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Cleaned and got a coat of some autoglym quick detailer. Clay bar'd the windscreen and applied 'jet seal' to it along with the lights. Noticed someone has reversed into my front number plate putting it significantly out of shape...probably better than the bumper but still. Will have to pop this off and try straighten it.

Hey Team Small update for the M3 Long story short car was damaged from transport company during shipping awhile back, took abit to get them to admit it was their fault and to cover for some of the damage. So there was two option, throw money at the crack and possibly recrack again or fork out more to get the car taken back to factory. I decided to take back to factory as id hate to have money spent on a repair to have it crack again. Picked up car today from panel beaters but during inspection i noticed a big crack in the windscreen, as was like FML just got repair done now i have another issue, the shop said it was there when i dropped it off. So couldnt really do much but happy to have her back and looking nice with fresh paint job. Also had a friend go over to the U.S for a holiday whilst there i got this goodie sent to her hotel that she was staying at, Garagistic solid mount shifter for the m3. also did a while ago, removing as much carbon build up from the heads and pistons of the m60/m62 motor that will be going into the wagon. Thanks

Managed to source a set of sedan sports seats which should arrive in a few days. They're a bit worse for wear, and will certainly require recovering. I've read a few good reviews about the E30 replacement covers sold by LSeat.com, and the price was far cheaper than paying for someone local to do a custom job. https://www.lseat.com/products/1984-1991-bmw-e30-sport-325-318-custom-real-leather-seat-covers-front.html I decided to go with a nice dark red leather with diamond stitching for the fronts. Sadly (but not unsurprisingly), they don't have any options for the split rear seats of the E30 Touring. So for now, I'll just do the fronts. If I'm happy with how the front seats turn out, I'll order some more leather in the same color, and take the rear seats to a local upholster to complete the look. I've got this coming week off, so I'm going to try get as many of the remaining jobs sorted as I can. Looking forward to making some more progress.

These engines leak from everywhere like most '90+ BMW designs. The passenger side has most of the plumbing - hoses, gaskets etc, lots of things to leak on that side. Oil filter housing gasket usually creates the biggest leak, then you got vanos lines, crankcase vent hoses, power steering hoses which drip from above, things like the sump gasket, crankshaft seal, dipstick o-ring are usually leaking somewhat at this age unless someone has replaced them. Best bet is the take off the cover off, go under the car and de grease\clean the entire area. Check back after some driving to get an idea of what leaking (which will probably be many things as most people don't bother to fix them) The entire subframe\suspension is alloy on these cars

Might be fibreglass and chewing gum,, but damn cool. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2194809292

Such an epic car!

If you ever want to sell that m3...

That top shot is money man, nice capture.

Anyone have spares? I have lost or broken parts so looking to make a set again. Can supply photos if easier. 51711925997 left hand rear m technic bumper stone guard. (number on part does not include the first four digits) 51111934656 right hand and 51111934655 left top covering plate; 51111934658 right hand and 51111934657 left lower cover plates. m technic front bumber (number on parts do not match the online catelog). Front m technic bumper. 51711930863 and 51711930864 side skirt cover plates. one of each

Aye. I was going to enter panel-beating/spraypainting; not ideal for an asthmatic. And pleased I didn't. Huge respect for their skills, though observe it must be the passion for a great job well-executed that carries a painter through each day. I did some bumper and paintwork repairs recently, worked flat-out all day from 1100-2100, took two 15 min breaks, 24,000 steps... and my clearcoat was sprayed in two low a temperature (I'd used a hot-water bath for the cans), so went a little milky. I'll be paying a pro for e30 work (wheels and edge cleanups, excepted). I think the ute looks excellent.

Yeah these cars are in the cheap to buy pricey to get up to scratch category. They are the best in their class for the period imo, but most are just worn out money sinks with the min WOF work done unless owned by true enthusiasts with money . Ordering parts overseas when applicable (FCP euro etc) and doing your own repairs goes along way, otherwise you'd going need a bit of cash if you plan on keeping it long term. The cooling system and transmission quite critical to keep in good working order as you don't usually get much if any warning when they start to fail, they can lead to big bills. There is plenty of info on the net about all the common issues and good repair guides for someone unfamiliar with these.

Metallic paint or solid colour? if solid then usually not enough overlap or just not enough coats to cover. If metallic then there is a 'dust coat' technique some people use, pretty much spraying randomly over the surface from twice the distance quickly after the final colour coat. Probably not useful now that its done though....

I'm not sure to be honest. It is a '96 NZ New if that helps? Had a couple personalised plates through its life.

Always hard to tell in photos but as long as the paint colour is uniform and there’s enough clear on there you can make it a mirror with wet sanding and buffing. Wetsand with 1200 till uniformly matt, then 2000 to take out the 1200 scratches, then meguiars ultimate compound or m105 or other such moderate cutting compound.

19 September 2019. 175yyykms 1. Headlight hazing treated. Wellingtonians should contact @Autoglym for this (professional) treatment. I'd refinished lamp lenses before, wanted this sorted and knew Barry could provide an excellent service. "before and after science" (spot the music reference - 5 pts to whomever names it without google etc) RH Before RH After LH Before LH After. Magic! With thanks to @Autoglym for the before and after photos! 2. Steering Wheel refurbished. Wellingtonians should contact Andrew at Fibrenew. My steering wheel was a little tired, needed more TLC than I could provide. It's come up feeling and looking superb! 3. WoF passed with no advisories. Another year secured. Now for a wash and polish, ahead of the Gentle Annie trip.