQQUyue6IJUA5Gr52YbKRtu2i_d1IkPNBDhCdV4c8YO_J4pi BeIdX5iMNKMTcRNgz8JHRVSoX5Ube_A3Db_8v-YRdx=w1052-h789-no

[Stirling]

Interesting, I've never seen it fade that badly before.

[JeffC]

Nice!
Did not know that the B8 is a E36 with a V8.
I had an E32 740iL with the same base engine and loved how it drove.

[Scooter]

Yup, it's a sneaky one!

ECS order placed today. Trunk seal and new rubber gasket for the fuel cap for this car. Most of the order was for the M5 and a few things for my wife's 330i as well. Old cars...they always need something!

[Scooter]

Oil changed last night. Ready to go for the summer! Now I just need some free time! I also changed the gasket on the fuel cap.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bu29IxdnoVhlcBO3mE0JKG_mrfSariJfy2CqI1El50-irvAmN5vdcp45q_kdzlhlndX3XsYo_OROEmjUQtZ93qgUHMDNz tK01YD9Nh5DxlJ6G9PR53_-pz6ECmjJVqjfddJn8Tt-_-abXD-CSgI1ErS7ouSRWLI2nfeQ6fFamU2-_QvaaEOV2RY9LeuNFwV8FCcKXK6paDSoulK42_B_epLok9uJW0 D9DYLM9IWSZ8muQwctG6Oi9Fx80fR0Fnn1NKi-DyBrxaFcMkt6tyg-TWpPgZZexqnSNlaWxpUxkXNt9ofD4LdUKMCFEmSVNax0rX6-FSB7TOJLXgO1pcKNdeqNImCkGu5yyCvl8lZveR-ZZiJvp7PyLaXzLKmaZacyg6T6ynt2-FxWAGpfqMHkFZ7R_6YIpx2WCMEKkRibcDPCcjf1Mu-Val7VioPlSrMitPVK-JTkOk-DlPmD6wxMLHH3-KfE7CnFdyrILh7WjGGf5tovqsa9UiiK3dFvbTb2fw-LMhoJLh9zW6uO7NSYLw87CWkZX0m14BHnfLS42lXdTrzrlRerB Rcqli6YzDwO6NRIeuhlqehsBAHz5xSxlABzvPCy1L7Xcmyx1D_ re6zjLvnOFMQYmjUoUO3civ-7QvBlXnX3g0iBwUrdpAMlR97hKzpxGlUtSG0v8oWcypJKyJ-gPre6aqtY0SR7=w987-h740-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/50vsq6qXG5iO78INwZrwoA4NIcybSJRLUJ6wZElSWboLM9a9dj 8akgnJqEk-jlhG4qxEb043-iPdSYzyNSIqg9b2kaBvg-GW6QM4GLZLpJj5SEDoysoUPcRF60Vq_QjCTf2yv7vcB8laxePB ox-NrruBkx1-tLyR0jH6U_BSeYVzX7e9v5ZAHeQ0qepPVBAMRmrUdscI3WPv5S 6ITZ9UYVA7cbxZ7bJSvQwQ9WLIlV12K81Y2xChCHM9shlg3pXS UpKsxpZ0xLdKhmiz2psa1uDjYkhuWLQUwfOhBunqoweK4R-YQKyuXSIaC23NaiEzwTrfyEVx92u9mdbsJzc2kIHiEUXl4skPO vUobkd2nyOpdlcjli2CZCLH9pYFLx7kmrtCTI5N3eWgkEV5vRJ ek4bny-NI80FT3mThrfusi_EtoG_Nr8gNPIckPMAVQJ_xbUbn5QI-PORmhiRD_QZdUjvsLIaQEj_XfRtRtH7-mKZcLSvtr5UIppxi5G_D9iBl-i9GD9ZzNDqqDbESl9fRkXyisXV4EHDx73Zl8k3nlm2RZdSnFWz Eq4e3gXSs0i9lRjQdMgx1bvoodejiJ7ME4JL0_Rf6YGeU45r4R zomMKTtTGoDfm027PFJSajyNofKcqVwsmcqWjK3HdE9XOt-e44OHzmV2KwPsl9es8d2fgB1DRRsxzNDE_FBQ1kH=w987-h740-no?authuser=0

[Stirling]

Looking good!

You're the first person in 8 weeks who I've heard say they don't have enough free time. :)

[Scooter]

Looking good!

You're the first person in 8 weeks who I've heard say they don't have enough free time. :)

Home owner with a three year old and a wife that's 8.5 months pregnant = no free time! LOL! Work has been mostly normal for me.

[akinkath]

Home owner with a three year old and a wife that's 8.5 months pregnant = no free time! LOL! Work has been mostly normal for me.

Wow, a toddler and another one on the way. You'll have your hands full. :)

[Stirling]

Wow, a toddler and another one on the way. You'll have your hands full. :)

I'll bet the Alpina takes as much work as a toddler! :)

[Scooter]

I'll bet the Alpina takes as much work as a toddler! :)

Nah. The Alpina is my best behaved child

[Scooter]

Had a nice little summer road trip in the car. I didn't take many photos, but I got these at the Hope slide.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/48vRFolasYrA6FIDAs4FlP-7TaX1ODXyZQvYI2OYwmB6E4uI41T3asikmWGgk-v_iBPhCMJ5DV06Z7wpIcr1SmAuRgI3kJZffHkON2CrJsFwBBKP 53ZLaw94KR5k386Zkl7DTeG2rbvi2_0yZPcgUZrgWEKZhysKyl kAANbkze4gOWzIvxUfyb7v4j_oaj1x8yfgFKh_TIeOnQuiMHoi 9m-P0ZCrJQwRuPWV8xVD-0exyt0PGNZGmwhAvQ6zKlIOQ-8IFq4NuihaNqJM5ENSXMK8qTuum0R0cc5Xk9P5PbajSGZYtJtz CJ8kTZSoXw0wJCcJR39En-TclVnNRcqBZp7omUpGWwwx4EvnhGShro6rD6plckQS7g-oWj88kI0Af31QHdVUgPGuYzP4DfHoW1KwiHYjTvtWhHxzi7V7g Hen8ben-xhi-CUfnLnLsoPKHL6COemRxz--aMEvUzKv6mZP_WQZR2UV3u35N1wTjiiQOjFdbCQEFToe3lzczf 7IVB4adttadrixeQn803HKVGohODa4RiTYCyfRbVx2InYCffkF b-0_bRwWuWgs3wZ0oqAsWWRb9QoR5aXpmmFHpn6zRg-xoqR1CjnLLhZZgdCNCoMUxqbTNDcJHbgZapEK-jqCwQ-fbEoDpyxPGPRlfjaHWIKVTwZ79IL7TQKXqqJYhyJ1ryPILyo1G prZeg=w555-h740-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nnoBt6qQLtD1Eg3TOh0tQZfu_xw3ofjANE-ZzHPUhbqNxcAxtL6aQUnMNwkVEaqWa5VAclKwXnfXsMoYo9PfH NjXov3aJBZbGLmKNsIpc9hwNmr-teS5F16HAGRzb33Oh7IDcuwx7iWeXSDcUXGHKxqNXIxw9Dfxih fuXSrej3997fXGOAFi_CmqmYmTUNmCURlSaX9_0uBT0ixzsqGe BQbtGZMlwZ0_0UK3fTMDGZXH0zDypcNPeDwLOmlTY_UpOHKlgx 1jdNQlRel-d0DfFxGFzUCf7KSRu3drB-0Ng7xs1Qt8tPJfvC43h5LZ7LG6O9K9fXv26cWvxHvT6q3eyGDF rkUAr1qWcc95sHnew6WD1P-_ZDlBVA0PrXx91tG-enwS7C31Qssr5FA_i0R2x4D0XmoUN25tQ5O74AQ4yMJn_63vaB UTFynyDWDhnsxZAHBVVpMV0TiPsCi5Yp7KESQkyKAQfuOSyg0m DvX-h2ODfBI3oTcpJxRxbuS_zUUiaj4Y1YrvR2NA8oOZvRTHVNUWax 2RC8_s7m3adfM7tGHJUwanXOWMWtySp1GkIwDiXz5XSFjE6HDN Ufd9mB23pJOePmFnE37t_tsXQ-JE15KmL3IUEh_1nEYq4ecCOCzrfmsxI12CiIWLi-cpKleeQ8L-TW_chfKOBuxjes28znZTCNSCYWQGlc-sClMTFQ=w987-h740-no?authuser=0

I love taking long trips in this car. Any time I come up to any slower traffic it's so effortless to get past. I definitely need to get a few things done before any more long trips though. The tires are getting too old, and I think I need to do the front control arms, so I might as well do the inner and outer tie rods as well. Bummer to pay for shipping and taxes on parts like these with the US border being closed these days :(

The only issue on the trip was this terrible noise that would come from the rear of the car on occasion. Oh, wait...that was this guy in the back seat!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZTUP-WOcsFd9FF-H_DtoBu8aLXvJLJIKfsBx6YC9XgN3JHC4UIaF9flhYGvYEhUGL oI5vHgi1neTVojTFf6VJ02isqBzZFsS0WkZl5MgI9KeDwEUTuR GG-78O4EWJGmEygUSXhuZCuToawbq2J8JWfi4ouy3fcutnsVh1mah hSA495TkfhKTj2dsQQ9PiWCDF51sijo91arYhvoEbiWoRn8IjX rrwDpGHbf5bCyRC8mRPtFmIoJvfJdewh5I15xMDB9m8j3Cfbkc QxWIVaSMOwA8CgkX1bU45426U5qrfaXX-fS-8ClrmQP3yHnmU9qA97Q6lNkTU6uIR53oRAshEB5zBYq_HZMeb2 f_yax8tMsqT31aqrAJRpficXG2KkV-DWwwHRTUj8tl76-AA5jTa0KJcHuSjaLn_OBBgg0GkLAuudDszZwSLB7asRj5pmPfM 5Weq6e0cetvpdZ29vueTr221HICYD6Ksxo0JU9wp6kYviat0ua v8o67Ei3-OwM7-UmifFrwLB0YOAfbDhl7PXleh_wHC2-4MioIDxb1KIaELz6u8vwnEJmTEmozdq0SFedSAsCM8tygvT6aG 12hb42yIWApeSxox0WeRqHvgA8Csu1uBr9SKhOQgXvSBtm4mJZ LBy3G8-RkdM9MleCWrhT1qShnBIXq5bQoob8qwdHYkhBQ_qKh2pPIseYI iA=w987-h740-no?authuser=0

[admin]

Great pics!
Are you getting your parts from KSK?

[Scooter]

Luckily, the only Alpina specific part i've had to buy is the front brake pads, and I didn't go through KSK for that. A member here @testdriver helped me to get them directly from Alpina in Germany.

I do need a little plastic support for the engine cover that is Alpina specifc, but I haven't been able to get a hold of @testdriver. It's not urgent, so I haven't asked KSK about it.

[Scooter]

I scored an authentic set of spare wheels last night! Better shape than my current wheels and tires are in better shape as well. No center caps, but that's ok.

I'll take a few photos after I get them cleaned up.

[Stirling]

Nice! Did you find them in Canada?

There seems to be a source in BC. I've seen a number of sets from him. Probably getting them from Japan, I'd guess.

[Scooter]

I did find them local, but I'm not sure it the same source you are referring to. If it's the one I'm thinking, that person does have some nice wheels, but it seems like the asking prices are basically the same as buying new. Hence, why the same wheels have been for sale for what seems like 10 years, LOL!

I found the ones I got from a guy selling an E36 imported from Japan that just happened to have the Alpina wheels on it. I asked him if he'd be willing to sell just the wheels and we were able to make a deal.

[Scooter]

Three of the wheels have definitely been re-painted at some point. They are a bit darker grey and the finish is rougher which is making it so grime sticks to them more. These wheels are generally in better shape than mine though, so when the time comes, it should be cheaper to get these refinished than my current wheels.

Front, the one wheel that has not been painted:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d7StZfbUXuoQWnWlnNOYWQJgXa_M83uIlCb_AasFq4oiWnWfT KIwSd75RVsJVQLSNKO5h1PqoDWAlIGMiCTgKFVBijU-uiPHZfFVpnVTdBqp-T1XMBY2Z8o8QsNXgaaFFr71fbvRa-1IyjBC4dhPIA=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eShz3QN6DrP4ykUYNYT_htvQduiTK_uansFoYrpndABRje8RZ LRdO9gXXtAfzyjyK7mcNsp4ceHzCtHo_F8hM7iNpKDd4wE_LCw ezgwJZLNZCWZm5YgSK-62CdtP31UXoVwCS_lSQN8u-KmhJfuV3b=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

Rear:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eS17-ciLOPfYthmXx9W2-YTRN0aile9rplKu1lxt4WMJNrJ_lnRThwG4Uh9-o5UCgpL2ymtejcG2nog7D2Rux4dKG3xztcN6j3T9XsLUdBBV7y oJC9jXpcZo0RFjpS6Mmt54qeyKETkr7bQ6pDj85f=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dKGvlnHAeUl0FmMCT_KsJFV9k8N6yPdhEMPFOX_ESbP2a0g-OeLTc-dMjylhc4ry-f_B3-RgievZDtkrHYTl7lt9ouCpedeQJWnd-otZbY0mlHKsguyW85fOVEDXdgimOHpglb-afJDhCsq1rarsen=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

[Scooter]

Got a new toy to lift the car :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3flFyS1RhRBm9aFGBUFcchXahhGS_I37ONsKRfr3PlZ7bPJ9PT WwxMP7PFht-JTVNaBzy4p2jAs21bivkeE-dAllqXQG9MFxBlq-TgUCDljeBa7kRW8ULJHoIwi9osOp8bp88PvZWjga9KrsNf933o r=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

This should make replacing the front end components a lot easier!

[admin]

Got a new toy to lift the car :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UIBGXRWLA8BRKjJm2O0x92f9KnDmgQR1_osT0SSEzLQ1HQffeN y8zJ8Rbt5_Eqaeh0neYDKl8cZiq31skJZ8O4pqii211adWMXve BPz2r2sSzg3N9WQfHgGFlB1l0irseErfvpTAXFuLLbzK2TSxrp DL081rAECg9Tc8cp37few5e0mGXow2Jfs2rfZbaXX0kXtt3rRb ALBlHMdLOba5QZfzS1XcCi0g3EvJj9f4fhRoeSq8u680hi709r OmD7YKhRHGKPVsJQ7z_oXsjoC1aWDVQRxpp3WHS7AjjMXzEs48 uNNc4prWe40ruipPp8Pq5p98txhf6u1NoPk2f83ojoOXESN-XMvJ_6fInX3BcrsnDG3UxJGuYgYdqrt36-B9SpBS7WMEFOpGFl-G-BU7xbHSE0tlw2Wb-UExoiQVLTOdCLqRKoiSVemlhBNsQLNVivp3jsJhyFBxaBZkLjh nlCvTnDtPSC0MepwWdMZFfD1JOZIBS56-gYTdIFNly8iZlWKBIqVgjgmTx63vM2Ly-I1LVkLp7rPo_p_KLM5jgdVXQS_V9lQ32X3MZ5HMZAl4R60EYCf Ee6MRMpgaVU-CohpZaXSZMT9XfGkHWZ-X0h1xUMOw5hd9xcRyh4Q_Gdeb2a0KmQp0Ls2lFbPwWtZ5Y0gam sE2plp0wXj058G9G0nrEO5fPTKfO6N6Ky-sAsyqWJsCIiRTpo5o5FiH95oI_zhJ=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

This should make replacing the front end components a lot easier!

I'm unable to see the picture on my Mac... can you see it?

[Scooter]

Not sure what happened there...Fixed now though :)

[Scooter]

Sadly, I won't have this car out on the road this year. Expenses are tight with two kids in daycare for the next year. I did take it out and give it a wash this weekend though :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWkfje_VnSocp3he3N-O2-QNNP3tCwAuBSIxe7OcWnln8WSX6SGcO71QuVsMA-7E4inlp-rp-XjUaOE0Btb2T5eEM0gAF64tOyd7AyDlS-ycG138SAZwNXPtoOH-cknBAJ5iX5bC4Z9OX9TdLW3rOj0=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVpZcUcFY0j8lD_AGOANHHlwyh6zlrrwJLaglYsZvtibpftj OFOTikOQGDjMCqMeZcsGJTnwxSSOXiCMVGBk9i-wBPiqzGvSE8Sy_L7JgH2fqwwRk9DHS4IZ6gnemmXP4EGLbikZs BqGwANfrTUGmW4=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVcJnwSzFHRvoQu3_rynUH3qq1vqYrZZLAZI3ZdHs7KoCj4F C5eIo27gGb1CRLsyZM2XFe4nEwzDrC_Oj8GjonA9YSkKMrtQ2S RmBSei7VErk5xpNU7NlmD1XZc74xWueK-5r7BqZVZhPTyuYLkPzJR=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLV8W-k04jsQh6-GSFB7FjcMnYX2A6XoVXI0ONIJgjB4gNsRPb_7bXj0khSjSAWkO 6cBqWD3al7im1fgiEbYryXeQNxrNr3haVjBDJJEZgSizCi40z_ Z1sYklYKRYOy9G3_Kf7tyiBZZMVM8bOrZ_Gfj=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

[Stirling]

What beauty.

Sorry to hear you can't drive her this summer.

[jrsmitchell]

Looks awesome Scooter, you’re a great caretaker for that beautiful car. I hear you on the cost of daycare 😱

[Scooter]

I thought I had posted something here more recently than last July, but maybe not. Since then I've been working on a few things.

FINALLY removed the headlights and flipped the projectors. I haven't had the car back on the road to test them yet though.

Here you can see the two settings for the projector. Simple as remove and reinstall for LHD traffic.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUhXVUVDDWN6rab7SsGwbl1OZ-xI-Rlh4K938mmVlRxhUJmrodn2-Sr8IUiWDLKLS0wP7UjL8mF18AVXW8gGlns4KlHip4ID6bZa2W2 6mxYqSCOarnbq7EKPhxvqkWTlJqKT8bbPnNkw6gjWv_iIOKf=w 1052-h789-no?authuser=0

Here's the projector reinstalled after rotating for LHD.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWGdBrHkWzVeoQ1nis0j1aJ-3eVNjcBrL74brB_chIF6KGeS2qK718jxLnzB6LJ713P7aH0VVG MGqVf6G_mrcldBFYtdcFmen3EdQ30AX8kXOoHUvl3744oNNQjZ kSRmhk9XRmvuDvh77gjY1PBuzv-=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUQdHEsjObwlKF1PjZP4L-1QydZwnzIs3pmxG1B8ESrANv4jwP1uQ_7sHbdaRCfueub5t7Kv 3qzwtbn7tA5wXCpsmCIdhElAyKoO7R6fKHPoA1-9OoW8cT8eXUmP0Cg6jNQlNRH6CUCayTLSgWDs5Rn=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0


Also finally got around to replacing the bump stops and top hats on the rear shocks and installing reinforcing plates. The hardest part of this was removing everything from the trunk to get access! The washer bottle in the trunk doesn't help, and no way I was going to remove this as well.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVbHfRWWin2-sAqz-swze1ANO7_kS-ZZPYguMYqx4giiI4ElFWSsM8BDE6dEdb9PwEURJ-pUkicN9eq2PBYARBy9G1Yu6EGqqnrQRMD5ME4ViOID3oJxTZGQ mxVn5hJbRqRED_bkroN0wxRw75_R5vL=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

Old

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLW23v-1IEsoqjIRKyL0BZ9TsHu8Y7gyvDaaCSjupcyf700cOB_xHTRly LdfuKVm5pdxxNbnnze_en5D8cNEaE7dG3CLOevsn4ZEoaPDKhJ pz1Dql-jfYE904yuspCrMDu64CAFuf2ntgXRKZvs54jtv=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

New

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWlruyXj_oVFvsFUswXUjX7cYdsaC00HtXM7EMcDqKHSgrDa G7LlpkSkQHvG7frAfgnq9IDUYw0j50obNP-0FxSuFY2ny9rZ2lZyWvlD4jmCWNaFuE5WwOqCaU3b8HYlhk4Um qBXXOjLXY8T_30937I=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

Installed with reinforcing plate.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUtR4D8hrm-Sle19kOtvX-5DOylqBJEG1DHBJIeLWHiSJnfSWnzqVdqjNyVAh6kkBh33Ys-lRZ1d3TmcqnppCR5E2tk_jlBdrJpkQ6Gv6iWQX0gGWoiM5p_4A l_wYwGNIAOCEHtzlEPqA0xTp6sdUNu=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

[Scooter]

Next onto the front suspension. I don't have as many photos of this, but I'm replacing a lot:

Control arms and bushings
Inner and outer tie rods
Sway bar bushings
Sway bar end links


Old sway bar parts

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWIAatyHn0BlwrzCMxURXLoQ595f1ywT0IqEiPrdrLw7eR-cQZcJ-xaIW2JGMq_MzHlmNNGmS9YZUwi9IXsbq7xVjmZpA68g2e-gnZC2jShljW-SXql_rA5dz4iUM6g6Q3kk0ptCgBloD0IYGEZ0Rg3=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

Tie rod removed

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUaAMD2E2TSchZej2gwCr80mAeY-3edGHbShcNMXxmGz0z3qm1YxPCw9PuS7EgPov3cogsZQG3WQ46 DztwNmJbmZXrV8g-nKt2HkYXTIQxN1MfR8kfz3l4LMC13Q8S9DG6-RlBmY9S4Qxp-mTyPEHjZ=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUbw52U6tegMzB6EQbq-NTHWbJFVxcVyVMi4P0q1hy0cek1aI9D78UXHY1GM7o3lit8HwW pCud2dLZnC2ywiCtNn2_o5e496Z-ccY08l5ynZGe6cumYgLUOUzbQp0IFnPxrXtb8MDc2usK0Jo4mK 6Ep=w1052-h789-no?authuser=0

And this is where I got stuck for a bit. I replaced the control arms in my wife's 2000 330i before, so I thought this would be similar....not quite. The ball joint separator I usually use didn't fit under the shock, so I had to go out and buy a pickle fork to remove the control arms. Once removed I noticed the control arms used offset bushings which is where I got confused and had to do research.

Before I started I looked at the control arms. They are the serviceable type found on non-M suspension, so I assumed it was all non-M in the front. The parts brochure for the car (from Alpina) is usually pretty good about specifying Alpina specific or M specific items. However, there is no mention of the front suspension being M components. Further, this car left the BMW factory in 1995. The 1995 BMW M3 uses the standard control arm with offset bushings and all models after, have a different control arm with centered bushings and different sway bar end links. Ugh, so I had the wrong control arm bushings. Also, I couldn't find the offset bushings already pressed into the "lollipop." I went back and forth trying to decide if I was going to spend the money on the special tool to remove and install the bushings on the control arm, but in the end decided to since I can use it on both my car and my wife's, and it will pay for itself after one use.

This is pretty much where I'm at now. I got the tool after waiting for 3 weeks. Basically, everything is still disassembled.

Oh, I also noticed a few cracks in the brake lines, so I have purchased all new brake lines as well. I don't feel like doing these myself, so I'll have the shop do it when I take the car for an alignment after the front has been reassembled.

[Scooter]

No photos because the battery on my phone installed, but I installed the new tie rods last night. I'll probably get the sway bar back in tonight, and I might get the bushings on the control arms as well, but we'll see.

[Scooter]

Sway bar is in, but I didn't do the end links. I think it will be easier to install the control arm bushings with them out.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLV04aHgPPhK-tZGNVGzwQOykIZSWP4nB-B97VysaO-uyf121_GfIQxccnQ0suu0fQrXd9aRHCKDiStN6s9nCAB0kZs40 k75cP3xbeXx-NVxdQn9Nv45m5MSfJ7rm8qZVCRd65BSzd7vDOErGeNPz-wA=w976-h732-no?authuser=0

Brake calipers back on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLV3MPeOUPWefz_NjrymSARz95iLXTrNFSWBrSsxo9F3whfQR _lkNaJDhXF8kigV9t88SQYbItZPFwtEjoGowrdvH5VUAWGQ-Rt3gs8K-C48CSymLeQZUpvQ3zOnwxyLu1yElUgNXq28ddFd2RvsaqbZ=w9 76-h732-no?authuser=0

[Stirling]

You've been busy, Scooter! Thanks for keeping us up-to-date.

[Scooter]

Happy to keep the documentation on the car going somewhere!

I sheared a bolt for the end link connection to the control arm on Tuesday night, so went to BMW and got new hardware. I probably should have done this anyway. I got new hardware for everything else I worked on. Then last night I got everything reassembled and got the car back on the ground.

I purchased the expensive Bav Auto control arm pushing press to get the bushings on the control arm. It was a bit fiddly to get set up to press the bushing on. I'm sure this was mostly because I was lying on the garage floor under the car. If it was up higher on a lift, I'm sure it would be easier. Anyway, happy I coughed up the money for it because it made the work go smooth.

Next, need to modify a 14mm hex key so I can access the diff fill plug. Then drain and fill diff and transmission. Next oil change and finally off to the shop for alignment and brake line replacement.