Talk Me Out of This

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/20/2018 at 11:47 • Filed to: V12 and Popups and No Pillars Oh My, BMW, wrenching, Npocp

‘91 850i, “minor transmission issues,” also “not drivable” for $2,700. In BMW’s iconic “Red Flag” paint color. And yet I want it so badly. Is that weird?

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I know parts alone to get it drivable again probably cost more than the ask price.

I know it’d take hundreds of hours of YouTube mechanic video watching before I could even turn a wrench on it.

I know it’s got a V12, from Germany, with TWO ECUs.

I know it was a 6-figure car in 1991 and it’s now $2,700 for a reason.

And yet I know I need this ridiculous car.

Talk me out of it, Oppo. Or talk me into it. Your choice...

DISCUSSION (40)

404 - User No Longer Available > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:49

Not the right shade of red. I feel this era of BMWs worked better with Calypso Red.

Future next gen S2000 owner > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:49

I’ve got a truck, I’m sure UHual would give me a trailer for a day........

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:50

Being a mercedes mechanic, other than a certified BMW mechanic (who has been wrenching since 1980) I can’t think of anyone else more qualified to take on such a project.

Do it.

lone_liberal > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:51

You are probably the one person who I wouldn’t desperately try to talk out of this madness. I mean, it might still bankrupt you and leave you sobbing on the side of the road, but at least you have a fighting chance.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:52

Buy it, sell the drivetrain, chuck your favorite four banger in, and drive it to valhalla in Lemons.

Tripper > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:52

Judging by your posts, you’ve got access to the tools and equipment and are also a skilled mechanic used to working on big German engines...This sounds like a buy to me!

Tekamul > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:52

Talk about taking your work home with you

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:54

I fully endorse your pain & suffering for my enjoyment. =)

OPPOsaurus WRX > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:54

damn, you might have found a worse choic e than an A llroad. Bravo. n ow do it.

Wacko > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:55

Worst off you lsx swap it and a manual transmission swap too

Arrivederci > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:55

Buy it and then LS + T56 swap.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:56

Do you have potentially 15-20 grand to sink into it? if so I’d say go for it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:57

Don't quote me but I think BMWs of that era used GM transmissions so it shouldn't kill you if it needs replacing.

ihm96 > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:58

Worst case scenario if the engine is toast, you buy an M60B40 for like 800$ and just convert it to an 840. They were basically just as fast and way more reliable. My best friend bought one a few years ago that was a one owner, the dude said he bought an 850 the year they came out and it was so unreliable that he traded it in for a new 840 which he liked way more. The car had about 198k and had a new transmission lol

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:59

Do it. no matter what destiny holds ahead.

You can always chicken out and LS swap'

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 11:59

I know parts alone to get it drivable again probably cost more than the ask price.

Not if the “parts to get it drivable” are a donor XJS with a V12 and TH transmission. You’d stay V12!

Okay, maybe drivable isn’t the right word for that.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:02

Sounds like a nightmare. I fully support this decision.

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:07

Do it. no matter what destiny holds ahead.

You can always chicken out and LS swap’

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:10

I’ve made worse decisions....

Translates to DO IT!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:11

I would rather have it with a manual, even if it meant a different engine...

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:31

Why not dump factory ECUs and do aftermarket?

Chariotoflove > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:33

You want me to talk you out of pop up headlights?

Tapas > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:47

Do an LS swap?

Tristan > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 12:54

Ad is in all caps, has only 3 pictures and minimal details, also claims that it has a manual transmission... seller passes the Craigslist test.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ihm96
11/20/2018 at 13:06

My thought was converting back to the V8 with a manual would probably be what I would want personally. I’m not sure how hard that would be or how many and how hard to source parts would be.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 13:24

Mechanic to mechanic - how’s your gearbox and electrical skills? Simple as that.

It’s a ZF unit. I’ve never met a ZF unit that isn’t rebuildable and I am not a transmission guy outside of specialty. And even I can handle a ZF or an Aisin. But I sure as shit wouldn’t try it without a lift.

Electrical on this thing’s clearly a nightmare. You gotta be near to my level or at my level. Double ECU and differential signalling everywhere, this thing is a diagnostics nightmare. But it’s diag issues. Still, I wouldn’t go within 50 feet of this thing holding a multimeter without all the FSMs.

Otherwise I’d assume it’s mostly neglect and abuse damage of the vanilla mechanical variety. If you can fix collapsed rings on a Ford, you can fix ‘em on this, right? Right.

Definitely I’d rank it project car, but seriously, you’re an MB tech. You’ve got the foundation for it, just add FSMs.

Sweet Trav > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 13:41

I’d LS swap the fuck out of one of these things...

slipperysallylikespenguins > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 14:03

Nice price, for the body alone

RPM esq. > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/20/2018 at 14:05

Are you thinking of AMGtech , a different person?

RPM esq. > Tripper
11/20/2018 at 14:07

I’m pretty sure AMGtech is a different person.

Tripper > RPM esq.
11/20/2018 at 14:07

All these names

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RPM esq.
11/20/2018 at 14:09

Yes, damn it... now too late to edit comments...

RPM esq. > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 14:09

As long as you go into it expecting to end up spending what you would for one that already works (so, like, $15k) by the time this one does , you’ll be fine!

nermal > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 15:31

Everybody on here is going to try to talk you into it, both to live vicariously through you, and to justify their own past / future questionable purchase decisions.

Do it!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > way2blu does a rev update
11/20/2018 at 21:46

Small block Chevy swap? I know you want to...

pip bip - choose Corrour > way2blu does a rev update
11/21/2018 at 06:17

buy it!

diplodicus > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
11/21/2018 at 14:11

E31 manuals are all Getrag units not ZF. The 850 got the Getrag 560G which is basically unobtanium since it was only produced for the e31. Turner lists a rebuilt from BMW at 7k but I don’t think theres any info outside of BMW/Getrag for rebuilding them.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > diplodicus
11/21/2018 at 17:18

I just assumed it was autotragic simply because manuals? What you claim is unobtanium is just another day in the garage to me. As long as the case is intact, I can source 560G internals. If I don’t like the ratios, I can source new ratios. And Getrag manuals really just don’t break beyond normal wear parts that can be alternate sourced. Usually weak-sauce carrier bearings you can alternate in something better from Timken.

diplodicus > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
11/26/2018 at 10:19

Warzaz > way2blu does a rev update
12/22/2018 at 20:33

I was wondering, have you ever bought the red 8 series? Michael