Some E38 clarification

[ssmann]

Hi all sifus/forumers,I am in the midst of upgrades for my 1996 728i E38. Any guidance you can lend me on the same, I shall be most grateful.1. Facelift front lights - I scouted around at the chop shop. It is so hard to find, as will need complete set with fender as well. I found one, not in the best condition but the chop shop guy wanted a ridiculous price for lights and fender!!! Can anyone advise me if they know of anyone wanting to sell the facelift lights/fender? Alternatively, anyone know where I can procure after market upgrades, e.g. eagle eye etc? Any idea on cost? Anyone know where is WRC in Sunway, I hear they have aftermarket lights there.2. Paintjob - my car is currently Calypso Red. The paint is still decent, however the shine is no longer there. I am contemplating a complete restoration (panelbeat uneven surface) and respray. Doing it with same colour would save cost. Have enquired and would be around RM3k. Anyone know what it would cost me to change the colour and would there be a requirement to update JPJ on the same? Any recommended painters? Andrewk has given me a contact already who did his E38 work. Thanks Andrew! :rock:3. Suspension - I recently changed my stock standard 16" for 18". Replaced it with rims from an E65 style 94 with 245/45 tyres. The ride looks gorgeous, but the handling has been compromised. I feel it is less grounded to the road and the steering feels a little lighter than before. My personal driving style is solid feedback from the steering, firm ride and grounded to the ground feel, no softies. To this end, I intend to explore a change of suspension as follows: -a. Bilstein B8/H&R springs - any supporters of the same for E38? How does the ride feel with this? I have heard magic comments and also those against it. Any idea of the cost?b. Titan shocks. Bro Vince has a thread on this and has commendable reviews of the same. I can't wait to test his car to gauge comfort Compare the Titans to proposal (a) above, any comments? Would using the ori Eibach springs on the Titans compromise comfort?c. Any other recommended combo's for E38???4. Windscreen - there is a crack appearing on the passenger side. I gather this happened on the motorway last week, whilst trailing a stone trailer. I need to consider a change of windscreen. Any ideas on cost and the diff between ori and MSG? Can an ori still be procured? Who is a recommended windscreen installer? I hate it when they don't fit the rubber seals back properly and can hear woooozing sounds. I have windscreen cover and will investigate how to address a claim.5. Interior upgrade - the following are planned. Any thoughts most appreciated: -(a) Plan to install chrome meter gauge which I shall procure from fellow forumer, Lionel of Bimmers Garage(b) Complete detail of interior incl carpet wash/clean, leather touch up and protectant(c) Change current 1996 aircond controls (old knobs) to that of facelift model (buttons). Can this be done? Any major work or just a cosmetic change?(d) Looking for Msport steering. Anyone knows where I can procure one?(e) Plan to change interface of BMW RDS to an aftermarket 2 DIN touchscreen. This will be customised with a built in board to house the player. No major re-wiring, just a costemic upgrade. Anyone done this before or know who can handle such work?Any assistance one can render, I would be most obliged. I will be starting a thread on my project soon to post before and after pictures.Thanks a million!

 

[ICEMAN 68]

sardarji ...item no 2 , wanna try lian heng in bangi ..?? did mine there 1 1/2 yrs ago ...

item no 1,4 and 5 -- change it while doing item no 2 ...the paintwork ...

 

[ssmann]

Bro Iceman - many thanks! Where is Liang Heng in Bangi? Will they be able to procure the facelift lights etc?

Thanks bro

 

[suraeisan @ BimmerE38]

As for Item 4 before considering change the windscreen try reparing it. I too got a chip on my E38 windscreed about 2 weeks ago. I got Glass Doctors to repair it and I'm happy with their job. Must say very professional. Details: http://www.glassdoct.com/
And as for item 2-Paint job - I use this chap in Kayu Ara - will pm his no. if you are keen. He does a good job and I not think it will be RM3k for same colour.He also does interior detailing
Cheers Bro!

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Bro Iceman - many thanks! Where is Liang Heng in Bangi? Will they be able to procure the facelift lights etc?

Thanks bro

yep ..it's in bangi ... price wise it's a little high side as what others being saying ... if you want to pay a visit let me know , i can take you there and perhaps catch up for some tea ...

i'm not sure bout the facelift light , but you may ask them when you;re there ...

 

[ICEMAN 68]

they are now painting a hidden legendary e30 there now belongs to an OM here ....

 

[ssmann]

Bro Iceman,

I will give you a buzz. Will be scouting around a number of contacts provided by some forumers to gauge best deals around. Will be in touch.

Thanks bro!

 

[ssmann]

Friends,

Following is the colour I am contemplating on my E38......imagine with 18" refurbished diecast rustic wheels and a black nose with shadowline effect :smokin:

Here's the picture....sorry could only find it on a Myvi:rock:

 

[andrewk]

Bro, you should look at Vincent's previous E32. IIRC, it was in this similar burnt orange color. Damn good looking car that was....

As to your questions:-

1. An alternative for the facelift side fenders is to buy the aftermarket headlights that comes with and additional panel to cover the gaps (example:- http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+e38+projector+headlamp-3868650.htm) Not sure how well they will fit though, but if you do it with your paint job, they can probably do some bodywork to make it fit nicely.

2. No prob bro. I'm happy with his work.

3. I'm leaning towards the titan route as it is easily serviceable by the manufacturer and i don't have to change my springs. Also, price is reasonable IMHO.

4. I changed my old E34 windshield at MSG glass. They are located in near Tawakal Hospital. Workmanship is good from my experience.

5 (b). Do this when you detail your car after the respray.

5 (c). Dunno if its just cosmetic bro... the digital ones are dual climate control. Not sure about the knob ones you have.

5 (d). There is one in THAT chopshop in Kg Subang. Dunno if it's still there. Just to note on the retrofit, from what I've read the buttons will not work and i think even the mounting brackets are different for the older models compared to the later models with the msports steering wheel. Here are some links for your info:-

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/476495
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/417260

Some guy even added paddle shifters from a merc!! http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/600730 :rock:

5 (e). Was thinking of converting mine to a 2 din aftermarket system too, but the thought of losing the OBC stopped me. I was also researching retrofitting the wide screen unit, but looks like too much hassle and I don't know if anyone here knows how to do it (tho I have the BMW workshop manual for the retrofit).

Good luck on your project!

 

[Vincent Hor]

Andrew, you remembered that E32. Anyway just to refresh ;

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8521&highlight=E32+735iL

I would have gone for this same colour if I were to respray my E38.

Alternatively, this one marrakesh brown would be good too;

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33599

 

[ssmann]

Bro Andrew,

Thanks a million for the response and sharing. Much appreciated!!!!

I will be scouting around for aftermarket headlamps at WRC, Mudah, EagleEyes. I will also be making rounds at potong kereta's to find a deal on facelift lamps/fenders etc. I called the guy and he stocks the same model as in WRC......

On paintjob, am surely going for it with the shadowline effect. Question is whether to retain colour or change. I am only concerned with chaging colour, that the interior etc may have to be removed and when it needs to be put together, there maybe rattles. This I will really hate!!!! So am going to pay a visit to George and Vincent's contact for spray painting.

Same time will be sorting out windscreen as well

I am seriously contemplating Titan's as well and will be catching up with Vince soon to test his ride :burnout:

All others, still work in progress and need lots more research/guidance before proceeding

Thanks bro and I will buzz you next week when back from travels. Maybe we can go chop shop hunting, etc.....

Cheers - S

 

[ssmann]

Bro Vince,

Thanks for the colour choices man!!!! The more the merrier....hehehehheehe:rock:

You have an awesome E32 man!!!! Gorgeous

 

[andrewk]

Serjit,

Here are some other BMW colors you can consider that IMHO may look good on a dechromed E38:-

Sterlinggrau Metallic
Technograu Metallic

If u don't mind using colors from other manufacturers, consider these:-

Merc colors:-
Indiumgrau effect
Stahlgrau metallic
Hekkblau
Graualiminium metallic

Maserati color:-
Azzuro dream metallic

They are mostly grey or blue colors but with unique individual effect. Not as striking as the burnt orange tho. You'll need to look at these color under the sun to see how the effect comes out, esp in the curve of the metal. Makes it look classy yet aggressive due to the shadowline.

If i were to change color, I would probably opt for the Merc's Indiumgrau effect color. Grey with a tinge of bronze color and the contrast in the sun plays really nicely esp on the lines of the E38..... damn... makes me wanna respray my car again!!! :rock:

Anyways, just more options to confuse you.. hahahha!!

 

[ssmann]

Bro Andrew,

You da man!!!! Thanks bro for all the input. I am gonna google all these colours now

Man, there is so much to do and I am really getting excited.....burnt pockets man!!!!

In your opinion, what would a complete change of colour paint job cost? Do you see a risk that when parts are removed, given the age of the car, it could break?? And then cause rattles etc.......

I have been googling shadowline and found a guy who wants to sell originals :burnout:.....

Now left to source upgrade headlamps....am on a mission now......

Bro, i'll be buzzzing you once in town. Need to catch up man.

Cheers - S

 

[andrewk]

Bro Serjit,

Hahah! My wife says I'm da crazy man!! I actually spent a couple of hours at the George's place pouring thru the color catalog walking in and out of the sun to narrow down colors I liked for my E34 then. Since the lines of the E34 and E38 are similar, I think they should go well.

Google doesn't do the colors justice. You need to see it under the sun and bend the color card (or whatever they call it) to see how it will look in curves and shades. Hahah... damn anal I know...

Not sure how much it is. I paid almost 3k to change the color of my RX8, but that is a much smaller car. You will have to expect certain things to break, like clips and such when stuff are being removed. George's guys are quite a careful bunch, but shit still happens, especially for older cars like ours.

Wah.. ori shadow line... buy buy!! Very difficult to get them these days....

Ya, gimme a buzz. We need to do some shopping!