E12 M535i bodywork and paint journey

[tschultz]

Hopefully mobile tradition was also able to tell you where and when the car was delivered-- they were with the records for my 1980 635CSi.

[leadphut]

I shared this with Chris K a few weeks ago, but thought I'd include here as well. I love finding this kind of information.

Shortly after I got the car, someone on firstfives mentioned that the build sheet (if it was still there) was typically tucked inside the back seat lower cushion. When I checked mine, a thin strip of yellowed paper was still there (see below). The upside down picture is from when I originally bought the car in Georgia in 2003 and the seller sent me those in the mail (before digital pictures).

that's a cool easter egg!

good to see progress too.

[Adam W in MN]

Yes, I have the delivery date (May 1980) and the dealer (Darmstadt) from Mobile Tradition.

[Adam W in MN]

I drove up yesterday so Jim and I could work on the car and keep going on the doors. He finished installing the drivetrain over the Christmas break so I was pleased with that progress.



I worked on the driver side rear door while Jim focused on the brakes. I didn't take any pictures unfortunately but the wiring harness rubber shroud between the body and the door was split and shredded on my car so I spent considerable time pulling the nice piece out of the parts car and installing it. Since my car doesn't have power windows the wiring is much simpler. Interestingly the arm rests on the rear doors of my car are smaller than the parts car rear units. Maybe a US spec vs euro spec thing? Unfortunately it looks like the top mount of my car's arm rest requires some grommet to screw into that isn't on the parts diagrams and probably is long gone still in my old doors. Also annoying, my new doors have two thin holes on each back door outside the area covered by the door panels. The black parts car has these holes filled in from the factory (metal is filled in). Again pictures would really help. Since I installed US spec doors on the M535i when I did this bodywork I can't understand how the black car, also a 1980, could have something different.

I spent some time installing the door molding on the passenger side which is a dicey prospect to have to pound on the door to get the clips attached.

Jim got the brakes attached even though Ireland Engineering provides no instructions of any kind. They sent extra brake pads for stock e12 brakes and stock e12 front hubs without bearings. Wtf? Lots more sorting to do on the brakes including lines, pad wear sensors (if I use them), and figuring out a master cylinder.

While I was there Jim showed me an email from Steve Dinan to him about upcoming work to do on the team race car he supports. Steve Dinan is now consulting on their engine, so it's pretty cool that I have Jim working on my e12. Jim works faster than I do so I'm glad he's plugging away at this and will start tackling the cabin wiring and dashboard soon (which seems overwhelming to me).

[tschultz]

Sounds like a great resource to be working on your car and a very nice looking shop space!

You car is coming along well and looks great. I really love the look of Alpine E12's. It's going to be well worth the effort to finish this one!

[Adam W in MN]

There's been some progress over the summer, still crossing items off the list. The interior is getting close to finished (dashboard and seats are in) and today the car took a ride over to the upholster (Mark's Auto Upholstery in South St Paul, MN) for the headliner. I have a new headliner from World Upholstery and some other pieces for the sunroof part of the headliner.

Still on the to-do list are to finalize the brakes and exhaust. It'll be a miracle if I drive it before the snow falls, but we'll see.

Looks good pushed out into the sun! The last picture is at the upholstery shop.

[stuartinmn]

Excellent! It looks fabulous.

I forget, were you able to find the correct seat fabric?

[Adam W in MN]

Yes, Ivo and Chris Kohler helped me

[tig]

Nice Adam! Looking FINE.

[CSBM5]

Super awesome! I imagine you're itching to drive it.

[Adam W in MN]

I think I'm itching for the project to be over!

[MicahO]

Outstanding Adam - great to see it getting close!!

[Karl Grau]

Looking good! Even though there is still work to do, it must be nice having it home.

[Adam W in MN]

Well that was an ordeal! After I posted that the car was at the shop, they called and informed me that the glass had to come out to do the headliner. That's something Mr. Kohler told me back in 2014 when I had the bodyshop put it in, but I had inconveniently forgotten. What transpired was a complete panic shit show of me contacting friends and car-related acquaintances trying to locate a glass person that could work on this car. Oh and I put in the very last DC91 E28 M5 windshield into this car so I was pretty worried about removing and replacing it intact.

Through the bodyshop that did the work on the car I found some guys with experience doing 1980's BMWs and they came to my house (had to flatbed the car back to my house since I couldn't leave it for weeks at the upholstery shop). All went well removing front and rear glass, and after more scheduling and coordination, we got the car back to the upholstery shop last week for the headliner. It looks great, and now I just have to get the sunroof panel in and finish up the center console so the interior will be pretty much done (leaving brakes and exhaust and some other misc).

Again I have to give a huge recommendation to Denny at Mark's Auto Upholstery in South St. Paul. A patient, thorough professional. And to Rob and Tony at Tecnaglass in Brooklyn Park, MN for the care and attention to keeping the front and rear glass perfect and making the trip twice to do the work!

[stuartinmn]

Excellent! My understanding is the windshield is a real bear to install even under the best of circumstances, so I'm glad they were able to R&R it without breaking it.

[wkohler]

That is killer! Came out great Adam.

[CSBM5]

It's actually amazing you could find the guys with the experience to pull the front and rear glass, with no damage, the more I've thought about it. I'm so far removed from dealing with cars from that era that it's very sad. The car looks outstanding, and it's surely not a bad thing that during this whole process the world has jumped all over the M535i.

[davintosh]

Well done; glad you could find someone to do your glass who knows what they're doing! (I may have to put them to work too!)

[Hffvdbl]

You've done an outstanding job with this car!

[bornagain]

Have you made any new progress???

[Adam W in MN]

Thanks for checking in, hopefully an update soon.

[Adam W in MN]

The E12 is going for a ride down to Chicago tomorrow to stay the winter with Uncle Ben Thongsai

[stuartinmn]

The E12 is going for a ride down to Chicago tomorrow to stay the winter with Uncle Ben Thongsai

And what kind of sorcery will he be doing on the car over the winter, or is that a secret?

[geordi]

I enjoyed catching up on your post Adam. The M looks astounding. Can't wait to see your finished interior!

[Adam W in MN]

No sorcery, just a long list of to-do’s. He is pretty busy so it’ll get done when he has time, definitely a 2019 date.

[Adam W in MN]

The E12 came home via enclosed trailer Saturday from Ben's in Chicago. It runs and drives but is as loud as a sprint car since it is only running open downpipes. Exhaust pieces were on order and didn't get installed in time, but should get to me soon.

I spent some time Sunday cleaning the car up from all the dust it accumulated sitting at the shop the last year. And making a list of other loose ends to tie up over the winter and inventorying parts I still have for it.

It is a good thing I didn't drive it even if it had an exhaust and the roads hadn't been salted. The Bridgestone S03 pole positions are 2006 date codes... and are hard as rocks. And it needs an alignment.

You can see a picture of it on Instagram under my flipwils11 account. I have a new phone and can't upload pics yet to share on this site but will try to remember later tonight.












Ever wonder what an M90 sounds like with straight downpipes?

Watch "1980 E12 M535i no exhaust startup" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/gV1IbeBCOgM

[tschultz]

Really, you have me drooling!

[hunneman]

Adam, amazing work and journey...
Love the car ! I enjoyed the thread what kind of muffler are you planning on installing?

[Adam W in MN]

Car has been officially done for a few weeks now. I made this video which sums it up and should conclude this thread.

Watch "BMW E12 M535i Drive and Walkaround" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/QWlmiOH-K9o