Well..4 years to the month after importing the Alpina B12 5.7, it is alive! After the importation process and federalization by Bill Fox at 101 Innovations, a registered RI, and almost 3 years of restoration, on Sunday I was able to start the 5.7. My initial attempt to start about a month ago ended up with the realization of a failed Fuel Pump assembly. As noted in another thread, I was able to rebuild it using new Bosch pumps, wiring and hoses. On Sunday I was able to get the car started and let it run twice for about 15 minutes each, and initially bled the cooling system. I still have to apply the Alpina side stripes, clear up a honking horn issue, and do some final small stuff. It sure was great to hear it run!
The car was stripped to metal and repainted. The interior was sorted out - it had very light beige carpeting, which was changed out to custom made dark blue. Lots and lots of work over the past 3 years, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Here are some pictures taken over the past few months. It is still on the stands/blocks, but will come down soon.
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Yes...I know...the garage is a mess....
Last edited by rogbmw; 12-03-2018 at 09:23 AM.
CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Beautiful Rog. I have seen this car in person. Indescribably perfect!
Great ;;;;;;;;!!!!!!!
Congratulations
Wow!
1993 850Ci.....18 years & 165,000 miles and counting!
Another great job Roger, hope I get to see that one as well.
***Stunning*** Congrats!
Roger Roger Roger. YOU ARE MY HERO and you know it!!!!!!!!!
You have filled me in on the details as you've gone along these years, but to see it here officially completed with everyone else is alltogether a different feeling.
much respect
Alec
Board Member of SoCalEights (Marketing, Web Development & Social Media), Vice President: BMWCCA/E31 Chapter, www.cartiologyfilms.com
Current E31s:
1997 BMW 840Ci Black on Beige. CSI 62, 107 and 16. Euro-CSi #892.
Client Represented E31s (Cartiology Films)
1994 BMW 850CSi #11 USA, 1994 BMW 850CSi #31 USA, 1994 BMW 850CSi #58 USA
93-850Ci - manual 6 speed. 97-850Ci - M73 Steptronic. 94-CSi 125, 95-CSi 162 Daytona Violet, CSi 198 White on Red
Past E31s:
1991 BMW 850i. Calypso Red on Beige Nappa and 1995 BMW 840Ci. Bright Red on Beige Nappa
1997 BMW 840Ci. Black On Black Nappa, but changed to Dakar Yellow on Black Nappa and 1994 BMW 850CSi #27. Red On light Silver.
1991 BMW 850i. Automatic. Red On Black and 1996 BMW 850Ci. Automatic. Midnight Blue on Gray.
1994 BMW 850CSi. Black On Blak #107, Black/Black 97-840. White/White CSi. Silver/Silver 97-840
Oh my god roger!
1995 BMW M3 (Avus), 1994 BMW 840Ci (Avus), 1994 BMW 740i (Oxford), 2005 BMW X5 4.8iS (BSM)
Gone (Too many to mention)
Here are a few pictures from along the way....
stripped to metal
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Paint...5 coats of Alpina Blue, 4 coats of clear
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Reflection
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Ready to go home to start the work in the garage
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Taking the interior apart to install the new blue carpet...
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New blue carpet going in...
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Dash assembly...some assembly required...
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Installing the dash...
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Console going in...
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Rear seats in place...
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Working in the Wheel Wells and detailing...
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Torquing the locking collar on the front struts...
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The finished strut ready for the spring...
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Installed..
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Simply beautiful Roger...I have nothing but respect and admiration for your patience, perseverance and attention to detail throughout this marathon project.
Congratulations on a stunning restoration....the car is just aching to be driven again!
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
some of the work on the engine compartment
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
More engine pics...
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CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Amazing!!!
Keep up the good work. You are on the right track!!!
Nice work Rog!
What tire size are you running at the rear?
i had seen pics of this 8 before and was my favorite of all the e31s, didn't know who owned it, you are a lucky man roger, great work.
CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
-- Hellrot/Black-Gray (1 of 1 NA CSi color combination)
BMWCCA E31 Chapter International Clubs Liaison
North America Representative, 8er.or Board of Directors
Outstanding (as expected).
If I may chime in with comment - the hood (at least on driver's side) on every other E31 that has not been apart seems to extend slightly past the fender edges so the rubber sealing is uniform with the ones on the fender. You likely already know this and just haven't got to it yet.
What "thumbs up" really means
Roger, mighty impressive project through and through. Congrats!
Bert
91 850i-A
1972 3.5 CSi (L-jet, Getrag 265 5 speed)
1988 ///M6
2021 X3 M40i
The back to back BIG COUPE” duo
Incredible.
Very beautiful work Roger!! Glad to see it completed. That car changed my life last February when I saw it, and it truly made me rethink the very definition of attention to detail. Speaking of which I have to get that information for the hardware plating from you again.
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