E39’s-different flavours & a ST Fiesta
Discussion
With both e39's sorn'd I didn't have anything to play with....I had always fancied a mountune carbon fibre intake for the ST but at £500 I just couldn't bring myself to pay (Scottish etc....). Had an idea! Nick one of the Carbon Simota intakes off an e39 and see if it fits. Really didn't think it would. Quick measure up and an hour of phaffing and all sorted. Cheeky test drive, nice an quiet still at low revs and lots of huffing and turbo noises at full chat. It genuinely felt a little more responsive than the sealed mountune air box too which I really wasn't expecting. It still has cold air feeding into it from the standard intake tube but also get cold air directly through the grill next to the headlight. Heh, it stopped me annoying mrs sticky for a couple of hours....
Fits in there just so!
Fits in there just so!
Heh-heh, just a bit of daft fun!
This is the touring taking a well earned rest after dragging all this clobber up to the highlands in the summer. Obviously pre wheels but also before I did the suspension bits too. Interestingly it gave about the same fuel consumption towing (23 mpg) as the SAAB Aero wagon, Brabus E class wagon & Audi A7 Bi turbo (crap!!).
Had to work the revs in ye olde 525i a bit more mind!
This is the touring taking a well earned rest after dragging all this clobber up to the highlands in the summer. Obviously pre wheels but also before I did the suspension bits too. Interestingly it gave about the same fuel consumption towing (23 mpg) as the SAAB Aero wagon, Brabus E class wagon & Audi A7 Bi turbo (crap!!).
Had to work the revs in ye olde 525i a bit more mind!
Touring came out of hibernation a few weeks back. Was definitely a bit grumpy to begin with but sailed through the mot. A few hours later, the EML lit up, so tried fresh fuel and an Italian tune up. Seemed to work but then returned......Plugging in showed 'fuel trim both banks', hmm, checked for vacuum leaks and found a small grommet at the back of the head that had split. Bargain, quick repair and all good hopefully. Nailed the caravan on the back for a Highlands adventure and got 15.5mpg.......bugger etc. Few more of the same EML over the week, cleared and reset adaptations and got 20mpg coming home which is more like it.
Fitted a new MAF (VDO/Continental) which was a 1/4 of the price of an original yesterday, cleared everything and it's driving better than ever so I think the original MAF was always on the way out. It was giving almost 30 mpg yesterday and feels much more sprightly so hopefully that's sorted that! All the new suspension made for a much better towing experience other than the economy....
Alpina B10 still hiding in the garage as the weather is still s
te.....
Fitted a new MAF (VDO/Continental) which was a 1/4 of the price of an original yesterday, cleared everything and it's driving better than ever so I think the original MAF was always on the way out. It was giving almost 30 mpg yesterday and feels much more sprightly so hopefully that's sorted that! All the new suspension made for a much better towing experience other than the economy....
Alpina B10 still hiding in the garage as the weather is still s
te.....Always amazed at how some fresh oil & an oil filter can make an engine sound so much quieter. Some fresh Millers into the Touring, reset the service lights and checked for any codes. Nothing coming up so the replacement MAF seems to be doing just nicely. We are now up to the grand total of 52k miles...!
ST got the same treatment but with Motul specific, genuine Fordy filter & plugs. It had only done 3k miles (10 months ago) since the last oil change but seems it needed it.
ST got the same treatment but with Motul specific, genuine Fordy filter & plugs. It had only done 3k miles (10 months ago) since the last oil change but seems it needed it.
Yep, now the MAF is doing what it's supposed to it has got that top end zingy-ness back that went awol.
I looked into supercharging it a lot last year with the Infinitas kit but after watching Stretten (M539) suffering high intake temps due to the lack of an I/C I decided to leave alone. They are now selling modded s58 charge coolers for the M54 to help but you end up around £8k which is just too much really.
I looked into supercharging it a lot last year with the Infinitas kit but after watching Stretten (M539) suffering high intake temps due to the lack of an I/C I decided to leave alone. They are now selling modded s58 charge coolers for the M54 to help but you end up around £8k which is just too much really.
I know there was a grey B10 V8 up around that way because the chap traded it in for a camper van...The chap that owned the blue one in the pic bought that grey V8 and then flogged it (he does that...). There used to be a green e31 850 Csi that lived at the far end of Carnoustie opposite the football pitches, not sure if it's still there these days.
The garage in the picture is next door to Ashton Motors who is the indy around here (Dundee). Gordon who runs Ashton is old school and only does older stuff upto and including e39s. He is worth dropping in on for a chat.
The garage in the picture is next door to Ashton Motors who is the indy around here (Dundee). Gordon who runs Ashton is old school and only does older stuff upto and including e39s. He is worth dropping in on for a chat.
Wakey Wakey! After what seem like ages finally fired up the B10 at the weekend, fresh oil & filter, pressures sorted ready to tax for the beginning of May...........and it's just started pishing down....again....
Some new bits ordered up, so will post up once they arrive. Can also recommend Infinity Wax Plastic coat stuff, seems to work well on the unpainted black plastic bits.
Some new bits ordered up, so will post up once they arrive. Can also recommend Infinity Wax Plastic coat stuff, seems to work well on the unpainted black plastic bits.
Never thought about the boot shape, but yes, it's a proper box. Meanwhile, sunshine up here today, so B10 taxed and out for a few hours to blow out the cobwebs and see if everything still works. I've been driving electric hatches (SEAT Mii/BMW i3) just about all winter and whilst they are fine in their own way, the crescendo of B10 V8 through 2nd & 3rd is a whole different experience entirely.
The Simota & Supersprint have given a still very subtle increase in noise that's still quieter than most things but a good balance for an Alpina. Need to try and record something!
The Simota & Supersprint have given a still very subtle increase in noise that's still quieter than most things but a good balance for an Alpina. Need to try and record something!
Before we went back to a caravan ours would look like this;
Even with the barfing beagle & McWestie we would still sneak a couple of scooters & some bags into the boot with plenty of room left. Split tailgate super handy too!
With the fresh Sachs dampers on, the SLS kept all this lot level up and down the A9;
Even with the barfing beagle & McWestie we would still sneak a couple of scooters & some bags into the boot with plenty of room left. Split tailgate super handy too!
With the fresh Sachs dampers on, the SLS kept all this lot level up and down the A9;
Meanwhile, in B10 world I have a boring thread alert!
I still can't believe what this cost me, but every time I opened the boot I knew it was missing and I was faced with just a sea of BMW grey......so;.....
....I'm now going off to have a bloomin' good talk with myself, It is at least genuine and in really good nick to be fair and matches the the floor mats you actually see inside the thing...
OCD 1: Wallet Nil....
I still can't believe what this cost me, but every time I opened the boot I knew it was missing and I was faced with just a sea of BMW grey......so;.....
....I'm now going off to have a bloomin' good talk with myself, It is at least genuine and in really good nick to be fair and matches the the floor mats you actually see inside the thing...
OCD 1: Wallet Nil....
That's what I keep telling myself Dan!
Finally removed the All season Goodyears from the ST. They have completed the last 2 winters with utter aplomb and done total of 14 months over that time. They have been brilliant and it's not often I say that about stuff. Despite being just 15" diameter and narrower than the stock 18's they still handle the grunt the wee ST can put out.
Back to the slightly jiggly slow speed ride for now from the MPSS tyres (factory original still), I might consider GoodYear replacements for them when the time comes. Wheels got scrubbed & waxed inside and out and some tyre candy too.
Finally removed the All season Goodyears from the ST. They have completed the last 2 winters with utter aplomb and done total of 14 months over that time. They have been brilliant and it's not often I say that about stuff. Despite being just 15" diameter and narrower than the stock 18's they still handle the grunt the wee ST can put out.
Back to the slightly jiggly slow speed ride for now from the MPSS tyres (factory original still), I might consider GoodYear replacements for them when the time comes. Wheels got scrubbed & waxed inside and out and some tyre candy too.
Totally agree Dan, brother has the 6's on his ST Focus and rates them too.
In B10 land, a package of 'bits' is en-route from BMR performance to compliment the parts fitted over last summer so will post up when they get here.
Last years bits;
Also have a couple of tins of a/c top up. I have used this on both e39s last couple of years and it works fine. One day I'll investigate the leak though....!
In B10 land, a package of 'bits' is en-route from BMR performance to compliment the parts fitted over last summer so will post up when they get here.
Last years bits;
Also have a couple of tins of a/c top up. I have used this on both e39s last couple of years and it works fine. One day I'll investigate the leak though....!
M5 sounds nice! The £5k banger long gone as you say. Guy up this way has a charged one too, big alloy plenum and it does sound the part too. Wasn't the easiest thing to fit apparently (came from Evolve) with some parts needing some err adjustment.....
Got Falkens on the touring and I think they are ideal for that.
Got Falkens on the touring and I think they are ideal for that.
Last year, things got 'a bit spendy' in B10 world what with a full set of arms, bushes & the Supersprint manifolds.
Now full disclosure, I didn't even attempt to fit any of that lot and the Alpina disappeared for over 2 months mainly due to the manifolds not exactly being plug & play like they are supposed to be.....
Fast forward to this 'summer', Ever since purchasing The B10 I could feel that the dampers were probably past their best. Two owners back, the chap had new springs fitted which would have helped but a spring can only do so much. I kept looking into dampers and the limited places that seems able to supply and then around a year ago Barry (BMR/ M5 wagon fame) posted up that fronts were NLA. Last year's plan was to freshen up all the flubbery bits underneath, (bushes, arms, sub frame bushings, track rods etc etc). My thinking was, give it a year and maybe Alpina will see sense and organise some new stock.
I looked into various options and then contacted Barry @BMR. He informed me that it wasn't just fronts that were NLA but the rears too..... :roll: He has put M5 dampers onto his own B10 as he feels that they are the closest to oe that you can get and for the B10 at least much closer in spec than B8's, Konis etc. In fact part numbers are apparently the same..... I decided to bite the bullet and asked him to organise a full set of M5 dampers to use with Alpina springs and genuine top mounts, bump stops, spring pads all round.
After a few weeks the kit arrived (see pic below). In an ideal world, only Alpina would do but, if the dampers are shot then a decision has to be made.
Time to get the spanners out!
Now full disclosure, I didn't even attempt to fit any of that lot and the Alpina disappeared for over 2 months mainly due to the manifolds not exactly being plug & play like they are supposed to be.....
Fast forward to this 'summer', Ever since purchasing The B10 I could feel that the dampers were probably past their best. Two owners back, the chap had new springs fitted which would have helped but a spring can only do so much. I kept looking into dampers and the limited places that seems able to supply and then around a year ago Barry (BMR/ M5 wagon fame) posted up that fronts were NLA. Last year's plan was to freshen up all the flubbery bits underneath, (bushes, arms, sub frame bushings, track rods etc etc). My thinking was, give it a year and maybe Alpina will see sense and organise some new stock.
I looked into various options and then contacted Barry @BMR. He informed me that it wasn't just fronts that were NLA but the rears too..... :roll: He has put M5 dampers onto his own B10 as he feels that they are the closest to oe that you can get and for the B10 at least much closer in spec than B8's, Konis etc. In fact part numbers are apparently the same..... I decided to bite the bullet and asked him to organise a full set of M5 dampers to use with Alpina springs and genuine top mounts, bump stops, spring pads all round.
After a few weeks the kit arrived (see pic below). In an ideal world, only Alpina would do but, if the dampers are shot then a decision has to be made.
Time to get the spanners out!
Hope so fella!!
Strip down time which is a faff & a half;
Boot trim out
Back seat;
Rear shelf, rear speakers, C pillar trims; the rear shelf has somewhat bleached, it should be dark green! Fabric paint on the way.
Removed the speaker grills and rear vents which were minging (technical term), scrubbed with BH surfex and rinsed.
Strip down time which is a faff & a half;
Boot trim out
Back seat;
Rear shelf, rear speakers, C pillar trims; the rear shelf has somewhat bleached, it should be dark green! Fabric paint on the way.
Removed the speaker grills and rear vents which were minging (technical term), scrubbed with BH surfex and rinsed.
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