Back in the E31 World - Avus!

[mightydave]

To say Bimmerforums has shaped my love for the E31 would be a massive understatement. I've been a member here for almost 15 years, and the vast majority of my time here has been spent in this section or the 8 series for sale section. I have folders upon folders of member's photos - inspiration photos, wheel/suspension ideas, on and on ...

My first E31 was found on Roadfly, but sold here. The third - bought here, sold here. Same with the fourth. I've owned some great examples - a '91 Canadian market car with sport seats was my first - didn't realize how spoiled a start I got. A CSi was next - continuing my good luck streak.




A couple '91 6-speeds, a '93 6-speed and a '93 auto sprinkled in over the years - all well-loved and enjoyed. Each sale brought regret.






But when I sold my Orient Blue '93 automatic a year ago, I thought my time in an E31 was over for good. I had run out of E31s to chase. An Alpina would be amazing, but definitely out of my league financially. There was ONE car I had wanted for about a decade, but it's location was a mystery.

That one car I mentioned was owned at least two BF members here - Chamberlin and IJustDrive - the one Avus Blue E31 brought to the NA market. As a huge fan of Avus (I've owned 8 Avus cars over the years), this was the holy grail car for me. A previous owner had done an M62/6-speed swap and it had clearly been loved and cared for. When Joe (Chamberlin) sold the car 6 years ago, I wanted it badly but the timing was not good. He shared with me that a collector bought it and was storing in a facility somewhere in SoCal.

Fast forward to a random Tuesday in November when my normal 8 series Autotrader search returned the car - THE car. This Avus Blue E31 - right before my eyes. I called the dealer immediately and within a few hours, I had placed a deposit.

I am now the proud owner of this lovely piece of art. So far, I've not done much outside of staring at it.

The seats had seen better days - though nearly every 8 series seat I've seen showed similar wear. A few befores:







And an after:


It had old PPF on the entire front end, which had severely yellowed. Despite my best efforts to remove it carefully, some of the clear coat gave up and is now off getting the full front end refinish. Whee!



The trip to the body shop was fun - with incredibly cold temps!



When it returns, it's going to get a freshly refinished set of MPars and a new set of Pilot Sport tires.



It currently sits with two other Avus brothers - my '95 M3 and my old '95 M540i - currently owned by a buddy of mine in the UK.



The E31 and E34 will be making the trip to The Vintage this year, in case there are any other E31 owners going.

And yes, this is a forever car. Not for sale ... ever I'm grateful to be the steward of this lovely car, and bringing it back to this forum for all to see. I know many on here know this car well.

Glad to be back!

[olinjohnston]

Very nice!

I know this car (and the shop that did the 6-speed conversion on it) quite well! Excellent color too

[dragon850]

Fantastic! Welcome Back!

[Molez93]

Very cool. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Edit - Had to reply in part because I bought one of MightyDave's (most recent?) red 850s. Then I realized while looking at the posts that I'm pretty sure the PO for my E38 chimed in here too. Too funny

[TedBobo]

Yep, most SoCalEights members know this car really well! It’s always been a crowd pleaser.

[mightydave]

Thanks all for the warm welcome back.

The very first time I can remember seeing the car was when it was the SoCalEights car of the month. It blew my mind at the time. I know almost all of the amazing work done on the car was done during its SoCal years.

Ed - I'm already running your center storage console and ashtray in it - amazing quality! Such a beautiful upgrade.

Scott - great seeing you here and I'm curious who used to own your E38. Knowing your tastes in cars, I presume it's a Sporty Shorty with it being an '01. If I ever decide to part with my Oxford E32, an Oxford E38 Sporty Shorty is the preferred replacement.

Olin - your signature shows a 725tds - do you still have that? E32?

[Molez93]

Olin sold me my 740 via Cars and Bids.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KZD0eJEb/2001-bmw-740i

I've put ridiculous amounts of money into making it reliable daily transportation for years to come. Such an awesome chassis...

[Fatandre]

Welcome Back and what a great machiine. That Avus actually looks pretty good.
What are your future plans with it?

[mightydave]

Welcome Back and what a great machiine. That Avus actually looks pretty good.
What are your future plans with it?

Scott - I remember seeing that one go on C&B! Lovely car.

As far as plans go, I don’t have much in mind. The PPF coming off (and subsequent body work) wasn’t planned, but I considered it necessary. Mpars with new tires going on as soon as it’s back from paint. I’ve refinished both front seats and bought a few key replacement interior bits to bring it back to near-new. I have a new triangle airbag steering wheel going in soon as well, just rewrapped to be a bit thicker than what was already there. Cocomats went in as soon as it arrived.

I’m really looking forward to The Vintage, and the 900 mile drive (each way) that goes with it. A true GT car going on a long road trip - should be great.

Obviously I’m doing a full round of basic maintenance as soon as it’s back as well. Can’t wait to get going.

[olinjohnston]

Olin - your signature shows a 725tds - do you still have that? E32?

I do! It is an E38 actually (Fjord Gray on Black manual) and I recently got a SWB Alpina B7

1D03C1DE-59F9-4D15-9B53-D0363151CB5A.jpgIMG_2143.jpgIMG_0250.jpg

Olin sold me my 740 via Cars and Bids.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KZD0eJEb/2001-bmw-740i

I've put ridiculous amounts of money into making it reliable daily transportation for years to come. Such an awesome chassis...

Glad you're enjoying it still a few years in... What did you need to do on it so far? Nice to see that you're keeping up with the tradition $$$ (since that thing has had a lot of love over the years)


OP: Here are some photos I took of your car 13 years ago when I saw it for the first time:

download-2.jpgdownload.jpg

[Molez93]

[Glad you're enjoying it still a few years in... What did you need to do on it so far? Nice to see that you're keeping up with the tradition $$$ (since that thing has had a lot of love over the years)]
Off the top of my head… Anything one might do during a complete timing chain service, all cooling system components, 8 coils & plugs, every fluid, various suspension parts, headliner, and front clip & rear bumper respray. Various smaller things like a window regulator, side lights, tint, 4 wheel speed sensors, etc. The only thing I sort of skimped on was the low speed power steering booster part.

I was working at the local BMW dealer for a good chunk of it so $50/hr and cost +10% on parts was relatively painless. Small needs quickly turned into a “do it all while you’re at it” approach. ;-)

[mightydave]

Olin - hell yes!!! Love the 725. Need photos of the B7 as well! And thanks for sharing pictures of the car from 13 years ago - so cool.

I've imported three now - all sold. An Alpina B6 2.8 Touring from Japan, an E34 525ix Touring from the Netherlands and an E36 Touring from there as well.

I'm always looking for a SWB 750i, either E32 or E38 would be fine. Would love to bring one of those over eventually.

[TexaZ3]

Ha, you always knew you'll be back.
Same here, one day...

[mightydave]

Ha, you always knew you'll be back.
Same here, one day...

Cut from the same cloth. I saw your comments on the Mauritius Blue auction on BaT - was thinking you'd jump in late! How's the E34 M5 treating you?

[740ilDuke]

Beautiful car and SHOP!

[TexaZ3]

Somehow I missed this back then...but you know the answer already ))
E34 is fantastic. What an amazing car.

[John in DC]

The E31 and E34 will be making the trip to The Vintage this year, in case there are any other E31 owners going.

And yes, this is a forever car. Not for sale ... ever I'm grateful to be the steward of this lovely car, and bringing it back to this forum for all to see. I know many on here know this car well.

Glad to be back!

Nice score. What a beauty!

Welcome back !!!

[Auraraptor]

Great pick up! The seats also came out great. What did you do to restore?

[Auraraptor]

Great pick up! The seats also came out great. What did you do to restore?