Ultimate E28 Interior (was Engine Choices)

[davintosh]

I appreciate everyone's perspectives (except, of course, Davintosh's electric ideas) here.

That hurts, Charlie. Really hurts.

I won't try to sell you on something you don't want -- it's your decision to make -- but you asked for options, and as I read your post, your criteria were as follows, and I think electric hits most every point:

• ... looking and being generally unique and cool.
  Check
• ... commute to work in it...
  Plug-in electrics are perfect for commuting.
• ... overall balance is important. Not too heavy. Not too light. Not too powerful. Not too squirrelly.
  Would require some creativity, but not out of the question. Battery technology has come a long way, baby.
• ... Not loud.
  Most definitely.
  
• ... Smooth torque curve.
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... I only want to use metric tools.
  Well, yeah; most are made in the Far East.
• ... a great torque curve,
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... good power, and should be bullet-proof reliable.
  Check.
• ... I also don't want to take on the impossible (or be the only/first to have done it).

Electric conversions are becoming more & more common. Wouldn't require any more fabrication than transplanting a BMW V8 into an e28. Probably less.

Then you said, "... Expand my mind. Give me ideas. Further inspire me." Yet you refuse to consider anything other than an ICE?!?!

I'm beginning to wonder how serious you are about this. If there's anybody on this board who could pull this off and do it well, it's you. Don't let down your fan base, Charlie.

[tig]

I appreciate everyone's perspectives (except, of course, Davintosh's electric ideas) here.

That hurts, Charlie. Really hurts.

I won't try to sell you on something you don't want -- it's your decision to make -- but you asked for options, and as I read your post, your criteria were as follows, and I think electric hits most every point:

• ... looking and being generally unique and cool.
  Check
• ... commute to work in it...
  Plug-in electrics are perfect for commuting.
• ... overall balance is important. Not too heavy. Not too light. Not too powerful. Not too squirrelly.
  Would require some creativity, but not out of the question. Battery technology has come a long way, baby.
• ... Not loud.
  Most definitely.
  
• ... Smooth torque curve.
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... I only want to use metric tools.
  Well, yeah; most are made in the Far East.
• ... a great torque curve,
  Absolutely. Unparalleled.
• ... good power, and should be bullet-proof reliable.
  Check.
• ... I also don't want to take on the impossible (or be the only/first to have done it).

Electric conversions are becoming more & more common. Wouldn't require any more fabrication than transplanting a BMW V8 into an e28. Probably less.

Then you said, "... Expand my mind. Give me ideas. Further inspire me." Yet you refuse to consider anything other than an ICE?!?!

I'm beginning to wonder how serious you are about this. If there's anybody on this board who could pull this off and do it well, it's you. Don't let down your fan base, Charlie.

You make a well articulated, clear argument. I knew if I pushed your button you would.

It *would* be interesting to figure out how to do it...especially the weight part (batteries). An 80s saloon chassis is just not conductive (pun intended) to good battery placement, me thinks.

[m-racer]

I have built (when I say that, I mean I paid people far more handy than I significant amounts of money to build) a number of transplant cars...two S14 stroker powered 2002's and an M50 powered E21 323i. My sense, in the end, is that I prefer cars that are tuned in period. Something about the goodness of a 2002 with a tuned M10 and dual webers or an E28 with a stroked M30 than just seem more rewarding to me than the transplants I have owned. Not super cars, just cars built the way I wish the factory built them. That is just me. Could be I am just getting old

[MicahO]

I've sat back and watched a lot of ideas fly here. But from the start my thought was S38B38. I'm surprised it never came up from this bunch of codgers.

Yes it's been done. So what? It is at it's root the ultimate factory expression of that M30 block. In the fatass it's like I'm driving the power of a real M30 down low, but I still get to hit the whoopee-button above 4Krpm. And I'll note that I saw 29mpg on the way down and back to Vintage. That's pretty economical!

The only reason not to is that maybe it's too easy? Or maybe the exhaust note..... As much as I get all wet listening to the S38's rev to redline, I got to drive a friend's RS4 last week. The exhaust note was terribly intoxicating. Put a V8 in the e28 and I'd drive around with a stiffie all day long. So yeah, my second choice would be the S65. Listening to those V8 M3's zing past me on the track was always pretty sweet.....

[dsmith]

Many moons ago, BMW made an electric e30, but had to make it fwd out of an ix to make room for batteries.

[Cactus]

Today is opposite day. Put an m30 in a corvette.





You want to win awards, make your own engine.

[tig]

The good news is Julie now knows I bought the damn thing and actually took it pretty well. She actually thought I said I was going to be building this E28 *for her*. She basically said NFW. I told her she mis-heard me and that I *knew* she didn't want an E28, that this was for me. Somehow this was fine with her.

I've been read'n and research'n engines and my current short list:

1) S54
2) S54
3) S54
4) S65
5) M54

This is, of course, if I had to make a decision right now. Which I don't. I figure I'm a few months from that point.

Now that my mind is sorta made up regarding the engine, it's turning to another topic: Interior.

Hence the change in the name of the thread...

If I could fix one thing about Vlad & Maytag as daily commuter it would be an upgrade in interior materials. The hodge-podge mix of leather, plastic, and vinyl. The creaks and rattles (minor in Vlad, more pronounced in the slightly more tired Maytag) and wind/road noise. Don't get me wrong, I love the '80s charm. But that doesn't mean I have to live with it in my ultimate E28 dream build.

Current constraints:

• Quality feel, quality sound, and quality colors.
• No Alcantara. I had it on my C63 and I just don't like it.
• Dark colors. No beige, tan, white, or primary blue (and Chris: No orange or yellow, so don't even suggest it).
• I've already decided on seats: E34 Sport Seats front and back (I will do what it takes to make the rears fit properly; most people who've done it have just forced them to fit).

The two ideas I've explored the most so far are:

1) The hated (but loved by me, so piss off) all-red leather. And I mean red. Not Taurusrot (which I dig and would be super-authentic on an Arktisblau car). But red. And not highlights either. ALL THE WAY. Like these:

Go to 2:36 in this video: https://youtu.be/IcOEi0cYDMI?t=156





2) A subtle (but not so subtle) cloth treatment. This direction is completely different. I'd do something around seats coverings like this:


This Tartan pattern is way cool (but I wouldn't do red highlights in this case).


The challenge I have with cloth, is it makes it harder (I think) to get away with covering everything else with leather (which I want to do).

[leadphut]

[tig]

You think that's funny but it's snot.

[leadphut]

You think that's funny but it's snot.

oh, i'm not joking. just make sure you keep the sport seats.

[geordi]

This Tartan pattern is way cool (but I wouldn't do red highlights in this case).


The challenge I have with cloth, is it makes it harder (I think) to get away with covering everything else with leather (which I want to do).

Certainly keep the conversation going on the interior, we can assist you with keeping your leather fetish in check.

[joel323]

M54 should be removed from your list and shot in the ECU

[bkbimmer]

My buddy has a Dinan supercharged s52 out of his Dinan mcoupe that he is going to sell. Made 400whp.

[vandiesel]

I do have that Dinan one lap turbo motor in my shop in Portland. 400hp mmmmmm..

[bkbimmer]

I do have that Dinan one lap turbo motor in my shop in Portland. 400hp mmmmmm..

who is this?

[kzolee]

2) A subtle (but not so subtle) cloth treatment. This direction is completely different. I'd do something around seats coverings like this:

This.

But the black headliner is a must, cloth or leather.

[MicahO]

Cloth and leather go very well together.

The last place I found a good houndstooth, well, sadly, I wouldn't recommend it. If you find a true highland cloth I hope you let the rest of us know. Rather than a reasonable facsimile, I'd do mine again in the 'real deal' Camille. I do not think that the various cloths available would be well-suited to the red.

Either way, I look forward to watching this come together. Food for thought:







(note - seatbelt buttons have since been replaced )

[leadphut]

Everytime i see tartan, i think VW

[mescko]

Rover V8 /thread.

Considering it started out as a 1961 Buick, it's disqualified. British cars didn't start with metric fasteners until sometime in the 80s. I'll never understand why 'car guys' think my Brit cars are metric. They invented inches, for f*ck's sake! My interior would swim upstream, I don't like smooth leather. Alcantara outside and tweed inside. And find somewhere to put wood like the gen before and the gen after. Serious cock-up to skip the e28.

[tig]

Rover V8 /thread.

Considering it started out as a 1961 Buick, it's disqualified. British cars didn't start with metric fasteners until sometime in the 80s. I'll never understand why 'car guys' think my Brit cars are metric. They invented inches, for f*ck's sake! My interior would swim upstream, I don't like smooth leather. Alcantara outside and tweed inside. And find somewhere to put wood like the gen before and the gen after. Serious cock-up to skip the e28.

You like wood, eh? You should talk to occoupe and oldskool about that.

[mescko]

I suppose you could make a point that wood doesn't suit Teutonic interiors, and perhaps they're right. I just like it.

[OR 6er]

The houndstooth in the center photo, no question. You own P-car right? That houndstooth pushes all the early 911 buttons.

[tig]

I just showed Julie pics of the red interiors. She threw up.

Oh, well, that idea was fun while it lasted. You can all celebrate now.

She did like the darker houndstooth concept.

[wkohler]

Is it really this tough to just put something together you like? You shouldn't have to have other people tell you what you like. I just don't get it.

[Stevo12]

I just showed Julie pics of the red interiors. She threw up.

Oh, well, that idea was fun while it lasted. You can all celebrate now.

She did like the darker houndstooth concept.

As an owner of a badly-faded Arktisblau car, and a lover of red interiors (bring back the 80s please!), I would throw up too. They just don't go together.

A darker houndstooth, or some other sporty cloth/leather/patterned/whathaveyou is much more classy. And for the love of god, don't put a burberry headliner in - the world has enough Volkswagens.

Is it really this tough to just put something together you like? You shouldn't have to have other people tell you what you like. I just don't get it.

This. Although it's fun living vicariously though this thread, to be honest.

[tig]

Is it really this tough to just put something together you like? You shouldn't have to have other people tell you what you like. I just don't get it.

Have you been happily married for 24 years? Of course you don't get it.

I like hearing other peoples perspectives. They inform my decisions. Sometimes they inspire me to take a different approach. It's data.

I also like knowing that others have strong POVs and I like knowing them. You hate M-Parallels. I think that's interesting and I'm intrigued as to why. I love them and your opinions haven't influenced me on them one iota.

And I've seen your threads where you asked for opinions too.

My wife, however? That's more than just data. I love her more than the color of an interior.

[vinceg101]

You think that's funny but it's snot.

Really? I thought it was f'in hilarious personally.

I've made know my preference for interior color choice before (Tarusrot). Yes it's red, but it's a dark red, nothing like that awful lobster red you showed earlier (maybe Julie would come around to it).
That dark houndstooth cloth is quite nice also and an alternative to leather.

[tig]

You think that's funny but it's snot.

Joke. Right there. See it now?

You didn't reply to my mail about 5erWest. Get it?

[tig]

I've made know my preference for interior color choice before (Tarusrot). Yes it's red, but it's a dark red, nothing like that awful lobster red you showed earlier (maybe Julie would come around to it).

As I said before I do like the idea of Taurusrot given it was something quite a few arctic blue cars had from the factory and it looks great.

Julie does like Taurus too. I'm noodling over whether I could do a houndstooth cloth+leather combo where I used Taurus as a base or highlight color. Anyone ever seen something like that?

[tschultz]

Taurus is cool in my brother's E30: