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Software progress... So INPA tells me the DME is running firmware version "0049QK0MK80S" which is NOT an OEM build... so I search and find it here... which leads me to B&C Consulting, an aftermarket chip tuner. After fighting with their website (a little bit too Web 3.0) I was able to enter my details into their database and look what we find for 0049QK0MK80S/130i LCI... This thing just keeps getting better... ???

As some of you will know I bought a really tidy E36 328i recently and I have managed to clock up a few miles in it now and have thoroughly enjoyed going back a few generations. Firstly I have to say the car is one of the tidiest E36s I have seen for a long time but under the skin what really makes it special is the service history and attention to detail that previous owners have lavished on it. This is my 5th E36 and the only one where everything works and nothing needs attention, they are no squeaks, rattles or untoward noises and it comes as a bit of a revelation as all my others need work. The car does have a Jatco but the dreaded flaring and Jatco jerk are absent, perhaps because its a 98 and has the later TCU and again because it has been serviced. The steering is the first thing you notice, compared to my E92 its slow and slower again than my old E46 330ci. The feel however is pretty good and at highway speeds its far less noticeable and pretty accurate. The engine is a sweetie, with only 142kw its a long way behind the modded N54 in my E92 but the lack of turbo lag is pleasantly noticeable in comparison. Having spent a long time behind the wheel of a 330ci I can see why the M54 rotating assembly swaps are so popular and extra 30 odd kws and more torque would really make it come alive, I guess that's why the M3 was created. Chassis wise its all pretty stock M Sport on 16's so it can be steered with the throttle when the ASC is turned off as the rear does not have an abundance of traction. The brakes are another area where the difference is noticeable, stopping power is quite good but initial feel is very soft, but I suspect some different pads and a brake bleed might improve things. Interior wise I always liked the E36 and with everything working its actually a nice place to be even though at 196cm I only just fit. My daughters like it as they think these is a bit more leg room in the back that the e92. My decision going forward revolves around leaving it as it is or doing what I see are useful modifications. If this were a NZ new car with a ZF Auto this would be a more difficult decision, that said the car was imported ex Japan by BMW NZ so leaving it as is and enjoying it as it was made is certainly an option. Firstly I am keen to manually convert it, the Jatco is a good one but a nice ZF manual would transform it I'm sure. Secondly the 16 inch wheels, while nice to look at would be retired from some style 24's or 32's if a nice set came up. A purple tag steering rack would seem to be a good investment as well. Whether I would fit an M54 rotating assembly is the hard one, very much in two minds over this one.

NC is like a good bolt action rifle to shift though. Never found BMWs shifters to be that great, even with uprated bushes, but they arent terrible.

It is still sagging at the edges, but I'll probably just give it a clean up and reglue it back together. Found out why the key doesn't work in the boot. It's the Valet key. So my assumption is that the drivers door has been replaced, and the lock wasn't swapped over. (If any of the previous owners could confirm that would be handy) Which would mean I just need a new full key cut off the passenger door code, and a drivers door lock rebuild kit. And hopefully the boot lock hasn't been swapped also. The boot lock decided it wanted to no longer work with the central locking. Fortunately the rear seats fold down, so was just a case of crawling in there and manually opening it. The solenoid still works when 12 volts is applied, and the rest of the system works when you move the arm back and forward. I'm assuming it will be the boot loom which looked ok at the parts where it exits the body and enters the trunk, so that will be some fun. Tidied the garage, and gave the gearbox a clean.

So classic... and yeah, those 16's are yuck. Can do you a set of polished genuine 7.5" style 24's that'll look heaps better if you want. Can add NS2R semi-slicks or Pirelli road tyres for extra.

Kayne Barrie is the man to ask. He knows these things inside out.

The prices for these are really all over the place. Would not pay over 10k for one however.

Hi Guys I broke the end of the clutch line (the part that goes on the cylinder. Any idea who can fix/redo this? (Ideally in the north shore) Thanks

Might need the bushings changed? I ditched all the stock rubber bushes in mine and went teflon ECS tuning ones, not expensive and is pretty slick. The stock shifter feel is normally pretty reasonable though, they could be shagged. Not expensive anyway.

Very few of us pray at the BMW alter, we're more likely to hum a hymn or two on the front steps from time to time. Sharing your experience is welcome.

Also this will be blasphemy here... even with new gearbox mounts the 130i didn't have a great gear change. My other car is a NC2 mx5 so that might explain it. The auto was excellent for an auto, but I ll have to lose a leg before I buy one. Just thought I would check it out.

The 2007 manual one is a guy on BMW 130 group on facebook, good fella and he has spent some serious coin on it. Has definitely been looked after. The 06 one with the quad exhaust has been on trademe for a long time, it started out priced at something like 14k.

biggest difference surely is the auto vs manual. both nice just depends what you want. big price difference obviously too..

Sump has finally arrived in Nz??. Going to strenghen up the subframe and shift base point of mount for headers clearances. Rrrreally cant wait for the headers fab...itll be a dream come true i tel ya?. Ujoint couplings for steering shaft still in source bucket. Draughting out piping for ABS pump shift and line lock units.

Man, someone spent a ton of money on that thing at some point. Good score!

The 2007 version has lot's of expensive bits... and it sounds like it's been looked after properly. All the stuff they mention is sensible. That intake is worth a fair bit and NLA. Great turn-in will be the M3 LCA's (or did you mean the other car?), and it still has hydraulic steering (you can see the reservoir). Still... too expensive IMHO. The 2006 looks quite unique and has a fabulous looking exhaust with the L/R outlets (very ///M). You don't see those wheels very often and they actually look quite good, as does that rear spoiler. But auto v's manual, surely that's your deciding factor, which are you looking for?

drove these two today - one was on stock but new Sachs shocks, the other on slightly worn out AC schnitzer ones (I think, it rode slightly lower and werent coilovers, and the car had heaps of AC stickers) . The AC car had better turn in and feel while not being too harsh... though that could also be hydraulic vs electric power steering. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2522219110.htm?rsqid=ef0e2a53d102498daad524e168aca564-001 https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2477015064&rsqid=b96699db94214fcd9109ad9c49c99408-001

Uh oh its oil thread time.

Most (all?) of the physical stuff has been done for the time being so onto the software... I've ordered a genuine Carly adaptor which should be here in a week or so. It may duplicate functionality but that's not an immediate concern for me, it's something I can leave in the car and use with the the Avin headunit. I also ordered a cheap K/DCAN cable from Amazon ($20) and downloaded INPA from Bimmergeaks.net and that seems to work fine although I've not tested much yet. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get going considering how difficult it is to get going on an e36. All of the error reports are in German though and I need to see if I can change that (main interface is in English). Currently downloading ISTA (Rheingold) and will see if I can get that up and running too, don't know if I can use the same cable, hope so. edit: lol 9.83 of 9.98GB completed and I've hit Mega's transfer quota... ??? So will hopefully have full diagnostics and coding soon.

Just a few tidy up things. Like putting on a new steering wheel cover and refurbishing the wheels. Interior is overdue for a detail too