Join DateDec 2013LocationStuttgart GermanyPosts14My Cars1988 Alpina B10 3.5
I did my intro thread a week ago so now I'm starting what I hope will be a successful build/resto thread. If you don't want background/plans skip the next couple of paragraphs. A little background. I sold my B7 S4 about 6 months ago and ordered a C63 AMG 507 in July. Long story short MBUSA sold all their Sedan allocations and I did not get my car. The dealer called me in September and offered me a coupe instead. Coupes don't really fit into my life at the moment and the C63 coupe looks like a Honda Accord. There really aren't any "new" cars out there that have a lot of character in my opinion so I started looking for an older project car. I currently own a E90 335xi so I'm not a total newb to BMWs. I don't however have any experience in the older ones. Which brings me to my new project or "Gretchen" as my wife has named her. I have been looking at all the local sales both online and around Stuttgart looking for an interesting car to work on.
I had the following criteria. 1. It had to be a sedan or wagon. 2. I wanted the body work to be done. 3. It also must be at least 23 years old so that I may bring it back to the states in 2 years when I return. 4. It must be unique. As you can imagine finding a car that checks all those boxes requires patience. About 2 1/2 weeks ago I spotted an Alpina in the online ads. I called the guy who had started the restoration and was burnt out/girlfriend pressuring to sell. My wife and I drove a couple of hours south for a test drive on a Saturday. Car looks great and the body is good to go. I knew it needed some mechanical love but that didn't dissuade me. I call the guy on Sunday negotiated a price and picked it up Thursday the 19th. I had a great drive back from Bavaria back to Stuttgart enjoying the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn.
On to the plans
The car is in pretty good shape as is but there are numerous things that bug me and require attention. I want to get this car as reliable and close to show room condition as possible.
Known issues:
- No cats, the smell is horrible
- Complete suspension overhaul. It is tired!
- Both front seats rock and need adjusting
- New carpet
- Rear window shelf recovered
- Headliner recovered
- Door panels are coming apart
- Dash data logger/date display replaced. It has a few dead pixels
- New original radio
- Needs engine bay detail and some new powder coated pieces
- Has a lot of play in the gear shifter
- Has mismatched Headlights, will be all Euro
Scheduled maintenance and Parts that are ordered
- Jan 7th complete PPI/Safety check
- Ordered new carpet and sound insulation
- Ordered new Alpina suspension
- Ordered new Alpina floor mats
- Ordered new Alpina Steering wheel
- Ordered new control arms, bushings, bump stops, spring pads, mounts and tie rods
- Ordered new sub frame bushings
- New motor mounts and trans mount
- New Alpine receiver(plan to hide it eventually and put the original radio in once it's sourced)
- Found one rear new Alpina rim and snatched it up since they are no longer made
Planning on ordering within a week
- New brakes
- New clutch master cyl
- New catalyst
- New M5 clutch, flywheel, pressure plate
- E60 SSK
- Complete new HVAC system
- Summer tires
- Find and complete a new set of Alpina Rims
Depending on the PPI/Safety inspection will tell me if I need to overhaul the engine right now. If so I will freshen up the motor with some more power.
Stay tuned, I will be posting pictures and progress on a bi-weekly basis. I'll try for weekly but just being realistic.
I'll take any advice and am sure I will be asking questions. I took a couple of high resolution pictures yesterday and will get some more up.
Last edited by B10STG35; Today at 03:32 PM.
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The alpine interior is gorgeous. I just got a wallet in that color scheme modeled after it Why the new set of wheels? Those look perfect.
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Join DateOct 2008LocationFrom Maryland to New YorkPosts13,807My CarsBimmerlessItems for Sale
Looks like a great starting point, enjoy!
Join DateDec 2013LocationStuttgart GermanyPosts14My Cars1988 Alpina B10 3.5
The alpine interior is gorgeous. I just got a wallet in that color scheme modeled after it Why the new set of wheels? Those look perfect.
They are but I'd like to have a spare set 1 for winters and 1 for summers. By law we are required to have winters here from Oct - April. I don't drive it all that much in winter but I really like these wheels. Don't even feel like I need HREs or anything. These look great.
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