Mostly, the car was quite dirty, so my initial tasks involved cleaning the leather (cognac color?), door panels, dash and console. Not sure it I can tackle the carpets, which aren't terrible, except the driver's side which is quite revolting. How are dirty carpets properly cleaned by an at-home enthusiast? Under the grime the leather is actually in quite good, soft condition, however the recline function on both front power seats is inop and both are propped up by pieces of particleboard, which has chafed through the leather on the back panel of the passenger seat! The power seats work, but I'm considering converting to manual seats, as I've located a good pair that I can nail for $50. This would both save weight and future issues with the motors, switchgear, etc. Thoughts? The interior cleans up reasonably and vinyl is getting the full Vinylex treatment I learned about from the wonderful MAYTAG string! Superb product, now has a place in my bag of tricks.
At 7am on a rainy Saturday morning, armed with a 40oz bottle of Industrial Strength Simple Green, I made a low-pro run to the local self-service car wash in Hollywood. It was raining hard so not a soul in sight to bark at me and I was happy I'd installed fresh Bosch wiper blades the day before. After two $3 sessions, it was looking good in there. When I got the car I thought the valve cover was flat black from the factory, such was the nature of the grime that had accrued over the decades. It's fun to see how much you get done when you're doing it 'guerrilla style' lol. Next I'll use some spray wax (I've used Pledge on my moto to great effect) on the painted surfaces in the engine bay, which should help keep those surfaces clean. It may be purely psychological, but a clean car does seem to run better.
Aside from that, I replaced the driver's side low beam and while I was at it, adjusted the headlights (missing a retaining spring on passenger side low beam) pulled all the grilles, cleaned and polished everything reachable with my WD40 and toothbrushes. In general I try to clean and detail everything I work on. Next will be oil & filter, fuel filer, spark plugs, air filter change. Following that will be timing belt, tensioner and water pump to get off on the right foot.
With the exception of a good sized dent on the driver's front fender, the body is straight on her and I think all the paint is original. I pulled the front wheel, using with factory jack (protected with rags, as it's never been used before) and got a lot of the dent out, using some the aforementioned seat-back supporting particleboard , stacked and wedged, in concert with my sledgehammer. I hate the idea of painting this car; maybe I'll get lucky and find another bronzit front fender. The clear coat is burnt on all the tops, but she still presents well and I love a little patina. There was a new roundel in the trunk that I promptly fitted to the decklid, while saving the old one. The radio works, but as Rainman would say: "very crackly...very very crackly".
Front brake pads have plenty of meat left and wheel bearings seems sound. She runs and drives well overall, but the Michelins (always a good sign) are cracked with maybe 5% tread left and they feel hard as well. I have a friend with a set of 16" E38 wheels with fresh Hankooks he set up for his E9 3.0CS, but decided on another wheel. This would seem to be a good upgrade, has anyone does this? Are shims required as on the E9 application? Steering and front end also feel good and she tracks dead straight on the freeway. She does have the infamous 'shudder of doom' under hard decelleration, which I've learned here is either / both upper control arm bushings or front brake rotors. Would H&R / Eibach springs and fresh Bilsteins transform this car? I don't want her to be too harsh as she's my DD.
She's going up on a lift at my local BMW wrench in the Valley next week, we'll see what's what. I'm truly amazed at how well these cars drive and the fuel economy is astounding. Tool kit is complete, which I cleaned, polished and oiled. Spare tire is present and unused, along with jack, lug wrench and 2 bottles of BMW fuel injection cleaner, circa 1986. I pulled the trunk carpets, cleaned and oiled everything. On that note, what's the ideal lube for trunk, door and hood latches...white lithium?
Any help, suggestions, etc, most welcomed and appreciated. After an E9, a few 2002s, a Bavaria, a 645Cic and a host of others, this car, warts and all, makes me smile like no other.
