M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: longtallsally on September 23, 2009, 08:35:48 PM
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I decided on the mighty M42 over the M20 in my latest E30.
I've spent a good portion of today going over it. Paint is about a 6 and interior is about 7.5. I have beaucoup plans and have lurked a bunch on this site as a point of reference. I'll try to update as I get stuff done.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/photos/658941839_bSi85-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/photos/658942530_8Bj65-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/photos/658942566_q9uKr-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/photos/658942685_C8W4g-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/photos/658942812_PJgF8-L.jpg)
It's a good start and my dream color, so it will be a nice project to take on and make mine.
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Nice. The interior and exterior colors go well together. Good luck with it.
How many miles?
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184k. PO went through the motor quite a bit on some of the important stuff: timing chain replaced, guide rails, tensioner. He also just completely redid all the suspension bushings and put in the exact spring and shock combo I was planning.
Basically the plans are to finish getting the AC working, install a 13 button OBC, cruise control, and a maplight mirror. Probably a new stereo after that and we'll see from there. I guess some wheels and I'd like to eventually change the interior to black.
The only maintenance other than the AC will be to correctly wire the ellipsoids (PO didn't run the jumper between the relays) and a few other little bits.
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That was exactly the way mine looked before the high desert south of you in barstow annihilated it. Windows were snowed and top half of the clear coat was blast beaded on FT. Irwin about 10 years ago. I have not taken it to a paint shop because they want about 2500 just to paint it original. Stupid. Just stupid. Some day she will be done again. Looks good by the way.
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I guess I'll post an update.
So I just got everything back together yesterday for a bunch of upgrades. I installed:
- maplight rear view mirror
- cruise control
- 13 OBC
- "new" dash
- power sunroof
- correct "is" front spoiler
- new Kenwood Excelon KDC-993 head unit
- premium speakers all around ($10 a piece from a yard and they sound AMAZING)
- M tech 1 steering wheel
I also took every AC line out of the car, flushed those and the condenser and evaporator, and put in a new expansion valve. I reinstalled only to find a low pressure line going from the bay to the cab dead. I just put in another one and still need to refill to make sure the system works.
Today I'll be putting in a new diff as I found a small case 4.10 lsd!
Next will be SS brake lines and good fluid.
My long term projects are still some smiley headlights, recover of the interior (I want to change it to black) and if we keep the car long enough, do the paint and body.
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Nice ride. Yours would really look nice with the euro bumper trim (eliminates the driving lights).
You going to put on a front lip? If so, might go with the volvo one.
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How about an Mtech wheel? The lack thereof is about the only thing I'm not jealous of in your iS :D. And the centercaps for your bbses? Damn that's an awesome car!
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OK, well progress continues. I have a thread on E30tech also: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84891
But here are the latest updates: I've welded a broken seat bracket, put in new half shafts, drive shaft, rear wheel bearings, and smiley lights (that I wired CORRECTLY). I'm in Germany now as well and have easy junk yard access to all the cool parts everyone raves about and pays a fortune for.
I also recovered the M Tech steering wheel in new leather, and have the caliper rebuild kits as well as SS lines to put in. I'm waiting for rotors and pads to do the brakes as I want to clean up and paint the calipers too.
There are a number of other little things like doing the LED light bar for the OBC, jumping the relays for independent fog lights and high beams to work correctly.
My next obsession after the brakes is going to be sound deadening. I'll be doing Raamat as it is the best bang for the buck and I don't want to have my car smell like a roof- it is black after all. My big goals for this car were economy and comfort in a package that is a hoot to drive. Part of comfort is quiet, so I'll be adding a substantial amount throughout the car.
Once that is done, I'll start to focus more on finishing getting all the cold weather package stuff together and installed before winter here. That will include heated mirrors and installing the heated seat stuff- which will mean most likely going through the recovering process. Also, I'll be installing the heated washer nozzles and getting the heated door lock setup installed.
Wheels and tires will be about this time and the basketweaves will be relegated to winter duty here and probably eventually track/autocross duty once I get home. After wheels and tires I'll start to direct my focus to the engine bay. The car runs great- much of why I bought it as I don't know the M42 all that well- but I'll be doing things like massive clean up to start moving to an electric fan, high temp thermostat, COP conversion and possibly removing the heater plate for the throttle body. I've already dropped the lower oil pan and sorted out that debacle (only 3 bolts laying in mine) and as I mentioned, the timing stuff has been done. After that, I'll be looking for a motor to rebuild over time and eventually install.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG6991/909914944_pFAPo-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG6993/909915909_3ifqp-L.jpg)
Excuse the sand blasting of the front end, but the German winters are HARSH. Paint and body will be done when I get back to the States in a couple years.
Recently I scored some cool stuff at a junk yard like full heated seat setup (harness, switches, elements), heated washer nozzles and full harness, rear foglight setup, and a ski pass through rear seat. I'll try to post updates, but check the E30tech one to keep up to date...
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Super clean car!
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Wouldn't happen to have a pic of the jumper needed to make the headlights work correctly would you?
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Wouldn't happen to have a pic of the jumper needed to make the headlights work correctly would you?
I actually got it from searching on this forum. So the way I wanted the lights to work are for the fog lights to work with the parking (and city) lights as well as with the high beams when the headlights are on.
This took 2 different jumpers across 3 relays (it's not a big deal). First, to get the high beams to work correctly after converting from sealed beams to elipsoids or smileys or whatever, you will need to jump terminal 30 on relays K3 and K4 (the low and high beam relays). To do this, just put them side by side on a workspace in the same manner they plug in to the fuse panel. Turn that upside down and your terminals are labeled on the underside of the relays. Take a very short piece of wire and carefully solder it to those terminals all the way at the base of the relays. Then, install them as a unit back into the fuse panel being careful not to break your solder or push too hard to activate the relays when you don't want to. You can also pull the fuse panel up and run a jumper underneath, but that is a bit more permanent and dangerous in my opinion.
You probably know this, but it is due to the sealed beams having a dual filament bulb in the low beam. Turning on the high beams cuts power to the low beam filament and subsequently the low beam circuit thus turning them off when you switch to an elipsoid setup. When you jump terminal 30 on the relays, it keeps power to the low beams when you switch on the high beams. There are a number of writeups around on this.
For the foglights, I wanted to be able to be a little more visible in tunnels here than just the city lights, but didn't want to turn the full on headlights on (plus the ricer in me thinks it looks kinda cool). This is done by jumping terminals 85 and 30 on relay K8 (fog light relay). It is important to bend down terminal 85 so it does not connect.
http://m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25280&postcount=21
That should sort you out. It took all of a 1/2 hour to solder all of these and it is easily reversible even though there is no way I'd put the car back to sealed beams.
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You're a complete idiot with a POS car. :p
:D How you doing? I'll put a profile here myself once I get the wheels on the car. Then you can return the insult!
When I tell you that LTS has serious OCD issues and puts together incredible vehicles, I am dead serious. The Jeep in the background of the first picture was a piece of 4x4 art. I've also heard about his previous E30 and how awesome it was too. This is going to be an amazing car when he's done with it.
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New shoes today! I got a really good deal and couldn't pass these up (and they were less than half what I had budgeted for wheels & tires).
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/file/952708716_baWkc-XL.jpg)
They need to be refinished pretty bad, but I think they are way trick and I'm pretty sure OEM, but just not available in the States. Total, I'm just about $2k under budget! WOOHOO!
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New shoes today! I got a really good deal and couldn't pass these up (and they were less than half what I had budgeted for wheels & tires).
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/file/952708716_baWkc-XL.jpg)
They need to be refinished pretty bad, but I think they are way trick and I'm pretty sure OEM, but just not available in the States. Total, I'm just about $2k under budget! WOOHOO!
I wondered how long it'd be before you posted 'em up. :D
What size are they? They look like 16"
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I wondered how long it'd be before you posted 'em up. :D
What size are they? They look like 16"
Couldn't help it. I'm really happy with how they look- first time that I really decided on a rim I wanted, AND a good deal.
They are 15s, and I think 15x7, but I need to check the tire size- I'll post them up tomorrow. The pic is with the car TOTALLY loaded and we rubbed a good bit on the way home.
Ironically, the tires are MUCH more quiet than the Yokahamas on the 'weaves, which is very welcome.
On the bummer front, I lost the auction for a full headlight washer system today. Oh well, at least I got something else.
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I thought I'd take a couple more pics of the car with the new wheels as I washed it today.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7060/953454864_SS6yq-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7061/953455355_G2jeH-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7062/953456070_UYHdk-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7063/953456508_e7pqA-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7064/953456985_rDGNz-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7065/953457393_rgtQ8-XL.jpg)
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Dig the new wheels. :D They're wider than I thought too.
You should at least paint your front lip, it looks ghetto with that big ol' white rash. Just sayin :D
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Yeah I know. I had some SEM stuff, but I couldn't move over here with it. However, the whole front end of the car is thrashed from last winter.
All the white you see all over the place is generally me just literally slathering cheap wax- turtle wax I think- as a means of just trying to keep rust away. There is NO rust on the car, and I'd like to keep it that way to make the eventual paint job devoid of bodywork beyond simple dent repair.
Based on these pics, though, I'm excited to get it painted. I'm planning on doing all the prep myself as I've never done bodywork myself. Once we get back to CA and I don't need a car any longer, I'll just go panel by panel; sand, fill, sand, sand, sand, sand... I know I can't paint at home, but I think I might be able to do the primer, or some of it. If I can get that mostly done, and possibly just go to paint panel by panel, I might end up with a heck of a nice paint job without spending $5k.
My plan is to paint doors, hood, bumpers, front valence, and probably fenders separately (albeit at the same time), and then take- or get- the car to the shop last to get the shell done with all trim and glass removed.
This process will leave the car pretty darn near done at that point (none of this will be done until we are back in CA which could be anywhere from under a year to a couple years). It will truly be a heck of a nice car at that point as the only piece of the ENTIRE automobile left to be done, will be an engine rebuild.
The engine rebuild will be a process I'm equally excited for as the bodywork since I've never done more than tear an engine down and replace parts.
I'm getting to the point that I'm enjoying myself with the car since I'm past some of the real annoying stuff.
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I did a little work today on my rear fog light. This might help some folks understand how it works. Of course I'm cheating and am using all German spec parts.
Prior to starting out, I finally put in the 2nd trunk light. I didn't take any other pics as it is really straight forward; simply solder the wires on to the existing light and you are good to go.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7247/978622043_6h3He-XL.jpg)
This is the German spec housing I picked up last week.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7229/978612632_u7pRm-XL.jpg)
I also grabbed the plug to make it easier.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7230/978613234_BAe2w-XL.jpg)
I ended up cutting a couple of the wires out of the plug and simply snapping the wire into the existing plug as there is an opening on the US spec plug that is where the OEM fog light hot wire goes.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7231/978613840_cUEh8-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7245/978621455_yBSdf-XL.jpg)
This is the US spec tail light housing and the German spec next to each other.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7232/978614938_Zbrh2-XL.jpg)
US spec
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7233/978615415_dykV4-XL.jpg)
German spec
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7234/978616110_ZjBp3-XL.jpg)
German spec
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7235/978616848_HVah3-XL.jpg)
US spec
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7236/978617512_D4awU-XL.jpg)
Here are the switches
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7237/978618381_JZiZc-XL.jpg)
The German spec one has the prongs that go diagonally.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7238/978618915_oKLGx-XL.jpg)
Interestingly they both have just 4 wires plugged into them. I still need to study the wiring diagram to know which ones are which as I'm planning on putting a light in the cluster to indicate the rear fog light is on.
So I cut out a couple of the wires from the German spec plug out. The US and German spec plugs are the same and there are openings if I need more wires for the cluster.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7239/978619546_a7RGC-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7246/978622657_KGyDy-XL.jpg)
In actual lights themselves, the US spec ones have the hole for the rear fog light plugged.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7248/978620416_9PLAh-XL.jpg)
All I did was cut out the plug with a dremel.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7249/978620951_JaX5d-XL.jpg)
So that's all I got for an update today. I ran the hot wire for the rear fog light to the cab, but didn't end up having time to pull the cluster to start working on the rest of it.
In my junkyard run last week I picked up another perfect seat with the crazy material and I'm just going to use those in my recover. I also got a whole new front bumper with German spec bumper trim that was even diamond schwartz, so I'll be putting that on shortly.
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I'm really loving those wheels. They go so well with the car. IMO I would leave the tan interior, as it sets everything off nicely. A quick question, those are H&R sport springs, correct?
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Yes, H&R sport. Perfect compromise for me as I've had everything from bone stock to 450 & 600 GC Eibachs.
I know what you mean about the tan. However, I've never liked the tan interior in the E30- actually always hated it- and I think the new seats will be pretty cool and offer just a touch of contrast.
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Yes, H&R sport. Perfect compromise for me as I've had everything from bone stock to 450 & 600 GC Eibachs.
I know what you mean about the tan. However, I've never liked the tan interior in the E30- actually always hated it- and I think the new seats will be pretty cool and offer just a touch of contrast.
I liked light interiors in dark colored cars, and dark colored interiors in light colored cars. And I just always hated grey interior. Another note on the suspension, not to threadjack or anything, but would you know how big of a deal it is to put in H&R sports meant for a 6 into a 4 cylinder e30?
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I liked light interiors in dark colored cars, and dark colored interiors in light colored cars. And I just always hated grey interior. Another note on the suspension, not to threadjack or anything, but would you know how big of a deal it is to put in H&R sports meant for a 6 into a 4 cylinder e30?
Yeah I guess my affinity for German cars started on how purposeful the dark interiors are, regardless of exterior color. I've seen really nice tan interiors, but I dunno, I guess I like to be surrounded in darkness and just look out when I drive at night. Whatever, I'm strange.
On the suspension, it shouldn't be any different than the 6 cyl machines. My only concern would be that the springs may sit the car a touch higher as I've heard the rates are just a bit different. I have no proof or experience with that, and it's been a while since I've done a suspension in an E30, but I do recall this for some reason. I put the same type of springs in my last E30 (325is) and it had the same height in the front. The car I have now came with the shocks and springs already done.
The process is really simple:
1- jack and remove front wheels
2- use the correct tool, or some huge flippin vice grips like me :) to remove the shock nut on the strut housing (this saves you from fighting it after you get the assembly out- darn things are unruly)
3- pull the caliper,rotor, abs sensor and brake pad sensor (driver side)
4- remove the tie rod and control arm ball joint nuts (you hopefully know the drill on not mangling things unless you're replacing them)
5- remove the 3 nuts up top
6- remove the strut
7- (hope you have a gun or the "special tool") put on your spring compressors with mild tension (just to keep from shooting junk all over creation) and pull the shock nut up top.
If you are putting in new strut bearings, or camber plates or drop hats or the like, those get done and the rest is basically reverse of removal. Don't get too nuts with the gun on the shock nut holding down the strut bearing for fear of making it a total bear to remove in the future.
Hope that helps.
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A little more progress. I took the cluster out and did a bit of prep for the wiring there. As it turns out the extra US spec fog light switch is very similar to the German spec one.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7251/988491028_5x9Eo-L.jpg)
The wiring will be easy as well.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7250/988490473_cRmEi-L.jpg)
This is my solution to the indicator on the dash.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7252/988491861_cmhS5-L.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/318is/IMG7253/988492763_r3oHT-L.jpg)
Next is to finish the wiring.
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^^^^ I wonder if we have a new source for Euro parts?....LMAO
Nice work...The right parts do make it easier...
Dan
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^^^^ I wonder if we have a new source for Euro parts?....LMAO
Nice work...The right parts do make it easier...
Dan
I seriously would love to do it, but I'd get in beaucoup trouble as I've been specifically told not to; my wife works for the gubment.
I'm going to try to get everything more or less done today, so we'll see...
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quick question, what is a "rear" fog light? When I think of fog lights, I assume they are mounted low on the front for driving in reduced visibility, are the rears for brighter identification during same? Hopefully you will get a chance to post some pics when you are done.
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quick question, what is a "rear" fog light? When I think of fog lights, I assume they are mounted low on the front for driving in reduced visibility, are the rears for brighter identification during same? Hopefully you will get a chance to post some pics when you are done.
Over in Europe they (are required to?) have a single red (duh) fog light to the rear. That helps increase your conspicuity to drivers behind you. Some US cars have this too, Audis do and maybe others.
I had a Euro delivery M3 for a while and it had a rear fog. It was in the driver's side brake lights where a red reflector is on US models. It was a great way to fend off tailgaters since they had no idea what the single bright red light meant. :D
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Well guys and gals, my time is coming to an end with this E30. A number of factors have come into play, but I've decided to sell it. Basically, it is too much of a PITA to work on a car in Germany, it will be too expensive to ship home, we have a new toy to work on as a project, and most importantly my wife and I are expecting a baby.
There are a number of stipulations with us living here, one of which is that we are only aloud to register 3 cars here. With the baby on the way the third car needs to be family oriented.
Also, the new toy is about as cool as I've ever seen:
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-jCv6NC6/0/XL/DSCN0930-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-hZZwjQW/0/XL/DSCN0929-XL.jpg)
We just got a new hard top for it as well (IMPOSSIBLE to find and $$$$$$$$).
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-KrCRkR3/0/XL/DSC0924-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-57zxtKX/0/XL/DSC0927-XL.jpg)
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-Z2nKpLZ/0/XL/DSC0929-XL.jpg)
Here is how it currently sits. I've stripped a bunch of parts to uncover how bad the rust is (pretty bad) but already have a line on panels that should be pretty easy to replace.
(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-T9jkLnh/0/XL/DSC0629-XL.jpg)
Many may not even know what it is. Specifically, it is a 1985 Mercedes 300GD Cabrio. 4 speed n/a 5 cyl diesel, selectable front and rear lockers, solid axles, and a massive top speed of maybe 70 mph. We don't know the total history of it, but are pretty sure it was initially sold in Italy and then ended up here in Germany at some point.
I knew NOTHING of them until my wife found it and wanted it. I've since started a bunch of research (you guys know me) and it is ultra rare even for Germany. It is over 25 years old so we get to bring it back without the federalization nightmare. The end goal is to be able to run on straight vegetable oil, biodiesel, or straight diesel. Fuel economy is incredible at 22mpg and we've not a clue as to how many miles are on it since the odometer turns over 100k km (we think it's around 280k- with 80k showing currently).
The list of cool things about it are too long to list, but it is the complete antithesis of modern machines and is the quintessential example of simplicity and functionality; there is even a little hand pump on the fuel pump to prime the system if for some reason you remove a fuel line or the like.
Bottom line, I might be back some day as my love for E30s has not dwindled. I may post a FS ad here as a matter of course as I think you can get a car shipped to the east coast for under $1k, but it may not be worth it as the car is not totally perfect cosmetically and I expect a fairly simple and quick sale here.
Take care everyone!
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That's a bunch of good news...congrats on your new additions! While I'm sorry to see you leave the e30 fold, I expect you'll get the itch again.
Thanks for the update. Post some ads about parts before you leave...I'm sure a lot of newer members might be tempted by some parts from over the pond.
I didn't know they made that in a short wheelbase version, what an unusual and fun little beast. That diesel is unbelievably durable. The Gelandewagon is an unusual bird, that's for sure. M-B did build those to last; I hope spares aren't as pricey as I've heard. You can always ask the USMC or CAF for parts, eh?
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(http://longtallsallygs.smugmug.com/Cars/G-Wagen/i-jCv6NC6/0/XL/DSCN0930-XL.jpg)
At first glance I thought it was a Mitsu Pajero:D.
I guess the SOFAs in most European host countries are limiting the number of (untaxed?) vehicles you can own. I ran into that problem in Naples (Italy) when I found an E30 318is I really wanted, so I had a friend register it in her name and I drove it. In Spain I owned two bikes and three cars, but I hear it's limited to three now.
Why is it a PITA to work on a car in Germany? TUV laws?
Regardless, if I were faced with the same decision I'd go with the MB. Like Dave said, I'm sure you'll be back!
P.S. Save some room in your HHG shipment for BMW parts;)
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Thanks guys.
The G is really as cool as I could ever ask for. It's a very rare animal even for over here. They actually are built in Graz, Austria by Puch and have from day one all been hand built. Originally they were designed as a military vehicle and this is that variety, not the tarted up gas guzzlers built today. Based on it being a diesel, it is very highly sought after in the states and we could sell it as is for a good bit more than we paid for it as is.
Part go from mild to wild. A steering box is over $1k and the previous owner just paid 1800 euro to have the injection pump rebuilt. The hard top we just got is 3500 euro (not including all hardware) new!!!! However, other parts are really on par with a typical 4x4, so not too horrible.
The drive train on the one we got is really in pretty good shape, and the rust is really all that needs to be tended to. So the 318 was my adventure in learning AC systems, and it seems this one will be my venture in learning body work- which I guess is good based on all the straight edges on the vehicle.
Working on a car here in Germany sucks b/c it's actually illegal unless you are in a shop. And the shop where I get access to a lift gets expensive quick as I get charged by the hour. That and shlepping my tools back and forth really takes the fun out of it. Honestly, I really dislike Germany and living here after this experience and can't wait to go home and have true freedom and not an overly regulated borg-like, oppressive existence.
So when space and time allow in the future, I may get another E30 and sort it out as my love for them has not died, but for right now I'm getting back to my roots and will be ordering a new Wrangler Rubicon (Unlimited, 'natch) once we decide when we'll be back home. I'll try to stop back from time to time...
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Originally they were designed as a military vehicle and this is that variety, not the tarted up gas guzzlers built today. Based on it being a diesel, it is very highly sought after in the states and we could sell it as is for a good bit more than we paid for it as is.
LOL, if only most people over here in the states would admit their "SUV" is nothing more than an overpriced station wagon. For asphalt-only use a FWD minivan with traction control has it all over every SUV for sport or utility. The average SUV is nearly helpless off-road, along with being fuelish, top-heavy and relatively unsafe in collisions with other large vehicles. Your G is a great example of buying something fun & unique instead of what all the other drones are driving this year. Furthermore, why is it so rare to find diesel and/or manual transmission SUV's? The torque of a diesel is a perfect match with utility vehicles, particularly for towing.
:D I showed your car to my seven-year-old son...he immediately said "It's not a BMW!" I explained what it was, he's OK with it now. I think he's mulling over the removable top...not sure if it's fun or dangerous...
I'll try to stop back from time to time...
Here's hoping. You make excellent contributions. Is there a "G" klub?