New Project Car: '14 F02 B7 LWB in Estoril Blue II Metallic

[M_Bimmer]

Must love the pain. Went out and got my next project car, and this car has lots of needs.

While this beast tries to drain my wallet, it will provide a LOT of content for this F01/F02 forum as I address each issue.

It has 10 years of character, but those wheels, oh those wheels....

Pros:
- 100% of all of the F02 options...love the Night Vision (Option S6UK), driving assistance plus (Option S5AT), Adaptive LED headlights (Option S552) and the Rear Entertainment System
- N63 is a beast
- The suspension in Comfort+ is awesome
- Alpina wheels

Cons:
- Absolutely not as quiet as my G12 B7 (lots of road noise), and does not have acoustic glass like my G12 B7
- Steering wheel (awfully thin)
- No blue Alpina brake calipers

[M_Bimmer]

37 fault codes.....(see 1st figure)...and now down to 3 codes, which 2 of the 3 are sunroof initialization and camera initialization...

[M_Bimmer]

This vehicle is road worthy, but has a few issues.....here is the short and long list:

Short list:

• Replace AGM battery (current one is stamped '14 on the negative terminal)
• Replace voltage regulator on alternator
• Drop the front bumper and realign, and replace missing panels
• Full steam clean interior
• Full 50K service, fluids, plugs, flush, air filters (cabin and engine intake)
• Full brake job, front and rear (BMW OE parts)
• Replace 1 or two loose front suspension components

Long list:

• Replace all front suspension components (except air suspension - it's still 100%)
• Top engine rebuild (seals, gaskets, intake cleaning)
• Belt and pulley replacement
• Water pump replacement
• Gummi Pflege all door seals or replace with new OEM
• Replace tires with Michelin PSS
• Dry ice clean the undercarriage (outsource to company in Costa Mesa)
• Replace all glass with Climate comfort laminated glass (Option S356A)
• Update I-Step
• Replace instrument cluster to 6WB
• Replace rear left power adjustable seat frame (it currently has a broken frame)
• Address electrical gremlins as they come up (suspect a few of the modules need replacement)

[addy27]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

This vehicle is road worthy, but has a few issues.....here is the short and long list:

Short list:

• Replace AGM battery (current one is stamped '14 on the negative terminal)
• Replace voltage regulator on alternator
• Drop the front bumper and realign, and replace missing panels
• Full steam clean interior
• Full 50K service, fluids, plugs, flush, air filters (cabin and engine intake)
• Full brake job, front and rear (BMW OE parts)
• Replace 1 or two loose front suspension components

Long list:

• Replace all front suspension components (except air suspension - it's still 100%)
• Top engine rebuild (seals, gaskets, intake cleaning)
• Belt and pulley replacement
• Water pump replacement
• Gummi Pflege all door seals or replace with new OEM
• Replace tires with Michelin PSS
• Dry ice clean the undercarriage (outsource to company in Costa Mesa)
• Replace all glass with Climate comfort laminated glass (Option S356A)
• Update I-Step
• Replace instrument cluster to 6WB
• Replace rear left power adjustable seat frame (it currently has a broken frame)
• Address electrical gremlins as they come up (suspect a few of the modules need replacement)

Congrats on the acquisition!! Can't wait to read about the work you're gonna do on this beast!

My $.02, not that you asked, but PLEASE do not shell out dough for the 6WB.. Compared. The Alpina cluster is CLASSIC and modern at the same time. You will get used to it and love it. I have both and have swapped in 6WB twice but ended up swapping back to the Alpina one. The 6WB in th F series is nice but not fully featured like the G series.

For brakes, you'll have plenty of options, to keep stock or go bigger. Rears are plenty good as is at 370mm.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by addy27

Congrats on the acquisition!! Can't wait to read about the work you're gonna do on this beast!

My $.02, not that you asked, but PLEASE do not shell out dough for the 6WB.. Compared. The Alpina cluster is CLASSIC and modern at the same time. You will get used to it and love it. I have both and have swapped in 6WB twice but ended up swapping back to the Alpina one. The 6WB in th F series is nice but not fully featured like the G series.

For brakes, you'll have plenty of options, to keep stock or go bigger. Rears are plenty good as is at 370mm.

Been out of town. BTW, posting anything on the forum IS asking for everyone's 2 cents.

You've peeked my interest on several topics you've brought up.

1. I've looked at the B6 steering wheels and it looks like I'll need a new air bag too...

2. I like the stock brake performance, but hate the dust...and was looking at Akebono, Hawks, and others....do you have a recommendation?

Thanks

[addy27]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Been out of town. BTW, posting anything on the forum IS asking for everyone's 2 cents.

You've peeked my interest on several topics you've brought up.

1. I've looked at the B6 steering wheels and it looks like I'll need a new air bag too...

2. I like the stock brake performance, but hate the dust...and was looking at Akebono, Hawks, and others....do you have a recommendation?

Thanks

1 - YES, new airbag is needed. In this instance, it really depends on what you plan to do with the car.. if you do NOT want stick to Alpina goodies, then the best option could be the M5/M6 LCI wheel with the round airbag.

2 - I have tried Akebono Ceramics and they were decent. I also tried EBC Red Stuff and they were pretty good. Have not tried the others so hopefully someone who has can chime in. But I'm going to be going back to JURIDs (OEM) this time around as I feel that the initial brake bite of a BMW is pretty damn confidence inspiring

[M_Bimmer]

Not sure how many F02 B7's are out there in Estoril Blue II Metallic....but there is at least 1 - mine.

Pretty stoked about this vehicle.

[M_Bimmer]

Amazing that this vehicle still had its original battery from the factory (although it's voltage max is only 12.2VDC ~ 50% capacity).....as you can see the year '14 stamped on the negative terminal (along with week 07).

Just replaced with s fresh unit from the local dealership for $205...and registered it using ISTA.

[M_Bimmer]

Will address the right front camera error.

ISTA requires that each camera wire to be disconnected from the module, during execution of the test plan.

The front right camera is either bad, or the wiring on the front wiring harness to the right camera is broken.

I'll be pulling the front bumper and switching the cameras from left and right, and if the camera issue follows the swap, then the camera is bad. If the fault remains on the right front side after the camera swap, then I'll be chasing wires.

Once the camera issue is resolved, front suspension and brake overhaul will be next.

[M_Bimmer]

The brake calipers on the F02 B7 are horrific looking (even when new) as shown in the first photo.

The second photo is of the brake caliper on the G12 B7 (and the G07 XB7)....and would love to have the same color (and style), but color is more important.

...and will select one of the following options:

1. Paint the original calipers Alpina Blue
2. Try and fit the larger G12 calipers and rotors on the F02
3. Do nothing, and just replace the pads with OEM (and live with horrific dust)

[M_Bimmer]

Even though this F02 B7 is 10 years old, the Rear Entertainment System (RSE) is great....mostly due to the B&O, and may upgrade the monitors to 12" units.

[BMW=No$$$]

Sharp car man, it'll be worth the pain I think! What software are you using to view your codes? I'm starting a N63 project and I've got a feeling I'm going to need it...

[M_Bimmer]

After running ISTA test plan for the 360 cameras and the right front was found to have a hard fault, I pulled the front bumper.

Two surprises......

1st surprise was I found the right front camera connector not fully plugged in...easy fix and now I can get the ISTA ECU tree all green.

2nd surprise is something the previous owner did, hid it, and wasn't noticed during the PPI since the bumper cover hid it...the previous Owner ripped off the front bumper along with breaking almost all of the plastic ducting and support pieces, then tucked every thing back "inside"......+$1000 in plastic parts and screws, will get this all healed.

If I can't unmangle the transmission oil cooler, that wil be another $600.

[M_Bimmer]

@BMW=No$$$, ISTA+ (ISTA-D)

[mid7er]

Did you ever think of retrofitting G11 360 camera system while you are at it?

[RahulJoseph]

Im from India and I have seen cheap f01 and 02 7 series models for sale. You could get spares easily from here for very cheap price compared to europ and american markets from part cars.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by RahulJoseph

I'm from India and I have seen cheap f01 and 02 7 series models for sale. You could get spares easily from here for very cheap price compared to Europe and American markets from part cars.

Lol...my HOA wouldn't allow such a thing (e.g. a whole "parts" car parked on the front lawn, or even in the back yard)

My project car in this thread isn't that bad off, and will be on the road, 100% whole within a week or two.

Appreciate the offer tho.

Cheers

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by mid7er

Did you ever think of retrofitting G11 360 camera system while you are at it?

Do you a pointer to this mod?

While I do really like the camera view in my G12 and G07, I assume the camera views (exterior 360 "walk-around" view or surround view) is not camera based, but i-drive version based, and if so, would be a less straight forward upgrade for the F02.

...but would still be interested in more information on this.

[RahulJoseph]

I don't know it's just depreciation I guess..I saw a few with 40k km and 50 k kms for sale for under 10k USD

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by RahulJoseph

I don't know it's just depreciation I guess..I saw a few with 40k km and 50 k kms for sale for under 10k USD

Low miles but at $10K USD, it's not free trying to import a "running" car from another country, even a Canadian car to the US requires more calories than most would like to spend.

BUT, if you bought them, and parted them out on eBay, you could make a tidy profit.

If you had F02 B7 Alpina parts, I'd be a customer.

[RahulJoseph]

That's cool.

[addy27]

These would fit and make your alpina breath better I have the snorkels too.