Ever since me and my family moved to Canada (from Ukraine) we wanted to get an 850i as a project/summer car. However I fell in love with Supras and completely rebuilt a 1987 Supra with my dad. After a while of being in the Import Tuner 'scene' I felt like it was time for a change.. so we began searching for an 850i.

The one we picked up is a J-Spec December 12, 1990 production model but I assume since the first year for these cars was 1991 makes this one a 1991. It has exactly 82,000km on the odometer. The body is in very good shape and the whole car runs just flawless. Some minor things need attention like the front bumper (possibly just going to replace the entire thing), sunroof is just kind of jammed (motor works but it doesn't move) and the MID(burnt pixels) and needs rear pads replaced soon. I plan on doing everything myself the same as my previous car.

The car doesn't burn anything and doesn't overheat. I recently replaced all of the fuel lines underneath the driver seat with new ones. (The old ones were leaking due to cracks in them). So I guess my next step is to fix the bumper, get a new MID and figure out the sunroof. What are some of the best places for a new MID(or refurbished) and a bumper? (Just when I though the parts for a supra were rare)

Also before I posted this I did a lot of researching and I only found one place to decode my VIN, (on wuffer.net/MyFiles/E31ppc.pdf) however it doesn't work for some of the digits can anyone help me out with this?

I will be putting up a few pictures tonight when I am done cleaning it up.

Welcome, many other J-Spec owners here!

Actually bro first production year was an 89 (Euro spec or otherwise) and 91-97 was US, with J and G spec cars you will find quite a few pre-1991 850s out there, so it's the real deal :). If you're replacing the front bumper, I'd suggest you take a look at the CSi, ACS, Zeemax, or other various body kit noses. The sunroof issues seem to be inherent, the MID is also the same way but there's tons floating around and there's a couple of guys that used to refurb them on ebay.

Welcome to the mix and I hope you enjoy it :)!

Cheers,
Thomas

Thanks. After an hour of looking for the VIN on the actual car I couldn't find anything. All the manuals in the car are in Japanese haha, so it doesn't help either. I looked in the middle of the windshield as well. Still nothing. All i found was a small plate in the engine bay (by the driver side intake) with the last four digits matching to my VIN (and a bunch of Japanese writing on it)

Things like 8th digit in the vin (restraint system) does not match up. Mine says 0 which is manual belts, but yet the car has manual belts + a driver side airbag...

For the 10th digit it's the year, mine says 0, and that doesn't even exist apparently on the BMW sheet thing..

Vin is available in a number of places (usually) on J-specs. First and most permanent is indeed at the base of the windshield, passenger side below the passenger wiper, stamped into the firewall. A little awkward to see but it is definitely there. You will need to open the hood and look under the hood for this locatuion. Second is on the underside of the fuse box cover on the drivers side engine compartment firewall. Third is on the DME's in the E-Box on the passenger side - requires a Philips screwdriver and backing off of 4 screws to access. Numbers 1 & 2 are your best and easiest bets.

Wuffer, thank you for very useful information. Will check it out when I get home.

Welcome to the 8 forum. Shouldn't the VIN# on your registration matter the most?

Grats and welcome to the club.

Recently went out and got some pics. I have some more questions, I don't think the bumper my car came with is a normal 850i one. Where should I look for this bumper?

Also the MID has burnt pixels, I've looked everywhere for a new one of these but can't track one down. Can someone send me in the right direction to get a new one, or refurbish mine?

After driving it a few times, I also noticed 'jumpy' idle. It only happens after driving it and stopping at a set of lights. Never for some reason when the car is just in park or just started.

Here are the pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6026.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6025.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6029.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6039.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6038.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6037.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/250Freerider/DSC_6036.jpg

Looks like you have a snagatooth Csi spoiler, You can get them from Gault BMW or perhaps wuffer.net , Do you have the missing piece? might be repairable! Sorry, Looked at it again, Not repairable, Nice looking car by the way!!!

What kind of Air boxes you got there?

Here ya go Jenya, In your neck of the woods too! http://www.wuffer.net/

I'm using two K&N filters for intakes. So should I call gault or wuffer to see if they have a similar bumper?

Where can i find the DIM(the main computer thinger) I tried looking but I can't find any refurbished or new ones.

Thanks for the compliment 8eights.

Get rid of those K&N's immediately!!! They will screw up your mass airflow sensors. Regular paper element filters work best.
The DME's are on ebay occasionally. Why are you looking for these? Do you possibly mean the EML?

nice car by the way.

Nice ride. I'll be the 2nd to tell you to throw away those K&N filters immediately! Wet filter systems are a no-no with E31!

Third K&N hater here. Get rid of them and get stock air filters from wherever (Autohausaz.com are less than $6 each). I have spare DME's but why do you think you need one? I have a spare Schnitzer (knock-off) front bumper but no CSi. Contact me at: wuffer(at)shaw.ca if you need a DME.

Hello

nice car very clean and a good colour.

Wuffer,
What does the Schnizter bumper look like? Does it install without modification to the upper section? If my damaged CSI can't be repaired, it may be an option. How much are you asking for it? Thanks,

Beautiful car.