'98 740i Restoration Project

[mistertripps]

It isn't as bad as the title makes it sound, but my E38 had a few rough edges when I bought it a few weeks ago. The '98 740i retails between $7,000 and $12,000 depending on condition on KBB and NADA. I bought it for $6,000, so I knew I had some work to do. The first thing I did was replace the tires, which were pretty much worn out and replaced the rear brakes. I've still got to replace the front brakes, but they have a little life left in them anyway.

I'll post my repairs and mods in this thread as I go along.

[mistertripps]

This one was an easy one. The hardest thing was finding a replacement module for a decent price.

Here is the switch as it was when I bought the car:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8668.jpg

And here is the replacement after installation:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8674.jpg

All I had to do was pry out the old module, disconnect the three wiring harnesses (watch them, they are all a little different and have tricky catches), plug in the the wiring to the new module and pop it back in. The only difference in the modules was that the original had the wiring sockets on the bottom of the unit and the new one had them on the side.

I was able to get the module on eBay for $51.00 plus S&H. Not bad for a part that is at least three times that at the dealer.

[mistertripps]

Another small problem I had when I bought the car was that the driver's side seat controls and steering wheel adjustment did not work. Since the entire housing on the side of the seat was loose and just hanging on the seat, I figured it was probably just some loose wires.

With the help of advice from E38.org, I was able to take the housing off and confirm that the seat control module was cracked. I snapped the wiring harness back in and both seat controls and steering wheel adjustments started working. I was able to re-secure the housing to the seat and everything is working perfectly again. I realize I'll probably have to replace the seat control module at some point, but for now that's one more item off my restoration list!

[mistertripps]

The leather on the steering wheel was chewed up, so I bought a leather wrap and spent three days sewing that sucker on. If anyone wants one, I'll do it for $500 - :p

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8667.jpg

Forgot to take a before picture, so you'll have to use your imagination. No way I'm taking that thing off to show you! BTW, I bought the wrap at Pep Boys for $12.95.

[mistertripps]

I have to give credit for this idea to a fellow Cashmere Beige owner on Bimmerforms.com. I took apart my headlight assemblies and removed the lenses covering both lights. I cleaned up the front "glass" with PlastX, but I still need to take them off again and actually sand them. I'm also planning to paint the interior frame based on an idea from E38.org, but for now it has a much more modern and distinctive look.

Before, with lens covers in place:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8671.jpg

After removal of lens covers:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8672.jpg

Front shot of car showing both lights:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8680.jpg

And one more from another angle:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8681.jpg

My new front corner lights should be in this week. Can't wait to see how much that changes the look of the car.

[Mitch]

The power window switches are the same in my M5. The rear window lock button is toast on my car.

[mistertripps]

Here's my latest modification. No more amber turn signals!

Before:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8680.jpg

After:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8692.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8689.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8690.jpg

[mistertripps]

Same thing on the back side!

Before:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8693.jpg

After:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8694.jpg

[atl530i]

Mpar rims and a drop would set it off.

[Lsixer]

Nice restoration on the headlight covers brother. Looks very nice. I have to admit, I had a broken one when I aquired mine, so I just bought a new one, and since the new one looked 100% better than the other non-broken one, well, I had to even it up. They were $36 each plus shipping. And they are OEM glass. Couldnt go wrong with that. http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w245/lsixer/dunno-1.gif

[mistertripps]

Nice restoration on the headlight covers brother. Looks very nice. I have to admit, I had a broken one when I aquired mine, so I just bought a new one, and since the new one looked 100% better than the other non-broken one, well, I had to even it up. They were $36 each plus shipping. And they are OEM glass. Couldnt go wrong with that. http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w245/lsixer/dunno-1.gif

Mine cleaned up pretty well, but I think I'm still gonna get some new OEM glass covers. Just too much grit has hit them over the last ten years to bring completely back to new.

[mistertripps]

The power window switches are the same in my M5. The rear window lock button is toast on my car.

Mitch,

You can probably find one for your car on eBay if you keep an eye out. It is an easy switch once you've got the new part.

Tim

[88e28]

Keep up the good work, looking good.

[mistertripps]

Keep up the good work, looking good.

Thanks! I'm getting there. Alan is going to take care of some mechanical stuff for me in a couple of weeks. I'll probably hold off on new wheels until next Spring since we just got those for Cindy.

I'm not bringing Seven tomorrow since she's got some suspension and brake issues. I'm not comfortable riding through the mountains in her yet. We'll likely meet you guys at 11:00 and then take our own route to the Winery in the wagon. It has some suspension things going on as well that Alan will soon be working on.

Hey, can we get a bay at GCR named after us???

[mistertripps]

I finally decided on a front Euro plate for my 740. Her name has officially been changed to Sieben, the German word for seven.

Here is the plate - we were having some fun in the yard today when Cindy took this picture.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8807.jpg

[mistertripps]

So, I decided to try something I saw on another forum and am pleased with the way it turned out. First, I took my headlights apart (again) and got the plastic lens housing out that came in black from the manufacturer. I painted it metallic to give the car a little more "shine".

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8817.jpg

I cleaned the lenses as best I could with Plastx and reassembled everything:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8818.jpg

Finally, reinstalled everything back on the car and here is the finished product (albeit, picture taken in the garage around 9:00 PM).

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/DSCN8822.jpg

I plan on replacing the covers with new glass and probably will buy new lenses while I'm at it.

[mistertripps]

Well, as you know if you keep up with this board regularly, I traded the 740 for a MINI. So, no more restoration updates for me!

I moved the photos to a different server and the links broke. If anyone reads something they would like to see a photo of, I'll be happy to re-post. Just not gonna do it right away....