My 2001 740iL Project Car

[Umuzidan]

It would be interesting to know the total running cost of the vehicle thus far. I'm enthused by all your DIY but also discouraged by the constant barrage of failures.

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[dville]

3800 for the car, and most expenses have been used parts to enhance it to my liking.
I think the lowering springs, and new rear tires were the biggest spend so far.

[Umuzidan]

3800 for the car, and most expenses have been used parts to enhance it to my liking. I think the lowering springs, and new rear tires were the biggest spend so far.

How much were the springs?

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[roys740]

Awesome job. Thanks for posting all of your work. You've already given me some ideals for mod projects this winter while the car is in it's annual winter hibernation.

[dville]

How much were the springs?

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H&R e38 springs you can get for $238
I cut the rear ones a little lower than they came.

[Umuzidan]

H&R e38 springs you can get for $238
I cut the rear ones a little lower than they came.

I remember back in the day when all the honda guys were into cutting their OEM springs and the result was a spring that acted all crazy from the heat application during cutting.

How would you rate the ride with the cut springs?

[dville]

I remember back in the day when all the honda guys were into cutting their OEM springs and the result was a spring that acted all crazy from the heat application during cutting.

How would you rate the ride with the cut springs?

Because back then they would take it so far that the car would be riding on the bump stops.

There is no ride difference. The Ride Is the same, comfy/sporty as stock.

I had a 99 740iL a few years back where I accidentally threw away the rear Eibach lowering springs. So Instead of ordering a new set I just cut the factory springs 1.5 turns.

Ride quality was the same as before I cut them. I used a cutoff wheel, not a welding torch either.

[daytonatrbo]

Ride quality was the same as before I cut them. I used a cutoff wheel, not a welding torch either.

That makes a big difference.

[dville]

That makes a big difference.

Apparently so

[dville]

Polished headlight lens. Didnt think it would get any better than this.





Installed Front Passenger regulator with metal pulleys (requires slight modification to install process)




Fixed passenger seat trim.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...rim-fix-part-2


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Installed Angel Eyes and polished Headlight lens, the most dramatic cosmetic change to the car so far since lowering.


Before:


AFTER:

[dville]

Installed metal pulley regulator in front passenger door...

Requires different bolts than factory since pulley is deeper due to mounting method.












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Polished some used headlight lens I got, still not as good as new, but better....
After this pic, I used a higher speed drill and got the lens to look much better.




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Decided to install the Angel Eyes I got from Ebay...


Made grooves on top of the lens for the wire to pass through






Found out my projector lens were extremely dirty...


Placed the transformer inside the lens near the reflector.


Ran power wires through existing grommet.


I like very much...


AE and polished lens on the LEFT of photo, and existing lens on RIGHT of photo.


AE on with low beams


Original low beam with no AE






BEFORE:


Wired into DRL fuse. Added a wad of solder to twisted wire, wedged into wire connector and tie wrapped to wire


Wires coming into fuse box


Wires passed through existing grommet next to 20 pin connector under hood.


Love it....

[dville]

9/13/15 172779 miles
Upgraded to Steptronic shifter by doing a Steptronic Shifter Retrofit.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ttern-Mismatch

[plokiu]

Very interesting thread.

Thank you.

[inkacola]

i like your projects sir, thanks for sharing.

[NordmanMg]

9/13/15 172779 miles
Upgraded to Steptronic shifter by doing a Steptronic Shifter Retrofit.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ttern-Mismatch

Man, you are doing a lot of work into your car, that's cool

[dville]

Finally coded my car ????
Did all this stuff.

[dville]

Added a drop of oil to my IHKA fan.
It used to be noisy when you shut the car off.



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Wired a USB outlet and iPhone cable under the armrest.




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When installing center console the material appeared too stretched so I had to tighten it back up for a clean fit.
I used wire.

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Switched from new ATE pads to Rotex Gold pads due to excessive dust.
Feel the same as before.


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This came in the mail.
Did a test fit.

[kulgan]

Luv your thread and all the mods your doing. Awesome work.

[dville]

Luv your thread and all the mods your doing. Awesome work.

Thanks.

Replaced my sunshade with a cleaner one than mine.
Cleaning off the orange crumbs




Fixing the sunshade slide to open when in vent position feature.


Connecting the black part to the sunshade slider on driver side.

[Jimmy E34]

What are the orange crumbs from?

[kulgan]

What are the orange crumbs from?

Probably a failed headliner sometime in the past.

[dville]

Captains log 11/17/15 175081 miles. While idling in traffic, engine felt very rough like driving over gravel, shut off suddenly with ignition still on. After looking in trunk put car in park and it started and was able to drive to parking lot. Towed home.


If my car was any lower he said they would no tow and have to get AAA to send a specialty recovery company.


Tow driver was so happy to see me screwing the tow hook in!!!




No material in oil pan, *



checked 2 spark plugs, not fouled.

Just small amount of oil around one of them





Sound seems to be coming from water pump bearing, observed fan thrust axially slightly more than once.
Observed metal shavings behind water pump pulley.




Piece of pulley was missing....

Ordered pump, tstat, hoses and trans heat exchanger regulator.

[purplecty]

What brands did you go with?

[psjr]

Any thoughts on why it caused the engine to shut off?

[dville]

I picked up shavings with a magnet


Started car and shut down when noise started to get louder.
Saw a tiny bit more metal behind water pump pulley.
I think heavy metal to metal contact caused a sudden drag on engine that runs at low rpm caused it to shut off.

That's what I think until I start taking more parts off.



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I put my ear on the handle of a long screwdriver and touched it to the water pump and that sounds like where the noise was originating from so that's where I am starting.

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What brands did you go with?

Hepu pump.










After I placed my order Last night, this morning I get an email from FCPEuro offering a loyalty discount, so I emailed them to complain and they offered to give me the $25 price reduction.

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Noise from pump


Carefuly removed serpentine belt


Fan play


Engine running with no belt.
No rattling noise.