Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Aug 11, 2018 18:12:12 GMT
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I collected the car today from my local mechanic. She has been there for two weeks.
Invoice:
Radiator
Air Conditioning Condenser
Air con vaccum test clean and System Regas.
Anti Freeze
Headlight washer
Offside washer jet and pump
Power steering cooler pipe
16 hours labour
Total price £560. Which wasnt that bad. Compliments to Watters Car and Commercial Fyfield.
Drove the car back home steadily as it had just started to rain. The car had even been cleaned for me.
I will clean her properly once the weather improves with Autoglym.
Next job will be to replace the laser in the DVD navigation system.
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Aug 16, 2018 21:48:39 GMT
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Car flew on the way home today. Spend the evening cleaning the interior. Before i open up the navigation system to replace the laser head - I thought i would have a go at updating the splash screen with the help of Perry on the Alpina forum. This is what Perry made for me.  I have been trying to get the ico image onto a disc and get the car to read this all evening. Giving up now, but will try again over the weekend. |
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Aug 20, 2018 19:07:25 GMT
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I tried multiple combinations of installing the CD Pery sent to me, but nothing other than the dreaded CD/DVD error message. I gave up and have taken the DVD navigation system apart. The optic (laser) burns out - its a common fault. I called BMW (for a laugh) and asked them how much to replace. They don't sell just the laser, so its the whole unit for £2.5k. I found the laser for sale in China for £10. It will be with me by the end of the month. As it stands today.   I hope i can remember where the screws all came from!! |
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Last Edit: Aug 20, 2018 19:14:09 GMT by Ray Singh
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Aug 20, 2018 20:37:08 GMT
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I collected the car today from my local mechanic. She has been there for two weeks. Invoice: Radiator Air Conditioning Condenser Air con vaccum test clean and System Regas. Anti Freeze Headlight washer Offside washer jet and pump Power steering cooler pipe 16 hours labour Total price £560. Which wasnt that bad. Wasn't bad? Bargain! Keep up the good work. |
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Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Spent 4 hours on Saturday cleaning the old girl. autoglym products throughout. Of course it poured with rain on Sunday.....  |
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Sept 9, 2018 19:36:43 GMT
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Optical Pick up SF HD4 arrived from China. I had to collect from my loacl post office on Friday and on route managed to crash my Audi A4 daily driver into a parked car......<Sad>
I opened up the parcel from China and its the wrong part!!! Groan. I asked Ebay for a refund, so will see what happens.
If anyone knows of a good stock of SF-HD4 optical pick ups or is selling a working Mk4 DVD navigation system - please get in touch.
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Last Edit: Sept 10, 2018 17:56:05 GMT by Ray Singh
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Sept 13, 2018 19:27:39 GMT
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Update - I found a company in the States who sell the parts for the DVD Navigation drive to work It could be useful for others so i will put it here: www.germanaudiotech.com/search?type=product&q=DVD+M3.5 The best price i have been able to find a replacement unit in the UK is £100 + delivery. Who knows how long this will work and if it might get damaged in transit. I am debating if i should just repair my old unit. I have sent the part number to the company to see what they advise. |
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Sept 13, 2018 19:34:35 GMT
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Someone save this car!!I have been informed that a very rare (1 of only two in the UK) has come up for sale. I chased the only other car in this colour when looking for mine and lost out. Its a B3 3.3 finished in Mora Metallic - which is a fantastic colour with Champagne White colour leather. Top specification car - like mine..... The chap is asking £3k - and if he doesnt sell it he will break it  Click here to see the car....   Just gorgeous. If i had the money and the place to store it..... Someone please save this car!
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Sept 13, 2018 23:57:19 GMT
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whaaaaat? only 3k how can that be!?
I would do it if it were in the states! then, make my wagon an alpina clone to match it.....
JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Sept 29, 2018 14:46:27 GMT
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So the part from America arrived last week. I spent a few hours gently fitting this and then got ready for the big reveal!! "Error playing CD/DVD" - Why me!!!?!! I visited M3cutters forum and bought a working complete unit for £105 and whilst i was there also bought a hybrid TV tuner so i can watch digital tv in the car. The current tuner is a analouge tuner and doesnt work any longer. I hope to recieve these items next week and will fit next weekend. After crashing my Audi A4 - I dropped her off at my mechanics today. I sold the salvage to him. The Alpina will be my daily driver and used to drop/colect children from school and get general groceries. I am even watching a set of winter tyres ready to use the car year round.... So what happens? This morning, it fails to start - Battery at 10v.....Charging this now. Feeling a bit like this at the moment - cars, who would have them?  Any positive comments welcome to keep my car mojo alive..... |
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Oct 10, 2018 18:58:24 GMT
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Finally i got the DVD navigation working. I cheated as i bought a replacement unit from a chap on M3Cutters forum. Fitted this and off it went. I even made a snazzy start up screen for the unit specific to Alpina and my car build number!  After crashing my daily Audi A4, the Alpina has become the daily and i am using the car for school drop offs, shopping and tip runs. Last week, the children were letting a wasp out of the car when the regulator failed with the window in the down position.  The offending article  New one on order - but for now some pressure treated timber is zip tied to the old regulator keeping the window shut. |
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2018 9:59:11 GMT by Ray Singh
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Oct 10, 2018 18:59:29 GMT
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Got some time to clean her up and place her side by side with my other exotica.  Boxster to work tomorrow! |
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2018 10:02:29 GMT by Ray Singh
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Oct 11, 2018 10:07:58 GMT
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I drove the Boxster for the first time in months today. Commuting to Swindon.
The difference in the cars is massive, they both have pros and cons - but between the two, i am not sure you could want for anything else.
The Alpina is effortless across country and just blows stuff away, whilst carrying 4 and luggage. The auto gearbox does its best to get you going, but the switch tronic can be used to over ride the auto switching.
The Boxster needs to be driven to get anywhere. Revving over 4k rpm is a must to get the engine on song. The car is light and has little space.
Both cars make me smile and i really cant think of anything more than one would need. Ok, perhaps a 4x4 in the form of a G Wagon?
But for now, I'm happy :-)
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,307
Club RR Member Number: 170
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1999 Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon #032ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Oct 14, 2018 15:20:01 GMT
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Believe it or not, I thought long and hard about getting a B3 instead of my M3. An Alpina Touring however may have sealed the deal but those are very rare!
Glad to see you are enjoying E46 ownership. Even a 328i that I drove for a while was a nice old thing. I'd have a 330d Auto Touring if I wasn't so tight ; it seems the market has firmed up on them or my tightness has (£1.5k would be my limit and I'd want a tidy one for that money).
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Oct 15, 2018 10:08:56 GMT
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Thanks ChasR. Disaster struck after i said that i was happy.... The sat nav in my didnt work when i bought the car. I investigated this and as you may have read i found that the DVD optics wear out. I spent huge money sourcing the part and when fitted it didnt work. I ended up buying a replacement unit from M3cutters which worked. I was able to get the nice Alpina splash screen sorted and all was well. I tried to fit the digital tv/hybirid tuner over the weekend and it didnt work. £170 from Ebay..... When i plugged the old unit back in, that didnt work either. The radio works, but the headunit screen stays blank. I'm so fed up. I have the car booked into Baris and Carphonics in Enfield on Saturday. www.carphonics.co.uk/ |
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Last Edit: Oct 15, 2018 10:10:34 GMT by Ray Singh
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Oct 15, 2018 12:15:57 GMT
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You seem to end up chasing your tail a lot with this car.
Yet you still have it.
I see why.
Bloody lovely car it is.
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Oct 15, 2018 13:05:30 GMT
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Thanks @quickrack1 - I need a mojo boost......and this did it.
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I hope this qualifies for mojo boost..... I have been loving my 07 wagon and after some major work after 100,000 miles, all was well for quite some time. oh, it has its little issues every month or so...but as long as I stay on top of them, things are pretty good....it has been a daily for more than 5 years now..... recently...it needed a rear wheel bearing. 3 weeks and 900.00 later, and it is just starting to go back together. (and I'm doing all the work myself!) My own mojo has been at an all time low for the Bimmer. with the axles out, the exhaust lowered, ect.....I could see that the rear subframe looked terribly rusty...winter is coming and I just could not leave it like that!...mojo lower! 3 days under that thing with a rotary tool, and I am finally done with the painting, ect..... mojo on its way back up, slowly. maybe 20% tomorrow after work, I can begin to install the new bearings....mojo should be at 50% I ended up refurbishing all the brake hardware and when I see them going back on, mojo will be at 75% if I get everything put back toghether in the right order, (bearings in with the magnetic bit towards the back and the backing plates on before the hub gets pressed in...) mojo will be at 85% nicely cleaned wheels will go in place...mojo should be at 90% center caps popped back in after tightening hub nut to 200 ft/lbs....mojo will be at 95% test drive successful.....mojo should be restored! Its always a process aint it?....you are not alone keep at it...its a stunning car! maybe some alpina stripes for the wagon.......hmmmmmm  |
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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Ray Singh
Posted a lot
More German exotica in my garage now
Posts: 1,993
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Thanks 07lilredwagon - that has done the trick. Your account sounds like quite a mammoth session. Keep at it and you will get there.
The UK is now getting cold and wet and all these issues line up just for when it is raining and dark, which really doesnt help morale at all.
I am chasing the window regulator and will see what the electrical gremlins are on Saturday.
Your kind words have made me feel that I am not alone.
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Oct 16, 2018 18:25:34 GMT
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Nice car, I do like Alpina's a tourer would be a great car. I'd be interested in the other one that's for sale but the times not right (need to sort out the MX5 first).
Really should sort out a mini RR meet at the Coach and Horses.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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