So I find it appropriate to make my own thread covering the repair and upgrading of my '04 MCS. To start if off, some photos of how it currently sits.








I just put some used tires on the rear that are not the same size as the fronts just to get by for now but I am going to spare my embarresment and not show those willingly. The right rear had a flat spot from skidding and belts showing.

Anyways what has been done

- replaced alternator
- replaced starter
- M7 strut tower with anti mushrooming plates
- 17x8 Harmann wheels ( BF Goodwrench somethings up front.. Conti's on the rear until I get spare cash to get matching)
- 2% M7 underdrive pulley(original failed)
- swapped head unit(showed CD ERROR)
- completely cleaned the interior and cleaned/conditioned the leather
- polished headlights to get rid of the oxidation


What needs to be done or I'd like to do


- shocks/struts
- replace the MFE with a non broken one
- aluminum skid plate
- tint (legal darkness)
- polish the paint( ghosting evident from vinyl stripes)
- coolant flush
- power steering lines and flush
- catch can
- cold air intake
- replace tail lamps
- aero grill (maybe matching aero bumper)
- oil filter housing gaskets
- new coolant reservoir


Completed work
- clutch * Replaced 7/29/13
- Crank Sensor O-Ring Replaced 7/30/13
- super charger replaced
- 15% pulley installed
- WMW tensioner stop
- ATI Super Damper installed
- plugs and wires
- new coil
- oil filter and change


Anyways, I can keep going but thats where I currently sit. Its kind of nice having a big after market. Coming from 30+ year old mercedes diesels, its really nice since we didn't really have one.

I ordered the Valeo single mass flywheel conversion kit since I am afraid my flywheel might be a bit worn out from the 164k miles on it and the slipping clutch. I need to order the rest of the bits to do that job and figure out the clutch alignment tool as well as hopefully get someone that knows what they are doing to help me with it if at all possible. I'll take you to Disney World if you come over and help!

 

Ordered all of the parts needed for the clutch replacement job and everything should be here by Friday at the latest. I hope my Valeo clutch kit comes with a clutch alignment tool.

Last thing I want to buy is the transmission jack from harbor freight, a few youtube videos on the clutch job showed it being used to lower the subframe and transmission. But if its not needed then I will just not buy it.

 

very nice, love the wheels let me know when your doen with your pully puller =)

 

It will be for sale once I am done with it.


Side note, when removing the sub frame, will a generic tie rod puller work or is there some sort of special BMW flavor I need? How can I lock the flywheel so I can remove it, I was thinking of putting a breaker bar and pipe on the crank pulley bolt to hold it in place, is that safe?

I did notice in the videos on the clutch job that the guys in this video


left the axle half shafts and the front brakes on the car, I hope I can do the same and save a few steps. and I need to make something to keep the clutch slave depressed.. wooo

 

subframe is almost out. The control arm ball joints are stuck to the spindles and I think I will need to run to lowes first thing tomorrow and get a cold chisel to break them free.

soaking them overnight in PB Blaster

 

Car looks really clean

If you ever decide to sell those Hamann wheels let me know. I have been looking for a set.

 

I'll sell them for the right price or a trade for another set of wheels/tires plus cash. They do need to be refinished.

 

Finished the clutch job on Tuesday after starting it on Sunday and stopping after getting th flywheel off. Total time-14 hours due to a snapped clutch slave bolt( should have used the impact ) and trying o get two of the trans boltts off from up top. But all went well with the valeo single mass kit install. The clutch grabs nicely and I am able to propery accelerate.

Did run into a problem or two. First is that the bolt for the transmission mount by the negative sign crossthreaded, awesome. Then later on I tried to start the car and lost all power, the car was dead. We tore into the electric system, found a dead short somewhere forward of the engine fuse box but could not locate it. The negative lead in the trunk was pulling 2.7 amps when off so I need to trace that. Car ran fine once we put it all back together, maybe something got pinched?

Anyways. Cannot wait to do my supercharger.

 

Supercharger replacement is almost queued up and ready to happen. I placed an order today through amazon for 3 bottles of GM supercharger oil and this is before I realized there is a Cadillac dealership by my church that I could have called.

Next I need the pulley kit since the oem pulley on mine has to go! I am thinking of going with either a 15 or 16% pulley. I have the M7 2% crank pulley, their website sells a 16% pulley to go along with their crank pulley so I need to do my research on that.

I am going to buy the WMW pulley kit since it comes with spark plugs, belt, and pulley. I just need to find out if the belt in the kit will work with my current set up. I already have the pulley removal tool. Then I just need the misc gaskets and seals for the job and it will be pretty cake since I can already get the MFE off the car in 20-30 mins.

I might buy a new belt tensioner at the same time, I am just waiting to get paid this coming week.

Also on order is nothing special, just a set of used shocks and struts off another S with low miles to install as a temporary measure until I am ready to get coil overs. Current suspension is original and the shocks/struts are complaining.

When its time to do the suspension I will also do the subframe bushings and etc.

Lastly, the wheels on the car are pretty cool but really need to be refinished so I am going to hopefully try and fine a set of S-Lites locally to rock while the Hamanns get refinished.I am going to pick up some 16" wheels hopefully tomorrow to make into spare tires for long trips.

Fuel mileage has been pretty awesome, even with the 17x8's. I am seeing low 40's on the highway. I need to look into one of those scangauge things or the other gauge.

that's my update for now!

 

Supercharger gaskets ordered, pulley, spark plugs, belt, sc oil all ordered! Soon my car will not be an embarrassment when I pull up to a light with its ridiculous supercharger death whine.



time for an upgrade!

 

also swapped out my supercharger this morning, took me about 4 hours from start to finish. The car sounds 100000 times better without a rattling supercharger.



The original supercharger's PTO gears were perfect but very very low on oil. There was maybe a tablespoon of oil left in the PTO end, no idea on the snout but the rotors showed evidence of wear on each other.


Also installed a WMW tensioner stop and ATI Super Damper since my M7 pulley was destroyed.

 

Wow, that's awesome. Is that from the on-board-computer read out? I'm wondering what your combined average is when calculated at the pump.

Really cool -all the work you've put in recently.

Not sure if I missed this in reading.., did you decide on 15% or 16% pulley?

Glad you like the Valeo -I have the single-mass conversion on my list. My chattering stock flywheel is an embarrassing sound.

 

I went with a 15% because I had an m7 pulley on it but then that was destroyed so I kind of wish I had ordered a 16%.

But since I plan on autox'ing the 15% will be perfect

My calculated fuel mileage is right around 30-35.

 

Bought 5 cans of plasti dip to use on my car tomorrow. Hopefully it's enough to do the wheels and some trim. If no lowes has two more cases.

 

So I am still driving the MCS. Sunroof died and someone side swiped me and left a nice paint mark. However I am selling my wheels and going to get some S Lites to make the car looks stock for now. I've grown to love the car and can't wait to get some extra spending money for a cold air intake and exhaust.

 

I've got a set of s-lites with p zeros I can ship you if you'd like!

 

Dang, unless you sell them for what I am getting a set locally for I'll have to pass. But the Hamann wheels will be up for sale shortly. I'll take pictures later.

 

Pulled the tires off the wheels and attempted to strip the plasti dip off for it to only strip the underlying paint off in some spots...great!