TIMMS BMW E31 840CI BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN
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- Опубліковано 15 січ 2024
- Yes, it's been 7 months since my BMW E31 840ci was rudley crashed into by an inferior car. The RTA left my lovely Mora Metallic 840ci an insurance write-off. This Email is the story right from the crash to it being back on the road, insured, taxed and with a clean MOT
#TimmBMW, #840ciAccident, #BMWE31, - Авто та транспорт
This is how to make Lemonade from Lemons , Congratulations on the fix, so happy to see the E31 back on the road as it should be. Your a wonderful owner of such a fine car. Great stewardship !
Very kind of you, yes, it's a lot better now!
WOW, Looks a million dollars !. Congratulations. Interesting the amount of different specialists used but you due diligence is OUR gain, Great video thanks Andrew.
Thanks!
Hello Timm, I'm pleased that your 8 Series is back on the road. I also overhauled the rear axle of my 840i (4.0l) with my dad. In other words, we have done everything that could be done from scratch. I took out all the bushings and pressed in the new ones. Some parts sourced from abroad. We also dismantled the drive shafts and removed the rust from the differential and refilled it. It took us 1.5 months until everything was ready to drive again. And it was worth it. I hope you enjoy the car. I've learned a lot from your videos and I'm looking forward to more. Kind regards from Germany, Konstantin
P.s. Hammerit is also one of our best friends ;-)
Brilliant work Konstantin! It's great to work on cars that you drive - makes it so much more special!
You are a good man getting it back onto the road, what a beautiful looking machine. Must have broken your heart when you got out and saw the damage.
Thanks Joseph, it was a shock, that's for sure, but I've had worse and it was just a case of getting it fixed!
Great to see the return of the 840, you must be very happy as to how a disaster was turned in to a restoration event.
Yes Christopher, very pleased!
So pleased to see the car back together. Got to keep our E31s going.
My pleasure!
Congratulations on getting the E31 back on the road Timm. Very pleased to see how well it came out. Your an absolute stalwart of the E31 community.
84T
Thanks Tony!
glad to see it back on track! congrats mate, enjoy it again!
Thanks!
Hello Tim..!! So happy to see you back on the road with your amazing e31. You did good and you are our lead guru on the subject!! Happy to see you driving it !! I am now doing the rear bushing replacing, therefore treasuring your lecture !! Tim you’re the Jedi of the e 31 !! Be safe and thanks 🙏🏻
Thanks, very kind of you!
Hi Timm, this is Alvin your number one fan. I knew you would restore her. She looks great. Congratulations to you and your team 👏. Job will done, my friend. Blessings
ALVIN! There you are! We got there in the end, blessings to you and your family!
Nice , that car is too nice to be writen-off . Congratulation.
It was! Thanks!
That Sir is a beautiful piece of machinery
Thanks Martin!
It just had to be done Timm, that car is too gorgeous and too special to be sent off to that big scrap yard in the sky! She's looking superb, they've done a great job and it's impossible to detect any previous damage. One could say that Golf driver did you a favour of sorts, well maybe not with all the headache and stress, but it did give you an opportunity to get all the brake pipes and fuel lines sorted which tbh looked seriously crusty and ready to let go anytime, and they're a pain to change when the rear suspension is in place, so much easier with everything off. You've even got the sills done so no disappearing jack the next time you want to change a wheel by the side of the A63. I still think you're spinning a yarn though, about being 64, in order to get the sympathy vote 😉, I'll have none of it, I'd like to see a birth certificate please, probably has real name 'Dorian Gray' printed on it huh? Seriously though, really pleased this beauty is back on the road, a classic design that just looks better as time goes on and yes the MV's have to go! Refurbed wheels look gorgeous! 👍😎🙏
That's very kind of you, and I'll officially be an Old-Age Pensioner in April of this year! And yes, I agree, he did me a favour, it all needed doing, and all done for nothing except time in the end, so I'm not complaining!
Hi Tim, I am very pleased to see the E31 back on the road, it took a while but it was worth it, what a lovely car.
Thanks Vincent!
Looks great Timm! Glad you saved it.
E64 (manual transmission) Dave from Massachusetts
Thanks David! I grew up with manuals in the UK, an Auto is special!
Well done Tim, always a pleasure to see your efforts.
Thanks you!
we both think you are a total credit to the classic bmw brand and we admire your perseverance ;-]
Very kind of you to say so!
Well done Timm, you've been on a real journey getting the old girl back on the road.
Thanks, great to be back!
Hi Timm. Great to see the E31 back on the road. I’m not a fan of light colour interiors, but your cars colour combo is perfect. It really pops.
Thanks! 👍Yes, it certianly pops - and it's the third BMW in a row I've had with that contrast!
Good to see the 840 back on the road Tim 👍😁
Thanks, that's kind of you!
Car looks great tim, definitely a great time to prolong it's life all the preventive all the hard work will pay off in the next few years of mot
Thanks Martin, yes, I'm very pleased with the improvements!
Great to see the car back on the road and well done for persevering.
Thanks Roger!
Great work - no wonder you’re pleased.
Thanks Rhys!
Good news Timm! Moral of the story, never let anyone else drive your loved BMW. Even if they are the best driver in the world and someone you'd trust with your life, our loved cars don't view the world as we do. 30 plus degrees here in NZ today.
We can drive our beloved BMW's as carefully and diligently as we want but we can't legislate for other drivers who drive without due care or attention. The same accident could have occurred with the owner at the wheel if someone just pulls straight out of a junction without stopping and into your side. ....30+ degrees sounds awesome, pure heaven.....I'm shivering here in -3c, here in the UK.
@habsom1406 ah but for those who really appreciate their BMW, they know good always smiles on them. My 97 e39 540i M-Sport is a shield against mishap. It wouldn't and didn't happen if Timm behind the wheel.
Thanks Bernard, from a -6C UK!
I am really pleased that you have rebuilt her and taken the time to sort out all those jobs that were on the get around to it list. I sometimes think I am the only one on the planet that likes MV2s :)
Thanks Keith, I'm growing to like the MV2's, they just need some decent spacers on them!
Glad she’s all better now timm. If I see you I’ll flash and wave. I’ll be in my silver E46 with Mv1s on it. 😊
I'll look out for you Iain!
Great to see her back on the road, Timm. Congrats
Thanks, it's great to be back on the road!
Amazing that it’s all sorted and you didn’t end up too much out-of-pocket on cost, Timm.
Can’t make up for the lost time and the hassle, but at least you’re back in the driver’s seat.
Really looking forward to the suspension overhaul video!
I'm looking forward to doing the video - I need to get it done quickly before I forget it all! Thanks!
Oh and because of that inpa diy vid you posted my 1997 540i sport 6peed with 170k miles is running perfectly. Replaced the donut exhaust gaskets ( it had a barely audible exhaust leak causing a rough running low power condition I couldn’t solve . It wasn’t until I acquired a rebuilt title 1998 540i auto parts car (600$) that ran better than my sport model that I realized how much it was down on power . So thanks for that Timm 👍
Glad I could help on that one too Ian - I often forget the E39 as I never owned one!
Nicely done Tim. She looks fantastic 👍🏾
Thanks John!
Great to see that you saved this beautiful car. In the end you got a better car.
I did my suspension 2 years ago and the difference is night and day having it all back new and fresh. Enjoy it 👌
Cheers,
Thanks Johan! Yes, so much better without having to worry about fuel or brake pipes exploding!
Well done for sticking at it through all the highs and lows. Must be amazing to get back behind the wheel and I'd argue, with all the work that's done it's probably in finer fettle that before the crash. I got back into mine yesterday after a month of not driving it and instantly remembered how much I love it.
Yes, it's great behind the wheel - the 650i hasn't had a look in for weeks!
Glad to see it survived and is back looking stunning 😎👍
Thanks Ricky!
Looks ace I love those mv2 wheels from the 330ci short. Top chanel Tim.
I must admit I growing to like the MV2's!
Hi Timm!
So happy to see your lovely 840ci back on road again!!!!!
Looking forward to see how you fix your roof inside the car. I have the same problem with my 840ci.
Thanks! I'm reading up on the headliner replacement tonight!
It's great to see your 8 is back. Such a beautiful spec.
Thanks - I'm driving it every day until I get my 7 months back!
Thankfully, you ended up quids in. Well done and enjoy !
I was very lucky altogether in the end!
Great to see her fully back on the road and looking splendid - you should be very pleased - great job!
I'm very pleased that's for sure!
Happy to see you got it back on the road. I felt very bad for you! I can only imagina how horrible the stress must have been. Hope you will enjoy it for many many years forward. Kind regards from the Netherlands.
Thanks, the stress came when I drove the car for the first time - looking for problems always stresses me!
Great job Timm! I was one of the 'Negative Nellies' that said perhaps it was time to move on to a different car - happy to see you've gone the other way and come out with a car that's better than it was before, having addressed some important ancillary repairs as well.
Another positive to take away from this is seeing the support and community that's around this model, that NLA parts did not stop you.
Congrats and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Spring is around the corner!
Thanks, yes it was a difficult decision, but after the original shock there was no decision to make!
Hi Timm, I am really pleased that you have your 8 series back on the road, to be honest I didn't realise that the car had been in an accident.I can imaging you were absolutely gutted, especially with the thieves at the insurance companies. It looks like your guys have done a fabulous job on it, take care and hope it all works well for you.
By the way I am the guy who bought your old 8 Series - R121SRU - and I am pleased to say I still have it. Currently it is wrapped up in my big shed awaiting its spring polish after I ran it over the Christmas period. The car is running well but got caught this year for a few bills, new A/C unit, starter motor, window screen washers and a refurb of the passengers front seat when it was damaged by the garage doing the other bits.
regards Phil
Great to hear from you Phil! Glad the 840ci is still on the road, that was a great car and I enjoyed it over the couple of years that I owned it. I'm afraid that washers and wipers are one of the parts that seize up after a while - and garages always seem to ruin things when mending something else! You will not have the rusty radiator hanger problem - a new one was fitted just before I sold you the car!
Congrats Timm, the car really looks lovely.
Thanks Kim!
Another great video Tim. Firstly, a nod to Keith Hudson, my daily is an E46 325Ci M Sport in Imola red, with MV2's from the factory. They really suit the car and I love them, so that makes 2 of us at least! Anyhow, good to see the old girl back on the road, wish mine was. I'm still struggling with the fuel rail problem but may have some answers soon, I'll update the forum, not that many will be interested, but I may have uncovered an issue that will affect all of these engines at some time. You were very lucky being able to re-use the old rear screen, particularly the rubber seal around the outer edge. Mine came out in bits and they are an astonishing £300 from BMW. A video on the rear suspension will help a lot of people, because, depending on the MOT tester, most are unfamiliar with the E31 rear suspension setup and pass a lot of cars that should really fail, mine was one. Even low mileage cars will need suspension work just because of their age. Re. the fuel pipes, one of them was NLA when I did mine, so I made a new one out of 8mm copper, also another kept coming wrong from Germany, it was bent the wrong way and I can only assume it was for the LHD car, so I think you were lucky with yours.
Good to har from you Bob, yes, I got lucky with the rear windscreen - I was thinking of getting the window replaced (£1000) but in the end went with the original to shorten the work. My trim ended a bit puckered, but OK, so I got lucky there too. I'm growing to like the MV2's - they just need spacing out a bit. See you on the forums!
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Hi Tim, thanks for the reply. The rear screen was £800 last time I checked a few months ago. It definitely doesn't pay to wait nowadays with the way BMW are going with their "classic" parts prices. I managed to get a used one from Ed at 777Garage, it doesn't have the blue sun strip, but I'm not so bothered about that, and it only has slight delamination, much better than my old one. I can't find a trim strip as yet, so may have to bite that bullet. I'm looking at making one out of 2 different off-the-shelf seal profiles. As you probably know, it doesn't actually seal anything, it is mainly cosmetic. There is a company not far from me in Bradford (Bradford Rubber) who make tons of seals and can make anything you want for a price. We'll see.
Really good to see, thanks for sharing this adventure!
My pleasure!
Good to see the 8 series back on the road a nice example that is far too good to be sent to the crusher that mora metallic certainly is a great colour.
Thanks Carl, very kind of you!
Die Reparatur ist perfekt geworden 👍👍👍
Danke, ja, am Ende bin ich sehr zufrieden!
Happy to see the car back on the road and good luck for future drives!
Love the colour by the way. I wish my 750 was something other than black.
Thanks! Yes, love the Mora Metallic, I had a 740i in exactly the same colour combination! www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/2000/Index.htm
Very happy to see your outside family member healthy again. Timm, All the time , knowledge, and repairs that you’ve shared with the e31 community in youre DIY videos is greatly appreciated and was instrumental in helping me get my own 1991 850i/6 up and running . I bought a garaged one that sat for 8 years - zero rust but with our US ethanol mixed fuels it needed almost the entire fuel system replaced and or rebuilt including complete fuel pump assembly, filters . All rubber hoses and fuel injectors were cleaned and rebuilt with the micro filters, pointless and O-rings followed by all new ignition system- 1k ohm spark plugs , and wires then distributor cap and rotor. Next was the complete brake system flush with new brake reservoir grommets and finally a pressure bleed of clutch and calipers. Ohh and while I was in there the intakes were resealed and cylinders fogged before the first attempted start . To my surprise it instantly came to life and runs on 12 . Next up is most of the rubber bushing in suspension need replaced.. but it’s a running and driving car thanks to you . Next up is to load and learn the INPA diagnostic software . So thanks again Timm for all you do.
Very kind of you - and I'm not surprised it fired up on all 12 - you did all the right things and swerved all the normal mistakes that stop the reliable M70 working - well done!
Very pleased for you Timm.
Thanks!
It's great to see the gorgeous beast back on the road again and I'm glad to hear that the money from that lousy insurance company covered the cost! I'm looking forward to your video on the rear suspension rebuild, that will be very interesting to watch.
Thanks, I'm looking forward to making it - but first I have to get all the salt off the car after a week driving in the cold!
Nice car mate my dad had 2 850ci still got one now had the first one in '96 got a j Reg gray with red interior 😍👍🏿
Thanks Ray, a red interior is so rare!
Brilliant! Thank you.
You're very welcome!
Congratulations Timm you brought the car back from a potential horrible breakers yard demise to return in a overall better condition than before. Your fastidious care and attention to detailed d.i.y maintenance was a major attraction to your channel. It’s a fantastically good looking vehicle used as a daily driver, what better way for others to be inspired into consideration of ownership. Look forward to seeing future vlogs.
That's very kind of you, it's important that it isn't a garage queen and used every day - one kept in the garage is not going to need fixing all the time!
Well done Timm, am so happy that your 8 series is back where it belongs! Best wishes
Thanks Doug, still love the film!
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation glad to hear it Timm, a true 90s classic
Very pleased to see this channel legend back on 4 straight wheels and looking sharp again. That E31 is lucky with you as the owner. How a little mistake can lead to so much trouble... Now the car got a new lease of life, good job on restoring the 'while you're in there's'. Smart move, will make the driving experience better for sure. I hope you can enjoy your 840 again now after all the headache. Looking forward to the next chapter of life for this one.
Thanks, very kind of you and very happy to be back in the E31 again after 7 months!
Brilliant as always Timm 👍gr8 vid, good man..
Thanks Robert!
Congratulations on the final result Timm, looks awesome! Your perseverance paid off!!
Thanks! Got there in the end!
Awesome to see your E31 back to being brilliant again!
Thanks, it's great to be back!
watched your video really really glad you’ve got it back to full restoration well done big man looks good 👍
Thanks Stevie!
Great to see this beautyful car back on the road. Restoring the rear suspension is a kind of a nightmare. I did it on mine last year together with the front suspension and refurbishing the breaks. Eager to see your next video. Bodo
Thanks Bodo, I need to drive for a while before I make a fresh video - but one on the rear suspension is next as I have most of the video done already
happy days Timm
Thanks Eoin!
just can't wait to get on the road again
I've driven it every day since I got it back - even at -6C yesterday!
Congratulations Tim, she looks stunning- genuinely chuffed 4 u chap!
Thanks, I'm chuffed!
Well done. Car looks amazing. 👍
Thanks Mick 👍
Hi timm, glad to see your e31 back on the road again, looking very nice, job well done
Thanks!
So glad it all worked out. Was definitely worth the effort as the car looks amazing.
Thanks!
The talk of the heater temperature is interesting. My V8 E53 has a superb HVAC system- ice cold in summer and roasty toasty in the winter. Compared to our late Discovery 4 which never seems to get as warm. Odd considering it’s 15 years newer..
It seems that the later cars have their cabin temperature limited - but I so miss the boiling heat from the E31 when I'm in the E64!
Enjoyed that, you have a new subscriber 👌🏻
Thanks, you are very welcome here!
Welcome back, dude.
Thanks, I'm glad to be back on the road!
Hi Timm, great to see you've got the car back on the road. Seeing you use the car all year round you should get some Lanoguard to protect the underside 👍
That's a good plan Adam, I keep seeing adverts for the stuff, maybe it's time to put some on!
T R U L Y I N S P I R A T I O N A L....!!!
Well done...you have proved the old adage, "...there's no substitute for perseverance!"
And I loved your closing comments....NO THANKS TO DARWIN INSURANCE (they must get the Darwin award) and to Hampshire Highways...brilliant stuff.
Making me wish I'd kept mine (same vintage as yours, 1999 'T' Reg)..😢...
Huge thanks for it all.....🤗
KEEP THE VIDEOS COMING...!!!!
Thanks, very kind of you!
I am delighted to see you have got your E31 back on the road and looking so well. I have the same issue with the roof cloth hopefully you will be tackling that in the future so we will know how to do it lol. I wondered where you got your exhaust shields from as mine are almost rusted away completely. Great video as always.
Thanks Edward, they came from BMW direct
Love your content mate
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Glad to see your E31 was fixed properly. Could you break down the body shop rate by labor and parts? I'm sure the new door and quarter weren't cheap.
They were surprisingly cheap, £850 for the quarter panel and £901 for the door - can't complain - and in stock as well!
Great channel Timm been using your content for years, would like to see that rear end rebuild list and how to, need to do mine this year and getting all the parts is the first task.
Thanks! I've got so many video's to do and so little time!
Great news!
Thanks Brian!
E31 fixed and checked all the under parts. Maybe it was an opportunity to find future issues. I feel as my car on the road again
It all needed doing, and should have been done a while ago - especially the rusty pipes - so, yes, a better car now!
Nice to see the finished job on this. I did notice the 650i wasn't in the background. Is it OK?
Thanks! It's on the kerb outside my house - it only seemed fair to let the Mini on the drive for a while!
Tim, your friend Lee, who you recommended last year - didn't help. Quoted the job for chains & guides, then hid away and stopped responding. Got it done elsewhere. I thought I'd just let you know.
Lee is extrodinarily busy, and doesn't communicate often - however, guides can be done just about anywhere these days. He was probably busy fixing my car!
Hello TImm, glad to see your car is looking sharp again!
I installed some euro headlights in my USA model and I need to test some bulbs and I can't get the silly metal wire bulb retainer back on. Is there a trick or suggestion you would have for putting the wire clips back in place? I can't get the closed end fitted in it's proper place. Thanks,
Thanks, the clips are shown in this picture: www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/timms_bmw_e31_LED_FTP_Main_Beams_htm_files/329.jpg
I have an early model E31 car and the clips aren't permanently attached but I finally figured out how to get them back on. I installed euro lights on my usa model and had a couple of burned out or broken bulbs. Thanks,
Wow . Glad you succeeded. And well done getting a good payment from their insurance company. I've got a BMW E92 325i with white cream baige leather seats. Your interior looks 👌🏾 so good 👍🏾.
What leather cleaner do you use ??
Thanks! I usually use Zaino leather cleaner followed by Zaino Leather In A Bottle - it's is quite expensive but works well. This time I use meguiar's leather cleaner because I could get it quickly - and it worked well
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation Thanks Tim 😊 🤝🏾💯
Nice to see it back on the road, my 840Ci will be a garage queen until March time I reckon due to the shocking condition of the roads. Do you still insure yours for the £30k being a CAT N, or did you feel the need to adjust your valuation of it?
Thanks, I haven't got the valuation back from Adrian Flux yet.....
Hi Timm,
Yes the car is still going well, few issues but mainly wear and tear, I did have to have a new roof lining and the passenger seat got damaged when the car was in the garage but got fixed. I was thinking of using some of this ceramic car polish on it rather than the carnurba I currently use, what’s your thought and what do you use as your car always looks to be in a showroom condition.
Take care, Phil
I use Zaino products - Zaino 2 for polishing (hard work but it is as tough as nails when it cures). To keep it shiny I use Zaino Z8 or Zaino Z6. The only problem is that it is hard to find, especially Zaino Z8.
www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/search?query=Zaino&description=true
www.shopnshine.co.uk/search?type=product&options%5Bprefix%5D=last&options%5Bunavailable_products%5D=show&q=Zaino
Hi Tim... from Canada! We emigrated to Canada in 2003 and I shipped my 'Baby' (E31 850i V12) to join us over here. She's a 91 British Spec with 114K miles on the clock. Virtually original complete with a 'clear film' seal on the medical kit that sits between the rear seats armrest. Done lots of work on her with new valve lifters (nightmare of a job!) new water pump, new hydraulic power steering line, new radiator, new water-pump, etc... over the last 20 years I have only done about 10k... all summer driving. Being a r/h drive insurance here is a P.I.T.A. At this stage I was considering parting with her and was wondering if you knew of anyone interested in buying as I could ship her back to the UK. What d'ya think? Thanks
Hello Eric, good to hear from you over in Canada! My advice would be to keep it - if there's one thing I have heard from classic BMW owners is the wish that they hadn't sold it and miss it - you would be the same I promise!
Hi timm,I’ve been trying to get in touch on the bimmer forum regarding diagnostic/repair manual,please check the forum
Hi timm, bought a 850i and was curious.. the rear light bulbs are in bulb holders but there's no wires connected to the bulb.. am I missing something here 😂
There are metal tracks on the surface of the light clusters - that's how they are connected. They are quite fiddly to put back in as well!
Hi Timm, why would they only pay you £20k if it’s got an agreed value of £30k? Because it was the third party insurer paying out?
I didn’t realise that. Just goes to show you are still at the mercy of everyone else.
Yes Ross, in the end I needed to stop fighting the insurance company and start getting the car fixed - I was missing driving so I just cut my losses and got on with it!
What are 'Rondal' wheels? Chinese copies of Ronals?
Here you go: e9coupe.com/forum/threads/rodell-58-alloys.13259/
How come you dont pull up the handbrake?
No need in an Auto on the flat!
@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation isn't all the stress on the transmission then
No, no strain at all@@mohitl1697
Brilliant! Well played getting that beautiful car back on the road.
Got there in the end, thanks!