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So a fair bit of progress to report lately, mainly due to having caught covid and being in isolation downstairs with the rest of the family upstairs. Lucky for me the garage is conveniently located ... downstairs Also very lucky I've had a mild case and that it looks like we've managed to keep me from infecting other family members. So essentially all of the Nissan power wiring is complete in the engine bay now along with sensor wiring needed to power up the engine (electrically speaking only). Thats things like the gas pedal, fuel tank temp sensor, OBD2 connector, neutral switch etc. While in isolation I've also managed to get my Arduino happy with 2x CAN bus shields attached so I can pull from Nissan land and push to BMW land ultimately. Now that there is power on the engine I've also been able to start capturing CAN messages from the engine ECU in preparation for coding up the translation. Just today I found an awesome resource with all of the PID's and byte representations from a 370Z so that will be a massive help. Also have been progressing the transmission mount by 3D printing some mockups and checking clearances etc. Waiting for a new hotend for my printer to try and get the ASA filament printing properly (more temperature needed i suspect). I've constructed a thermostat controlled 'hot box' for the printer also to try and solve warping issues using ASA. Its a little on the sketchy side so will be a 'print while we are home' only solution. Onto the pics ...

@Kees They are amazing that's for sure and you are 100% right about no one wanting to let there's go, I know I don't plan on selling mine anytime soon. I love the E34 too, have way too many parts for them now. Here's mine, both manual 😁

use the correct parts for the swap

3 rare Z3's in N.Z. Palmetto (green) 2.8L, 1 of 2 Palmetto Z3's known in N.Z. Siena (red) 3.0L, 1 of 4 Siena Z3's known in N.Z. Mora Edition (purple) 2.0L, 1 of 1 Mora editions in N.Z.

Picked up a spare M20b25 this time last year (Jan 2021), planned on rebuilding the engine and using it as a spare for my other e30 that I had recently (in the last 6 months) finished bringing back to a condition I was satisfied with. Got a bit bored with not having an e30 to tinker with so decided to buy a second, this time a 1987 318i that came with a genuine Mtech 1 kit.. both in reasonable condition but needing some work. Before the 318 arrived I'd decided I wanted to repower it with my spare M20b25, so started to assemble some parts that would be required for engine swap and upgraded drivetrain. This 318 was auto so would obviously require the appropriate manual parts to complete the conversion. Dropped the m20b25 off to the engine shop for almost a full overhaul? Bearings, rings, bores honed, block & head resurfaced, test head and install new seals. Had manual fly wheel resurfaced at the same time. I got the engine back and put it back together myself, thankfully as you all know these are pretty easy to put back together and very enjoyable. After completing the engine it was time to remove the M10 and front rear/subframes, removed subframes so new bushes could be installed. Went with Powerflex bushes after using them previously and being pretty happy and easy to get. While the subframe/s, struts are out I dropped them at a mates shop for sand blasting and paint. Decided to Clean the engine bay and get under the car with degreaser, hot soapy water a hard brush and water blaster to remove 30+ years of dirt. It wasn't a fun job but I am pretty happy with the results. Upgraded front brake calipers to stock 325 calipers that take vented discs and while I was there grabbed a purple tag rack and upgrades the steering. Installed M20 loom and 173 ECU, located battery to the boot and put new M20 engine into the 318 for the first time and connect the dots with the wiring. I wish I could say she started up 1st time but I had the leads around the wrong way (maybe a couple to many beers the night before?) but at least it was an easy fix. The original plan was to repair the damaged panels (usual carpark dings) and re spray it in its original color Alpine White but I'm having second thoughts.. do I change color to Brillantrot? Here's the 318 as it arrived at my house Engine as purchased Head back from shop this is the only picture of the block I can find Subframes coming out Brakes and Rack Engine and loom Very Short video of 1st start after fixing leads 20210801_130810_1 1.mp4 20210801_130810_1 1.mp4

I decided to empty out my spastic car collection about a month ago, getting rid of my S8, S6 and GTB E-Tune. All three cars were interesting but the S8 was the only one I really liked, largely due to how insanely engineered it was, and of course the V10 thunder it produced. All three were automatics so were quite plain to drive. Since I have my E34 540i which is also automatic, the others had to go (insurance was also an absolute fortune, $6K a year for the three I sold which is rather unsustainable lol). My initial plan was to somewhat detox from the high power, yet largely mundane automatic sedans and get something quite the opposite that would complement my 540i. What I really wanted was a manual Z3, especially after coming across the photos of my Grandfather's manual 2.2 Z3 he had in the early 2000s. I was thinking; manual, light, roof down, straight six, hmmm that sounds like a-lot of fun. In the depths of Facebook marketplace I found a rougher manual 2.0L Z3 for sale about 15 minutes from my house. The car looked like it had solid bones and was just suffering from some cosmetic flaws like clear coat peel on the boot-lid, missing interior trim, typical Z3 split seats etc which are easily rectifiable. Went and looked at it and was pretty put off not only by its condition in person, but also the way it drove. To be fair, I think that car specifically was just a bit of an underpowered dog that really, really needed some decent mechanical work done. Even the alignment was horrific, and was one of many things the owner hadn't "bothered" to sort. Feeling a bit disappointed I returned to trademe. I randomly decided to do a random search of a minimum 3.5L engine capacity and a manual transmission. I scroll through the various clapped Commodores when I stumble across a W8 Passat. I roll my eyes, here's another clown who has listed their W8 Passat Auto as a manual. (It's important to note: when I was younger I was fanatical about the W8 Passats. I have no idea why. I would always have a look at them for sale every few months but had only ever seen one manual one) I open the listing expecting to see people grilling the seller in the comments for listing it incorrectly. The first comment read something along the lines of "Can I please come view, I have an Automatic one, have been looking for a manual". I immediately go look at the photos. I scroll through the 3 photos of the car and see it is in-fact the super rare 6 speed manual. That's very cool I thought. I texted the seller to ask some questions and for some more photos. I got a response but never got sent any photos. I then couldn't find it on trademe so just assumed someone else had snagged it. Fast forward 3 weeks and I get a random text one morning asking if I'm still interested in the Passat. I replied and the seller sent me a walk around video of the car. He then filmed a short video of him driving it. As soon as I heard the W8 rumble I was very, very interested. I texted him heaps of questions (as W8s are not quite known for their reliability) and after a couple days made him a sight un-seen offer I thought was fair. We made a deal and I flew down to Wellington yesterday to go get it. The day started out a little less than ideal. About 2 minutes into the test drive I go to put the car in neutral from 2nd gear as we pull up to some lights and it shifted funny. I then go to release the clutch and the clutch is still sitting on the floor. Oh sh#$. We push the car to the side of the road where we see it dripping some fluids. Without a clutch we weren't going far. The owner and I decided the best thing to do would be to try drive the car to his workshop as it seemed some kind of line or hose had popped off. We push the car down the street in neutral and then jam it in second and set off to Lower Hutt. We get the car on a hoist and indeed a hose connected to the clutch master cylinder had disconnected thanks to a clip that had somehow wiggled its way back. The seller got everything connected up and then we bled the clutch so we could do test drive attempt 2. Car did well on the test drive, and although my confidence wasn't particularly high, I knew I probably wouldn't find another car like it for the price, so I bought it anyway. I then began the journey home trying to make as few shifts as possible incase a similar thing happened again. I cruised mostly in 5th as I could go through towns and on the open road in the same gear. Everything was going smoothly until I realised I hadn't been listening to the GPS and was in Whanganui. I started driving State Highway 4 out of Whanganui which I found to be an amazing road that was nice and twisty! It's just not that enjoyable when you have no phone service and you are petrified you are going to have no clutch because of all the gear changes you are making to go around the hairpins! The car however continued to do really well and eventually I made it home. Was really impressed by how comfy and quiet it was at higher speeds, despite the car having some decent exhaust work done to it. The steering has a good weight to it and the car handles nicely. Not sure how many people will be interested in it but thought I would do a little write up and post a few photos. Its a car many people forget but I think its quite cool. Factory recaros, factory BBS wheels, unique engine and a 6 speed manual! From what I can find out online, I think my car may be 1 of 4 W8 Manuals left in NZ. It needs a really decent detail which I will hopefully start in the next few days. Only posting a few photos as the car is looking a bit grubby at the moment.

Wow! That 540 touring with a manual is probably the ultimate all round car imo. Just a tiny bit jealous 😅 What a cool pair to have!

Cheers mate, was a very long and slow process, but I never let go of the end goal and vision! It was definitely all worth it and so rewarding.

Is a very interesting sound. Engine revs in such a linear fashion too. Is very very bassey at low rpms almost like a Subaru but it doesn’t throb it has a constant hum. Becomes quite raspy as you rev it out. Redlines at just over 6K. I have an exhaust clip from when I showed my mate the car:

@Kees Very cool indeed and I'm lucky to have them, don't worry lots of people say they're jealous and want to buy it including me before I brought it off my mate 😂. If you need any E34 parts for yours let me know as I have a lot stashed!

I drove the W8 and my auto 540i back to back yesterday and I couldn't help but think how amazing a 6 speed in my e34 540i would be! Would love to get one but they are so good no one wants to sell them! I love E34s, a manual 540 would be one of my ultimate cars.

A quick 4 months later update. As a result of having a life outside of detailing cars (please don't hate me ) I have done nothing other than gun wash the M5 to keep road film off. Thanks to Covid slowing everything down the wagon has lived outside for last couple of months while the house refurb drags on. Below is an image of it taken a couple of weeks ago, water is still beading up, I haven't put any more CMX on since the original application.

I was obsessed with wanting one of these when I was first getting into cars, never did see a manual one when I was looking but that was always the dream. I'm glad I didn't get one as a first car because that would've most likely been a bad idea, but I still always look out for them on the road and have definitely seen the one with the custom plate before. I still think I'd be into one if I didn't have my 540i manual 😀

That paintwork 🤤 sooo good

Ha sh*t, in my experience that means you are doomed. Some of the worst cars i've bought were from mechanics. Good luck, you may need it!

I've Owned this car April 21 and its never has a wash, to be fair for most of that time its been sitting outside on axels stands under a car cover or in the garage with no engine / drive train. Anyway.. yesterday was a pretty good day in CHC so took the opportunity to give the exterior a bit of a tidy up. It still has a long way to go.. a few dings and scrapes but definitely a lot better than it was. My goal is to have this car in the panel & paint shop to fix up its imperfections and full respray in the next 2/3 months / over winter. After the giving her a good old wash, I remembered that last time I drove her the steering was way off, so as I was feeling motivated it was time for a backyard wheel alignment. I was never going to get this perfect but at least now at a glance the front wheels appear to point in the same direction. One day (probably after panel & paint) she'll get a proper wheel alignment but for now my best effort will have to do After all that took her down the end of the street (very gingerly) for the 1st test drive since installing the manual gearbox and m20b25, the car felt great.. cant wait until its all legal and road worthy and take her for a proper drive! Very quick photoshoot while I was out

You could try the guys at autolign in Mt Wellington if its near to you

Just binged this thread - what a build!

Yeah I definitely think it’s a gorgeous example, I’m just surprised no one jumped at it for ~$38K seeing how tidy it is. Love the spare set of wheels it comes with too!

Nice little evening cruise last Friday along the rural countryside. Need to get it out and enjoy it more!

Added another coat last night, finished it off with a wool pad. It's sooo clean, I just can't handle the thought of driving it in the rain - spring time in Auckland is just great. Mind you with level 3 point something lockdown I have got no where to go anyway. I also ignored the CMX polish instructions and tried to apply it with a wet applicator pad before completely writing it off, it worked significantly better. So anywhere that I had small blemishes I touched up with the polish before using the ceramic (ish) coating. Polishing aside, I thought I would include an image of the danger sticker on my (baby) drill press that always makes me smile - health and safety first Back to the coating - I think the additional application has made a difference to the depth of the gloss. I need to buy some touch up paint for the rear of the wheel arches that have a bit of road rash, if anyone has any suggestions other than the obvious go to BMW please let me know. Cheers.

Spent the evening avoiding the world and used the Mothers CMX on the wagon. No before shots - it was shiny but not as deep as the final result. I started with the CMX polish - useless. It went on like toothpaste and getting it off even on a small area took a stupid amount of time. I decided to go straight to the CMX ceramic coating as the current paintwork is in good condition. I put on a Collecting Cars podcast and spent about an hour applying and buffing off the coating with a microfibre cloth, probably the easiest coating I have ever used. So in my opinion it was money well spent.

I have used the Meguiars stuff. I find NXT is superior to the Hybrid Ceramic. NXT Wash and NXT sealant gives a pretty decent finish, follow up washes with NXT Wash are also good as there's something in it which conditions the surface and provides a slick finish which other washes I have used don't have. I think the durability of Hybrid Ceramic is lowering that NXT. Both NXT Sealant and Hybrid Wax are very easy to apply though. Wouldn't bother with the Hybrid Detailer. As an additional step I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish before NXT/Hybrid Ceramic to clear up swirls, scratches and get a deep wet look going. I haven't used any of the hardcore ceramic sealants on the market from places like UCC but I suspect the durability of those is higher. I don't have many pictures but here is: Wash, Clay, Autoglym SRP, NXT Sealant