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that's right because they all blow up after 100k's

Sounds about right though - pissing out coolant and oil. Do they rust too???

Its been interesting decoding the data streams from older Bosch ECUs .. they're definitely different than Siemens ECUs. Enjoyed the challenge. So what do we have here, e30 shell full e46 running gear, half e46 electronics half pre-fl early e39/e31 with m62b44. Maximum win.

Don't think the max bhp matters as much as the fat slab of torque the m70 has. Big lazy engine for a Continental mile muncher.

Nother big win tonight. Now comes the hard part.

I think from day one it was an under powered engine. For 1989 it was 10 years behind the rest, still running 2 valves per cylinder and single overhead cams. They clearly didn't push the boundaries, then again it was a smooth cruising engine so perhaps its fairly relative. Very much like the old Jaguar 5.3 V12. Those Merc M120 V12 were in another league though, 48 valves, dohc, making the best part of 400hp, yet ironically those were for their big S classes too so BWW really shot themselves in the foot with that competition. Even when they did the S70 5.6 CSI engine they still couldn't touch 400hp, meanwhile Mercedes by the mid 90s had just put out a 7.3L V12 for limited production making well over 525hp. Still, it's plain to see where BMW was focusing their attention, the S62 5L V8, S54 etc, all absolute world class engines.

Thought it might be useful to put up a thread about where Bimmersport members are travelling in case of any interest in parts/things overseas that people want inspected, or brought back. I'll go first. I'm heading to Brisbane for a few days next weekend. I know its not a motoring mecca but if anyone has eyes on anything there, wants it checked out, or wants something brought back to NZ just give me a bell. NB. if you are a new member with two posts total, done in the 20mins before contacting me I probably won't do it for you...

Started/tried replacing the 'hedgehog' resistor. For the uninitiated, this job falls firmly into the 'what the f*** were you thinking, BMW?' category. This resistor, more correctly known as the final stage resistor, controls your fan speed. And it fails. Sometimes it fails gradually, sometimes the fan just stops working. Sometimes you'll find your fan speed surges erratically. It is an almighty PITA to replace, especially on a RHD car. Those with LHD will find it easier as 'all' you have to do is remove the glovebox and you can get at most stuff. (We'll ignore the contortions required to get into position where you can see/work on what is required.) The rest of us have a little thing called a steering column to contend with. Rather than re-invent the wheel or write another procedure for this, I have added someone else's work to my Google Drive. It's nearly 5Mb but definitely worth it. So far, I have proved it is the resistor and not the fan which is at fault. This was achieved by accident, and accompanied by some sparks, when I shorted something, somewhere, against the steering column (via a T20 socket and extension bar) - the fan blew beautifully. At least I'm not looking to replace that. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE what is involved! Trying to line up a T20 torx bit into a bolt head, while lying half on your side and supporting your upper body weight, with your arm stretched out, in the back corner of the drivers side footwell, avoiding pedals and steering column isn't straightforward. Oh. I forgot to mention - you cannot see, feel or even touch the bolt you're looking for. It's an act of faith that it exists at all. And you can't use just any torx bit, either - the normal socket type ones are too fat to get even close to the bolt head. You really do need a T-handle set like this one from SCA. I phoned Repco and they didn't know what I was talking about. I have a T20 screwdriver, but it is too long - the steering column gets in the way. I suspect this part is fitted before the seats or steering column are installed. Price? BMW want $100+++. I got a Chinese one from eBay for a small fraction of that. I hope it works...

Well it seems they made less than 10,000 840ci, vs over 20,000 850i variations The 5 speed with the M60/62 would have made a substantial difference for overall driveability. Better fuel ecconmy than the 12 too I would imagine. V8 Sound potential too with a good exhaust. All such things would lift the V8 8er prices.

Yes, end of the day, nothing mechanical is service free (think ZF 'sealed for life' - a crock). But it seems some motors aren't as strong in the valvetrain as others - Falcon sohc and dohc 4.0 straight sixs will do over 1 million km without been opened up on original chain tensioner guides. I've also seen Commodore 3.8 V6 and 5.7 V8 pushrod over 500,000k unopened too. Then you get the early 2000s dohc Falcon V8s that had weak tensioners and would eventually wear out the guides causing chain rattle, within 100,000km. Personally I'd go for timing gears, the old Honda CBR250s will do over 100,000km no worries, while the ZXR/FZR timing chains will start to rattle around 30,000km. At work we can get 2 or 3 rebuilds to a 15 litre Cummins engine block, rebuild every 800,000km , and never had to replace a timing gear - 1.6m-2.4m km on original set of gears try doing that with a chain! As for the M62 issue, I've seen a few listed on TM saying the chain/tensioners/guides have been done, but didn't realise it was a common issue, a good excuse to go an E34 I reckon.

My wife had a sh*t car when I meet her. But she raced a YZ125..... rather well too I might add!

I've been a member here for what, over a year and I missed this entire build thread. Holy. sh*t. Tis f**king awesome. Well done man.

2 the most badass e30s in NZ right there!

I date a lot. Well thanks to Tinder and Facebook stalking, maybe a couple of women a week. I am a car snob and do judge women on what they drive and how they maintain their cars, there is a normally a direct correlation to how tidy a girls car is and how tidy she is, in terms of maintenance, waxing, hair, make up etc..... there is also a correlation between how ambitious she is and what she drives, I have found women with nicer cars are more driven, excuse the pun. But, TBH, dirty girls with dirty cars are often a lot more fun, normally relaxed and less self conscious = awesome fun and easy. So. I would date a chick with a crap car, but I would not plan on marriage, nor would I take her home to mother. f**k. Im lost now... Ideally you want both. Im staying single. Side note, I tend to date a lot of women with Suzuki Swifts and annoying small dogs. I appreciate a women who can drive stick. I also like women who own cars with proximity keys.

Congratulations on your work. Very professional. Good on you.

Cheers guys it is amazing! Havn't taken any pics yet but will add some in near future - hoping to get my camera out this weekend and snap some

I want a Koala bear. Reckon you can bring me one? Also a crocodile haha.

Got rebuilt head, new seals, crack tested, ported $$$ wahoo can start assembling soon.

Hit the 100,000 km mark of the E46 M3 SMG over the past week. It's been 52,000 kms of great motoring over the past 3 years. Have only had to sort rear view mirror and power steering hose. Quite good really for a 13 y/o

get a wheel going

Pretty sure I can get something going