E31-specific PPI in SF Bay Area?

[Variance]

Hey all,

I wasn't sure if I'd be better served posting this in the E31 or regional section, but I'm looking into the potential purchase of an 850ci in the San Francisco area, and was hoping to get a recommendation on an E31-experienced shop for a PPI. The car is located in Larkspur, so something in that general vicinity would probably be preferred (as opposed to down south). Thanks in advance.

Also, I suppose while I have your attention: has anybody ever seen the gauge face peeling like below? Would this necessitate a full cluster replacement, or is the faceplate a user-serviceable item?

image1.jpeg

[kamskeez]

Hey there. I think I've seen the exact 850 you're looking at. Light blue? I've seen it around Larkspur and recently saw it for sale. Looks clean from what I saw.

For PPI, if you can take it across the bridge to Berkeley, I'd recommend German Auto Sport. Those guys know E31s very well.

[toomanyparts]

I am local (San Mateo). I would be willing to go see the car with you as long as it is not in the heart of the city itself.

[chicosito]

If its that Glacier Blue one, that's a rare color. I'm local in the Bay Area & work with Ed "Dragon850" on my 8 series. I recommend him for a PPI. He might even know the car personally. He is very knowledgeable about the cars here in the SF BAY AREA. Also, I did find this link some time back on BAT regarding the image above on another car on this link---->https://bringatrailer.com/2017/03/20/v126-speed-driving-project-1993-bmw-850ci/<-------Good luck on your 8 series adventure.

[blarf]

Three well regarded BMW shops in nearby San Rafael come to mind: Bill Arnold, A1 Autoworks, and Paul Heynneman. No clue how familiar they are with the E31 specifically, but from first- and secondhand experience they're well versed in BMWs from the 70s through the early 2000s at least. Bill's collection of mid-late 80s spares was a sight to see before the fire marshal made him clear it all out.

[dragon850]

If its that Glacier Blue one, that's a rare color. I'm local in the Bay Area & work with Ed "Dragon850" on my 8 series. I recommend him for a PPI. He might even know the car personally. He is very knowledgeable about the cars here in the SF BAY AREA. Also, I did find this link some time back on BAT regarding the image above on another car on this link---->https://bringatrailer.com/2017/03/20/v126-speed-driving-project-1993-bmw-850ci/<-------Good luck on your 8 series adventure.

Thank you. Yes, I could do the PPI on that 8 series.

[Variance]

Hey all, thanks for the responses; it's been a while since I sold my 318ti and have fallen out of the habit of regularly checking the forums, haha.

Dragon reached out to me and we'll see if we can make something work; otherwise I'll check with one of the other shops you all recommended.

It is indeed the Glacier Blue car that a couple of you seem to be familiar with. I've only casually kept up my E31 search after failing to make a deal on a dilapidated red 6-speed in Cincinnati with an old "I know what I've got" guy, but the paint color on this one grabbed my attention. If the car is sound and I can come to a deal with the seller, I'd quite possibly be looking at flying in and driving it back to Michigan.