BMW E31 Buyers Guide Part 5 - Hidden features and Storage

This is the 5th in the E31 Buyers Guide Series and the last before we move onto the Common Problems and what to look for before purchasing.
Part 1: • BMW E31 8-SERIES BUYER...
Part 2: • BMW E31 Buyers Guide ...
Part 3: • BMW E31 Buyers Guide -...
Part 4: • BMW E31 Buyers Guide P...
Part 5: • BMW E31 Buyers Guide P...
The Wash/Wipe system was introduced in 1988 on the E32 7-Series and was very advanced for the late eighties. There are a few features that are often missed and I cover these here. The Headlight High-Pressure Wash system often causes problems as the rear reservoir pump is very rarely used and when you need it most it has seized up - I cover this on my website below:
www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Washer_...
We also cover the interior storage which is pretty feeble, but the rear seats do drop down and the boot is huge.
#BMW8er #BuyersGuide #BMW840ci #BMWE31

[@tbirdboy]

I would marvel just looking at these beauties while living in Los Angeles during the mid 90's. Loved the pillarless design, the front clip, pop up lamps.... nowadays the ones available locally have been through the ringer and would take a fortune to bring back to glory. I'm glad someone has taken pride and care of their E31.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks, that's very kind of you!

[@user-ch7cv9gk3d]

I never drive mine in the rain, but the intermittent tip is just awesome. And the rest too :-) Oh how I love these cars. Thanks Timm!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Always my pleasure - and my E31 lives on the drive and goes to work with me in all weathers!

[@GreenShogun]

Can't believe I have gone all this time without knowing the intermittent speed trick!! Life changing!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

I forgot about it for years, but it is a great system - much better than fiddly adjusters...

[@ericlison4699]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation on my e36 i find this only one problem viper speed i thought how Germans coud badly engineer that but in real they thout about everything. Amazing my applause.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad this helped - the E36 shared a lot of technology that was introduced with the E31 and E32 - quite a lot of the electronics are identical.....

[@theamerican7080]

Love this channel!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@0x8080]

Wow, I can't believe I didn't know this type of information. I really need an owners manual for my '91 850i.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Don't worry - they are all available on my website www.meeknet.co.uk/e31

[@autolife5782]

Awesome videos 👍

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Thanks!

[@mjrami]

Hi Tim, question for you I have a 1995 E38 740il which I love, does the wipe system feature is the same for these cars?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

No, the E38 got a little knurled control on the wiper stalk that either controls the interval, or on some models, controlled the sensitivity of the rain sensor. More info here: www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Rain_Sensor/Index.htm

[@pussygalore5947]

Timm - are the CD holders for the console available in the UK?...never saw them in the USA

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

They turn up on Ebay now and again, I seem to remember that I got mine from a member of Bimmerforums that, for some reason, had half-a-dozen of them. But that was over 10 years ago now. They are used in other models, so worth checking the E36 lists as well.

[@Radhatter1]

Can you do a video on poor ignition cranking ie car cranks for 10/15 seconds before firing intermittently. Also how to adjust the door close so the striker panel is aligned

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Long cranking is often a loss of fuel pressure when standing - the pressure should remain above 2.5 Bar over long periods - more info below: www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Fuel-rail-pressure.pdf

[@shaandin3778]

@@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation I have this same problem. Thanks Timm.

[@wightwalker2453]

May I ask what colour your e31 is, looks lovely deep plum purple maroonish? Can only find wine red examples which are nice but not as nice imo

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

It's Mora Metallic which looks great in bright sunshine - but looks brown in dull weather - I always use a polarising filter which brings out the colours.

[@rossian77]

Hi Tim. I've got a 94 840 and recently noticed it won't start once warm and driven up to normal temp. But cold start is never an issue. I've changed relays. There's electric power but zero crank in such instance. Then after around 45min she's fine to go again. Not overheating either. Could a poor earth be the culprit? Also when cold starts first time no issue... thanks and love your content!

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

That is classic symptoms of a failing starter motor solenoid - so time for a new starter!

[@rossian77]

Thank you sir 😎

[@henryovalles7311]

Hello Tim I bought a 91 850i needed fuel pumps after that I noticed that the car didn't have power , the drivers bank of cylinders wasn't working,.I found out it was the cap and rotor Replaced it now runs with power ,but when it warms up smokes from the driver side exhaust can it be carbon build up from those cylinders not working previously ? Are these motors know for smoking v12 thanks ..

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The M70 engines are extremely robust - but having a non-firing bank will have pushed a lot of oil around. We had one recently on one of the Forums and after repairing the failed bank he had a LOT of smoke. But it reduced and disappeared over a few hundered miles!

[@clevehylton6493]

What size wheel do you have on the E31 board front and back

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

They are 18" Rondel 58's, 10.5J at the back, 9.5J at the front Cleve

[@davidmuffley6809]

still there? I cannot find where my 1994 E31 840 SRS module is located. was supposed to be under the glove box...nothing much there. and now I cannot find any resource to tell where the bloody thing really is located. can you help?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Still here....you won't find it in the glove box because it is under the ashtray in the centre console!

[@harrykaine]

How do i activate the headlight washer? Its a bmw 850i e31.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

The pop-ups have to be raised (dipped beams ON) and the normal washers used 5 times.

[@nealslade8582]

You remind me of alan partridge tim

[@marcocerqueira2732]

I subscribed just so you can hit 1000.

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

So you did - thanks!

[@hazimakbatur2666]

Would u sell this car? If you would, how much would u ask for it?

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Nah, this one's staying with me!

[@leenevin8451]

You forgot the first aid kit storage in back

[@TimmsBMWRepairsandInformation]

Blast!