this month’s feature · buy his dream car. 1992 850i owner: per helmer kinna, sweden. example of...

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February 2013

“Car of the Month”

International International 8 Series Owners8 Series Owners

1992 850i Mauritiusblue Metallic

Greetings From Kinna, Sweden

Kinna Sweden

Issue 12Issue 12

This Month’s

Feature

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The affordability now of an 8 is what makes it so compelling to buy. For less than the price of a brand-new Nissan Versa, you can own one of the most visually stunning German cars of the past half-century. Case in point, I recently drove my 8 to the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey for brunch. Unfazed by the mundane dime-a-dozen Ferraris and Lamborghinis surrounding me, the valet attendant asked for permission to park the 8 up front. "I just want to look at it while it’s here," he said. Some things never age and the 8 has always been a timeless machine.

Since debuting in September of 1989 at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt, the E31 850i came in at a price of roughly $100,000 USD, immediately making it one of the most expensive BMW ‘s ever produced at that point in time. The 850i came equipped with the 5.0 liter M70 V12 mated to either a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual and putting out approximately 300HP. So it was definitely quick despite its curb weight of just over 4,100 pounds.

Unfortunately, your mechanic will want to park the 850i out front too, as it'll likely be his favorite cash cow. The V-12 has two of almost everything (including batteries and fuel-injection systems), so it's double the trouble. The 8-series is notoriously expensive to maintain by regular BMW standards - although not necessarily by exotic-car standards - and if you're in the market for one, you'd be a fool not to buy the most well-maintained, best- documented example you can find. One like the spectacular Mauritiusblue Metallic coupe in these photographs for example. Owner Per Helmer has pampered this 1992 850i (which rides on Alpina wheels), like a trust-fund baby since he bought it. And like so many trust-fund babies, its net worth has plummeted through the years. But its looks haven't, making the beautiful 850i perhaps the most affordable entry into the rarefied world of the V-12-powered grand touring.

“Per’s baby, is like fine wine. It gets better with age”

By: Fern Mora

Club President SPYDERS 8

www.socaleights.comInternational Owners

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1992 850i Owner: Per Helmer Kinna, Sweden

Sweden

Kinna

PerPer’’s Story,s Story,Per is 56 years old and married his second wife a couple of years back. His first BMW was an 1800 that he bought when he was in his second year of high school. He had it for 4 years. Because he was not working at the time , Per did his own wrenching and learned that in order to keep his car running, he had to get his hands dirty.

After completing high school he joined the Swedish military service where he served 20 proud years. The years were marked by many travels around the world. Per belonged to the Swedish military pistol competition team and he earned a Silver medal in 1992 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

International Pistol Team

SoCal 8s has selected this early 850i belonging to Per Helmer, one of our 8er and Bimmer Forum regulars for our

February 2013

““Car of the MonthCar of the Month””

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His FirstHis First

BabyBaby

During the time he was in the military he did very little wrenching. He didn’t have a good place to store his car and since he was always traveling with the military, he did not have the time. After his military career, he started his teaching career. Per instructed his students in Microsoft products. Later, he settled down in the Kinna municipality where he still works today. His work became his main focus. However, all the while his thoughts were that someday he would buy his dream car.


Example of a 1800 --

Not His Actual Car

The BMW 1800 was the second member of the New Class family, introduced in 1963 with a 90 hp (67 kW) 1.8 L engine. An 1800 TI (Turismo

International) model featured components developed for the 1800 by the tuning company Alpina. The upgrades included dual Solex

PHH side-draft carburetors and higher-compression pistons for 110 hp (82 kW).

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QuestionsQuestions

& & AnswersAnswers


Q: Where and when did you purchase your 8?

A: I bought the car in Åkarp outside

Helsingborg in 2004

Q: Why did you pick your current 8 over some other?

A: I had been looking for about a year all around Sweden. Many were unacceptable due to rust, maintenance, etc. When I found this one, it was in such good condition that I wanted it. It had the equipment I wanted. I had first imagined a bright red 8 but my wife refused, so hence it became a blue one

Q: What made you pick the 8 series over other BMW models?

A: My first car was a BMW 1800 that I purchased in 1974. Since then I was hooked on BMW’s. Through the years, I’ve have a number of BMW’s, a E3-2500, E21-320, E30-328, E34-525, E36-318, E39-530 daily driver, and a E46-320 Black Cab that is my wife’s summer car. When the E31 was shown to the world in 1989, I was in love with its body style and told myself that someday I will own one. It was like I said many years before, it was my calling to buy one.

Q: What is it about the 8 you enjoy most?The best things are watching its beautiful lines while taking my wife on tours and enjoying the car's performance on motorways, as well as driving around on nice country roads at an enjoyable pace, then stopping and having a surprise picnic.

A:

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The History of PerThe History of Per’’s Car s Car


In Per’s own words,When I bought the car in ‘04 I was like a child again and started walking over it piece by piece, as a 12 year old car is not new.

The first thing that was done as I always do with my cars, was replace all fluids in the car. I found was that someone had poured Dextron III in the car meaning a total flushing was a must. Since then, the car has always received new oil each year. The first winter after purchase, began the great journey to clean up the engine room, replacing shocks to Bilstein B6 and sitting on HR springs that lowered the car to the same height as the CSI. In the winter the car stays in the garage because we live in the more northerly part of the globe where there is snow and cold and they pour sand and salt on the roads. It's not so fun to get the car flushed with all the salt that accelerates corrosion. Since I work as a system engineer, it is relaxing to go out in the garage to relax and think of something else to do like cleaning or fixing something that is not good enough. My second winter with the car I had to replace the brake bomb because it failed. It's a horrible experience. Panic sets in when the brakes do not take hold.

I think it's relaxing to perform most repairs by myself and often I´m joined by my partner Gustav. The cat is not yellow and fat but eats lasagna.

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DEFININGDEFINING

THETHE

UTIMATEUTIMATE

1992 850I CB10518

Nothing gets better than touring on a countryside road in an 8

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At Last At Last --

His Dream CarHis Dream Car


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BMW Becker Indianapolis Radio

As you can see, it is fitted with a

USB connector in the console

A Beautiful Stance A Beautiful Stance

1010


Replaced the 19”

RH rims with new 18”

Alpina wheels

Also replacing the center console and instrument trim with OEM wood.

Improvements that make this car special for Per. Everyone seems

to add just that special touch to their 8 in order to make it just a little more personal. Per is no exception. Subtle touches and changes make all the difference.

Some Great AdditionsSome Great Additions

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Wrenching Wrenching Anyone?Anyone?


Per does most of his own wrenching. He has gained a lot of knowledge by searching the web. After reading the repair manuals or instructions from others, he’s taken on many tasks that others would not attempt. Per said that “Google is man’s best friend” and he always searches online for various information about the E31.

The subsequent winters I had time for further cleaning and servicing the intake system. I also checked the banjo bolts when the intakes were off and drilled and secured them with safety wire.

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Interesting ResultsInteresting Results


How many know that you can open the hood this way and secure it with a bolt?

He painted the valve covers, did a little polishing here and there, and replaced the mirrors with the M aerodynamics package. Per mounted HR springs, Bilstein B6 shock absorbers, and a Strong Strut brace in order to increase the feeling when driving.

Cleaning the off the intakes is a lot of work but has great results

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Future Interior ChangesFuture Interior Changes


Right now I'm working on a change of fabric on the headliner because it turned out that some parts of it have loosened somewhat, most likely because the Alcantara

is not so flexible. I want to find a color as close to the original as I can

He is also thinking of a future project to recover the seats with new leather in the same color as the original, but that will take some searching. However, he is confident that Elmo Leather can find it for him.

A & C pillars will also be recovered

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““ItIt’’s all said and s all said and donedone””


Per Stated:Now that I had spent most of my time wrenching on the car and making improvements, the 850 has became the car that my wife and I love. It is hard to find someone that shares the same feeling for a car that you do. My wife is one of those. I am very fortunate. My Wife says “Do Not Sell It”

Per’s Wife Maria

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ItIt’’s Now Ready to s Now Ready to Take Her outTake Her out


After a year of owning the car we decided to arrange an 8 rally in our area. We discussed how it would be set up and where we would go. Maria (my wife), suggested that it should not be just about cars but include some interesting things for everyone to attend. “Community”

must be the key word to include everyone.

We planned to meet at a car dealership for our starting point and then go from there to the other locations.

We were not sure how many would attend, but were surprised to see 28 e31’s there. More than what we had thought would show.

In 2008, we met in Helsinborg

where we realized how nice it was meeting new acquaintances and being around people that are big 8 enthusiasts like we are.

Per’s 850 in 2008

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More MeetsMore Meets--More FunMore Fun

More Good Times with FriendsMore Good Times with Friends


In 2010, I was asked by Jud Spencer to join the 8coupe registry and the 8er organization, since I managed pretty well getting the e31’s in Sweden together. In that same year I was elected by some of my e31 friends in Sweden as Chairman where I still now serve.

We’re on the rally in Norway. It is so beautiful,

everyone should see Norway in summer.

On a boat in

Lysefjorden with Terje

(Huldra 66) from Norway

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The Fun Did Not The Fun Did Not Stop ThereStop There


In the autumn, we went to Poland with the group including Terje

N (Huldra

66), and some others. It was a nice trip with a good accommodations and very good food.

Outside the Volvo museum

This spring and summer the group will head off to Austria and Vienna where Sweden’s e31’s will meet other 8 enthusiasts. This plans to be a big event for 2013 for all of us.

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PerPer’’ss

850i850i


Model:Year: 1992 /4 VIN:CB10518

Make: BMW Model: 850OEM Color: Mauritiusblue metallic OEM color Code# 287

Wheels:Make: Alpina Tire Make: Hankook Tire Size Front: 245/18 Tire Size Rear: 285/18Engine Size: M70 HP: 300

Special Interior Design Features Added:Seats re-upholstered: N/A Headliner replaced: Alcantara on A,C and headliner “Changing soon”Interior Trim: OEM Wood on center console and instruments Shift Knob: OEM Special Lighting: OEM Special Pedals: OEMSteering wheel: OEM Steering wheel 2 redressed with thumb grip Other: OEM sun blind for rear window

In Car Entertainment Audio Upgrade:Head Unit Make: OEM BMW Becker Indianapolis

Suspension Custom FeaturesSprings: HR Shocks: Bilstein B6

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this month’s feature · buy his dream car. 1992 850i owner: per helmer kinna, sweden. example of...

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