Leaderboard

Had Winger replace the airbag. Started replacing the accessory belts, water pump and thermostat. Realised I didn't have the right tools, so settled for a new thermostat gasket to check if that solved my leak (will replace it when I do the water pump). Finished installing the shadow line trim I had, washed it and managed to turn a semi-decent camera into a potato (should've checked the settings before shooting).

Took it up to Auckland for Xmas and then over to Raglan for New Years and then back to Welly. Didn't miss a beat and got to stretch it’s legs. Stopped in and met @Lucan and picked up the roof racks he was selling a while back. Back down to Welly and gave the new snow foam lance a go Thought it was a gimmick but it's really good. At 208,000km I have just replaced: - Timing chain guides - Timing chain - Oil seperator (returned to OEM setup as PO had installed a catch can system) - Vanos Seals - Valley Pan - CCV - Water Pump - Thermostat - Coolant temp sensor - Engine mounts - Upper oil pan gasket - Lower oil pan gasket - Crank seal - Fuel Filter - Oil Filter - BMW coolant Thanks @Etwenty1 for hiring out his timing tool. Now that this is all done I will hopefully make it to the next Wellington Club meet. This ended up being a lot more time consuming than I thought and ended up having the car off the road for the last 7 weeks using spare hours here and there to get it done, learnt a lot and had to ask lots of questions from more mechanically minded mates but got there in the end. Here’s a few pics from my journey. I don't think I actually took a finished engine bay photo...but you get the idea. I do really regret not painting the rocker covers but I was pretty over it being in bits at this point...

I have to say that Dave has requested first option of buy back if the time comes for it to part company with me. Pleasure to take over the ownership of this fine beastmate, thanks. I’m sure the driveway will feel pretty different for a while. loving the first few hundred kms on the way back to Auckland, second half of the trip today. car will get some bodywork finishing to take the work Dave started onwards. will be a stock look and feel all the way Today has been a good day (for me)

Today is a good day. Travelled down to see Dave and take ownership of his very special E38. 1 of only 113 RHD facelifts made, with 24 being individuals. car is really in great shape and Dave has completed lots of work to get it from where it was to a reliable runner. in saying that a few battery issues on start up LOL but that looks more like a faulty new battery. Trip back to Auckland now, having a lot of fun for the first few hundred kms. Promised to Dave to keep it stock and if the time ever comes give him first right of refusal to repurchase. Now to carry on the journey and tidy up the bodywork issues. New front bumper required, doesn’t look worth recovering. basic paint tidy up and re-spray in the same colour. (Looking for good spot in Auckland for this guys) Sympathetic upgrade of the radio and music space. interior colour touch up of the blue to restore new door card for the drivers door, don’t think that’s recoverable either but we’ll see. God I love these cars and this one tops it off. Did I say today was a good day? picture taken half way home at Taumarunui last night (sad looking Audi next to it keeps sneaking in for the pictures... in for nose correction next week by the way, thanks to a rather high bump stop)

Nice. If you still had your 6 you'd have a nice cylinder collection going, but 8-12 is still a good effort.

The set I use will not round off a brake nut or nipple. In over 50 years I've not done that

So I finally finished restoring my E46 330ci to its former glory with a respray to most of the car, body work, cut polish. Ended up getting some rims for it too, really adding to the final touch. These things age really well with time! ----- When i begun - it needed some serious love Finished with the respray - but the old wheels - just didnt give it the BMW look And here it is now

The Touring had a quick visit to Auckland City BMW to get the Koni Sport shocks installed and a new steering coupler to remedy the dead on centre feel. These items combined have tightened up the feel and handling of the car significantly. I also managed to pick up a set of near new Style 350M wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Back to the OEM(+) look

205,000 KM replaced front wheel bearings with OEM FAG 31221093427 with new bolts: Genuine BMW 31206779384 Old and the new The weird clicks/pops I was hearing when driving in and out of driveways or when the front was loaded up on the brakes coming to a stop have gone. The vibration at 100km has also reduced dramatically. Although while I was in there I noticed a lot of play in the thrust arm bushings so they will be next on the list. Finally used it for what I bought it for... Bit more work horsing

SOLD to a member here so no doubt you'll still all see it around. A sad day for me. It's the first time in close to 10 years that I dont own a E38. Congrats to the new owner. Hoping you get as much fun and enjoyment out of it as I did.