daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Jul 10, 2017 17:14:46 GMT
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Been a while since I posted anything on here but I'd like to make a 'build thread' of sorts for my e38. It's 20 years old now so I think it fits in here, doesn't it? So here it is: It's a 97' 740il in Biarritz blue metallic. Fantastic spec: Full 750il interior so stitched leather everywhere. Front and rear heated/electric seats, fronts have the 'active' massage option. Front and rear phones. Rear tray tables with vanity mirrors. Full inlaid wood trim. I've always loved the e38 and have had one previously (a 728i sport in imola red) but used it as my daily and couldn't keep up with the maintenance it required in the end so ended up having to sell it. I bought this one a few weeks ago and love it, it needs a lot of work as it's been off the road about 3-4 years but I'm going to give the car some tlc and get it back up to standard.
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Jul 10, 2017 17:26:13 GMT
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It started the first day I had it and ran okay, but second day and the alternator went up in smoke as soon as I hooked the battery up. Luckily I have a spare engine so swapped the alternator over and now seems all good. This is the current state of play as it was the easiest way to remove the alternator and inspect the rest of the engine, might as well replace the drive belts and what not whilst I'm at it. So far I've poked around and it needs: A full suspension rebuild, most arms/bushes are shot so they'll need to be replaced. Two front shocks seem okay but the rear has sls which seems to have leaked, I'm possibly thinking coilovers all round. Fuel tank repaired or replaced as it's steel so has cracked and leaked. Paintwork - is surprisingly good but has a few odd spots of rust and a few marks, such as lacquer peel on the rear door. Passenger door is stuck shut, this will be a tricky one without chopping something or destroying the door card (which I'm not prepared to do). Interior needs some attention as some of the stuff doesn't seem to work. Lifted the front seats out last weekend and realised they were heated and active which is a massive bonus! I just need to wire them in.
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m30rmf
Part of things
Posts: 62
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Jul 10, 2017 17:59:10 GMT
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Have always fancied one of these tbf, nearest I got was an e39 528i, massive amounts off car for the money there worth these days...
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Jul 10, 2017 19:12:25 GMT
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Still looks pretty modern until you see the telephone handset! nice motor though
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Jul 10, 2017 19:43:09 GMT
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Thanks both.
I agree, it's a massive amount of car for the money, I think this cost about 2% of what it was new. I've had a few e39's too, all 540i's, great cars.
It's a pretty timeless car I find, ages very well, even the prefacelift like this one. I want to get both phones working again eventually.
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Jul 10, 2017 21:25:38 GMT
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great cars, mine was still going at 280k miles
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Wow that is a seriously loaded interior. Not too many with the whole option package, well, nearly everything.
The door card you can get off if you remove the B pillar trim, seat and glovebox, which I think can be taken off without door access. Then you wont damage anything except perhaps a few of the doorcard clips which can be replaced. Otherwise, go through the outer door handle. You can break it off as a unit then get access to the rods and cable inside. Once in it's a straightforward part to replace and Biarritz will not be hard to find a replacement for.
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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My last was on 211k, this one is 155k, I'm sure it'll last many more miles.
It is very well spec'd. Missing rear a/c, rear MID, rear door blinds, wood grab handles and fridge. Most of that I can retrofit easily enough, and plan to eventually, with the exception of the fridge.
Thanks for that, I'll give that a go and see if I can get access to it, I just didn't want to risk damaging the door card.
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Jul 23, 2017 20:11:39 GMT
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Made a bit more progress this weekend. Water pump pulley was a bit loose so swapped the water pump from the spare engine as it was in near new condition, just waiting on the gasket from BMW before it goes back together, should be back together and running next weekend with any luck! Also got the passenger door open, advice much appreciated on getting that door card off! Took the glove box off and the door card prised off without any damage. Ended up prising the seized actuator off and the door popped open. Also priced up a new fuel tank whilst at BMW and at £1033+vat I think I'll look into getting mine repaired and re-lined!
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jelmerc31
Part of things
Ja mar ik bin net benaud!
Posts: 97
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Jul 28, 2017 19:46:27 GMT
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Great cars! My dad had a 96 740i for 13 years. The sound of these doors shutting is just PERFECT!! Even the bonnet shutting sound great!
Great build and love the highline interior. My dads had the same problem with the door.
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1983 Datsun Laurel C31 3.0 V6 24v turbo--> 4.5 V8 32v 1986 Nissan Laurel C32 2.8 diesel 1984 Nissan Patrol 160 2.8i L6
1984 BMW E28 3.8 M5 sold 1987 Alfa Romeo 75 T.S sold 1985 Alfa Romeo 90 3.0 V6 sold 1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins turbo diesel sold 1978 Dodge D300 Cummins turbo diesel sold 1985 Nissan Patrol 3.3 TD sold 1988 Alfa Romeo 75 2.5 V6 sold 1993 Alfa Romeo 75 1.8i.e sold 1986 Alfa Romeo 75 1.8 turbo sold 1984 Nissan Patrol 3.3 D sold
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Jul 28, 2017 23:11:15 GMT
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I got sidetracked into looking at a couple of these when I was buying here. Not as well specced as this though. The problem was nothing on them worked. So in addition to all the mechanical bits that needed replacement just to get them mobile, I'd be chasing a myriad of electrical issues as well. They were more a (not cheap) vehicle off road, longer term project, which I didn't have the space or facilities for.
Ended up with the Range Rover because a) I'd had one before so knew what I was getting into, b) there's plenty of aftermarket suppliers for parts - albeit in the UK and c) everything electrical and mechanical was actually operational (aside from air suspension)! That meant I could just jump in and drive it whilst I set about replacing stuff that needed it.
Do like these though.
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Sept 7, 2017 18:45:47 GMT
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Haven't had much time to get much done to this recently due to holidays and my daily had needed a few bits doing.
It's gone through another alterator so I'm currently spending time trying to trace the electrical issue. It's an odd one as it started up and ran well once the alternator was fitted, then a few weeks after I hooked the battery back up then straight away smoke from the alternator without even turning the key. Has to be a short somewhere but surely it wouldn't have started the first time around hmm.
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lightyearman
Part of things
GYJDM - Grimsby based Japanese car club - Find us on Facebook
Posts: 639
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Sept 7, 2017 21:33:00 GMT
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That is an absolute beast! Almost full dictator spec
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'89 Honda CRX siR Glassroof Flint black fully restored track beasty '90 Nissan S13 Pignose - pass the mig wire '86 Mini - matt orange, 13" Wellers, Project 2018 '97 LDV Convoy home built camper/tramper van '04 Saab 9-5 Aero HOT. Anyone want it? '91 Honda VFR400 NC30 17,000 km from new '87 Honda XR80 4 stroke baby crosser '03 Mini Cooper S - honestly, they are fun... '15 VW T5.1 LWB daily brick
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Oct 10, 2017 22:06:23 GMT
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So after many weeks of hunting for an electrical issue I ended up just buying a new battery and replacement alternator, fitted those and it now starts and runs absolutely fine. Still unsure on what the issue was, I assume jumping the dead battery was causing the previous alternators to work overtime thus burning out the diodes. So now it is back up and running well, I decided to tackle another job on the list, suspension! I’m making a start with the front and have purchased a complete suspension rebuild kit consisting of Meyle HD parts, hoping to get these fitted in the next week or so then I can start the rear, then fuel tank and new windscreen are next on the list before MOT. I also fitted some orange film over the corner of the indicators to give them the ‘lemon slice’ look as I always liked the look of those indicators and had some on my previous e38, but they only came on the facelift cars, this works really well in my opinion and I’m happy with how they turned out.
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Nice Ive got a daily e39 - great cars so nice to drive oo
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Feb 24, 2018 22:50:52 GMT
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Been making a bit more progress with this recently now the cold weather is starting to dissipate. Sourced a brand new fuel tank and got that fitted. Old tank out: And new tank in: Also replaced all pipework and lines whilst fitting the new tank so nice and fresh! Pleasantly surprised by the underside of the car when removing bits to get the tank out, no rot or rust whatsoever. Also picked up a single stage half wood wheel which I’m very pleased about as the current one is shot. It was either this or a heated steering wheel, which I’d still like too for the winter. (I’ll be using my original airbag rather than the one with the Schnitzer sticker) It needs a little love and a major clean but will get it cleaned up and reconditioned before fitting. Hoping to make some more progress pretty quickly with the aim of getting it back on the road this summer. Next will be rear suspension rebuild, replacing shocks and springs all round and having the windscreen replaced.
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Feb 25, 2018 16:34:03 GMT
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a little research shows that a bad battery could indeed have been a cause for alternator failure. an obvious short or high resistance in the wiring would be the only other cause. (or a bad alternator) glad you got it working again.
love these "old" 7 series cars...very sharp looking!
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Jul 23, 2018 19:09:23 GMT
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A little bit more progress lately. Have everything to rebuild the rear suspension now so that is currently ongoing when I have the spare time. I also ordered coilovers, I decided to go with BC racing and chose the ‘extreme low’ option after being disappointed with how low the standard ones went I wanted to have the option to drop the car if I wanted to, so figured this was the best of both worlds. One front strut in! 😁 I was hoping to have the car finished this summer but that’s looking unlikely since we’re already half way through it.. but I’m hoping it should be on he road in the next 6 months or so. Slowly but surely making progress!
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keyring
Part of things
Posts: 913
Club RR Member Number: 47
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1997 Bmw 740il e38keyring
@keyring
Club Retro Rides Member 47
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Jul 24, 2018 21:25:38 GMT
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Awesome big cruiser! And they look great when they’re dropped! A friend had a 740 with straight pipes, and the sound was tremendous!
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daleg
Part of things
Posts: 52
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Slow progress with this again... too many other things in life taking priority currently. Rear suspension has proven to be an absolute nightmare, 3 full days on the rear shocks alone. We ended up removing both hubs after a good few days on it as it was easier to do it on a bench. This is one of rear shocks, certainly took a good beating and a lot of heat to get it off! But all rear suspension is now done! Just needs tightened up and torqued correctly. That’s all arms, drop links, rose joint bushes and shocks, every suspension piece on the car is now brand new. The end is in sight! Hoping it won’t be too long (he says in false hope) before it’s back on it’s wheels and running again. Talking of wheels, ended up with a set of style 95s, just need to decide on colour and tyre sizes... I’m thinking anthracite with some 235/255 40 profile tyres, the 225/235 35’s that are on currently are too skinny for the car.
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