A Tale of 2 Sedans M42/S52

[eternal24k]

things have slowed down, S52 car is in the garage, no work on the touring this year but hoping to find a clean m52 over the winter to prep for turbo (although i keep thinking about a K swap, it just seems too controversial on an Alpina rep).

I did find some photos Skudak took when he stopped by my place, the green is hard to photograph when surrounded by a green backdrop. Hope to get better photos next year.





The M42 car, "Toad" is back on snow tires. Having a hard time finding replacements and currently living on a very steep "class 4" mountain road, starting to think about chains... If anyone has a low profile chain that's worth it, please let me know. I just dont want something that will beat the wheel well.


but i think i found the color i'm going to paint it in the spring when i pull the vinyl off (which i am dreading)... Land Rover Keswick Green

[eternal24k]

not much going on, been pretty busy trying to build a house. But did make my own Luke Box to finally wrap up my sound system.
I may have a drain, i need to check the POs wiring to the amp and radio, but it may just be the battery getting old. Have to say, loving the heated Recaros this time of year...
Box is standard layout, wrapped in carpet with amp mounted on back with rubber mounts to reduce vibration and allow for some space for cooling. Box was waterproofed and wrapped in carpet. I used EPDM foam on firewall to make a seal. I still need to cleanup wiring and finish

[eternal24k]

been gone for a bit, but I was able to get the swappie on the road for the first time in 2 years. Finished exterior, mounting side skirts, put doors and 90% of interior back together, ceramic coated the exterior, fresh oil change and had a great rip.

Steering rack is groaning and shuttering with air, after finding the other thread, I suspect it's the Chase power steering line, I ordered an OEM and will be swapping with that. Seats are fantastic, heat on them is hot and they are super comfortable. Only thing I am not sure about still is the red/evo seat belts. They kind of clash with the subtle Alpina color scheme inside

Now i need to get a camera and take some decent pics when the rain stops.

[eternal24k]

Checked on sleeping beauty today. Still up in the air with motor for the touring. Also thinking of adding electric windows to the rear, but keeping manual up front. Anyone ever done this?

[eternal24k]

sooo will I get some pics too?!?

Oh fo sho

[2mAn]

And then... I THINK I am done?



still in love with this paint. There's some imperfections on the roof, i wish the first shop didn't implode but I am just happy to have the car near the finish line and confident to be able to enjoy it in the spring.

sooo will I get some pics too?!?

[moatilliatta]

Just keeps getting better! Cant wait till all the trim and touches are done.

A nice rotation of E30's happening!

[eternal24k]

The endless piles of parts are shrinking... Doors are all mounted with new hardware, mechanisms all cleaned and regreased, new bushings for all the lock mechanisms, glass is in, new seals, rebuilt tumblers all around and doors are aligned. I have to say, wish they didn't completely disassemble everything, I had to tear into the door of the Toad to see how things were mounted and copy that work, would have been a hell of a lot harder without that reference.

But with a break in the weather, the Turtle and the Toad are seen together for the first time since paint:



Still need to wrap up the interior trim and door cards, swap window switches since I accidentally flip flopped them, install IS lip and side skirts, brake ducts, door trim for the drivers doors, and wrap up the front bumper install. And then... I THINK i am done?



still in love with this paint. There's some imperfections on the roof, i wish the first shop didn't implode but I am just happy to have the car near the finish line and confident to be able to enjoy it in the spring.

[eternal24k]

who made that sunroof panel?

S2R Tuning Composites and I couldn't be happier with the fit and finish.

[Graham325]

who made that sunroof panel?

[eternal24k]

I like what’s happening.

The finish work of the paint looks pretty good. The Recaro arnt srd in photo? Did you swap to another seat?

It's all confusing, and that's my part.

I have the toad: 318i with dark green vinyl wrap and roof rack. This M42 power plant is my wife's daily (when she's not in the CRX) and our dirt road cruiser.

And then there's the Brewster green S52 swap, where I am spending most of my effort (heated Recaro LS, new carpet, fresh paint, etc).

Think of the Toad as the wish.com version of the S52 car (which is still unnamed)

And the Alpina wagon just went into storage.....

[moatilliatta]

I like what’s happening.

The finish work of the paint looks pretty good. The Recaro arnt srd in photo? Did you swap to another seat?

[DEV0 E30]

Absolutely love how the toad is coming together. Those seats. That color. *chefs kiss*

[eternal24k]

Been putting a ton of miles on "the toad". Finally got a new cam position sensor and it's running great with the Dinan chip. Also threw the Recaro SRDs in it, figured cloth seats would be better than the cold leather and I personally think they are more comfortable (hopefully this time next year I will be back in the S52 car enjoying the heated recaros....)

BUT, I did get a call from the body shop, doors and sunroof are all done, spoiler and other small trim parts and hopefully going to be ready for pickup next week. Now I have another large project of reassembling something I have never touched and did not take apart (If anyone has tips or good links to putting all the mechanisms, seals, bits, and glass back in the doors please let me know!)

But the color match is perfect (makes sense since they are using the leftover paint from the chassis) and they finish work is even better than the fist shop that folded. I hung the doors and cannot wait to seal the car back up, I was days away from taking the car out without doors or a bumper for the foliage

[eternal24k]

Carpet and wiring is done, seats are installed. Super happy with how the switches came out

Also finally badged the trunk




And now we all wait for the doors, trim, sunroof and bumper from the new body shop.......