My "other" car...

[4941cc]

In addition to my E30 320i that is slowly being brought up to scratch, I purchased this lovely old girl last week. The condition is "as collected" so has yet to recieve any of my attentions. The foul floor mats have gone you'll be pleased to know, just need to get some more suitable bespoke ones made up now.












It was one of those cases of the perfect car turning up at completely the wrong time. But upon viewing it - it had to be mine. It's always a good sign when you turn up and the car is stored in a centrally heated, cream carpeted garage - sharing garage space with an immaculate 43k mile E30 325i SE Auto 4 door. I wanted to take that too - but understandably it wasn't for sale.

I've covered a couple of hundred miles in her now and it's safe to say we've bonded. Amazingly comfortable (will be better once the metrics & TRXs get replaced with some proper rims & rubber) - very tight to drive and deceptively rapid.

I like old Beemers - what can you do eh?

[djk]

fuel bills

But noice. Haven't got the bottle for one of these myself, but its good to know others have.

And just wtf were those mats doing in there?

[4941cc]

Not worried about fuel - it's not my only car. That said - so far she's averaging 22mpg (it's not often I drive in town). The E32 735i that preceded it was no better and the M62 B40 is a rough old thing by comparison and they feel somewhat anaemic once you've tried the 12. V12s tend to be more "cherished" from new and bought by those who can afford to run them and not tastelessly "improved" by subsequent owners. Heck, the 320i isn't that much better if I'm in an enthusiastic mood. Make use of the torque and ride light throttle openings and it's fine. Of course floor it and the OBC does show some "interesting" figures.

The noise is just wonderful and incomparable to anything a bent eight can produce (which I'm also fond of) - but in a cruiser, there's just something more special about twelve cylinders up front. There's either no noise at all at any speed up to an 85mph (ish) cruise - or a full-on mechanical symphony at full chat that very much sounds like the two I6s it effectively is. It's quite feasible to make long journeys without straying over 2k rpm if you're in that frame of mind. Or foot to the boards and enjoy that sensation of ample torque getting its shoulder behind a couple of tonnes of Bavarian beef and flinging it up the road like an E30 325i. Switch the EDC to Sport and the old girl can handle remarkably tidily when size, mass & physics would seem to conspire against it.

Very happy with her Will be gradually getting her up to scratch as time & money permit. Got to do something to pass the long, dark winter...

[djk]

I do like a big saloon - there's a pleasing simplicity to 'engine in front, people in the middle, luggage at the back', it's part of what drew me to boxey e30s! Impressed that you can get 20s mpg, and I guess your right, in a second car that doesn't go far, fuel bills are less important. I only do about 7k a year in all motoring, so I can't complain at all really. Can see what you mean about variants that are generally cared for too - makes you feel like you've made the cerebral choice, at least that's what I tell myself about my e30, probably about as un-boy-racerish a specification as it was possible to find, though I did have a near identical example last year that had a slushbox and no rear spoiler!

[bss325i]

Looks very nice for one of these as most E32's by now are scrap clinging to an MOT.

Is that mileage correct at 63665?

[Ollie_bwoii]

Looks lovely!

Although I know changing the wheels is the best financial option, But what are you going to replace them with?

[4941cc]

A bit like this one then - my E30 that does the bulk of my day to day mileage:




320i Manual 4dr as daily driver, 750i for weekend jollies. Using the loud pedal in the manner the '50 is designed to be driven, it's as economical as any two tonne, five litre car with an autobox is ever going to be. Having got a consistent 23mpg from the M30 engined '35i I previously owned - and 27 from the E38 735i I also ran for a few months, as said though - less than 5% of my motoring is town driving - which will skew the figures. She's only done 3k miles pa since 1989 - and I'm not going to change that average.

E30 for hooning, E32 for cruising. That said - the E32 hustles far better than the E30 can ever be considered a cruiser. My first car was a pensioner spec (not kidding i twas bought new by pensioners and they owned it for ten years before I got it - it was out of the box) 316i Lux auto in Calypso (at least it was a 2dr so not completely uncool for a 19 year old) and did more to inform my subsequent motoring habits than any other car I've driven.

I now have the requisite Lux/SE spoiler to fit as and when I have the time & inclination. Currently a lovely shade of oxidised flat pinky red. Meanwhile the '50 will get de-badged as I prefer the Q-car factor..

[4941cc]

Looks very nice for one of these as most E32's by now are scrap clinging to an MOT.

Is that mileage correct at 63665?

It is - every MoT and history to support it. As does the mechanical condition and the drive. There is no rot - either on top outside or underneath. The only ravages of age are the rubbers around the screens and door-handles. The chrome window surrounds are a little flat too but a weak solution of battery acid will sort that out.

I plan to keep her in the condition she's become accustomed to. I was originally looking for an E38 750i, but finding a SWB one is difficult enough, finding one that I could afford that wasn't an utter dog was an impossibility.

Until I stumbled across this one for sale and the fact it was only half an hour away from me meant it was worth a look, I'd already owned an E32 so wasn't bothered by it not being an E38 given what looked like the condition. Six hours of careful inspection later (it's OK - the seller was as happy as I was to talk crap about BMWs until daylight ran out and even wanted to make sure the car was going to the right sort of owner who'd keep it as original as possible) and we'd struck the deal.

The 735i that preceded this one btw - I don't do sheds:









87k with FSH when I parted with her earlier this year.

[4941cc]

Looks lovely!

Although I know changing the wheels is the best financial option, But what are you going to replace them with?

I like originality - so although the TRXs are the "correct" and original wheels - they do nothing for the sort of ride a 7er should offer. So I'll keep them, have the refurbed and store them for such time as I can ever bring myself to part with her. Or get into concours...

For driving, I'm thinking of just procuring a set of the usual 15" BBS cross-spokes. I briefly entertained thoughts of some 17" period Alpinas - but don't want to get tarnished with the brush of "trying to be an Alpina". Then thought of the 17" bolted X-spokes from the E31 Sports. But to fit bigger wheels means lowering it to avoid the "off-road" appearance - which is then deviating to far from original for my liking - not to mention the vagaries of interfering with the EDC/SLS set-up. Too costly & complex for my comfort.

[bss325i]

Genuine 17" Alpinas would look sublime on this beauty!

Dont wory about the "trying to be an Alpina" feel.

They were available when new for non Alpina models so what the hell!

[Jon_Bmw]

Looks really nice. It looks like the low mileage car that it is.

You seem a bit harsh on the v8, which incidently is technically, a much more sophisticated(and better?) engine.* Anyhow I digress, it is so nice to see one in the condition a £60k car deserves.


*Although neither actually offers a great BHP/per litre figure.

[4941cc]

Don't tell me that ;)

The downside of that is that genuine Alpina rims for E32s are bloody hard to come by (at least without a B11 or B12 attached) - and if you do find a set - accordingly expensive. Ones that are actually circular even more so. I don;t want to mess with the suspension either - more research needed on that front needed. I'm not averse to making the odd change (but will only use OE BMW or Alpina kit) here & there, but if it's worth doing - it's worth doing properly.

There's no rush to do too much after all. 15" cross-spokes for the interim period whilst I pontificate. They're inexpensive and from experience the best for the intended 7 Series blend of ride & handling. I'll keep an eye around here and other places for stuff to crop up as it does now & then.

[320Touring]

That is a lovely lovely car!

I wish you many miles of enjoyment! The e32 is a very pleasant old bus to cruise around in, much more civilised than an e30 or 34.


One day I'll get a 750i too-its right up there with the e34 m5 touring on my wish list

[4941cc]

Looks really nice. It looks like the low mileage car that it is.

You seem a bit harsh on the v8, which incidently is technically, a much more sophisticated(and better?) engine.* Anyhow I digress, it is so nice to see one in the condition a £60k car deserves.


*Although neither actually offers a great BHP/per litre figure.

I'm only commenting on the E32 V8s I've driven. "technically more sophisticated" - by virtue of four valves per cylinder - granted. "Better" is a subjective judgement - for smooth running - twelve beats eight every time. I've yet to come across an M60 engine that I found acceptibly refined - M62s no problem. I originally set out to obtain a 740i for the on paper performance is identical (except a lower limited top speed - academic as both are in excess of mine) with marginally improved economy. Tried plenty but just preferred the V12 every time. Even found the M30 six more agreeably refined to my sensibilities - as said though - it's entirely subjective and to be fair, most of the V8s were well over 100k miles and felt it. There are technical distinctions - and there is also how they feel from the driver's seat.

High specific output is not an overly desirable characteristic in a cruiser imho - with NA engines that usually translates to a more highly strung/revvy nature. Chasing redlines is fine for 3ers & M cars - but not for wafting. Had it been a 740i in the same condition I'd have bought it just as happily.

They all have their place though. I'd not automatically turn down a V8 if it were in fine fettle - I just never came across any that were. I owned an M62 735i before this and that was acceptibly refined at speed - if lacking in any meaningful torque meaning it always felt slightly "between gears" on the motorway. Something the 750 certainly doesn't struggle with - despite the more antiquated gearbox over the eight cylinder cars.

[4941cc]

That is a lovely lovely car!

I wish you many miles of enjoyment! The e32 is a very pleasant old bus to cruise around in, much more civilised than an e30 or 34.


One day I'll get a 750i too-its right up there with the e34 m5 touring on my wish list

Thanks - I hope so too.

[Blitz]

Thats stunning. I think these are so underrated. You can get mint ones for not alot these days. I would love a E32 750i when I can insure one.

[Blitz]

Isn't the M70 basically two M20's?

BBS RS

[4941cc]

In effect, it is - but to describe it as such doesn't do justice to the complexity of uniting two engines on a common crank and all that implies for the routing of oil and coolant around the engine. Also the electronic implications of having two engines operating on seperate ECUs having to operate in perfect unison serve to make the engine very much it's own thing. It's quite simple to detach one of the MAF sensors, there's a very slight change in pitch and then it's running on one bank, replace, remove the other and it'll run on the other bank - as it does on over-run

Not that I have anything against M20s of course - two in one car is a bonus. Neither is it the basis for the McLaren F1 engine as many people (including owners) seem to think - that is actually much closer to being two S50 B30s on a common crank when you look at bore spacing, bore & stroke dimensions and valvegear set-up. Totally different architecture to the M70/S70/M73 engines.

Rather liking those BBS alloys. A tad "blingy" though. Erring toward 17" Alpinas. Have a look here for the guts of the M70. I found it fascinating anyway. Easy to see why nothing is cheap to sort on these...

M70 rebuild linky here

[Blitz]

17" Alpina's


I wonder if the ride quality will still be good.

[4941cc]

Now that looks much more agreeable - but then it is a proper B12, the only car I can see myself replacing this one with - a good job RHD B12s crop up for sale so rarely. Quite happy to wait a bit longer and source a suitable E38 B12 5.7/6.0 as and when I can afford it.

I'm assuming the ride quality on 17" modern tyres will be an improvement upon the 16 1/3 inch (415mm) TRXs currently in situ - it's really not befitting of the car presently.

[Blitz]

Actually you may be right. Alpina's are well know for their excellent ride. I've allways liked likes the look of Metrics but shame about the tyres.

[blackcountrybimmerman]

I like those, I've been offered an 735i (E23), I never realised they did a 750i in the E32 though.

That must feel like your on a flying carpet when you're wafting along the motorway.

The one you have is a very clean example too.

[Blitz]

One of my fave vids.

[youtube][/youtube]

[4941cc]

Interesting vid - odd that the engine images are M60 V8s though.

[Ziggy]

Very nice indeed. The BBS splits are definitely too pimp IMO though. Are there any 16" single-piece BBS that are a suitable offset/width for an E32?

Damn shame they never made an E32 touring.

[robbo86]

Very nice car there. I saw a 735 near me that the chap said had fried electircals in the engine bay. Would love to have it were it not for that!

[4941cc]

Only the standard 15" BBS cross spokes that were shared with the E34 as per my old 735i - or the later design ones from about 1993 which are pretty rare and suit the car.

[djk]

Damn shame they never made an E32 touring.

I have seen pics of such a thing, although my memory is hazy and they could have been photoshopped. There were definitely some e23 estates coachbuilt in the UK - before the w123 merc there were no big, refined estates around and quite a few big mercs (a few dozen as opposed to hundreds) and BMs were converted by crayford and the like iirc.

As regards wheels on this old bus, I'd have thought 16s/17s would be the way forward, I always think they look over tyred on 15s and a bit bling on 18s with associated compromises in ride. Having said that, I have seen one on 'M-parallels' that looked nice and not too OTT. The metrics are quite nice, shame they didn't do an imperial size of the same design. So many older BMs that started life on metrics are rolling around on discarded e39 rims too, and they just look cack, especially the 'turbines'.

[4941cc]

They did do a 16" cross-spoke for the E39 - assuming the offsets are compatible, they could make sense...

Having seen an E32 on M Parallels - they look over-wheeled and far too shiny c/o the polished rims. Fine on an E34 M5/540i but a little "try hard" for the E32. That said - I'd only have those or 20" Alpinas (with the corresponding suspension) on an E38 750i.

That said, following some surfing around this place, I'm having serious thoughts to M30-ing my E30. 335i 4 dr with a completely standard exterior has a definite appeal.

Basically, it's due an Inspection 2 & I was going to do the cambelt at the same time which will cost a few hundred £. But so does either an M50 B25 alone and I could entertain buying a tatty 535i Sport and transferring as much of the running gear over as possible. Will take the time to have a look at a few other of you guy's conversions here as to the relative merits of M30 or M50/52 swaps. Will post a thread when I start contemplating it in earnest.

I have a feeling this place should come with a public health warning for your wallet

[djk]

IIRC e39 offset is compatible without spacers, but spigot rings are required as they have a larger centre bore.

[4941cc]

I'll be keeping a weather eye toward eBay and the Alpina register and see what turns up first for reasonable coin.

[4941cc]

Actually - I just need a bodily knackered/crash damaged E34 B10 3.5 don't I? Solves both issues - engine and running gear for the E30 and wheels for the E32...

[Jon_Bmw]

4941 I loved that link of that m70 rebuild. Not much actually needed rebuilding, just cleaning! Amazing stuff, especially the condition of the bottom end bearings!

I watched that video and thought it was rather strange they showed the m60, I guess with it's engine cover on it is a more attractive proposition to (stupid) luxury car buyers. Me, well I'd rather see the impressive looking inlet manifolds of an m70.

Fair comments on m70/m60.

[4941cc]

Me too - they were building a Lamborghini replica iirc and didn't know what condition the engine was in owing to iffy history and 270,000 km showing. Worth the clean and recon of valve gear etc as it was in pieces. It's amazing to see just how much stuff is actually in there - when all you get from the driver's seat is just a quiet, distant hum. With the heater on in the morning you really do have to look at the tacho needle to check it's running. Lovely.

I too think the BMW V12s all look far more appealing than their plastic covered V8 siblings - thing is, with those covers off - they're not half bad looking lumps either. But I like engines to look like things of mechanical complexity rather than magical black & silver boxes that make the car go. Jaguar's V12 eclipses this one in that respect.

I enjoyed seeing just how comprehensively "over-engineered" the engine is - that one was a particularly tatty example by all accounts. But I do confess that all bead blasted and cleaned up it looks fantastic too. Quite why BMW needed to fit the black plastic trim over the inlet manifolds I'll never know - somewhere to put the badge under the bonnet perhaps?

Mine definitely needs a day spent with the degreaser and the brush under the bonnet to restore an "as new" appearance - as it is, it's perfect for longevity (major components liberally coated in WD40. If nothing else the rocker covers show their age and those manifolds could use refinishing. Not essential for mechanical integrity at all - but it does look nicer.

[blackcountrybimmerman]

Damn shame they never made an E32 touring.

Could you imagine the size of the bugger....