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M5 towing some heavy machinery in Dunedin this morning ☺️

Well the 4 doors are a bit uglier.

I did a quote for you using FCP who I have used several times - as below Water Pump, Thermostat, bolt kits for both and shipping to ChCh address. Price is $US

Finished off the rear suspension - Trialing a set of TRW rear shocks which are suppose to be Msport equivalents (Sachs don't make any now days). RTABS + limiters - old bushings weren't as bad as i expected but are '02 labeled so probably the originals. Front struts done - old ones were completely gone as expected, the weight of a 19mm 1\2" impact socket would compress the piston to near bottom. I only noticed one of the strut towers was mushroomed upon strut removal, likely caused by worn struts and mounts combined with pot holes. Have hammered it flat and will be putting in some reinforcement plates before re-installing.

Powerhaus in Thorndon is where I got my coolant from, and yes you need blue (it contains lubricant). I got my thermo from Amazon (cheapest OEM I could find) and pump from V1 Vehicle parts, but they did put their prices up afterwards. Make sure your get replacement bolts with the pump too. It's a fun job! My face was blue.

I'm not sure I agree.. IMO price has nothing to do with it being an enthusiasts vehicle. Where they still a enthusiasts vehicle when they were $500 and being cut up and thrashed? Or were they cars for Bogans then? I look at porsche as the ultimate enthusiasts vehicle, not that I've ever driven one but will never be able to afford one but doesn't stop it being a vehicle for enthusiasts

You need G48 coolant, it doesn't need to be BMW branded, they don't add any magic to the mixture.

Repco also sell the supercars stuff, I doubt SuperCheap will restock it now that their relationship with Supercars is over (they don't have it online, may be some shelf stock though). https://www.repco.co.nz/en/oils-fluids/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil/castrol-edge-synthetic-10w-60-engine-oil-5l-3412396/p/A1304624 But wait for it to go on special if you can, it's regularly offered for ~40% off which makes a huge difference. But also this: "Anything 10w60 as long as it is from a reputable brand and fully synthetic?"

The official requirements are here: https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/infosheets/LVVTA_Info_07-2016_Drive-shaft_Safety-loop_Requirements.pdf Basically, if you've only done a manual swap, and used factory parts for it, you shouldn't require driveshaft hoops. "Interchangeable drive-shafts: In the case of a vehicle which has had a bolt-in OEM (original equipment manufacturer) model variant engine or transmission conversion, or a bolt-in OEM model variant turbocharger/supercharger addition, a driveshaft safety-loop is not required provided that documented proof is provided by the vehicle manufacturer or their agent, verifying that all drive-shaft components are identical between the two vehicles, and that the drive-shaft remains unmodified."

Yeah I’ve got the bmw “spec” measurement’s somewhere and will measure it later today. They are taken from bottom of rim to wheel arch centre. im not too worried for now as it’s so new and cause I’m not a stance boi and it handles mean as!

I didn’t notice a change of ride height when i did all the susp late last year. I didn’t replace springs though. There’s factory ride height specs you can look up I think. Maybe sitting a tad higher on the 18”s?

320i SE 2 door manual sold in a week for what must have been $17-20k I guess 🤨 Nice enough specced car but really needing new wheels and a few interior bits… 30-40% premium over a 4 door?

Ive found ride height always raises after a full refresh compared to before. Being new springs you may need to wait a little longer but most E39's etc are driving around on worn suspension.

Think same or similar to N54, got VDO unit and thermo from FCP, was around $500NZ to my door.

I think you mean SAFETY scheme!!

This. I doubt anyone would contest my - our - enthusiasm for the E30, but they've reached the point now where they are no longer simply an enthusiasts car. Anyone wanting to get into a genuinely really good E30, and keep it that way, will need to anticipate parting with 5 figures or any desirable model. Base model 316 M40 automatics and the like are massively overpriced imho and while I do much prefer the M10 318, they are appreciating due to their age and perceived 'classic' status. (Make anything more expensive by adding 'classic' and 'rare' to your advert!) Anyone wanting a good E30 now needs some significant funds behind them. Making it special will add to cost, but not necessarily value.

Currently in storage until we move into the new house. Got the wheels on now just need to sort the rust and tech2 sides

Back from Apex Automotive getting RTABs in (Meyle HD) and steering column change (was making a grinding noise when turning which turned out to be a busted bearing in the column). Car feels great - cheers @BMTHUG for the hard work and the pic

Alignment done today took a while as the car seemed out of spec on the machine at BMW but everything is even side to side and its aligned "closer" than the last alignment on old susspension Thanks to the diligence at Coombes they kept it overnight to double check it today to make sure it was right, and cause they know im fussy Picked it up lunch time today, went for a quick blat out Te Kowhai and back throuhg past hamilton Zoo, forthose that don't know the area, its got a very good undulations and corners, but not too far from work. The ride height still needs to settle (not as low as a club members E39 withthe same suspension), not sure how long this will take but the handling is exceptional, far , far more direct and adept at handling corners.

@ingrid_e30