Formal Introduction New guy with Early 4.4 Sport.

[kesslerbmw]

I've been messing with BMW's for about 12 years now. I've had a lot of the good core stuff from the 90's, but really like the e34's. I've still got an e34 525, and and e34 540 6 speed which I track a few times a year etc.

I am some what familiar with a lot of the issues with the X5's, and more specifically the M62's and N62's. My wife had a Mini Countryman S which we got rid of in Feb, and we were going to start looking for a white early 4.4 sport with black interior this summer when this one fell in my lap needing a motor. The motor was hydro locked due to a unmaintained CCV system. I bought it somewhat cheap, and put a just sky of 100k mile clean M62 in it, and had the timing guides done, CCV done, along with every gasket and seal on the motor. I'm in it now about at market value, but with those new parts etc. I plan to do the entire cooling system within the next month or so with all new hoses etc.

So I'll post some pics with some comments, then I'll tell you what else I've got to fix etc.. Of course your comments and suggestions are encouraged. Any good comments will help as I sometimes regret this project as its getting expensive, but I think it will be worth it when its all said and done.

This was the day I picked it up... Two days after I heard about it and made the guy an offer on it.

Untitled by kesslerbmw, on Flickr


by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

by kesslerbmw, on Flickr






I dropped it off at an Indy Shop in KC to have the motor swapped and the work done on the new motor etc... then flew down there after about 6-8 weeks and picked it up. While I was in KC for the weekend giving the car a good shake down before driving it 800 miles or so home I had a couple issues. The return quick connect line for the power steering popped off, dumping fluid everywhere. I was able to pop it right back on, fill it back up, and haven't had an issue with it since.


by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

Untitled by kesslerbmw, on Flickr







So the next day I went over to a fellow BMW friend of mine in KC to check that hose again and try to address the stereo issues I was having (which I'll go into later) when we realized the hood latches were heavily corroded and the cables weren't in great shape either. We spent a good 30 minutes getting the hood open and I wasn't comfortable closing it again so we popped the hood pens off and I tied the hood down.


by kesslerbmw, on Flickr


After all of that fiasco, I picked up a set of the stock 19" sport wheels so I could use them while I refinish the style 87's, then I'll put Snow tires, or some type of decent all season for winter use. Was nice that they all fit right in the back.


by kesslerbmw, on Flickr






After making sure the hood wouldn't fly open and I was good for the drive home I set off.

The next day when I was home I clay bared, the whole thing, and compounded and polished every inch of it including the headlights and the tail lights.

IMG_5273 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

IMG_5280 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

IMG_5281 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

IMG_5284 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

IMG_5287 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr





So... Next up is LED tail lights because these are having connection issues, and as much as I'd like to have the OEM non LED look, I don't want to be bothered with messing with them as its my wife's car.

I don't like the look of the aftermarket headlights, but the drivers side light is missing one of the mounts for the painted piece below the light, and it wayy off of alignment, so I might change them out, but would prefer not too.

The only option it doesn't have that I wanted was the Sport seats, which I may swap out, but the wife likes the comfort ones, so I may not. I'll have to see if there is any cheap sets local to me.

One of the biggest problems I have is that the previous owner was a fellow who liked boom boom stereo's, and he hacked the hell out of the wiring (or most likely paid someone to) so I'm thinking about putting in a Kenwood double Din unit and using a small amp to run the bass box... I dunno yet, but I'm really bumped I can't utilize the stock stuff as it wasn't terrible and it would have been good enough for the wife and myself when driving it. Any input here would be appreciated.

Passenger door exterior door handle doesn't work, is it the handle, or most likely a cable? Was going to pull the panel off and try to check that out soon.

Also have some cracked wood trim, and an ash tray that won't stay closed... Trying to figure out the most economical way to fix these. I wouldn't mind wrapping them with carbon fiber 3M vinyl or something, but the wife likes the wood, so if anyone knows of any economical way of finding the wood pieces let me know.

Next week I'll be pulling the style 87's off, fixing the rash, then having them blasted and powder coated. Then I'll do the same to the 4.4 Sport 19's I picked up. (don't know the style # for those)

I've had fun lurking here for the last couple months, seems like a great group, look forward to conversating with some of you guys more.