shark news
Replaced the 6er’s water pump and thermostat over the weekend. It was a fairly straightforward job. Other than the fan nut—a 32mm nut securing the radiator fan to the water pump pulley, reverse-threaded—there was nothing unconventional about the setup at all. This differs greatly from other water pump jobs I’ve done: The Audi’s was driven by the timing belt, requiring a re-time after reinstalling the crank pulley (ugh), and the Volvo’s had to be installed dry (no silicone) and leveraged into position against the cylinder head. The 6er’s water pump was blessedly ordinary in comparison. Got everything buttoned up late last night and drove it to work this morning; everything’s nominal. The car doesn’t leak a drop any more and cools very well—too well, almost, since I got a cooler thermostat. But it runs great, which is a nice feeling.
The big news on the upgrade front this weekend is progress finding Euro bumpers. My car came with massive US-spec “diving board” crash bumpers. They protect the car; it’s true, but mar its appearance in ways unacceptable to me, as a designer. Aftermarket replacements are nonexistent, so for those interesting in making their 6er look like it was supposed to, there are three solutions:
- 1982-1987 E28-chassis “wraparound”-style Euro bumpers
- 1976-1981 E12-chassis Euro bumpers
- 1988-1989 “world” bumpers
I wrote this on a 6er-related forum:
Can’t stand ’em. Especially on a white car… The contrast of the white paint and the black moldings just makes them stand out all the more. It’s just a tragedy of function over form. On an E28, E23 or E30 they’re more palatable, but on our 6ers, which we buy (let’s be honest) for their looks more than anything else–not that other factors aren’t important–the bumpers are just a sin.
I completely appreciate the added protection they provide. Totally get that. But at the end of the day, using that argument as the primary one to placate myself into being okay with them is like justifying the purchase of one sports car over another based solely on trunk size. When it comes down to brass tacks, it’s a minor reason—at best.
I have got to get different bumpers on it. Euros transform the way these cars look. They actually improve the already gorgeous lines of the car. World bumpers are neutral, and US-spec bumpers detract from the lines.
Something’s just gotta be done to my 6er in this regard. I want to do it before I do any other appearance-related mods (rims, lowering, spoiler, etc). I know the hassle involved–especially with Euro bumpers–but I’m one motivated individual.
As mentioned above, the big news this weekend on the bumper front was progress: I found a gentleman willing to part with his E12-chassis Euro bumpers and deliver them for $350. We’ll see if anything ultimately comes of that. Here’s hoping…