I'm gonna speak my mind honestly and tell you to find a second car, but in a worse condition. Then do all the modifications you dream of in that crappy one. And keep this mint example in good condition, cause it would be a waste.
Again, it's my opinion. The car is yours, you can do whatever please you with it.
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Or at least, make modifications that are reversible?
Agree! This car is already worth more that you paid, be a shame to mess with it unless mods are tasteful and don't upset the balance of the car. See this link to a car in similar condition with slightly less miles, I've seen this car in person, was really nice and tasteful mods. Also, HVAC wasn't working...
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-bmw-735i-2/
There is almost nothing he wants that isn't reasonably-easily reversible.
Suspension, wheels, euro bumpers, tint...all can be taken back to zero with a few hours work.
--Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
Transmission & Diff gearing sheet
We all see cars and car projects in our own way, which is what makes for so much inspiration and variety. I build custom guitars for a living and part of that process is obsessing day in and day out about aesthetics, taste, color, lines, and the balance between form and function and cost—all of which in a highly competitive and sometimes fickle slice of life where creativity, image, prestige and money all converge into one industry—in many ways it is similar to automobiles. In fact, many of the guitar colors I use are old vintage car colors from the 50's nd 60's that I have custom mixed up in real nitrocellulose lacquer (at great expensive believe me).
I can see your point for sure, its really clean, maybe rare to a certain degree and beautiful as is. There is no reason to modify it really, but everything I have, in the end must be made my own it seems, even if its the smallest touch.
• Euro bumpers? Yes please and I see only positive aesthetics and value added here.
•Window Tint? Looks slick, helps keep the car cooler and prevents UV on my left forearm while driving through down the I5 freeway—also, I can keep some guitars in the back seat and not have people know they are there. Easily removed.
• Wheels/Tires/Suspension mods all easily reversed but most likely will only increase the cars appeal if done tastefully. Certainly more fun to whip around Highway 101
• Really beautiful sounding exhaust system...I like the sound of that...
• Big expensive turbo kit¿...not really needed but it can be fun to think about.
I like the little things, euro amber side marker turn signals for example. Finding that rare set of Style 15 wheels that almost looks stock but is a bigger wheel and has a soft touch of thought behind it.
Devils advocate to myself, I know what you mean when someone goes too far with something that should have been left alone or modified so slightly that you can't really tell...I get it.
What kind of tint is going to be legal in CA and keep your forearm unsunburned?
A full exhaust is pointless on that engine. Been there, done that. There is zero power to be gained. I6s do not have manifold reversion issues due to the firing order. Long tubes may free up some mid range torque, but if you saw more than 15rwtq gain on a dyno I would be astonished.
If the stock catback is in nice shape, run it. If fits perfect and sounds right. Even the stock catalyst flows well, unless it is plugged there is no point in removing it.
Spend all that money on a diff swap and a restalled converter, 3.46:1 is all wrong for that setup as it does nothing well. Stock low stall converter is for fuel economy only, but down side is car cannot get out of its own way from a dead stop.
That boat feeling driving means the entire suspension is probably clapped out. All fresh rubber and Bil HDs handles quite sporty on stock springs.
I make E23 parts.
09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
10/1984 745i
11/1984 745i
11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.
Ceramic 50% VLT tint does a pretty amazing job, and is side glass legal in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia.
--Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
Transmission & Diff gearing sheet
Front side windows can have tint, now? Maybe my ticket for having front side tint, I can fight it when I return.
Front tint has been restricted to 50% or greater for years. The mistake commonly made is matching the rear 3 window shade at 35% or less.
--Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
Transmission & Diff gearing sheet
That car will look nice with some tint on the windows, just enough to block UV, take a load off the ac and make it more difficult to see all the way through the greenhouse. My ticket dates back to a decade before the last century ended, hope they are not looking for me.
You dirty scofflaw!
--Jay3->Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
84 €735i manual, 88 528e/i
Motronic 1 and 1.3 wiring
Transmission & Diff gearing sheet
I tint all my vehicles. Saves interiors, AC has less work to do, and allows for increased privacy. I recently started tinting the windshield to the AS1 line, at 15% max legal here.
Tint seems to last 8-12 years tops here, then it begins to fade. Need to redo the 300SEL here.
I make E23 parts.
09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
10/1984 745i
11/1984 745i
11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.
What a nice car.
I concur with the diff swap. I changed mine from 3:25 to 3.73 and I should have gone shorter again (3.91 or 4.11) even behind te high comp euro engine. First gear is super tall. Not sure if the other autos in say the 6 and 5 series have a shorter first. I had a 4.11 in a previous e28 auto and it was great but a little revvy. 3.91 would be perfect.
BMW’s
90 E34 M5
84 E24 M635csi standalone ecu with coil on plug
94 E34 540i/6 SC 5-17psi Flex fuel/standalone ecu
97 Z3 2.8
97 E36 M3 euro SC still u/c
OTHERS
11 Audi S5 APR stg2
19 Volkswagen Amarok V6
On a small note. As for your A/C not coming out of the front vents. Before you go nuts as I did with my E23, thinking about stepper motors and such, check the little plastic T connector under the grid near the passenger side windshield wiper. I remember replacing that a couple of times during my E23 ownership. Other people here will know more about what I'm talking about. It's where a few vacuum lines come together to operate the flaps.
1990 735I (Auto) E32 Feb 1990 to Present
1996 Z3 Roadster (5 Speed) E36/7 Jan 1999 to Dec 1999
1983 733I (5 Speed) E23 April 1983 to Feb 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d4tHoHGaJo
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Av20xCMMocSsyEpl...h_oOk?e=ekIcAT
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