Although BK02837 has never been subject to winter usage, this doesn’t mean that this car hasn’t seen bad weather including snow. Even in high summer, there is a distinct change of snow in the high Alpine area’s when cold weather fronts occur. Throughout September, the probability of snow rapidly increases as we experienced amongst others during the E34 M5 Alps tours in 2005.
As I do not intend to part with this car for a very long time to come, a closer inspection of the jack-stands and the water drainage channels from the A-pillar becomes a must. This was already on the agenda for the winter of 2010/2011, however the overhaul of the front suspension of my E28 M5 constrained access to the ramp until May last year so I postponed with a few months.
After the removal of the ‘M-technik’ side-skirts, the sills were inspected and at a first glance are in fine condition. As expected, the protective coating has deteriorated a bit exposing the bare metal of particularly the front jack-stands causing some surface rust, but nothing critical.
This also applies to the drainage channels. These are partially blocked by dirt that was collected after twenty-two years. Total absence of winter-usage and limiting wet-weather use have helped maintain them in good condition. The rear-jack-stands appear to be in fine. However, a thorough clean is required to determine their condition and the course of (preventive) action.
Apart from some dirt, the lower parts of the front-fenders are in excellent condition.
My first impression is that the sills need a good clean, followed by the partial removal of the protective coating before preserving the exposed metal areas. The paint of the lower part of the fenders has suffered throughout the years of spirited driving in the Alps though; there are literally hundreds of small spots were the primer paint becomes visible, meaning that the original diamond-black paint must be much less than 100micron’s. Although this is original paint, there should be no harm in a repaint for cosmetic reasons.
Also twenty-two years of age is the sump-gasket. Although the engine has never been opened, the small oil-leak requires attention to avoid the spill. The required parts are already on my project-inventory.
As I do not intend to part with this car for a very long time to come, a closer inspection of the jack-stands and the water drainage channels from the A-pillar becomes a must. This was already on the agenda for the winter of 2010/2011, however the overhaul of the front suspension of my E28 M5 constrained access to the ramp until May last year so I postponed with a few months.
After the removal of the ‘M-technik’ side-skirts, the sills were inspected and at a first glance are in fine condition. As expected, the protective coating has deteriorated a bit exposing the bare metal of particularly the front jack-stands causing some surface rust, but nothing critical.
This also applies to the drainage channels. These are partially blocked by dirt that was collected after twenty-two years. Total absence of winter-usage and limiting wet-weather use have helped maintain them in good condition. The rear-jack-stands appear to be in fine. However, a thorough clean is required to determine their condition and the course of (preventive) action.
Apart from some dirt, the lower parts of the front-fenders are in excellent condition.
My first impression is that the sills need a good clean, followed by the partial removal of the protective coating before preserving the exposed metal areas. The paint of the lower part of the fenders has suffered throughout the years of spirited driving in the Alps though; there are literally hundreds of small spots were the primer paint becomes visible, meaning that the original diamond-black paint must be much less than 100micron’s. Although this is original paint, there should be no harm in a repaint for cosmetic reasons.
Also twenty-two years of age is the sump-gasket. Although the engine has never been opened, the small oil-leak requires attention to avoid the spill. The required parts are already on my project-inventory.