Score!

[thehackmechanic]

Ok. I've owned this '73 3.0CSi for 25 years. I used to write about it frequently in Roundel, but about six years ago I insured it on a Hagerty collector car policy, which means I pay dirt to insure it but I can't commute to work in it, so since then it's seen very few miles.

Two weeks ago a local guy sent me an e-mail saying he had a 1982 635CSi Alpina B9 3.5 that had been submerged under seven feet of water in the recent floods we had up here in Northeast. I checked out the car. It was rusty and its true Alpina pedigree was not chiseled in stone, but lo and behold it had staggered Alpina wheels. I did not want to deal with parting the car out. I wound up doing a deal with Mario Langsten (vsr1.com) where I bought the car for $800, pulled the wheels and the steering wheel, and sold the rest to Mario for $400.

So I got a set of staggered 16" Alpina wheels and an Alpina steering wheel for $400. And they're straight. The rear ones have had the clear coat eaten into by brake dust, but from ten feet they look great. And the front ones are just about perfect.

I mounted g-force sports on them and threw them on the 3.0.

I also threw in a set of beige houndstooth hundred-dollar 320i Recaros that are a fairly good match to the cream leather.

Instantly, it all swung around. Why, exactly, am I not spending every waking moment driving this car?

Sometimes, life IS good.

Now if only I could get it an inch lower without worrying about tearing up the front fender lips.

--Rob

 

[x_atlas0]

Rob-

Good to see you on the board! I read some of your articles in the Roundel. As I recall, I asked you a few years back about AC upgrades for the coupe, and you were a huge help.

 

[JMinPDX]

Nice going Rob! Glad to have you on the board. Is this a preview of a future column?

John M

 

[thehackmechanic]

Yeah, probably, but no one will "get it" in terms of wheel lust like E9 guys.

 

[CookeD]

Hey Rob,

I don't see "Firebird Boy's" Firebird listed in your signature...!

Just kidding-- Good luck with the car, and yes, you should write about the un-mothballing of the CSi.

 

[CSteve]

I can't open the photos. "error 404 can't open" or some dribble like that. Could you send to [email protected] or repost.

Another rim obsessed e9'er

 

[HB Chris]

I get the same 404 error.

 

[vince]

Nice find Rob!

I love your column. I almost wrote you a couple of months ago when you were considering selling your 5-speed E39 wagon and say 'DON'T DO IT!!, YOU'LL REGRET IT'.

I've been mad at myself ever since I sold ours two years ago. As you mentioned, 5 speed tourings with the sport package are super rare.

Recently, I was able to convince the boss that we really needed an E39 M5. It has helped ease the pain.

 

[TodB]

HM

Love the column and from a fellow MA lad to boot!

Good score, BTW.

Feel free to plug this board in the next column :-D

 

[thehackmechanic]

Thanks, everyone, for the notes.

For those who can't see the embedded pics, I've added them as attachments.

--Rob

 

[bmw art car]

droooooool

wow, she's gorgeous

 

[craterface]

Ride height

Rob
The car looks great with the new wheels, but I have to agree about the ride height. Just a smidge too high with those wheels. Dig the seats, too.
Scott

 

[Arde]

Verona rules!
I assume it doesn't have the spacers at the top of the shocks, otherwise removing them lowers the front a bit I recall.

 

[thehackmechanic]

Again, thanks everyone.

It's actually Signal Red -- a Mercedes 190E and 300E color from the '80s.

Shock tower spacers long since gone.

It's got KYBs in the rear and Bilstein HDs in the front. Probably 12 years ago I broke the threaded studs off the top of one of the rear Billys. Was out of money. Threw some cheap KYBs in the back and basically forgot about it until this week. But I doubt that has anything to do with the ride height.