Mad_Max

Thanks man, yeah it's definitely grown on me! Yes rims are definitely in the grand plan of things. And good call on the plate mount, I didn't really think that far ahead.

So this is the damage that was done to the PCB from the wiring issues, no way that was going to be repaired. And I think I know what the issue was that caused it, and it's a nice simple fix so will get that sorted as well. Hahaha it still looks exactly the same as the previous pics, just a little cleaner now

Aaannnnnddddd she's legal. Few minor issues to sort but she's all legal. And clean. And registered. And ready for it's first outing tomorrow ?. Though having the "check engine light" come on at random intervals. I keep checking, the engine is still there and running.... not sure what's up with that lol. Oil is good and clean, all fluids topped up. New wiper blades and a couple other things. Starts and runs first time, the slight misfire at idle is getting better, so I think a good cruise on Christmas Day to Dunedin and back, change the oil, go right over it then start looking at what needs replaced.

So you gotta ask yourself, was it Wurth the effort??

Yeah my thoughts are heading that way too, a few too many little things not adding up. Having said that though, the Alpina Archive hasn't come back to me yet with a big fat "no" so there may still be something odd ball about it. That's the idea at the end of the day, get it all cleaned up and all the bugs sorted, then I have a Sunday cruiser, complete with electric headrests ???? - that is one creature comfort I never thought you'd ever need in a car hahaha. So she's all back together, bit of trickery fitting the 525i cluster, swapping the gauges and fascia over. Were a few small issues to sort in the process, but got it sorted. Only fault showing up on the OBC is the drivers side rear fog light. Everything else is working now, bit of a bad misfire at idle but I don't think it's nothing a new set of plugs, injector cleaner and new fuel won't fix. Next step is to try and remove the factory tape player so I can fit a band expander, and hide a bluetooth transmitter - anyone got any tips on removing the factory allen screws after some muppet in the past has rounded them completely? Short of drilling them out? After that, the hunt begins for another console, someone previously has butchered and broken a hell of a lot trying to pull it apart, obviously to try and fix the electrical problem ? So off for a wof tomorrow - fingers crossed she passes easily, and I'll be able to pick the partner up on Christmas day in it as we head out to meet the outlaws ?. Because I'm sure they want a small tug boat parked on their lawn ???

So a massive thanks to @BM WORLD and @Eagle for their advice. Switched over the plug from the 525i, popped the cluster in and hooked the battery up. Gave it 5 minutes to check for smoke (none), turned the key and it fired straight up! So just got to swap the coding plug over, swap the fuel gauge over and put the interior back together. Couple of minor light failures coming up on the dash that will be easy to fix. She'll be off for a wof hopefully mid next week so I may actually get to cruise in it Christmas Day! Will put up a pic later, on closer inspection the PCB on the original cluster is toast..... funny how something so small electrically can stop a car running ? but I'm happy now, it's fixed and running!

The 735iL is an 89 and the 525i is a 90, both are auto. Both clusters have the white backs and, apart from the software versions, are the same part numbers. All gauges are the same except the fuel gauge. What I think is the coding plug doesn't appear damaged at all, so I may be lucky there, I've been given the same sort of advice in another post so will wire in the new plug and try the 525i cluster first. The 525i cluster has an 80l fuel gauge and the 735i has a 90l one, assuming the 525i cluster works then it won't be hard to swap the fuel gauge over to correct that.

Thanks for the info Brent, that's what I was suspecting. Guessing this will be the coding plug you refer to? I may be in luck then, as the 735iL is an 89 and the 525i is a 90, both have the same plug. Guess there will be no harm in fixing the wiring, plugging the 525i cluster in and giving it a go.

Arbitrary, yes. Bump stops, I have removed completely perished ones from the front and rear of my old E36 sedan and nothing was said, so it completely comes down to the inspector at the time and whether they notice (and yes that was an inspection at VTNZ of all places). Most OEM rotors have a minimum thickness stamped on them on the inside. If for some reason the inspector thinks they are under this minimum thickness, they can fail them on it. Rotor thickness is however a valid metric, once it gets too thin there are a few potential issues. Heat dissipation and overheating are a major concern with heavy braking, and there's always the slim chance (I say slim because I've never seen it happen but the potential apparently is there) that the pistons will come too far out of the calipers, causing major failure. I agree completely that it is subjective, having spent time in Melbourne as a motor mechanic we couldn't fail brakes on visual inspections for anything other than fluid leaks, cracked hoses or worn pads/shoes. The system over there relies on wheels being removed and discs being measured, brake drums removed and linings inspected etc. Not just a quick glance and "hey that looks a bit thin, think I'll fail that", actual hard data. Unfortunately though, most WOF inspectors over here will stick to the whole "it's a visual inspection only" guideline that is the basis of the WOF system, and not go the extra yard to provide hard evidence that there is something wrong. And then you get the d**k mechanics who tell you you have to replace the rotors, you aren't allowed to get them machined if they are within tolerance, all because they wrote down they must be replaced ? - had that argument many years ago.

I picked up another toy a while ago, and haven't really had a chance to touch it until today. When I bought it, if the battery was connected, you'd see smoke rising from the dashboard. So I started to pull the dashboard out, got as far as removing the cluster and found this. Luckily, I have an E34 525i which has the exact same connector to the cluster, and nearly the exact same cluster itself. The plug and socket both need changed, and wiring will need replaced. The question I've got is this: Can I simply change the plug and use the 525i cluster instead? The only differences that I'm aware of (apart from the software versions) are the fuel gauge and the odometer will be wrong. So is there a module that stores the mileage that can be swapped, along with the fuel gauge? Or do I need to desolder the sockets and mess around with that instead? If I can get away with just swapping the plug and using the 525i cluster, that would obviously be the easier route, however I do want to keep the mileage as correct as possible, as this thing has under 90k on it. If I need to swap the sockets on the PCB then I can do that, just trying to avoid messing with the board.

So finally got to spend a bit of time on this old girl tonight, and found the smoking gun (well dash wiring technically). Fingers crossed that's all the electrical problems sorted once that's repaired. Luckily the E34 525I parts car has the exact same plug, and it's in good condition, as I need to replace the plug, wiring and the connector on the gauge cluster - or the whole cluster itself

Tread depth requirement for "winter tyres" is 4mm, noted in that link. As @gjm stated, the ruling is that, technically, you can mix any combination of tyres to a car, as long as the same brand, size and tread pattern is on the same axle. All the info is in the link he provided

Hey man, if you have or are going to strip the dashboard out, I would love the 2 wiring looms from it. Got my 735iL with a wiring issue under the dashdash and it may be easier just to replace the whole thing. If you don't want to strip it that much then that's all good ?. There's no real urgency either.

So the last few weeks have been hectic. I haven't actually managed to do anything with this as yet, have been in touch with the Alpina Archive register, sent them a bunch of pics and they came back asking more questions, not stating it was a fake - so hopefully they can come back with a definitive answer. Currently sitting looking at the original certificate of registration. Car was first registered in Nelson 28/11/2000, with an odometer reading of 47,941k's. The registered owner is the guy I bought it off - so that part of the whole story checks out, it is a one NZ owner car, and he didn't do a lot of travel in it. So here's hoping the rest of the story checks out ?. Will update when I hear more.

Not sure what diffs you've got laying around, I should have a medium case 4.10:1 coming out of the black sedan sometime soon if that's close enough for you? Anything else, just ask man, will be good to see this thing going.

Got an E34 525i auto here, not sure what the shipping would cost. Planning to have motor and box out in a couple of weeks, would take $50 plus freight for the trans if that helps?

Only just saw this thread.... won't chime in with what needs replaced lol but..... I bought the rear bush tools off @Jacko ages ago and haven't gotten around to sorting to collect them (sorry man, will email you in the next week or so about that and the clutch ?). More than happy if you wanna grab the bush tools off him and use them, then I can sort with you to get them down to me once you're done - might make life a little easier for you.

Will be the easiest option. Have got 2 sitting here if you can't find any locally. Local bolts suppliers (Blacks, EDL etc.) can also supply - just make sure grade 10.9 to match OEM specs.

4 speed or 5? I've got a couple of 4 speeds around and will have a driveshaft coming out of a car sometime next week.

If you were (or could get the car to and from) Invercargill, I'd definitely be keen to help out with your engine swap for next to f**k all cost (beer is still reasonably cheap ???). Take a few days (me taking my time lol) but I can do it, got all the tools here good to go.

Yeah same, Can't say I ever would've gone looking for one of these, but being around it up close, it's definitely different. I'm not looking to flick it off, especially not if it's the real deal, so it'll be a weekend cruiser regardless of what happens. Not sure how thick the glass is, it doesn't appear to be any thicker than normal - which, as you've said, would make it pointless hahaha. Yeah will do at some stage. I know it was pushing the Landcruiser around while being towed - and that's a mid 1980's 70 Series 5 door wagon - so either way, it's no lightweight.

You know how to get ahold of me, swing past one night if you want. Just make sure I'm home first ?

Pulled it and had a look, it's been played with. Can't tell if it's been swapped or just pulled out a few times but definitely evidence of it being tampered with, so may have had a standard ECU fitted at some stage. Yeah have noticed it seems to be missing a few things, judging from photos online though there seem to be a lot of genuine ones that are also missing a lot of them too, not sure why though. Good article to read, much appreciated for the info thanks ?. Yes got in touch with them this afternoon, emailed photos and details off so now patiently waiting to hear back ? Yeah I hear you on that one, and will apologise if my reply earlier today sounded a bit defensive - got swamped with people telling me it's a fake with no real info other than "it's missing this bit here or there", and I guess was more just wanting time to research it myself fully. Looking at the Alpina Archives on this page there were a few that went to Japan, in black, with the gold trim and cloth seats. Also, going through the photos of the actual cars, it seems like boot spoilers, pinstriping, interior trim etc. was all customisable, as most have subtle differences - how much of that is previous owners changing (or replacing items with anything local/cheap) things and how much was ordered that way, no one can say. So will wait and see what the archives says first, and go from there. Either way, it is a cool car. Very tidy inside and not bad on the outside. If it is just a riced up special, no harm done given what I paid for it - and, if that is the case and it's a stock standard 735iL, the badges will most likely come off and it'll become just a nice weekend cruiser. Given it's condition and extremely low k's, either way I think I got a decent bargain for the price of it. You don't come across these every day in this condition - not even the ashtrays or the lighter look like they have ever been used. So this project log may become more active, if it isn't what it was sold as. Get it running, exhaust, decent wheels, tints..... nice Mafia ghetto style car to cruise good old Invers in ????.

Apart from the wheels (as mentioned by E30 3251i Rag-Top), everything else inside and out appears to be the same as most other B11 images I've seen online. Would you care to elaborate on what it's missing? I didn't even think of that, will check later today (if we get a break in the weather). Thanks for the tip Brent

Yes, as mentioned in another thread, I have potentially scored a 1989 B11 Alpina, or it may turn out to be a 1989 735iL badges and stickers special....... yet to confirm either way, but given the purchase price, it's a bargain given the straightness, originality and low k's. Brief history as I know it at the moment, there will be more info and pics when I get time. Guy I bought it off imported it from Japan himself. I've got the paperwork here from that, so I'll be the second NZ owner. K's are around 87k 88k. He bought it over when it had about 42k or 43k I think. Allegedly ex Japanese PMs car, and also allegedly armour plated. Matching numbers and nearly everything complete. Reg is on hold, been parked up for a year as he used this car to take his mother on long trips, she passed away about a year ago and it's been parked up since. Exterior needs a little work. Clear coat fade on the roof, and rear spoiler leaks a little water into the boot, no major damage there yet but want to get that sorted first. Interior is nearly immaculate, a couple of tiny little details to sort. However it has an issue at the moment where smoke comes from under the dash when the battery is connected, so have to pull the dash and sort that. Check engine light is also on, I'm guessing this is being caused by the dash problem, but that shouldn't be hard to sort out.