The Bimmer Basement

[TX4runner]

Just saw in bimmerlife that the Vintage date has been moved to September. I guess that will give you even more time for driving it before going but I know you were excited for the May date.


https://bimmerlife.com/2021/04/10/t...the-fitchburg-swap-and-impossible-inspection/



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[sbosecker]

I have a friend that has been battling his insurance company for almost 2 years over a "Totaled" 2 door 5 speed cherokee. He got backed into in a parking lot and they said, "ok its totaled, here is a check for $2500." It was a clean super low mileage version that would probably bring 10-12k on Bring a Trailer. He has refused the claim but they already told the state the car is totaled and he is having to hide the car from them. The insurance company has sent several tow trucks to get the car and he has managed to dodge them. Granted this is USAA and its in California but I am worried about something like that.


I think the damage is something I can fix at this point. I will end up buying a new wheel, but I think I can save the paint. I also have a very nice gift coming from a friend that works at a large detailing company. He felt bad about the tornado, car and wash bay so I have a care package coming.

Nick,

I believe you are prudent to be cautious... Sounds like you are not with USAA so your results may vary but I've been with them for 40 years. The condensed version is, "They've changed".

They've decided that they want to run with the "Big Boys" and their service has suffered. My wife had an issue with a rental car where the agency was blaming her for something that had almost certainly occurred in the previous rental (car was driven through a flooded area and did some engine damage). We informed USAA of the issue but asked them to wait on doing anything while we tried to put the blame where it belonged. USAA just sent them a check immediately. This response is probably a concern with most of the large Insurance companies. Time is money and throughput is paramount.

...and you're dealing with a stranger as opposed to someone you have a relationship with.

I get it, all of the above is more efficient, but humans don't seem to have much control of the situation these days. Once the button gets pushed it's too hard for someone to reset the machine back to the starting point.

Good luck with your repairs.

Best regards,

Scott

 

[Arclitgold]

Glad you’re back at home!!


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[Mpower5266]

Thank you all for the comments. Its been a crazy few days since my last post. I will start with house updates. Last Saturday we finally got some help with our trees. We called and/or met with several tree companies and got no where so my wife reached out to some church groups. An Atlanta area church came by a made short work of the trees.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I tried to help them but they told me they were all trained and I didnt have the correct safety gear, so I let them work. We are going to make a pretty sizeable (for us) donation to them next week. Since I couldnt help, I found something else to do but more on that later.

Sunday I flew back down to Florida for the airshow. Got up at 4am to get on the plane, and finally stopped working at about 10pm. Then got up at 5am Monday to drive the truck home, I was in bed last night by 8pm. While I was doing all that, we got a roof.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The house is moving along. We are finalizing the contract with our contractor, working with insurance to make a adjustments to our claim and I am stroking the deposit check for the carport today. Its actually going pretty smoothly.

But what I am sure you are all waiting for, E9 updates.

We finished buttoning up the interior.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Found that it has a "gun holder." Well not really but I like the idea.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the final little bits of window trim.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also took it for its first real drive. I even wore my period correct Seiko to commemorate the experience. It even has the same build month and year as when the car was imported to the states.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I just took it to the hangar and back. It ran great but there are some issues we are addressing this week. Most importantly the throttle was hanging wide open if you floor it. We have since fixed that, the linkage was hanging up on a hose clamp. It was also poorly aligned and actually broke while my dad was driving it so we re-routed it and it should be fixed. Also I think one of the rear brakes is hanging up but I may have fixed that during the drive. I had someone pull out in front of me while I was doing about 60mph. They had zero clue I was there until I locked up the brakes and swerved into a turn lane. So once I calmed back down and holstered my middle finger, I continued the drive and brakes felt better. I think it also needs a little work on the toe in, it seems to track and wander a bit on the road. We also have ordered a smaller Nardi steering wheel since the oem wheel hits our legs. There are a few other little things to work on but damn, it is a nice car.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Ralf11]

nice!

did you replace the rubber brake hoses with new?

also, is there a plan to upgrade the steering wheel?

 

[mmsheb]

per nick, "We also have ordered a smaller Nardi steering wheel since the oem wheel hits our legs."

 

[Boosted1]

Glad no one was injured.
Blue BMW looks good. Congrats on the first drive.

 

[Mpower5266]

nice!

did you replace the rubber brake hoses with new?

also, is there a plan to upgrade the steering wheel?

per nick, "We also have ordered a smaller Nardi steering wheel since the oem wheel hits our legs."

We bought the car from a shop, I guess the previous owner gave up and wanted out. The good news was that the brakes had been sorted, and all the fluids were fresh. I think we are going to dump the coolant soon and swap it with oem bmw stuff. It may need a correct thermostat as well, I think it has the tropical one installed as the car does not like to get to temp. We do have a smaller Nardi on the way.

 

[Ralf11]

if the PO didn't replace the rubber brake hoses, then I'd do it now - they swell internally after a while

 

[Mpower5266]

if the PO didn't replace the rubber brake hoses, then I'd do it now - they swell internally after a while

They all looked new. Like I said the shop we bought the car from replaced a lot of stuff. I will check them out though when the car is on the lift again.

 

[Denwood]

M, quite a close call on the house..good to see everyone is ok.

Loving the cars. Did I see a 2002 in the collection? That is one of my favorite classics.

 

[M-technik-3]

I just have to say wow the devastation to your neighbor hood tree line is nuts. Having no trees around my place would drive me nuts. A fall Vintage event might be a great thing, with far less pollen in the air and on cars.

 

[Mpower5266]

M, quite a close call on the house..good to see everyone is ok.

Loving the cars. Did I see a 2002 in the collection? That is one of my favorite classics.

Technically two. One is a rolling shell that I keep getting ready to sell and then get annoyed with the process and then put it back in storage. My dad actually wants to put an inline 6 out of an e36 m3 in it and hot rod it a little, I think I might let him.

I also have the 73, that is running and driving. Although it has just been sitting since the tornado, my house is a mess and the roads are filthy and full of debris still.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I just have to say wow the devastation to your neighbor hood tree line is nuts. Having no trees around my place would drive me nuts. A fall Vintage event might be a great thing, with far less pollen in the air and on cars.

Its so weird, I am used to the house being a little dark in the morning but now I dont have to turn lights on to make coffee. It is certainly going to be weird for a while but I guess we will get used to it.

I was really disappointed about the vintage getting moved, especially since it is now on the twins birthday weekend. My extremely understanding wife agreed to move their first bday party to the weekend before so that I can still go. I am looking forward to less pollen and maybe some cooler temps.

Speaking of the twins.... I was renewing my BMWCCA membership and saw that for $10 you can add an associate member to your account. I had a few bucks sitting in my account from referrals so I figured why not?

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

now that's a cute picture.

 

[Ralf11]

now show us your hand-carved Roundel on the side of the garage...

 

[Mpower5266]

now show us your hand-carved Roundel on the side of the garage...

I'm actually trying to find a large dealer roundel, under a billionty dollars. I have a spot for one.

 

[Bone Stock]

Love the vintage stable! All good looking cars.

I say let your dad go wild with the S50/2 build for the '02.

 

[Denwood]

Love the vintage stable! All good looking cars.

I say let your dad go wild with the S50/2 build for the '02.

x2. That would be a blast to drive

 

[Trapps]

First, I'm glad the storm damage was not any worse! Glad the family is all OK!

I've been working my way through about 37 of the seemingly infinite 1000+ post threads here on Garage Journal, and although I've seen several bits and pieces of yours, I've finally just completed an end to end read.

Well done on so many accounts. The cars and detail work on them is full of passion, skill and excellent results!

The Killer Car Wash - Home Edition is such a cool use of space and super versatile too! The fact that it's seemingly invisible from the street is a bonus. In fact your whole house is a bit deceiving given the profile of the kick *** addition. I like this; my own home is a 1954 ranch with a rather well concealed addition.

Super subtle rice is kind of cool; love the scoops. And the Apex wheels really do suit the kombiwagon well. Get the Msport bumper....

Love the watch content (awfully familiar interest among GJer's), especially the Sinn. I wear an 857UTC as an everyday shower-before-work watch. Surprised you sold the Laco (I lurk over on WUS); it's a great looking timepiece. The engraving on the LeJour is priceless and timeless, you're right, your wife is awesome!

Great thread and documentation; thanks for sharing!

Mark

PS: I agree w/ Dennis and Bone Stock 100% That would be a lot of (hilariously fun) motor for a light car.

 

[M-technik-3]

They are future ham's! Fantastic photo

 

[planecrazy]

Nick.

Thanks for bring the car by the hangar this afternoon. It looks fantastic!! It is clear to me that you and your Dad put a lot of effort into the car and it shows. Well done!

 

[Mpower5266]

Nick.

Thanks for bring the car by the hangar this afternoon. It looks fantastic!! It is clear to me that you and your Dad put a lot of effort into the car and it shows. Well done!

Good to see you and the hangar looks amazing. Ill invite you over next time I do a garage floor!!!!

I had a pretty low key weekend. My wagon had a flat Thursday night so I dropped it off at my parents shop and borrowed a car. Its the 3rd nail I have picked up in this car in less than a year.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

My dad was nice enough to take it to get it fixed so I picked up Friday on the way home from work. We decided to take the e9 out to the gas station to fill it up. It was the second time I had driven it and again, it was almost destroyed. I pulled up to the pump and shut it off, and as I was getting out a guy backed out of the spot in front of us, hopping his truck on the curb and getting very close to the car. I didnt have time to move so I released the ebrake hoping it would roll when he hit me, and laid on the horn. He slammed on his brakes and started to cuss us out. I am pretty sure he was drunk. Cooler heads prevailed and I just flipped him the bird and let him drive off. The car did look great when we got back to my parents house so I snapped a pic.

by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday, my wife and I finally just spent a day relaxing and her folks took the kiddos for the day. We grabbed lunch, went to a local brewery, and then hung out at the house. I think it was the first time I have sat for more than an hour since the tornado.

Sunday, my in laws came over to help my wife clean and get the house ready for work to start. We are actually going to move the front door, so they cleaned out that room. We also gave away our living room furniture that was covered in glass and water from the storm so people came to pick that up. I helped by taking the kids to my parents. While they watched them, my dad and I swapped some cars around. I took the M3 out to the hangar and picked up the 02. He took the e9 over just to put some more miles on it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We then went on a little cruise with the E9 and 02.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We pushed the cars a little but the e9 temp never got past 1/4 and its not putting out heat. So we decided to put it on the lift to change the oil and dump the coolant.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am glad we did because the gasket it was wrong and this was the Tstat. We have the correct parts on order.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I ended the weekend walking around my driveway, drinking a beer, and looking for nails. Here is what I found. I assume they washed out of the gutters after the rain Saturday. I am hoping I don't get another flat anytime soon but I am fairly certain I will.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[M-technik-3]

Might be time for a 4 foot magnet on wheels that used on sites to prevent this issue. I kept finding nails all over my yard back in 2011 after my siding contractor did a **** job on my house that I ended up correcting. Aluminium nails everywhere. I was gone when they started and they did not bring in a dumpster so the old stuff got put in a pile on other side of the driveway.

On a side note you are now going to need a stable mate for the E36 M3 maybe E34 M5? as everyone else has a common age brother.

 

[Mpower5266]

Might be time for a 4 foot magnet on wheels that used on sites to prevent this issue. I kept finding nails all over my yard back in 2011 after my siding contractor did a **** job on my house that I ended up correcting. Aluminium nails everywhere. I was gone when they started and they did not bring in a dumpster so the old stuff got put in a pile on other side of the driveway.

On a side note you are now going to need a stable mate for the E36 M3 maybe E34 M5? as everyone else has a common age brother.

Maybe. I have wanted an e28 for a while.

So I decided to wash my car last night and I found damage on the wheel that had the flat. I am guessing the tire shop did it, but I have no proof and my dad didnt check it when he picked it up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

So I am at a point now where I either let it go, buy two new wheels, switch it up and get a different set, or maybe get a different daily driver. I did get a bunch of maintenance parts in and a care package from my friend at Gtechniq. I will at least get it cleaned back up the best I can before I figure out what I am going to do.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I know it looks pretty good in pictures but its pretty beat up. I used to really enjoy getting away from it all and washing the car but now its kinda depressing.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I did sneak it into this spot for a photo shoot this morning on the way to work. It was used for equipment storage while they built a warehouse near by, but it was also featured in Zombieland 2. Apparently, I dont know anyone thats actually seen the movie but I remember them filming there.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[M-technik-3]

There's light at the end of the tunnel. Your place will get fixed as you know and you might even be able to do a few extra's of while your in there. It truly has to **** seeing all the work done in the past 4 years only to see what it looks like now but the house is still there! I have a buddy that lost his home in a freak Tornado here in Mass a few years back and in the aftermath the insurance rebuilt the house. Then the city tripled his taxes because it was a new house. Nothing like being screwed twice for something he had no control over.

 

[Mpower5266]

There's light at the end of the tunnel. Your place will get fixed as you know and you might even be able to do a few extra's of while your in there. It truly has to **** seeing all the work done in the past 4 years only to see what it looks like now but the house is still there! I have a buddy that lost his home in a freak Tornado here in Mass a few years back and in the aftermath the insurance rebuilt the house. Then the city tripled his taxes because it was a new house. Nothing like being screwed twice for something he had no control over.

Yea, I have been dreaming about the washbay for like 4 years and using it last night just kinda depressed me. Things will get better but with all the trees down there is no shade, and it will be years before that gets better. I almost want to sell the place and start over somewhere else. Maybe Ill feel differently when houses start getting back to normal but it feels like I have to drive through Fallujah to get to my house.

 

[111R]

The guys at Metro Wheels in Marietta can repair those scratches/chips. They do a great job.

https://www.metrowheels.net

 

[jim]

I had new tires put on the 4 Runner awhile back. My rims were perfect when my wife took it in and called me after she did a walk around after she got the car back and ALL 4 RIMS were badly scratched to hell. I wish I had pictures! You would have not believed what they did to those rims! They refused do do anything about it as they claimed they did not do it. I had no proof that they did the damage. Now I take pictures before the cars go in for service.

 

[gearhead1960]

I had new tires put on the 4 Runner awhile back. My rims were perfect when my wife took it in and called me after she did a walk around after she got the car back and ALL 4 RIMS were badly scratched to hell. I wish I had pictures! You would have not believed what they did to those rims! They refused do do anything about it as they claimed they did not do it. I had no proof that they did the damage. Now I take pictures before the cars go in for service.

The shop I take my car to does a walk around prior to accepting it for service. They then have you sign off on it.

 

[M-technik-3]

Yea, I have been dreaming about the washbay for like 4 years and using it last night just kinda depressed me. Things will get better but with all the trees down there is no shade, and it will be years before that gets better. I almost want to sell the place and start over somewhere else. Maybe Ill feel differently when houses start getting back to normal but it feels like I have to drive through Fallujah to get to my house.

I've spent enough time in that region, your neighborhood is not that bad. But yeah that is way of seeing it. Do they have a timeline for working on your place?

 

[Mpower5266]

I had new tires put on the 4 Runner awhile back. My rims were perfect when my wife took it in and called me after she did a walk around after she got the car back and ALL 4 RIMS were badly scratched to hell. I wish I had pictures! You would have not believed what they did to those rims! They refused do do anything about it as they claimed they did not do it. I had no proof that they did the damage. Now I take pictures before the cars go in for service.

I had the same issue with Discount tire on my Grand Cherokee. Trashed all 4 wheels. They 'repaired" them but the clear failed 2 days later and they wouldn't do anything more. I actually ended up going to my credit card company and getting a refund for the tires.

I've spent enough time in that region, your neighborhood is not that bad. But yeah that is way of seeing it. Do they have a timeline for working on your place?

Yeah, probably not that bad but its certainly depressing. I should have windows and paint soon. The house will likely be back to normal before June, I hope. My neighbor did pick up the Fiat that I was storing for him so I can bring another car back over after I give the garage a good cleaning.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

**** me! I hadn't been getting updates, so my first 'new' post was the nail in your tire. Kept reading through, saw your f'd up wash bay and the surroundings, and decided a trip back a few pages was in order. Glad you're all ok. That ***** ***.

Love the Le Jour and 6139.

 

[Mpower5266]

**** me! I hadn't been getting updates, so my first 'new' post was the nail in your tire. Kept reading through, saw your f'd up wash bay and the surroundings, and decided a trip back a few pages was in order. Glad you're all ok. That ***** ***.

Love the Le Jour and 6139. :)

Its been a rough couple of weeks for sure. Oh and you will probably love my $15 estate sale find.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I will have some small e9 updates coming soon, I just need to get more done before I post.

 

[gearhead1960]

Its been a rough couple of weeks for sure. Oh and you will probably love my $15 estate sale find.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

In the spirit of the 2021 Garage Sale thread.... You ****! for that find....

 

[Mpower5266]

In the spirit of the 2021 Garage Sale thread.... You ****! for that find....

I have had several people interested in it, I may have to sell it and put the money towards my Rolex fund.

So small e9 update. Last Friday I drove it to my house for the first time and gave it a bit of a clean up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday my dad and I drove it most of the morning to a couple of car shows. It was mainly a drive to see if anything else needed fixing. It ran great but the passenger rear brake felt like it was hanging up, so we put it on the lift to adjust that. While it was up we gave the engine a good steam clean to try to locate some leaks.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We also addressed the seat belt issue. As you can see, the drivers seat belts are just limp strips of nylon that extend from the back seat area. They adjust at the buckle but they are a huge pain.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

So my dad located some inertia reel set ups, and built some brackets. Its a pretty slick and reversible option.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

They are mounted to the oem mount so they should be as safe as the oem belts. Which I assume were added as an after thought and were not really safe to begin with.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

They are much more comfortable and certainly more convenient. Now we just need to come up with some sort of mount or guide that we can attach to the headrest to keep the belts in place. Something removable of course.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[M-technik-3]

Only thing I would be concerned with is the seat back collapsing in an accident. But I would hope BMW engineered for the G-forces with a belt set up like that. Car looks great now that it's all together.

List it on BAT, I imagine you'd come out very much in the plus zone.

 

[MK5CNY]

Drive it more with your Dad while you have it.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

[Mpower5266]

Only thing I would be concerned with is the seat back collapsing in an accident. But I would hope BMW engineered for the G-forces with a belt set up like that. Car looks great now that it's all together.

List it on BAT, I imagine you'd come out very much in the plus zone.

The guide is to just keep the belt in place, so its there when you get in the car. Once the belt is on my shoulder, it is lifted off the headrest, plus this is just going to be velcroed on so it would break away easily. We could make a ton of money on the car but its not going anywhere.

Drive it more with your Dad while you have it.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

That is the plan. I can't wait to cruise around with my dad and son in it when hes a little older.

 

[Mpower5266]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. My carport/washbay turned 1 year old today......

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[smschriefer]

To be honest, I've always been a snob about metal carports. I always thought they were flimsy and yet I never felt that way about metal garages. I've always worried about wind loads on it without having walls. After seeing what yours has survived I have changed my mind. I have a spot on my property that I am interested in placing a carport. What brand is your carport as it does seem more stout than many that I've seen.