hqstu 780 Report post Posted August 29, 2021 Well it's all up and running... I tell ya, cranking the engine for first time after major open heart surgery and pouring $xxx into it - is somewhat nerve-racking, wondering if the fresh new parts are going to lunch themselves deep in the internals... But all good apart from lots of smoke from the new paint on the exhaust "curing". Been for first drive since driving it home day one back in May (to the supermarket of course - not necessarily the nearest one ). Rest of weekend was spent fitting front bumper and interior cosmetics (cupholders, centre console cubby and armrest handle, plus door cards and vapour barrier checks - some butcher had been at work on the rear vapour barriers, slicing them open to get at the window regulators.... Put my old M5 steering wheel on as it is in better condition. Before engine start I'd done a road wheels (quickie) tidy up... Time to start thinking about paint.... Sorry for fairly average photos - I need lessons @hunter 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1659 Report post Posted August 29, 2021 Which 540i are you going to sell after you done with them? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter 407 Report post Posted August 29, 2021 Looking good mate - happy to give some pointers on pics once we can meet up. i'm also keen to check out Bluey in the metal. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adro 1080 Report post Posted August 29, 2021 Amazing! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted August 29, 2021 33 minutes ago, Eagle said: Which 540i are you going to sell after you done with them? That's the question I have no answer for lol.... everything is always for sale isn't it? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted September 6, 2021 Bluey going well - pulls very strong (until I ran out of road). Prior to that had a real dumbarse numnuts issue with rear brake pad... not the first time I've done that lol. Also trying on M5 wheels, painted engine hood to remove mankiness, and fixed a twisty seat, removing 20 years of coffee stains and sausage rolls at same time. Had some concave dents in rear passengers footwells where someone had used a jack, managed to massage those back into acceptable shape with a large hammer and block of 4by2.. WOF next before getting out the sandpaper... 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted September 9, 2021 On 8/30/2021 at 9:58 AM, hqstu said: That's the question I have no answer for lol.... everything is always for sale isn't it? Nope 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted October 3, 2021 ... and another - the price I could not refuse - and shod with M5 wheels - Individual Biarritz blue with extended leather / Premium DSP / rear blind / rear PDC / glass roof / heated seats etc. Needs a lot of love but will look to on sell in medium term once I've gone over it to some degree. Already sorted heaps of stuff, but with guide fragments in the oil pickup - timing chain guides will need doing... 9 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BozzaFC 300 Report post Posted October 3, 2021 Looks great! Are they genuine M5 wheels? Must be an import, given its high spec?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted October 3, 2021 2 hours ago, BozzaFC said: Looks great! Are they genuine M5 wheels? Must be an import, given its high spec?? Yes, genuine staggered, and yes, ex Japan. The car will be on sold with standard staggered sports 66's. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Young Thrash Driver 1020 Report post Posted October 4, 2021 You are running out of shades of blue paint to rescue. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted October 7, 2021 Well the latest biarritz 540 has failed a WOF on left front strut and right tie rod. The plan now is to give biarritz a few hand me downs of good parts from topaz and spoil topaz with new struts and tie rods. The exhausts will also be swapped over as I prefer the factory pipe out the back. The non factory exhaust currently on topaz is subtlety louder and sounds quite nice which hopefully will appeal to a buyer of biarritz... I've also replaced the upper rear suspension control arms and sway bar links on biarritz with some (much) better ones I had lying around (thanks Jared), and all the door cards / vapor barriers have been checked and re-secured. Sunroof closing issue fixed, it hadn't been closing since 2015 as the small wind deflector was sitting too high... simple 1 minute adjustment. Xenon headlights polished and adjusters replaced, tail lights replaced (thanks Adrian). Couple of PDC sensors replaced and all working now. Washer hoses to windscreen replaced. Rear brake hoses replaced. Leather recolouring is ongoing. Coming along nicely. The M5 wheels also have been sold. Standard sports 66's will find their way on. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted October 7, 2021 With biarritz also came a set of style 32 staggered wheels and I thought I'd throw them on topaz to see how they look. Once refurbed they may find their way onto titan. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted October 26, 2021 To be honest, with 3 540's sitting around, I don't know which way to look or what to do next... but Biarritz has been getting most of the attention. Adrian kindly posted up his old but still useable front struts, and Topaz has new tie rods for Biarritz to take the old ones... So Biarritz now has a WOF, license, wheel alignment, fresh new plates and is finally road legal after a bit of a break. Various component swaps (with Topaz) like exhausts, lights, trim, wheels have been going on. The rear lip spoiler was coming a bit unstuck so before I lost it, it was pulled off, awaiting some tape to arrive. The box of timing chain guides and associated parts has arrived, so next up I guess is opening up the front of the motor and getting into it... Been trying a bit of paint "correction" with ahh mixed results but will get there, the PDR man has also been and worked his magic over several panels - amazing work... I've also decided the Titan 540 is up for sale, so if anyone is interested in a pretty well sorted car (with timing guides, vanos, suspension, trans rebuild being highlights) then please PM me. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted January 14, 2022 No update for quite some time but things have been happening (quit my job just before Christmas, last day yesterday and have 3 weeks off before starting a new one in Feb... garage time...) and the Biarritz has been the main beneficiary... It now has better front seats fitted, a facelift steering wheel, windows that work, better grilles, the spare M5 wheels have been painted an Audi Mineral Gray and fitted, the spare M5 mirrors have been painted, and a mate gave me a front bumper in need of repairs etc. that is better than the existing. So I'm at the stage where fitting is about to happen... Also some vanos seals have been ordered, and next week I think I'll crack into the chain guides replacement. I need a daily work car for the new job and this one will be it I think, the others as backup... The Titan has developed an annoying oil leak that I can't quite sus, either a upper sump or lower timing cover, or maybe a bent lower sump. I've put it away in storage and forgotten about it for a while. I really need to fix that and a couple of paint defects before selling. 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted January 15, 2022 Wing mirrors are on: Plus Art v Imitation... 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted January 19, 2022 And now off road for the big job... as much time on cleaning as there is on the more fun stuff... 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted January 19, 2022 Fun job. Whats the plan other than changing chain guides? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted January 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Michael. said: Whats the plan Also VANOS Orings and sealing rings, and with intake off, I'll check the CCV system and do intake gaskets, water pipe Orings. Think I'll leave the water accumulator and heater hoses alone, all looks OK there. Need to flush out block and heater core of coolant and really just a damn good clean. Will also replace fuel filter and change out the rear suspension lower ball joints. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted January 22, 2022 Hey, I have this lying around if you want it, its NOS, and its for a 6 cylinder but you might be able to drill the rivets out and replace the dented bit on your one. PM me if you want it, I can put it on our truck next time its heading to Hamilton. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Young Thrash Driver 1020 Report post Posted January 23, 2022 3 hours ago, aja540i said: Hey, I have this lying around if you want it, its NOS, and its for a 6 cylinder but you might be able to drill the rivets out and replace the dented bit on your one. PM me if you want it, I can put it on our truck next time its heading to Hamilton. Nah don't modify it, it's past time he got into the 6 cylinders again 😎 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted February 19, 2022 OK, so Biarritz is all back on the road. Latest round of work included; Finishing timing chains, guides, tensioners, vanos seals. Intake manifold gaskets and all gaskets and O rings associated with getting into the engine... Then spark plugs, fuel filter, transmission mounts, and finally out the back for lower suspension ball joints and integral links. The engine is a bit cruddy internally so a few short interval oil changes coming up after some decent highway driving. Also the repaired and repainted front bumper (with new knockoff East European pork chops) has been fitted and it's quite an improvement on the old nose. M5 style grid. I'm pleased the colour match came up OK. My new spray gun worked great so gives me confidence to try more paint stuff... It's fair to say I'm liking this car - must be the colour... 11 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted March 7, 2022 This thread is equal parts inspiring and off-putting. Good on you for saving these beasts! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted March 7, 2022 On its first decent drive, the biarritz 540 held up in 3rd gear, and would not shift higher until I had stopped "spirited" driving and cruised for a while... Upon getting home I read the trans ecu with INPA and "temp sensor fault" was up. I suspect that the trans temp reached a point where the sensor faulted/spiked and the trans went into a protector mode to keep revs high thus oil flow high? It looks like I may need a new electrical harness for the trans as the temp sensor is integrated into the loom. Trying to get a trans shop to advise or look at it is difficult as everyone is getting sick... FCP and maybe DIY here I come... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1659 Report post Posted March 8, 2022 Id take it out of another run and monitor the transmission temp. INPA has reading for the t-stat etc also iirc. Maybe the heat exchanger might be partially blocked? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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