Leaderboard

Hey all, new to the group. Previously had an E61 530D msport touring 2006. Was a bit long in the tooth when I sold it a few years ago but was still such an awesome car. Only small downside was being RWD on the occasional snow mish... So when a G31 xdrive msport version came up recently, and in my favoured white, I couldn't help myself! Amazing how the new (to me) car is such a similar, and still excellent, package... but just does everything a little bit better. Xdrive and ZF8 is a game changer in this car. So happy with it! One thing I need tough, is a towbar. Not been able to find supply or install yet. Anyone managed to retrofit a towbar on G30/ G31?

I was getting increasing on center vagueness when driving and slop when rocking steering wheel with engine off. Moving the shaft at the firewall produced excessive movement Removed the column and traced the play to plastic bushing in the lower steering column behind the steering angle sensor. Checked out a couple local E46's and @Vass send me a video of his, both had much less movement than mine. Got a replacement low k one from E46 M3 Nick Weitz is wrecking. Steering is significantly improved, now precise and a nice weight to it now. Feels like my E36 with the same setup. No before video but here is the new one. Still some movement but i think that is mainly due to poor\cost cutting design, not very well supported down low + plastic bushings. No parts listed to rebuild so probably one of those issues will start to occur more frequently as E46's age. IIRC @Sammo had a similar issue with his E46, presumably obvious noises would occur once the wear is great enough. 20230610_160645.mp4

Still yet to hit the 300,000km mark... blame weather and work... so engine etc/etc/etc/etc still sitting in workshop Took it out for a blat though, to remind myself why I still have it, fecking awesome fun on an empty B road.

They're also really not very expensive just to buy new from memory. That's what I did. and then painted the door handles with GM8573, it's almost a perfect match for the OEM colour. Picture below of my painted door trims next to a brand new dash piece from BMW.

3M 2080 M211 Matte Charcoal Metallic Wrap. A metre of it was ~ $80.00 from Computaleta - had to wrap a few trim parts on pax door handle due to dreaded sunscreen (don't know whats in that stuff but it is like paint stripper) you won't be able to tell the difference.

Scour Facebook marketplace for a good deal. So many people buy all the gear but have no idea and sell up. Been watching Mike from Stanceworks on YouTube build his K series powered Ferrari time attack car. He does some printing with this stuff. Pretty cool. https://store.bambulab.com/products/petg-cf

@Sammo you've been spotted on Facebook.

comfort seats look nice @Herbmiester - these are much nicer with m-sport kit IMO

I purchased this car in the end. Needs an exterior respray, anywhere where it has seen sun the red paint is stuffed. The engine had a bad misfire which the owner said was a fueling issue, thankfully it was just a coil. Has a few other cosmetic issues, but all fixable. Drivers seat has a tear in a bolster, and the dash has cracks for Africa. Good bones though and drives nicely. Definitely keeping me entertained in the garage! Currently stripped for painting.