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The ‘crystal knob’ may even be sitting in the drivers seat 🧐

I'm far ( Far, FAR) from an expert... just thinking out loud: but I'd have thought a bit of starter fluid would mean it would at least make a few more bangs... if the mechanicals were doing their things, at the right times??? Maybe? The white smoke like that is normally from uncombusted diesel... isn't it? not enough compression to pop it? (I know on a running diesel with a bad misfire, or a leaky injector letting fuel in at the wrong times etc, it can do white/grey smoke). If you have the injectors unplugged, does the cranking sound even? Was the motor from a reliable source? You've had the head off and done the valves, right? No obvious damage then? Maybe double check the timing process, or better yet - have a new pair of eyes look over it? Sorry 😬

To all Bimmersport members - note our other brands we can now procure. You can save on these parts, as we now give a 'net landed' price for these parts with our bulk shipments, so you can save!

WHAAAAAAAT is that thing! https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/528i/listing/4434283986 So keen on this as a Sunday drive car, or even to fit some decent brakes and troll people at track days. lucky its not local.

They were pretty snug to go in, next time they are off I'll try and remember to pop them off ... not sure it'll look any good tho personally Front suspension / steering bits: No pics to support, but added some Whiteline adjustable front sway bar end links, new front LCA's and inner / outer tie rod ends recently since none of that was done during the build and there was a bit of a knock that could be felt when hitting bumps. Mostly cleared it up 🤷‍♂️ The adjustable end links were mostly to cater for 'not quite OEM' angles between strut and bar which was giving the OEM links a hard time. Some other bits: Got a 2011 370Z ECU from the USA to swap in. The folks at UpRev (my OEM ECU software) have limited / less support for the JDM ECU's and I was striking issues with a couple things ... Map selections. The ECU has support for 5 different maps but they were struggling to debug my old JDM ECU as to why it was not changing maps. Now with a 2011 USDM model they should be able to get the map selection working, fingers crossed. My ECU was from an auto so did not recognise the clutch switch (which i have yet to install) so I can use the launch control, full throttle shift and other 'ARC' features that need a clutch switch Got some 'Advanced Wheel Locks' lock nuts ahead of some kind of press in stud conversion happening at some point Got some Performance MRP weld on aluminium flanges for MAF sensors so I can make some new intake tubes at some point

@Allanw, you're right, the starter fluid should make it fire if the compression is good. Which makes me think the compression is not good (which it's not, in the original post). But the leakdown test and timing is good. Next to no leaks. Which is where I'm lost. Engine was supposedly running before it was pulled. As trustworthy as the next person on Trademe I guess. Have had the injectors unplugged (when I was building fuel and oil pressure) and crank sounded uniform. Yip, the white smoke is uncombusted fuel coming from the turbo outlet. It can be seen in the engine bay as the dpf isn't plumbed in. Had the valves all apart and they're in perfect condition and dead straight. Have had timing checked by two others. Where I'm at now is... Drain the fuel tank and put fresh diesel in. Swap out the hydraulic lifters, incase they're not letting the valves get proper lift or duration. Thanks again @Allanwfor brainstorming with me.

Also, before the cruise I set out to finally ceramic coat the wheels, a mission I didn't manage to get around to right after the suspension refresh. Naturally, I underestimated the severity of the task and overestimated my abilities. Despite having only done around 3,000km and objectively not even being that dirty, took forever getting them perfectly clean before applying the coating. A bit of elbow grease on the plastic scraper rubbing off remnants of the old balancing weights, several cycles of regular washes followed by a good few hours on the clay bar getting after the niggly tar spots and... 5 hours later I had finished on one wheel. Madness. If only I had money left over to pay someone else to do it. Will need a good long weekend to get the rest of them over the line. Mission for the Christmas break maybe.

Had another fun run up to Kaikoura this past Sunday with a group of colleagues. The bimmer was by far the least exotic of the bunch and might have looked a bit out of place among a group of V8's & restored classics but great fun to drive none the less. Was great fun listening to the Mustangs roar in the twisties and keeping up with the Aston on the straights. The 240z was the highlight for me. Fully restored fellow straight-6 and looking absolutely immaculate. Awesome writeup on the project if anyone cares to know. As expected, without any passengers on board there was no sign of rubbing from the rear. Car felt nice and planted throughout and unsurprisingly felt more nimble than the previous time on the same route without the added weight of other humans on board. The no-crank gremlin reared its head just once along the way but started up after a few turns of the key. Will need to have that addressed sooner rather than later. Alignment & WoF next week, then cert the week after. Hoping for some smooth sailing.

Full day of cut and polish, came up nice

Wanting to sell My E30 M325I MTech 1. Not being used and needs to go to a good Home . Fully documented Original Car I am the second owner featured in Autocar and winner this year in survivor class at the Ellerslie Concourse. txt or ring me . This is the best car in New Zealand if you want to own probably the Best original condition MTech 1 in the world this would be it. 0221976166 . More picture available on request. Will take the best offer but won’t reply to low balls or txt asking how much if you are serious then you will ring and look at the car . Won’t be advised on Trademe . I have been reminded on some items I need to add to the post the car is in Pukekohe (Auckland) and anybody who can pay over $80k then they will be able to add it to there collection. Serviced by the same dealer since new and fully documented history.

As a previous BMW owner I am all too aware of how hard they are move around when they are not running so you have to appreciate that he picked it up and moved it. I have also pushed a car in jandals before and it can be a high risk game, especially if you catch a foot on the open door when trying to steer it. The guy who dumped them has some space back and this car is now someone elses problem / liability, he is now likley having to deal with tyre kickers. Can we give him a 3/10 for effort? He's doing more than sitting on a forum complaining. Cant say I could be bothered doing something like that, I'm all for a flip if it means taking something and improving it, better still if you can enjoy it for a bit before on selling. Most of the time I feel I have saved a car from a wrecker.

Missed these updates - wheels looking great and that belly shot!!

Any photos of them without the center caps? Could be just me but i feel like would look better.