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once you 130i, you cant stop.

Date: 16 Jun 2021 Distance: 262884kms 1. Hardlines and Fueltank Balance Tube Some minor surface fust forming was observed last WoF, so I put the car up high, scuffed the hardlines with a scotchbrite, treated with KB Rust Blast, masked up, then painted with Epoxy KB Rust Seal. Before After. 2. Exhaust Leak WhiIe addressing the hardlines, I noticed soot on the exhaust near where the shape is squished a little to pass the back axle. A little Y-shaped split had formed. This was a welding job, Jon at Auto38 executed admirably. Before Exhaust repaired. 3. Pre annual trip checks Replaced front RH indicator bulb. Oil (Penrite HPR5), Filter (Mahle OX91), and 65ml of MBL8. EDIT: Last oil change was 260672 in Nov 2019, 2212kms/20 months ago. Emptied boot. 4. Boot spoiler & bootlid seal replacement My original spoiler had distorted and lifted, and was letting water into the boot. As the car's in dry storage it was less of an issue, but of concern when contemplating a wet journey or outdoor parking. The BMW factory spoilers have a steel rib within them, and threaded mounting tabs for six 10mm plastic mounting nuts, each with a closed cell foam washer. Water works its way into the spoiler, rusting the steel, distorting the shape. I think we’ll see this more often as these cars age. I'd acquired a replacement spoiler more than a year ago, though it needed paint prep as it was body colour Delfin. My original was the standard unfinished matt black. I discussed with the team at Union Hardware, wanting guidance on how to refinish. They reconnended prepping by first cleaning, then wet sanding with 400 grit wet and dry followed by 600 grit. Then a coat of Plastic Adhesion Promoter, Etch Primer, and then Primer Surfacer. If left overnight, dry rubbed back with 600 grit wet and dry. Then the usual body colour plus clear coat. They noted I'd get a matt finish, so not to go to the expense of the UPOL clear I usually use. They also recommended using windscreen sealant to assist with keeping the water out. I duly bought the supplies I didn't already have, and then mentally prepared. I also ordered new spoiler nuts and gasket washers. Sanding the spoiler was fun, a light touch is essential, and patience as the W&D used wet is slow work. I used a foam block for the straight parts. I used KB Rust Blast as a precautionary measure on the mounting bolts, rinsing and drying after 20 mins. I masked off the threads in preparation for paint. Plastic Adhesion Promoter is unusual to use, it goes on clear, flashes off and that's it. You don't let it dry. Etch Primer is a dust coat only. I'm still working on that, my OCD alter-ego wants a uniform finish. The Primer Filler is easy to spray, and levels out nicely. It'll fill minor imperfections. I left the spoiler to cure. My lesson from this section: when using aerosols, spray a quick burst onto your masking paper away from the job, before applying paint. I got a splat of something gluey first shot with the Etch, that I had to sand out later. Fast forward to painting time. What can I say. Dust coat, flash time, 3 wetter coats with ~10 mins in-between. For all of the painting I used my customary water bath technique to help the paint flow better. For the clear coat I got the temperature too high, and the can distorted. I was lucky. Use *warm*, not HOT water! A water bath, recently. Primer Filler (in case you were wondering). I left the spoiler to dry overnight, and turned to the boot lid seal. Lachssilbered-up and cleared. The old boot seal was visuallly in good shape, though it had lost its elasticity and had a couple of small tears. The new one looked great. Removing the trim is a pain, punching down the centre of the plastic trim rivets. I was concerned about what I'd find beneath the seal. I needn't have worried. For a 31 year old car it was in good shape, mior surface crust in two spots (the corners above the tail lights). A light scuff and rust blast, follwed by drying with the heat gun sorted that. As a precautionary measure I brushed on Rust Seal paint along the seam between the rear tail light panel and the seal mounting edge, and left it overnight to cure/dry. Nice bit of flange that. New Seal ready to install. Installing the seal was easy. Find the centre of the seal, work from the back (beneath the rear screen) and push fit your way around. A little rubber grease eases the process. If you've got it right, it'll meet neatly in the centre to the right of the latch. One part slides into the other - it’s correct length right out of the packet. The new seal makes it harder to close the boot lid, and it sounds amazing - "cl-UNK", on closing. Job's a good un. A perfect join. Mounting the spoiler was a be-atch. These are not designed to use sealant. I test-fitted. I used a thin bead of sealant before applying to the car, being careful around the two drains not to block them with too much material. Holding the foam gaskets to the nuts with a tiny dab of sealant helps. You need 1/4" 10mm socket with an extension for this job. Old gasket seals and nuts as removed. New gasket seals and plastic nuts When I attached the spoiler and started tightening it down, It seemed to be proud at the leading edge, so I added more. Not recommended! Lessons. Mask up if you're using sealant. Prepsol is great for removing from the spoiler. I used Isopropyl and it took off some of the paint, though lifted it from the panel with ease. Prepsol was great, not harming the paint but thinning and further preading the sealant. Loads of clean rags recommended. Buy trim rivets when you order the boot seal, and order 8 or 10 gasket washers in case you lose one. The spoiler looks good, on reflection I could more easily have used Satin Black instead. All that remains before the next road trip is a wash, new battery (or take a jump pack), and get my (new-ish) phone to consistently pair with the stereo.

Spotted this in a Dunedin used car showroom.. E30 F/L Manual coupe, pretty tidy, only a 316i but still a nice car. Interior was almost spotless. Car has a “sold” sign on it, but the salesman told me it’s the bosses car and when I asked if it was for sale and he said you never know!

Some sealant tips for next time: use turps to remove the excess sealant when it squirts out of the join between the two objects you're sealing - it's what we use when using sikaflex and other sealants on super yachts, Wax & grease likes to eat clearcoat. Just have a tonne of paper towels at the ready, as it really does get everywhere. There's a chance you've inadvertently blocked the two drain channels in the underside of the spoiler; not really a drama, just something to be aware of. Masking off is a good idea if you're trying to get razor straight blend lines in high visual areas, but more appropriate when you're applying sealant to objects already firmly attached to each other and you're filling a gap. Pull the tape off before the sealant begins to cure otherwise you'll pull crescents of sealant out of your nice smooth bead. Selleys Marineflex comes in grey and is waterproof, I've used it below the waterline for underwater lights with great results. I didn't see if you're using can guns, but they'll massively improve the finish straight out of the can. 3M don't make them anymore, but these are identical and you'll wonder how you managed without them. Tef-gel coated to the spoiler threads and around the foam washers will stop corrosion in its tracks if water does manage to track its way to the underside.

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Fantastic and interesting video IMO.

Good point, done.

Yup, that’s the place. I think the salesman was being straight with me when he said it’s the bosses car, offered to give him a call and ask, everything’s for sale at the right price, right? I don’t think you’d be able to get it for a steal though, the guy clearly has a clue about cars. I never even noticed that! Awesome plate.

I love how these newer cars make the vibe of the older cars endlessly better, more character, more simple, more fun. A timeless machine.

Which one?

@Olaf that boot seal is a satisfying job. i need to get to that on Dad's E91 at some point. excited to see this re-engined

OriJinal 316

Naa, just keeping an eye on the market. I'm also thinking I missed a trick on one a while back that had some nice bits on it, I reckon I could have brought the car, exchanged bits, then sold it on closer to stock for similar money. But that's always a risk, I don't really need a 3rd BMW sitting around doing very little!

Spotted a few E39 M5s around Glen Innes/St Heliers. Three this week.

All of the above should work hopefully to remove them, For the future just a couple of things you may or may not know, especially with axle bolts i found, 1. Make sure all the grime etc is out of the socket so to allen can actually go all the way in and minimize rounding off, alot of axle bolts i find have the first 5mm rounded as people haven't done this 2. Give the allan or socket a tap/impact, ensures again its all the way in and the shock can also help unseize

Arrhh, so it's the Alpina drivers that are giving the rest of us BMW owners the bad rap on poor parking skills.

Well, she hasn't recited it. There is a difference between an EV (Ardern's claim) and a mild hybrid (Toyota's planned Hilux). The Hilux wont be eligible for a subsidy, and will retain its original ORC, providing it comes to market. She has at best, stretched the truth regarding Toyotas press release in an attempt to smooth the pushback from the public over this tax grab/subsidy. If not she has misrepresented info from Toyota in which case someone in that position shouldn't be spreading 'misinformation' and further confusing the public (transparency and all that). The fact that Toyota CEO publicly refuted her claim should be enough to put to rest, but it seems her faithfuls are always there to go into bat for her. But lets be honest, she has quite the record of lying so on the back of no new taxes (apart from the 39% top tax rate) promise in the 2020 election campaign, whats another lie or broken promise to add to the telly.

This is... madness.

It's a bit of a worry when another itch pops up and you haven't quite dealt with the present one... Things going for it - it's one of my favorite colours and it's NZ new... that's it...

Slightly higher kms but a 4-pot version of yours @Cab https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-3132866237.htm

@Breaker Bay