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G'day, I thought I'd start a project journal on here. Picked up a 1986 BMW 320i. In a bit of a state, but WoF and Rego. A good starting point for the price. Priority is the original M20B20: Cylinder 1 - 160psi Cyinder 2 - 150psi Cylinder 3 - 95psi Cylinder 4 - 70psi Cylinder 5 - 120psi Cylinder - 6 160psi So not ideal, but I'd like to rebuild it if I can. Hoping it's just a head gasket and not the head, we'll see. This is the first time I've pulled a head off so any advice is appreciated. Enjoyed working on stuff with my grandad when he was alive, but wasn't my old man's thing. I've got a son due in October and would love to know what I'm doing by the time he's ready to pick up a wrench, so I bought this to teach myself, and get back to doing something I love. Chur, Josh

So after being away for a transmission rebuild and to address the driveline shudder at the same time, today she is back ! It’s been forever for various reasons but now she’s back. Albeit my wallet is significantly lighter. Fantastic difference having the trans and drive line back up to spec, that’s mounts, driveline, trans and all suspension and bushings replaced now. Finally next job is paint tidy up. Headliner and rear shelf, I have a few parts to get in on the next free weekend as well. Probably need wheels refurbished as well …..

OK works done and I can get back to the trip story. After getting settled at the overnight accommodation I emptied out the wagon and spent the next few hours cleaning the interior making sure that my daughter had not left any surprises behind. Knowing that we would be spending a couple of hours from 5am sitting in the line waiting for the ferry I made sure that the DVD's we had hunted down would play in the CIC unit - you would not believe how hard it was to find a place on the way that sold DVD's. As a BMW newb I found it both frustrating and ultimately rewarding in a "I beat your crazy German logic" once I managed to get the DVD's playing - I had forgotten just how long it took for most DVD units from that era to load / boot. But the relief of not having to deal with the "how much longer?" line from our daughter was almost worth the cost of the M5 (man math is great). Finally we got onboard and parked behind a sheep truck, something that totally bit me when I forgot that the moonroof was cracked and let the delightful smell invade the interior. Other than the brutal smell (and we have sheep so it's not some city boy complaining) we had bigger problems as the ride leveling system threw a code when we arrived in Wellington. So first major mechanical failure, compressor looks to be on the way out - or at least sounds it. After getting off the ferry and hunting through the online resources I concluded that we could proceed without issue as I could get air into the bags and the error was very intermittent. After spending a few hours in lovely Johnsonville at the mall carpark so I could take a meeting we spent what seemed like forever just getting out of Wellington. By now I was worried about getting home at a reasonable hour, which was great when I missed the turn towards Taupo and ended up miles off course, so well after sunset and on a road that I knew quite well between Whanganui and National Park I really started to push it. A few things immediately became apparent, the turn in for something of this size is fantastic, 6 - 8,000 rpm is like having a turbo come on boost and the sound of the rotors whistling makes it sound like a blower in action. The pad knockoff is pretty intense once things are up to temp, the Dunlops on the rear of the wagon are a 275/40/19 which makes for a tall sidewall which probably helped iron out a few of the bumps. I have never run Dunlops on anything, but these are pretty sticky in the wet which was great given the horrid conditions we were progressing through. At first glance it would appear that the S85 becomes more efficient when you are on it, the engine was certainly much happier and smoother after having been flexed on the way to National Park. On the final stretch out of the gorge I got stuck behind a couple of delightful individuals who I had earlier seen at a gas station, they looked like stand up (fall down) pot smokers who were slowly driving off with a trail of smoke and bumpers barely hanging on. After answering the age old question of why does anyone need 500hp to pass a Honda Civic, we stopped off at National Park and had in my opinion a well deserved steak. Then it was off for a final push to Auckland, as my wife had flown down we had to go all the way to airport to pick up her SUV and then back south again. That turned out to be great as the motorway was closed in both directions so we were diverted for what seemed like forever. I think I turned her off around 2am at home. So final thoughts, on this purchase: - Initially it felt very much like this was someone elses car that I was babysitting, but after some hard miles on it and building the confidence to use it I feel much more like it's mine. - I didn't buy this on impulse, I had been hunting for a few years for an E60 and had spent just as long researching how this was going to financially cripple me, that said I have built a career that allows me to have some toys in my life and I have chosen this path. I could have gone for a 911 Turbo, but that is a very selfish car when you have a family. - I am a firm believer in the "buy once cry once" mentality - and I have the T shirt to prove it many times over. So I paid a premium over an E60 - but then this is an E61 with all the boxes ticked. - There are lots of things that I could have bought instead, but as others have put it "they are not an E61 M5". - The car has been well maintained by its previous owners from the limited documentation that I have, although I do have the service records - but a stamp and signature in a book doesn't always tell the whole story. - I think that cars like this are a rare breed, and people who can afford to buy and maintain them should. These cars are dinosaurs, they are the last of an era of big displacement high rpm powerplants with unique drivelines. While many will argue that the E60 / E61 is not a classic or future classic I would like to have that conversation in 10 years when there are even less of them and we are all daily driving hydrogen bombs. I'm not anti the future of fuel efficient ecomentalist cars but I guarantee that I plant more trees on my property in an average summer than all of the current policy makers combined, so if I want to put some CO2 back in the form of V10 noise and a happy smile then I will. - I love the SMG, I think it makes for a unique drive where I have to think about what I'm doing with the throttle. Anyone that drives these and thinks that the SMG is the worst thing ever is totally entitled to that opinion. I was worried for all of 10 minutes that the SMG was going to be a pig, as dumb as it sounds I learned very quickly to drive it based on experiences with a horrid Ford gearbox that they put into the later gen Fiesta Zetec. While they are worlds apart in power, they can both be very stupid boxes until you work the throttle timing, and I know this is nothing new for most but this is my experience. - Last thing is that it works as an amazing family therapy tool, wife complains - press M, daughter moans - press M, need to get away from inlaws house fast - press M. As a family cruiser that you can do a holiday in the E61 has already proven itself, I didn't expect to make it home with a car that has been in hibernation for some time without some issues and they will get sorted out in the coming weeks. Cheers.

the water is coming from steering cover in front left due to blocked in front drainage,its common in F02 and F10.

As I am still in overseas I just ask the seller to give me the pic of M3 finger cross it won’t be use lot of money to fix the stuff show some pic to all for sharing lol happy weekend

Regretfully, my e46 330i is now for sale. I have owned it since late January 2021. The vehicle does need work. I do not currently have the time or resources to restore it as I'd intended when I bought it, hence the reason for the sale. Located in Wellington. Details: NZ New M Sport 181,xxx kms (will increase) 4 owners excluding dealers Black Sapphire Metallic Automatic Pros: New Bridgestone RE003s on the rear at 173,419 km (and alignment) Cooling system renewal @ 176,xxx km (I can create a full list of components if desired - includes radiator, expansion tank, waterpump, fan, etc) New PCV valve kit @ 176,xxx km WOF until August 2022 and Registration til January 2022 New front brake discs and pads @ 181,xxx km Service just done at 181,790 km using Penrite HPR5 I have receipts for all of my work, and bits and pieces from previous owners. Cons: LF & RR wheels bent (although not picked up during WOF) Has stalled 2 times in my ownership (only), throws code for camshaft position sensor inlet Needs new power steering pulley Guibo/prop shaft donut starting to perish Air con blower motor slow - works perfectly but is a little noisy (unsure of root cause) Handbrake could be tightened a bit Main idler and tensioner bearings noisy Air intake top hose should be replaced Power steering and brake fluid dark Front seat belts slow to retract Needs new wheel bearing, though not urgently (left rear) Speakers should be replaced Right front window could do with a new regulator Cosmetic Issues: Needs new cup holder Missing fog light surrounds Sagging headliner (I would do pillars at the same time) Faded rear tray carpet Bit of a gouge in the interior of driver door Panels and paint are in above average condition considering age and mileage. There is a scratch on the outside and some stone chipping. I imagine a professional cut and polish would have it looking superb. While the cons does read like a long list, most of the issues are relatively simple and inexpensive fixes. All of the known issues have been listed above. You won't find any deceit here. Based on current values, and pros and cons of this example, I am asking for $5,500 firm. Between 80 and 90% of my mileage has been highway driving. I have run her exclusively on BP 98. Genuine BMW blue coolant used. Comprehensive renewal of the cooling system done. Questions welcome.

Had the opportunity to purchase this, 1986, two previous owners. It is very original and complete and I am very pleased with it.

a trait carried in to the F10s too. Excellent adventure mate!

awesome thank you guys so much ive been trying to find bodyshops and there has been a few ive been too that quote charge ridiculously expensive price its crazy lol

We live in the countryside so getting anywhere is a bit of a drive, my wife and I agree that if we are going to be travelling in a car for hours at a time we want to enjoy what ever it is.

I had both my side skirts painted for $400 (including removal, assembly and new clips etc) - thought it was spendy at the time, but maybe not. This was at Scratchbuster's in Wairau.

Ok here are some more photos- managed to get the whole family together Some pics of the Baur too

One of my neighbours has had quite a few of these over the years - I think he's only got one left now, but had 3 at one time. The current one was a 1970's racecar, with a Valiant slant 6 in it! The Austin motor sounded nicer though. He also had a Valiant Charger that looked like new, a couple of "Rover" RV8's, an MGB convertible, I think there was an MGC at one point and at least 5 different Healeys at various times. They REALLY are stunning cars, more so in the flesh, too!

Try Takapuna Panelbeaters over on the shore, got their own paint mixing so might be more suitable for your skirts.

But lord help them if they ask $17k5 to sell it eh? 😁