12 Months with my 6er

Kaotiq · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2005, 03:06 PM

It is 12 months to the day since I picked up my 'ol 6er.

In that time I've probably driven more than in the previous 12 months
as the car is just so comfortable to drive long distances fast.

So far I haven't been bothered much by the boys in blue either

(touch wood)

I knew I was up for some moderate to serious expendature when I bought the car
I'd looked at quite a few cars that had bad rust problems and knew that I'd
be better off with a car with a good body that needed some mechanical work than
the other way round, thats how it seems to be with 6ers.

Work Done

Head Off, cleaned, new valve guides, valve service etc
Replaced Steering link & Idler arm bush
Replaced Castor Arm Bushes
Replace Rear Shocks, Bump Stops & Top Mounts
Replace Water Pump Assembly
Replace Sump Gasket & Engine Mounts
Air Conditioning Service (Most needed in Aus

)
Replace Power Steering Hoses (Both low & high Pressure hoses)
Replace Alternator
Replace Rear Cross Member Bushes
Remove, respray & replace Front Spoiler
Replace missing bodykit pieces
Clean Up paintwork in places.

Still to Do

Replace Windscreen (Cracks)
Fix Cruise Control
Replace some leather pannels in the drivers seat.
Fix dashboard cracks
Replace front Door Seals (Wind noise at high speed)
Thinking about tinting the windows

Oh yeah I'll need new tyres soon .... now how did that happen

Thoughts about the car so far

The Good

Fast & Comfortable, Better highway fuel economy than I'd feared, get lots
of waves & thumbs ups from people, it always puts a smile on my face when I
get in and fire up the engine.

The Bad

Big and heavy, not able to by anonymous anymore, city fuel economy is as bad
as I'd feared.

The Ugly

Only bad thing is more about where I live, only have a single garage, so had
to sell my E30, even if I wasn't driving it.

In Conclusion

To summarise, its been an expensive eventfull year, but buying a new old
car and fixing it up is never a simple or inexpensive exercise, but IMHO
its been well worthwhile, I've always as long as I can remember wanted one
of these things, and yes it has its faults but I wouldn't want anything
else at this time in my life.

I'll post up some pictures later.

Cheers,
Iain.

Kaotiq · #2 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 12:02 AM

The first 3 pics are before I got round to looking at the exterior

As you can see the front spoiler & side skirts were a real mess.

Its still not all done but looking much better now.

Cheers,
Iain

Ol'6erGuy · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 08:14 PM

That is one sweet ride. I hope mine looks half as good when I get it on the road.

ESP · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 09:09 PM

Great Job! Way to keep an older BMW on the road and looking clean!

Kaotiq · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2005, 04:28 AM

Thanks Guys

Bill, I know you will get there, and I look forward to the day I can see pictures of your 6er on the roads of the North West, please keep us all posted on your progress, both the 6er & the Willys.

Eric, It's a blast of a thing to drive, not cheap, a fair bit of time to keep it all together but, a hell of a lot of fun.

6ers are very rare down here, funny to see peoples reactions.

Cheers,
Iain.

Shockwave179 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2005, 02:33 PM

man that makes me want M6 but anyway good work with getting all that stuff done the car looks great.

Goon · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2005, 06:05 PM

Looking sweet Iain!

Ol'6erGuy · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 03:34 PM

Iain. What are the wheel sizes and has the car been lowered? I am trying to figure out wheels for mine. Have to be careful, the body is slightly different. Wheel wells are not as flaired on the early ones. Bill

Kaotiq · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'6erGuy

Iain. What are the wheel sizes and has the car been lowered? I am trying to figure out wheels for mine. Have to be careful, the body is slightly different. Wheel wells are not as flaired on the early ones. Bill

Hi Bill,

The wheels are 16x7 iirc, the car came with the Mtechnic suspension so is a little lower than is standard, the bodykit has small wheel arch extensions.

Originaly the car had TRX's on it nut a previous owner ditched them in favour of more modern wheels & tyres.

There is a wheel fitment spreadsheet you can play with at http://www.bigcoupe.com/links/BMW_Wh...Calculator.xls

I'm not on here very often anymore, but I do get notifications & Private Messages so I'll answer any Q's I can.

Cheers,
Iain.