After a month away.. She's HOME!

[PropellerHead]

Yay! This morning was the pick up for the E53! The Transmission was rebuilt by Eriksson Industries in CT. I ran this through the shop, but I was quoted $3500 for the full rebuild plus shipping. Shipping is high of course. The shop did the transmission, freight, install and the other stuff below for rt at $6k.

The good news is that I sold my previous StopTech 4 wheel kit to another customer for $2500. So the net for today is a little less painful.

I did a couple things- some unorthodox- like the aluminum/silver color sport grills in place of stock black. I always liked the look from my 3.0 SPP, so this was a chance to replace the black. Not everyone will like this, but it's not everyone's E53.

Another thing was that I added 25mm spacers to the rear. I bought them from someone here. Thanks for that! I did not expect to like the look but I *really* do!

Finally, since it was 100k miles, I replaced plugs and coils with Bavarian Autosports coils. I also bought THOSE from a member. Tough to say that this is anything meaningful. The stock ones were fine. It was just a deal to buy them so I took the chance to install them.

Anyway, here's a quick shot of the 'new face'. I'm running up to the Euro clear headlights. The combination will look really good I think.

[OrangeFurious]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Yay! This morning was the pick up for the E53! The Transmission was rebuilt by Eriksson Industries in CT. I ran this through the shop, but I was quoted $3500 for the full rebuild plus shipping. Shipping is high of course. The shop did the transmission, freight, install and the other stuff below for rt at $6k.

The good news is that I sold my previous StopTech 4 wheel kit to another customer for $2500. So the net for today is a little less painful.

I did a couple things- some unorthodox- like the aluminum/silver color sport grills in place of stock black. I always liked the look from my 3.0 SPP, so this was a chance to replace the black. Not everyone will like this, but it's not everyone's E53.

Another thing was that I added 25mm spacers to the rear. I bought them from someone here. Thanks for that! I did not expect to like the look but I *really* do!

Finally, since it was 100k miles, I replaced plugs and coils with Bavarian Autosports coils. I also bought THOSE from a member. Tough to say that this is anything meaningful. The stock ones were fine. It was just a deal to buy them so I took the chance to install them.

Anyway, here's a quick shot of the 'new face'. I'm running up to the Euro clear headlights. The combination will look really good I think.

It looks fantastic - I like the silver on blue effect. Also damn jealous of that pull bar - it's the last of my unicorn parts to hunt down.

[Ricky Bobby]

Looks phenomenal - the Titan grilles belong on the iS models or any model with silver lower mesh IMO -

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Looks phenomenal - the Titan grilles belong on the iS models or any model with silver lower mesh IMO -

I have always thought the same thing. I'm glad to have them on this car after 6 years without.

Thanks for the positive comments!

[bcredliner]

Good job, looks great!

[jsoto]

Nothing like PM....not on ur list, but I presume you dealt with the RMS and coolant cover, etc while it's belly was open. Here's hoping for another 100K flawless miles.

I'm curious. How much was freight on both legs ?

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by jsoto

I'm curious. How much was freight on both legs ?

That's a great question. I *think* that Eriksson quoted me $400. I *thought* that was round trip, but I may have heard wrong. The most painful thing was tax. Since the shop ran the transmission, I had to pay ~10% sales tax.

[motordavid]

Titz looking X, PropellerHead!

[jsoto]

Indy doesn't sponser the greenbacks discount..

I've got a Indy I've worked with forever...generally always green depending on what day of the week it is ;-)

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by jsoto

Indy doesn't sponser the greenbacks discount..

I've got a Indy I've worked with forever...generally always green depending on what day of the week it is ;-)

Yeah.. 20 years with this guy. He was WAY more flexible as a younger man when he was building the SC'ed E39. But small businesses grow into larger ones with larger business concerns. He's still a fine human and someone I can trust. Add to that some very personal discussions during a very stressful time for me about 12 years ago, and I consider him a friend. Nay, a brother.

A few hundred here and there- and a few grand over time isn't keeping me from eating. If it were, I am pretty sure we'd have more flexible conversations. even if they were about selling BMW's for Hondas.