Transistor: it IS fairly involved. Best you leave it until spring (or when the sun begins to set at 5.30pm not 4.30pm), because it'll take you an afternoon at least to go through the disassembly, soldering operations, and reassembly. You do NOT want to be doing this job in the cold.
I will speak to
Carlos, my mechanic, and I hope (for your sake!) he has room at the weekend. His day job is working as a BMW technician for the Holland Park dealership, where he has served for many years. He also has a number of contacts who also help him out where needed. For example, the cylinder head replacement which was done on my Six in 2003 had most of the work done by Carlos, but he also borrowed a friend's machine shop.
Just remember that, if work is done on a private / ad-hoc basis by him, then the only thing you will lack is the BMW dealer service stamp.
I'm not fussy about the service stamp as my Six is so old anyway (22 years), but I know I'm getting much the same attention as if I'd taken it into the dealership myself.
If Carlos can fit you in, then I suggest you come round to my home (I'm in Hendon, and am surprised I haven't spotted your car yet, as you seem to be quite local), and then follow me to his place, so you can "memorise the route".
MacMetals: well, this:
is how my Six looked, five months after it emerged from Frank's workshops in December 2002. Two new wings, one new nose cone, new front bumper chrome, conversion to ellipsoidal headlights, spraying in the correct original
burgundrot metallic paint, and application of the correct decal stripes on bodysides and front airdam. Not to mention removing rust from the wheelarches, rear corners (under the tail light clusters), and bootlid, before spraying those areas as well.
I should point out that my Six tends to be a bit grubby / dusty / muddy now, as it's in daily use for work, as well as going to and from the stables where Rory
lives......
But if there's a convenient cruise or get-together happening, then it can still put on a bit of a show:
As well as the usual insurance repairs, Frank does a fair amount of restoration of various veteran and classic cars. Cars I've seen being worked on in the past include a Riley One Point Five, an '02, Datsun 240Z, and most recently a Triumph TR7. Not to mention my Six.
Frank's neighbour in the Bunns Lane workshops is Laurie Tichbourne, who runs "Bunns Lane Welding", and he does a lot of Frank's welding work - e.g. he's done a lot of boot floors, floor pans and sills for an enthusiast who collects and runs a small army of '02s!
The site may look like a back street in Baghdad, but the skills, knowledge and experience there take some beating. I can't recommend them enough.
Anyone recommend a place for 635 repairs?
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decampos wrote:
