| Author |
Message |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3444
Reg: 11-2005
|
Gosh, as per usual I am a bit foolish.
Today I finally put the rest of my soarer back together, got it running and took it for a good drive. I had not driven it since early December! Feels like yonks ago!
After spending.. gosh almost 2k on servicing the bloody thing and getting it going I really forgot what fantastic cars these car. Its so smooth, so quiet... just so nice.
A pity I didn't put my headers on, that would have made it! Instead I sold them to James which has made an appearance or two on the forums as of recently.
That's all very well but now I'm lumped with a 1993 540i I thought was all wonderful and nice, it is - but it has 155,000k's more than my Soarer so you can really feel the suspension is in need of a good wad of money spend on it to get it smooth as the soarer.
Its fairly quicker than the Soarer, handles better and more 'European' (Obviously) but its just a bit of a nuisance more than anything, especially after driving my Soarer today.... damn the film 'Ronin' (1998) - with the M5 Chase scene (actually 535i's with badges) - it was what suddenly made me what to go out and buy an early 90's E34!
Ohhhh dear.
Oh well I guess I'll see what happens but Ill be buying another Soarer sometime - That I know  - might go for a 2.5 GT-TL for a change. Quite fancy a Turbo Six... trouble will be finding a good one however - one worthy to go Mmmm 'Yes' about, I'd say Ill be able to find one eventually amongst the dogs on the market currently. See what happens.
Oh Mikey Mikey.. 
Oh and feel free to say I told you so etc.......... |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3445
Reg: 11-2005
|
Heres the sporty new red look.
It's quite quirky to say the least and bellow that the horrid dirty original look of this UZZ31 when I got it.
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Matt Petersen
DieHard
NA
V8
Posts: 505
Reg: 01-2008
|
Keep it and convert it to a manual Mike.
Matt. |
Dave Rose
DieHard
wa
uzz31 v8
Posts: 801
Reg: 03-2007
|
Oil filled mounts Mike ,makes it feel new again a. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3446
Reg: 11-2005
|
I'm just going to pop it up on TM for 5 days to see how much interest it gathers for a highish price of $8500.
Rather keep as its so effortless and smooth, almost perfect. But if someone is willing to pay around the 8k mark then hey, Im happy to let it go. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 4222
Reg: 10-2005
|
What happened to the cable cover Mike?
I'm sure with the price recovery on second hand vehicles now, someone will be interested in the bimmer. Though with all the bad publicity lately with that gang member/student who beat the old man to death after a fender bender in his '96 BMW, maybe not... |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3448
Reg: 11-2005
|
Ahh yeah it was not on it that picture.
Its all back together now - Will take some more, better pictures shortly.
Hmmm hopefully so, at least Ive learn a lot, especially in the the last two days - Cant get over what a nicer car the Soarer is than the 540i to be quite honest. So much more enjoyable on a daily basis - the 540i is only enjoyable when you give it a bit of go, I guess thats the difference of 155k's.... would be interested to see what a low k example is like. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3449
Reg: 11-2005
|
Heres a better picture.
Only thing missing is the front lead cover - never had it when I got the car. Toyota wanted $300 for a replacement and that was discounted!
From my Christmas break service as planed I got the following things done
-Spark plugs
-Leads
-Rotors
-Distributors
-Rebuild starter
-Rebuilt Power Steering pump
-Power steering flush
-Engine oil change with genuine filter and 10w-40 Valvoline
-Front Brake pad change
-Brake fluid flush
-Coolant flush
-Thermostat
-New Water pump
-TLLC 6 litres + 5 or so of distilled water.
-Cam Belt and bearings
-Intake gaskets through out
-Intake runners, plenum & throttle body cleaned out - no black carbon build up.
-Heads off and valve seals replaced, new head gaskets + new head bolts
-Diff Oil changed
-Serpentine belt
Now it runs really well. Though I didnt end up doing engine mounts Dave... nor fit the headers as planned so it is back to a stock exhaust which I dont mind, sound rather fine. I will look to getting a rear trans mount though, Im sure thats had it and will help a tad.
I would like it to be lower though, and fitted with 17 or 18" alloys - It looks rather bizzare so high with smallish wheels compared to my 540i.
Shall see what happens - in the long run Im most happy to keep it. |
Evan Kaio
TryHard
The Hutt
'91 UZZ31
Posts: 384
Reg: 01-2007
|
Welcome back Mike |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3450
Reg: 11-2005
|
Why thank you Evan - I forgot why I liked these cars over Euro's Guess thats what not driving one does to you after a few months.
Say... do you like the red look? Its quite quirky... |
Evan Kaio
TryHard
The Hutt
'91 UZZ31
Posts: 385
Reg: 01-2007
|
I have seen pictures of red and blue painted engines. It certainly makes a huge difference to the look of the engine bay.
Looks good Mike, and so clean. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3453
Reg: 11-2005
|
Yeahh certainly does.
Quite happy with it, much more pleasing to the eye than the oxidized dirty aluminum before! |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 328
Reg: 10-2008
|
Nice Mike, knew it'd happen... lol.
The engine is certainly interesting, I'd have to see it in the flesh to pass judgment, but as Evan said, very nice and clean mate.
Powder coat was it? |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3454
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha I wish, just a High Heat coating, a few coats on each part.
I find it quite appealing, though I would do it in Gun Metal gray if I was to do it again.
|
James Johnson
Tinkerer
Auckland
UZZ31 Soarer
Posts: 16
Reg: 03-2009
|
Hahaha back again eh??? I dont know if my brother would be willing to part with those headders, speaking of which how did you get your hands on them? I would like some for my Soarer...... |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3455
Reg: 11-2005
|
Yeah, back again
Haha, after all this I wish I did fit them when I did. If I keep my Soarer which I probably will Ill look into get some near the end of the year.
I got them through Neil G on the forum, rush imports.
Pretty much the only ones out there you can get and nicely priced. Think you will be looking at about 800-900 delivered. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 4224
Reg: 10-2005
|
Kiwi $ is a bit better than it was a few months ago too which would help. |
James Johnson
Tinkerer
Auckland
UZZ31 Soarer
Posts: 17
Reg: 03-2009
|
Sweet because I've got a big fat bonus coming my way late may so the soarer is going to get a birthday.... |
Timothy Barnes
Tinkerer
Auckland
MR2 GTS
Posts: 96
Reg: 08-2005
|
I like the matt red too....it makes it look less bling and more purposeful. I think you definitely need some headers though ;) |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
SLK 230 Kompressor
Posts: 7358
Reg: 05-2005
|
I like the Red VERY much Mike.........It's refreshingly different, and gives the engine a more "Muscular" look..........
It may well start a trend  |
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