BMW's galore!

[Mark]

Shall do. If goes to plan it'll be the most UK e21's in one place for years!

Well I found myself some new wheels, hesitated, missed them and then got a second chance.



I also wanted something sensible for the winter. I'm hoping this qualifies as ''sensible''? I am hoping to go and collect it on Boxing Day so will tell more then. I need to lose the metric rims and am just loving these Zender splitrims. I'm thinking a lot less ride height, those rims and maybe a Zender front spoiler to match?

A couple of pics anyway.



I just love how 80's these are.

[sprouting]

It's quite an epic journey you've been on. You seem to have quite the knack for picking up quality 80's metal.

That e28 looks lovely, but surely the sensible choice would have been the e34

[GT4ME]

Saw that 535 last week, looks lovely. They look great with 17 inch style 32's.

[GT4ME]

Example;

[Mark]

@ Sprouting - I did get a 525tds but, although e34's look good, they're just a bit too modern for me. I used to see e28's when they were new and there's something about a non-spoilered or bodykit version that looks great lowered on bigger rims. I want to get the e28 as low as my local speed humps will allow.

@gt4me - Those rims do look good. Just a bit too Alpina though. Those Zender have a certain ''so bad they're good'' type of charm that I really like. I love these M5 turbines too, but they're more than I can justify spending. I could get the Zenders, new tyres and lower it -60mm for the same money.



Been tinkering with the 02 lately. I swapped the minilites over with my Mrs, as she wanted narrower rims & tyres, and bought a set of unused Colway intermediates. They really suit the 02 and will bring the ride height down a little more, to the height I always wanted. I'm also waiting on a Weber conversion that I nabbed off eBay for sixty quid. Once the e28 arrives I will use it a little less though anyway.

[sprouting]

Dec 24, 2012 20:56:57 GMT Mark said:

@ Sprouting - I did get a 525tds but, although e34's look good, they're just a bit too modern for me.

;D ;D ;D Its good to see all the different opinions on the forums. I'm on to an e39 540 touring now but previously had a e28 520i, a bit ropey but loved it all the same, then a e34 525 then e34 535i se, by far my favorite.

Sorry reliving old memories, enjoy your motors, all of them

[Mark]

I still dream of one day finding an e28 touring. Either that or having a saloon converted.

[alolympic]

Love your collection.
Good for you for doing the re-shell, it will be worth it.
Tell me it will be in orange?

As a motivator, here is an old pic, to remind you how worth it it will be

[Mark]

Dec 24, 2012 23:06:00 GMT alolympic said:

Tell me it will be in orange?

Absolutely. I just wasn't feeling owning an e21 in any other colour. ;D

[Mark]

Happy Christmas people & all the best for 2013.

[sowen]

What a heroic story I've just read every page and am simply in awe of your persistance!

The fire looks like a blessing in disguise in that you'll be able to do some of those jobs that you've wanted to do but never got round to doing, and having a clearer plan of what you want the outcome will be just astounding

[Fossilfish]

Also been going through this thread and not only do you have great cars you also have a great eye especially on your choice of rim, spot on everytime. Great shots too. All the best for 2013

[speedy88]

Good progress. I think I speak on behalf of RR when I say everyone is behind this project

[Mark]

Thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated.

Well despite train strikes and curse word weather I finally made it to Nottingham to collect the 535i. As soon as I saw it I knew it was a good car. It just looked right and it was obvious it has been cherished by previous owners. There is simply no rust anywhere! It fired up and sounded just as good as it looked. I drove about a mile or so, to the first petrol station I saw, where I pulled in to check the fluids and get some fuel. I also gave the whole car another visual inspection and was really taken by the colour, Royal Blue. Apart from a few small marks there was nothing that really needed attention. Even the bumpers were excellent with deep chrome. I paid for my fuel, put the gearbox in D and headed for the M1 southbound. A couple of hours and several miles of tailbacks later, I was queued in traffic approaching the infamous Kingston one way system. BANG! I was rear ended by a bloody great white VW van. The mint rear bumper is now dented, along with the rear valance and bootlid. I'm gutted obviously. I now need to get a quote for the repair work but I hope to combine it with the suspension drop and rims.

Anyway, a few piccies.

Phonebook sized history file that includes a £6k bill from 2009 when the whole braking system was replaced, along with other work.







Damage looks worse in the metal.

[mk2polobloke]

Hey Mark, how comes your idea of "something sensible for the winter" turns out to be a rust free and nigh on immaculate e28 535i?!!! ;D
A superb example in a great colour too but what a shame about the punt in the back on the way home If anyone can get this repaired to the highest standard it'll be you. If you can get the suspension sorted and some wheels whilst the work is being done that'll be a billy bonus!
Get some more pics up and good luck with it Mark,
Cheers, Richard.

[Mark]

Dec 27, 2012 22:46:03 GMT mk2polobloke said:

Hey Mark, how comes your idea of "something sensible for the winter" turns out to be a rust free and nigh on immaculate e28 535i?!!! ;D

Isn't that everyones? ;D

Well I made the calls to the insurance today and thankfully the driver of the van was good enough to make it clear to them, that he was at fault. My own insurance company seem keen to tell me where to go for repairs though? Then they'll claim costs back from the van driver. The thing is this, I had really wanted Pristine Bodyworks to do the repairs. They really know their way around old BMW's and I know they'd do a brilliant job. My other concern is that I don't know how easy it will be to blend the new paint with the old? Royal Blue metallic isn't exactly common and I want to be sure it looks as good as it should. If anyone knows what I'm entitled too, I'd appreciate a heads up?

I really love the colour although the pics don't do it justice.







The interior is great and even the drivers seat is free from wear.



Moon roof is a nice addition.



Original metric rims do look good but not sure how easy tyres are to find?



I'll take some proper photos at www.pristinebodyworks.co.uk tomorrow.

[oldschoolcool]

The same thing happened to me some two weeks after finishing the engine swap in the audi.
Driving into work,heard the shhhhhhh followed by BANG. Some lady in a corsa rear ended me.
They are sending me a cheque for the average value of a similar repair. It was direct line,and yes they did want to collect my car and give me a hire car. I said the car is not going anywhere.(I just imagined a directline bodyshop worker opening the bonnet followed by a big lamppost interface)
When the assesor came to look he wanted to open the bonnet to take a pic of the vin. He looked at the turbo and said 'ohh,youve got an induction kit' LOL. He also said the book of values only shows audi 80 back to 1994 with a value of £400.meh. I said do you need to see the recipt for what I paid ? or howmanyleft.com to verify theres only 16 taxed left?

Just tell them you have a prefered bodyshop you will be using and that you ARE NOT claiming for whiplash thank you very much. Have your ammo ready for when the assesor comes. Print off the ad you bought it from too !
They try to use there approved shops as they have a deal with them. You are legally entitled to have the car repaired anywhere you like.

[Mark]

Dec 28, 2012 20:58:04 GMT oldschoolcool said:

Just tell them you have a prefered bodyshop you will be using and that you ARE NOT claiming for whiplash thank you very much.
They try to use there approved shops as they have a deal with them. You are legally entitled to have the car repaired anywhere you like.

They did seem surprised that I wasn't claiming for injuries. Sad state of affairs.

[sprouting]

That truly is the worst luck.

Regarding the TRX's iv'e never heard a good word said about them,

especially in the wet. I had some on an old Granada 2.8i and they

were just awful, plus i think they're ridiculously expensive.

They're referred to in the second post here forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/74967-drivers-car-528i-v-m535i535i/

[Mark]

The first time I booted it the back end broke away, so they don't grip in the wet anyway. Shame, as I like the way those rims look.