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So after my grief with the N46 in my 318i I decided to turn it into a project car. The car is a 2004 318i auto msport wagon with 130,xxx kms. It will be getting a m62b44 non vanos v8 m62b46 v8 with a m122 supercharger It will be mated to a 420g 6 speed manual, and a m3 rear end. I'll also be upgrading suspension and brakes, and setting the car up for flex fuel to run e85. Cosmetically it will get some upgrades, but nothing too over the top. The goals for this project are; #Do as much myself as possible. #No compromises except on budget. #Make something unique. #Learn as much as I can in the process. So lets get started - heres the car; First job was to completely strip the exterior of the car. Everything came out, engine, trans, suspension, subframes, fuel tank, even the fuel lines and brake lines. Up on stands and ready to do some work With everything out I set to work cleaning the underbody. This took ages because I'm a perfectionist. I used degreaser and a waterblaster, and eventually degreaser with a rag to get the real stubborn areas. There was no damage to the underbody but because I'm increasing the power output I wanted to strengthen it. I made strengthening plates out of 2mm steel. A huge thank you to forum member @Karter16 who posted me paper templates to make them from. I bought myself a cheap gasless mig welder and taught myself to weld. This enabled me to make plates like the one below. There are 6 plates in total, 2 for the front subframe mounts, 2 for the rear subframe mounts, and two which are like spacers. Welding is really difficult, but I managed to weld in all 4 of the subframe plates. First I used a grinder with a flap disc and a drill with a wire brush, to get the places to be strengthened back to bare metal, then I coated the area with weld through primer. I coated the back of the plates in weld through primer also and then I welded in the plates. Then I used the grinder to grind the welds back. I then coated the bare metal with crc rust converter primer to protect it - I really like this product. https://www.crc.co.nz/Rust-Converter/6895-2548b7ca-2a00-4114-b2e1-17eb0e6a576b/ Then I used a Vht top coat, followed by seam sealer, and finally Septone stone shield rubberised coating. I coated the whole cleaned underbody in Septone stone shield. Its black, but looks green in the photo for some reason. The side skirts were removed to clean and paint behind and then reinstalled with new clips from Schmiedmann. The inner arches were cleaned and painted, and the cleaned plastic pieces were reinstalled. The cleaning process takes ages. Inner arches before cleaning and painting; And after; While all this was going on I was accumulating parts. All suspension and brake parts I sandblasted in my mates sandblaster. This took many days, and would have been more cost effective paying a professional, but I want to do as much myself as possible. Then they were expertly powdercoated by forum member @aja540i who really does a nice job. Here is a pic of the before and after the sandblasting; And a pic of the same part powdercoated and assembled;

Sell it asap and buy a 6 cylinder 323i, 325i or 330i. I know someone who bought a low mileage jap import 320i for about 20k a couple of years ago and have spent more than 20k on repairs and service work on the engine, gearbox, and everything else and STILL the car is not perfect. Not to mention the many months it sat in the workshop rather than being driven. It is an on-going expense that will not stop. Sell it now and save yourself (and your wallet) the pain.

I would strongly suggest that you spend your money wisely and get a PPI carried out first and then cost what may actually need to be done. There may be quite alot more that needs to be done on a 26 year old E30. And I did get your email. I would need to see the vehicle before giving you an estimate on cost and unfortunately we don't fit parts supplied unless by arrangement.

I've been wanting a proper tool chest for some time and finally took the plunge. I got a Teng top box because I knew it would accommodate the existing Teng tool trays I had, it has the features I wanted and I don't think it looks half bad. Need more tools now. Can you all see these pics? New web host for me (f&#k you Dropbox and Photobucket).

Glenn will see you right.

A lot of people are having problems, including me with out any response from Admin or our owners unfortunately. As a sponsor for the site I have my concerns. I hope they are unfounded

I couldn't be sure I'm afraid. I expect a water pump would be at least two hours labour + parts and assuming you mean "timing belts" then that would fit into the same window but parts again would be extra. If an E30 is about the same cost as an E36 then pump, thermostat, belts, pulleys would be ~$250 and then more if you needed tensioners, hoses, clamps etc, etc. Talk to one of those shops above, you should be okay. If you have doubts or questions about their advice then post back here. Edit: if the engine needs to be "timed" and you're asking these questions then don't buy the car.

There are a number of quality places, including some of our sponsors here, depends where you live. East: Botany Motor Worx Central: BM Workshop Shore: Bellars Motor Works Whangaparaoa: Hell BM And perhaps a few more I'm forgetting... Welcome BTW and post pics of the car when you pick it up. Manual by any chance?

Ok, looks like that's fixed then!

A post for anyone that maybe remotely interested. I thought I would do a 'my world' comparison between an X5 and HSV Avalanche wagon.So why do a comparison? – both wagons are from a similar (used very loosely) era and serve a similar purpose. Warning this is a bit of a long post. Background I am a regular traveller from Wellington to Whakatane. A round trip of 1,200 to 1,500 kms (depending on what we do while we’re there). I do this trip 3-4 times a year. Over twenty odd years I have done this in a variety of vehicles including a bunch of Jap crappers (i.e. 1.3 Corolla, 2l Galant, 1.8 Legacy, 2l Grand Vitara etc). Now when I buy a car the number one criteria for me is ‘fit for purpose’ - a comfy cruiser/mileage eater that can handle two adults, two dogs, an occasional passenger and a boot full of stuff. It also needs to enable the travellers to feel refreshed after 7-8 hours of travelling/driving, be effortless to drive and have enough grunt for safety (passing) purposes. So 12 years ago I bit the bullet and bought my first V8 – a VR HSV Senator. Subsequently the majority of my vehicle ownership since has been of the V8 variety - either a Holden/HSV or BMW (sedan, coupe or station wagon). The route I travel the same way there and back. SH1 main trunk to Taupo. Turn off onto Broadlands Road and head through to Reporoa. Connect onto SH5 to Rotorua. Turn-onto SH? To head to Whakatane. Return is reverse. The cars HSV X5 Model Avalanche Sportpac Year 2005 2001 Engine capacity 5.7l (LSI) 4.4l (M62TU) Gear 4spd automatic 5spd Steptronic Power 270kw 210kw Torque 475Nm 440Nm Drive AWD/4X4 AWD/4X4 Doors Five Five The HSV has a full exhaust, including headers, upgrade (ohhh what a awesome noise it makes!). Apart from that both are stock standard. Fuel efficiency and range: X5 (purely on range) You don’t buy a V8 for economy so let’s just get this one out of the way. They are actually pretty close – close to 13-13.5l/100km. The X5 takes it out as it has a larger fuel tank – close to 90l. The HSV’s tank is only 60l. Bugger! Don't expect these figures around town though. The drive: Depends on your mood Depends what you’re after. Both have more than enough power and both are responsive to driver input. The HSV has a heavy feel in the steering. It takes a bit of effort to steer. The X5 steering is lighter and more car like. The achilles heel of the HSV here is it’s stupid, clunky 4spd box. Although its responsive its does take a second to think about what you want it to do. I am a fan of the Steptronic boxes and in the X5 it is well matched to engine and driveline and does an effortless job. Mid-range performance is where it’s at for both. Put your foot down and you go - 80-130k/hr is a bit of a blur (even when going uphill) with a “$#^& wagons shouldn’t be able to do that” sensation! Driving position is high and both have good road visibility over a regular sedan. The performance and handling: Both. OK maybe the HSV gets the edge here I'm no Stig nor do I profess to be Supertouring Car driver. I am under no illusion that I'm a bona fide professional driver who knows how to drive public roads like they are a track. I'm more of a drive smooth with good lines kinda driver. Neither are the HSV or X5 are race prepared. They are public road ready. However performance and handling is important to compare. Both are actually well balanced and sure footed. Being AWD they stick to the road like glue for such big wagons. They crunch the miles effortlessly and dispel potholes and road imperfections with ease. Overall you 'feel in control' in most situations. However if I did have a grumble it would be that the X5 does suffer from a little body roll through corners. The aesthetics: HSV Both are a different shade of blue with tinted windows – although the HSV is all round and the X5 is from the rear back. The HSV has a wide stance with broad shoulders and a tasteful body kit. It looks angry. The X5 looks well… like an X5. The HSV is wide and long whereas the X5 is tall. Both have a great driving view but the X5 pips the HSV in this regard. Both provide clear night driving light. Overall though the HSV has more of an on-road presence – driving the X5 with the HSV following behind I found myself checking the rear-view mirror constantly and thinking – the Avalanche has a don’t mess with me’ looking face and is a pretty good looking wagon. Oh - ever had a car in front pull over to let you pass? Multiple times in the HSV but not once in the X5. Yet. The interior: Equal Hard to pick a clear winner here. Both are ‘sports’ orientated with leather seats, sunroof, leather wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel. HSV - being wider the HSV has more cabin space. The slightly extra width makes the HSV just that little more roomier – you don’t get claustrophobic when you pack it out. The HSV uses cheap plastics whereas the X5 has a more quality build, as do most euro’s. Seats are comfortable with the front rows being sports seats. However I prefer the HSV seats to the X5’s (the X5’s are a bit hard after a few hours of driving). The sounds: HSV The X5 sound system is completely Japanese stock standard. Widescreen, jap frequency, 6-CD changer, tape deck (yeah an old school tape deck that works!) and 10 speakers. The sound is ‘adequate’ to listen to but it won’t be winning any SPL competitions! The HSV has an unfair advantage here as I have upgraded the stock systems. The stock Blaukpunt H/U and crappy Korean speakers (6+1) are bad. Really bad. It now has a JVC multi-media H/U, Boshmann Evoker 6” mid bass in the front doors (paired with the factory tweeters – good enough for me for high fill), Rockford Fosgate Punch 6” in the rear doors, Fusion 10” Subwoofer (will be upgraded to a Rockford Fosgate shallow mount 10” soon!) mated to a fusion amp in the boot. All are installed in the factory locations for stealth. This system won’t win any SPL competitions either – but it gives a nice, clean and even sound, with a boomin’ bottom end when the mood requires. If the HSV’s system was still stock then the X5 would take this out hands down! However, the X5 almost took it out purely on the old school factor – how awesome has it been to rock my old school DJ mix tapes that I did in the 90’s, goddam that DJ made my day! Load capacity: HSV There really is only one test for this one – what size mattress does it fit? Yes, I become a homeless type of person who sleeps in their car when travelling – I don’t know what all the complaints are about really, an Avalanche wagon is quite a comfortable place to reside in. Sorry I digress. The HSV seats lay flat so it can easily accommodate a foam double mattress, both width and length wise. If you are of average height and size it will sleep two comfortably. The HSV's load area is vast and rectangular – no wheel arches, tapering and funny angles to contend with. Boot space gobbles luggage and other stuff without issue. Then, put the seats down and there is even more space to fill! Need to transport a front loader w/machine and dryer? Need to transport seven 2m fence posts? Get an Avalanche! The X5 boot is sufficient. It will take luggage no problem, but you will run out of room quickly. If you have larger stuff then you will start to play a game of tetris. Like the HSV, when the seats down you gain some very useful extra space. But the ultimate test, what mattress fits? You can squeeze a foam double mattress in. It will need to be folded up at the lower tailgate end and crimped at the edges to fit. You can sleep in it but it won’t be the best sleep you have. And with the seats not being completely lay flat you, will have a slightly elevated sleep. Oh and you will need to sleep on angles! Conclusion: Get one of each! So I did :-) Cheers!

I use a sledgehammer when it comes to the car...

You need a new hammer. Technicians don't have a builders hammer in their tool kit. They are also too light and don't have a good head shape ?

Listen to qube. Get rid of it asap and get a 6 cylinder model.

Hi All I brought a Japanese import Alpina B5 December last year. So much power 368kw and torque 700nm, yet handles well, is flexible around town, understated. Had 130k's on the clock but a full service history (albeit in Japanese). To date and touch wood, no problems other a parking light failure and upgrading halos to LED. Back in the day I owned' and sometimes raced' a 2002Tii. I got a lot of enjoyment out of maintaining and rebuilding the engine some 25 years ago and would like to find me a pre-1990 project car. Looking forward to reading the forums following what's been done, tips and tricks. cheers Vincent

Hey Nathan, Yes I was reading the comments as I was thinking about buying the B5. The different points of view was very entertaining You know the M5 had always been the epitome of motoring for me and I drove a lot of M5's before the B5 particularly, as you indicated it's rarity particularly in NZ. I believe there are or soon to be 4 here. And to be fair I would be driving an immaculate Blue E39 M5 or Black E61 M5 now if I'd had my ducks in a row at the time or it hadn't sold by the time I got there thankfully, as I hadn't driven the B5 by that stage. The sound of the V10 on song and on the edge is hard to beat but IMO unless you're going hard it would be hard to live with particularly the SMG around town, at least and based on the 10 odd M5's I drove. The E39 M5 also sounds great and a excellent drive but when I drove the B5 with all the power of the E61 M5 plus the extra torque, good handling and the Alpina conversion sold me. Having said that I was very wary of issues with the supercharger and the failures I had read about overseas. That the importance of using the right grade and type of oil at the prescribed service intervals is critical. Given the complete service history and work that had been carried out during it's life together with my mechanic saying inside the engine looked like new and the car had been well cared it was an easy decision and one I am very much enjoying. It has an easy life just occasional weekends and long trips. cheers ps. sorry I'm a noobie and forgot to quote ya