Wolf Ganssauge - BMW Car Club Norway

8 Seriesinternational OwnersSoCal 8’s May 2012Car of the Month Issueby: Fern Mora, Southern CaliforniaGreetings from Düsseldorf Germany

1990 850i Restored in Düsseldorf Germany by Wolf “Wokke” GanssaugeThis month issue features a person who does not need introduction to BMW Forums,Wolf Ganssauge or “Wokke” as he is known on forums. Many of us have followedthe incredible “rolling” restoration progress on his 850i 03/1990 (2nd oldestone still registered in Germany), VIN CB00181. He has been the envy of most of us on the forumswhishing we had the time, fortitude, and skills to take on such an extensive restoration of thistimeless machine. This is truly a story of envy and success.Visits these sites: www.bimmerforums.com, www.roadfly.com, www.8er.ch, http://cms.clube31.de/Wolf started his “career” as a car mechanic at AVR service (an independent Audi, Porsche,VW garage) in San Francisco in 1979 at the age of 19. He had just finished high school inGermany and moved to Berkeley, CA for 10 months before going back to Munich/Germanyto become a student at the Technical University of Munich.After Completing his university studies he became self employed in the audio business for 5years building high end equipment. Later moved to the IT business for another 5 years before alarge customer (NOKIA) asked him to join their team as a customer service manager for Central &Eastern Europe. This was the beginning of a 15 year industrial career in various internationalcompanies.Wolf’s 3rd car he owned was a BMW Model 1802 that followed with E3, E12, E21, E24, E28,E32, E34, E38, and E39 that’s an amazing list. Truly has been a BMW loyal owner for roughly 30years. Personal care has always been a priority and has always performed the work himself. Oftenwhen Wolf enters a BMW dealerships to purchasing parts mechanics stop to ask for expert adviceon earlier models they are not familiar with. Someday Wolf may venture on a new career as aBMW pre e39 repair consultant. As he has help many e31owner’s.The hobby restoration successes with earlier BMW models turned into a business which focuseson of keeping these BMW’s in prime condition. The Development of performance parts andrestoration of high end wheels (ALPINA, BBS, AC Schnitzer etc.) has also become part of thenew business.For more information visit “Wokke” Web Site at: www.wokke.de

We often come acrossfascinating routes peopletake to reach restorationproject and their idea of making thatperfect 8, but Wolf has taken that tothe next level.Here are a some of questions Wolfwas asked:Q: What made you pick the 8Series over other BMW models?A: “I already have had most ofthe older ones starting from 1802over various E3 all the way up toE38-750iL. Anything younger thanthat I refuse to even look at ugly asthey are. E24 in three differentvariants are still part of my“collection”Q: What is it about the 8 youenjoy most?A: “The design is outstandingand timeless. It is also pretty muchthe last BMW generation where youcan do quite a bit of DIY withouthaving tons of special electronicequipment.The E31 is a classic and still fullyusable as a DD.”The Start of theQuest to RestoreIn June 2010 he lost the right front wheelwhen a wheel feel of because of worn threadson the hub. This started the whole restorationthinking process.After the incident the decision was made to repairit and strip the car of everything except the engineand give her a complete restoration.Q: Where and when did youpurchase your 8?A: “Bought in Germany as aparts car in December 2008”

Then it’s off to the body shopIts an 8Can’t WaitBefore the paining could start the decision wasmade to have the rear fenders slightly pulled outand flared to fit wider 275/40/17 rear wheels.Also running 255/40/17 fronts.Now youwantflares?We have lotsof work to doIt went therecompletelystripped of mostremovable partswhere a hardworking groupof paintprofessionalswere eagerlywaiting itsarrival.They are truly a great hard working group ofprofessionals. They did an outstanding job. Wolfwas very impressed with their quality of work.A little added “Flare” never hurts. It justgives you more room for bigger tires withouthaving to worry about rubbing and adds to theoverall body style he was looking for.Now whatcolor shouldit be

In the paint boothThere are so manycolors to chose frombut he selectedFERRARI Giallo 102A great deal of attention to detailswas performed when painting andreassembling the car. Nothing wasleft undone. It had to look unique.The caliperswere completelydisassembledand sandbllastedprior to beingpowder coatedand rebuilt withnew parts.Cross drilled Zimmermannrotors, E32-750iL 4-piston calipersfront. Stainless steel break lines(test fitted before finalizing)

Reassembling The BeastFurther attention to details was made asdemonstrated from the following pictures.All hardware was either replaced or newly zincplated. All rusty parts got sand blasted andrepainted or powder coated. Nothing was leftuntouched.Countless hours were spent to make sure allparts were either new of reconditioned throughoutthe project.Everywhere possible, old hardwarewas replaced with new or it was zincplated. There was not a section of thechassis that was not part of thisrestoration. Overlooking somethingwas not acceptable.

And there’s more!Custom made black Alcan Tara lining wasinstalled in the trunk, trunk lid, rear deck lid, A& C pillars, sunroof cover, and headlinerAll OEM parts in the spare wheel compartmentNiceJob!Special ambient lighting E39style via orange LED’s (custommade by owner)Original BMW sport seats.Red meter needles in all gauges(custom made by owner)Audio: Blaupunkt New YorkRDM127Speakers: 10 ? (3 + 2 per sideIIRC)Total Wattage: He has no idea anddoesn’t care it just sounds good.

The restoration would not be complete unlessthe undercarriage was completely redone. As you cansee from these picture there were very extensiverestorations done. Serious restoration enthusiasts takethat extra step. No one section of the car is left toquestion.The next step an upgrade ofthe front axle with the laterE31 cross member UNDSpherical bearings instead ofthose always failingrubber/steel bushing in theupper control arms causingrepeating front end wobbleissues. A stronger CSi swaybar was fitted as well.The Complete Rear Axle was RebuiltPrecise steering, exactsteering response, muchless tram lining andcomplete absence of anykind of shimmy orwobble are the result ofthis spherical bearingupgrade. Even out ofbalance front wheels arenot an issue anymore.One of the best upgradeswhich he highlyrecommends.Suspension: AC Schnitzer custom made by EIBACH

Now for the rear drive sectionNext bigger project in autumn2011 was a complete rear axleoverhaul incl. spherical bearingupgrades.It included replacement of ALLfuel and brake lines aspreventive maintenance and ofcourse hardware.BeforeSway bars: 27mm OEM CSi front,17mm HARTGE rear added.After

The Drive TrainThe car was just done when he found a 3.64 rear end (3.15 is standard in ECE - 850).then rebuilt it and decided to match the color with the car’s bodyNow that’sclassyVery Clean Undercarriage

Engine TeardownOh Yes, let us not forget “TheEngine”Roughly half a year later Wolf decided toexperiment with some BOSCH 4-pintle injectorswhich included some top end engine work likevalve cover gasket replacement and “new” inletmanifolds. Also a set of adjustable fuel pressureregulators was installed so he can compensatefor the higher capacity of the 19LB injectors.The experiment is still ongoing so he can’t givea final judgment on the result. Nevertheless thereis a feeling that it makes no sense compared tothe original injectors.4988cm³ ~330 HPWokke V2 chip setWolf states, “It’s My Fetish” He just has to replaceall the hardware or zinc it before reinstallation. Is there any part of this 8 that was not touched?Major Upgrades to Engine: BOSCH 4-pintle injectors 0-280-155-710 instead of original BOSCH0-280-150-715, adjustable fuel pressure regulators to compensate for higher flow rate of the 4-pintle injectors. Cats removed, custom made stainless steel cat back system with X-pipe andMAGNAFLOW mufflers. Now that’s an audio upgrade Before RestorationAfter RestorationEngine has now 245.000km and just recently got a cosmetic treatment like freshly paintedvalve covers incl. new gaskets, freshly powder coated intakes, 24 new hydro lifters

This is the current status of his 850i as of May 2012. Future project is to locate a usedM73 and combine it with the M70 engine electronics and the existing 4HP24 automatictransmission. But for time being Wolf said that he is quite happy with what he hasachieved so far and is looking forward to the International E31 meeting 2012 takingplace in June in Sweden. Obviously it has been a labor of love for Wolf. It shows inthe quality of work that was performed.My Special ThanksRoughly 3 months and countless hours of work after the wheel loss shewas ready to go back on the roadBody Kit:Front Lower Spoiler: OEM CSiTrim: OEM CSiSide Mirrors: OEM CSiGo to all E31 enthusiastwho help keeping thosebeauties alive by sharingtheir tips and tricks when itcomes to repairs andmaintenance. All thosededicated E31 forums arethe best online “repairmanuals” you can find.Wolf “Wokke” GanssaugeOn May 7, 2012 Wolfpurchased a previouslyowned M73 for $500.00USD including delivery.This means he has taken thefirst step to creating hisM70B54 project. Keepchecking the forums forfurther project updates

The Conclusion But Not The EndWith the project now completed, or at least to this stage, Wolf spent some time with his friendstraveling through some of the most beautiful roads of Norway enjoying the scenery, companions,and without saying his now prized position.And of course the drive which he documented http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnXR7kvNl5oIt was a trill ride full of winding roads with little traffic. Norway pictures (cut and paste link intoyour browser) http://www.wokke.de/NORWAY_2011/SLIDESHOW/Can you tell which one is his?Featured In June 2011On-line Magazine:http://gearboxmagazine.com/2011/06/the-ultimatedaily-driver/Contact InformationWP2Wokke Performance PartsGo out to Wolf for making theMay 2012 Issue of SoCal 8’s“Car of the Month” You are verydeserving and are looking aheadto hear about more newinnovations to this beautiful car.Created By: Fern Mora, SoCal 8’s“Working hard to keep our 8’salive”Wolf Ganssauge Beuthenerstr.9-15 (factory address)Parkstr. 1a (shipping address)41564 Kaarst / Germanyphone +49-2131-1769770GSM +49-171-8883568Mail to: info@wokke.deweb: www.wokke.de