1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
...and I know, I know, it's heresy, but I'm here to tell you that this car absolutely takes my breath away. 2003 BMW 540i Sport (eight cylinder), six-speed manual tranny. Of course, it cost a LOT more than a solid, low-mileage Aero, but I still got a really good deal, and only 37,300 on the clock.
So, I'll be posting my beloved '93 Aero (aka "all redone but never finished") on Saabnet Classifieds in mere minutes. I'll be sad to see it go, because I've got a lot of blood, sweat, tears, memories and moola in that car. Nothing WRONG with it, but with the amount of driving I do today between Atlanta and Birmingham, AL, I wanted something fresher.
In case any of you remember, this Aero has been a terrific journey and experience for me. As has been the Saabnet community. Still by FAR the best automotive BB I've seen. And I'll still check in from time to time, so please don't hesitate to ask me for input/advice if you need it.
As a refresher, here's all that I've done on my car. Bear in mind that, when I bought the Aero in '03, I'd never even changed my own OIL before. I've come a long, long way. And many of you helped me through the various projects noted below. To you folks in particular, a special and hearty THANK YOU!
--Peter Ingram
'93 Aero 5 spd., 178k mi., all redone but never finished
Atlanta, GA
PETER INGRAM '93 AERO "RENOVATION."
CAR'S CURRENT MILEAGE (FEBRUARY 2007): 177,000 miles
-- New tranny and clutch at 88K miles (previous owner)
-- Tranny oil flush at 135K miles (dino oil ONLY!)
-- New AC compressor (previous owner)
-- New water pump
-- New TCS safety valves
-- New silicone vacuum hoses all 'round
-- New timing and balance shaft chains, guides, tensioners, sprockets and cam sprockets
-- New serpentine belt, pulleys and tensioner
-- New head gasket and valve cover gasket
-- New NKG plugs
-- New DI cassette (car was running its original at 135K miles)
-- New oil pump o-ring and front main seal
-- New water pump o-rings all 'round
-- New oil level sensor o-ring
-- New oil filter housing o-ring
-- New upper and lower motor mounts
-- New poly transmission mount bushing
-- New tie rod ends and ball joints
-- New front axles
-- New metal heater core (actually replaced heater core a second time recently -- first one with plastic tanks was bad)
-- New blower motor and fan speed controller, along with retrofitted harness (typical problem area)
-- New high-pressure AC condensor switch
-- New cabin air filter
-- New 82-degree thermostat
-- New 82-degree thermofan switch
-- Coolant system flush at 143K miles
-- Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors and MetalMaster pads (painted calipers red, clear-coated rotors with high-temp clearcoat to prevent rusting on surfaces not in contact with pads). Second set of MetalMaster pads replaced at 165k (first set lasted 40k)
-- New poly suspension bushings: front end control arm front and rear, front and rear sway bar (including bushing on front bar link to control arm)
-- New rear swaybar-to-strut rubber bushing
-- New Bilstein HDs all around
-- New front strut bearings
-- New rear wheel bearings
-- New headliner, a- and c-pillar, sunroof lining. Added sound insulation to car, as well
-- Repaired cracks in driver's seat leather and reconditioned all leather with Leatherique products
-- Removed bad foam insulation from AC evaporator and blower casing
-- New Blaupunkt CD51 200W stereo with Blaupunkt 4" in front, Boston Accoustics 6" x 9" three-ways in rear, 10-disc changer in back (not a "boom-boom" system -- I'm too old for THAT!). MP3/iPod cable connector, too
-- New ROH "ZS" 17-inch, five-spoke rims with 215/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE750s. Second set of RE750s just put on at 173,000 miles -- got over 40k out of first set
-- New ACC sensor (in dash)
-- New light bulbs EVERYWHERE (instrument panel, all exterior)
-- Replaced broken alarm LED light
-- New positive battery cable
-- New passenger side headlight wiper arm and new headlight wiper blades
-- New wiper blades front and rear
-- New hood emblem
-- New front european "SAAB" plate
-- Replaced passenger seat backrest cable guide
-- New driver's side window regulator
-- Refinished OEM wood dash and center console (wood on center console bin cover no longer curling away; not perfect, for sure)
-- Hard-wired Valentine 1 radar detector power to rear view mirror (did NOT do the Quasi mirror mod -- that was too over the top and unnecessary)
-- Replaced headlight relay
-- Replaced airbag harness with new retrofit unit
-- Fixed headliner again -- third time's charm
-- Added Viggen hooter valve
-- Added manual boost controller and anticipator (MBC+A)
-- Added JT 3-inch exhaust from downpipe to tailpipe tip, painted black with high-temp paint (other than chrome tip)
-- Added new OEM-original leather shift knob
-- Added custom hub-centric spacers for my ROH rims (to create more appropriate offset, eliminate hub adaptor rings, eliminate some vibration in rear)
-- Repaired rust on rear shock towers
-- Replace rear suspension front and rear control arm bushes and sway bar links (rubber is dried and generally shot)
-- Replaced fuel pump
-- Installed windshield -- old one developed crack
-- Replaced window regulators in both front doors
-- Installed TCS on/off switch
-- New radiator and radiator hoses
-- New fuel lines (both of them)
-- New crank position sensor
-- New crank pulley
-- New lower-tone horn
-- New horn buttons
-- New O2 sensor
-- New power antenna (including motor)
-- New condensor and both AC hoses
-- Removed shims from AC compressor
-- New carpeted floor mats
-- Replaced broken front passenger door light (red/white plastic piece)
-- Better-sealed hoses for sunroof drains when replacing headliner (no leaks)
-- Better-sealed rubber gaskets atop rear shocks (no leaks)
-- Painted rear axle after removing surface rust -- only rust on underbody now gone
-- New Ultima rebuilt throttle body
posted by 164.111.20...
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