mx5freak2

Hi Sterb,

To the M5 steering. The E28M5 used both a different steering-box (shorter ratio) as well as a different servo-pump which has a 10Bar (or was it 20 ?) higher pressure to compensate a bit for the heavier steering. Not talking about worlds of differ here though and a normal servo-pump should do the trick as well as I heard from a very knowledgeable E28 guy. Uncertain about differs in hoses, maybe, you'd need to verify on the EPC. Shouldn't be normally. The part-nr's for the revision-set were the same for the M5 and other E28 servo-pump AFAIR.

To the Aircon. Yep, mine still has an R12 sticker on it (condenser) as well and is empty. Have an overhaul of that in my queue for a later point-in-time. In case of condensor-failure, I got lucky and have a spare Alpina-one from Ebay a while ago, just in case... The dryer should be the same from what I saw so far as on other E28's and got a new one as well. The B7 Alpina EPC is showing a whole list of other Alpina-specific partnr's here, what I'd be most interested in is to find out what kind of compressor Alpina used for this, their part-nr.: 64 50 620.

I'm no aircon-expert, but from what I recall to have picked up in time is that I'd/you'd have 2 options (outside of illegal R12 fillings ):
1. To have the system checked and filled-up with a more modern R12 replacement-gas which does not require modifications to the existing system (expensive/uncommon from what I heard) or
2. Convert the system to the R134a and fill it up with that. The latter sounds most interesting. AFAIR, outside of suiteable oil filling one would need some gaskets replaced on the compressor and by the dryer (or new dryer) plus ideally the newer type valves/connections for R134a fillings.

Would need to dig into the whole story again about the conversions, time's lacked for that so far but would be interested to hear other's findings !

sterb

Don't want to redirect the thread to an aircon discussion but for reference I have found this for the BMW system (hope your german is OK...), not obviously a different set of parts but does give an idea of what is required to convert it.

Attached Files

aircon conversion.pdf (110.1 KB, 116 views)

mx5freak2

For those interested, did some measurements on my car meanwhile and found that the stabilisers fitted are standard 535i-ones, having 15.5mm at the back and 19mm at the front. The M5 pre 10/86 has got 15.5 at the back as well but 21mm at the front.

Also talked to a friend who did the conversion to the newer-gen stabilisors (18mm at the rear, 25mm at the front) on a few cars (different E28-modells) in the past as it turned out, and he told me this was a very satisfying upgrade worth the while (as to be expected)

To the different mounts for the front 25mm one, he told me that next to the different mounting-caps around the rubbers (that seem to fit normally) one would also need to weld in the different stabiliser-'holders' to the body at the front. They'd be nr.: 41 11 2 230 014 from what I see from the EPC, few euro's a piece only. They're M5 E28 specific according to EPC and the same for pre/post 10/86 modells. Uncertain if I'd need those in my case but will order them to play safe.

If time allows I'll try to get them fitted in this part of suspension overhaul on mine...

Erneland

I have a question that may fit in here. My B7 Turbo (#63) was about to get new struts fitted. However the lower end was too big (where you have three holes for bolts. Anyone who knows why? My guess is that it's just ordinary struts from a 528i. The new struts are said to be real Alpina ones.

Also the cylinder head doesn't state "TURBO" but I've heard a rumor saying that all 745i-cylinder heads didn't have that Turbo-mark. Some of the early ones were getting cracked d/t heat and the new heads made from 86 had better water flow. Mine has a 86-mark and also 15 1228 086.9

Brgds,

Michael