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This weekend I thought I’d bite the bullet and start sorting out some of the interior scuffing in the 130. I had seen on the M539 video on the B7 (Project Chicago) that Sreten managed to clean up the look of the scratched trim which got me inspired so I gave it a go too. I started with just one small piece that was the also the worst in the car, I've attached a before and after photo below. I used De-Solv-it in place of Liqui Molly Orange Power cleaner, from Bunnings. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/de-solv-it-125ml-multi-purpose-cleaner-spray_p0172055 It’s also an orange based degreaser and seemed to do the job. Lyndar Plastic Primer Filler from Supercheap https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/lyndar-lyndar-plastic-primer-filler---400g/376306.html . Note it’s grey in colour rather than clear. It doesn't matter but I think from watching Sreten's video I just had it in my mind it would be clear. Lyndar 1K Matt Black paint from Supercheap https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/lyndar-lyndar-1k-acrylic-matt-black-400g/637895.html Sometimes I found the coating came off easier rubbing it with my thumbs than using a brush, other times the brush was the only way. Overall I’m pretty happy with the new look. One thing that jumped out at me when I put it in the car is it’s a bit blacker than the other pieces around it, maybe a colour closer to dark grey might have been a better option? M539 video showing the process Sreten went through - 16 mins in is where he starts working on the soft touch plastic.

Fitted the seats I had reupholstered about 4 to 5 years ago in finally. They compliment the grey really nicely. Also fixed my odo gears with new one's as the odo stopped working just after I fitted the seats coincidently

Great day for a cruise to Browns Bay. Thanks to the other e30 drivers I saw today. Good bunch of lads

For the lower tier N52s, 325i/328i, that don't have the three stage manifolds it's somewhat common in the US to use a N54 manifold as an upgrade. It's hard to get hold of a three stage N52 there afaik.I It's not as good as the 130i/330i full N52 spec motor manifold from the dyno tests I've seen, makes same or slightly more power at the top end but sacrifices torque to do so.

I think a bloke has to have hobbies and do things that we enjoy. Had a health scare a couple of years back which changed my outlook to an extent. Make a point of doing enjoyable things. This hobby was has been a good one where I’ve been able to chunk down the work in smaller lots as I’ve gone through recovery. I enjoy the learning process that goes into doing this as I did with the e46 stereo system. Hopefully I haven’t become OCD on this one 😀 Cost wise it has been accumulating but probably only 10% of the purchase price of the car. I’ve got the stereo mentioned with a value of $6k for the equipment in my insurance policy, but time wise if the worst happens I’d probably enjoy building another one ( eyeing up the wife’s SUV as this project comes to a finish 🤣) With this car I’m not at that point of constant worry that I see mates get into with custom cars that they have 1000s of hours of time and are of a high value and never let the vehicle out of their sight. I do daily it and lease carpark which has plenty of parking room and good neighbours, but can break out a sweat if parking in a busy supermarket carpark as many of us BMW drivers do 😀.

I am now true to my username with the car. (PLATE) but also I upgraded the interior to a set I had reupholstered about 5 yeara ago. I love the contrast between the dark exterior and bright interior. It looks different in different lighting but it is blood red with black stitching.

I do consider myself fortunate, been a combo of good luck and hard work with long work hours. Wife included. I think you’re right in enjoying the present. Father’s life got cut short before he got to retire, but he still had an excellent life and pursued interesting stuff. But he was certainly looking forward to retirement and was planning travel etc. Almost joined him but got a second chance due to the skill of the medical profession and determination to recover. Life 2.0 I call it. Make a point of living in the present and doing stuff that I enjoy. Also trying to justify spending habits 😀.

as long as you enjoy doing it and your not living on bread and sausages who cares, its healthier than spending it on P

Hahahah thats a good one bro! Will probably use that plate for our tech 1 coupe shop build we doing next! Thanks bro! Yeah I think it looks pretty cool too. The car is getting a full respray in a few weeks and then I can get the skirts painted and fitted as well as the tech 1 rear wing. Need to swap over the roof I have for it which is already on a frame as this one just lets it down.

*BMPIMP* - looks great man! Grey and red is a fantastic combo

I totally get it, back of the napkin says I'm at about 2100% of purchase price 🤣 We're very fortunate that we can mess with such things in the pursuit of enjoyment and satisfaction for sure. I think too many people are obsessed with the 'and then' mentality where you're always chasing that next then that's going to unlock some magical level of happiness ... waiting to retire to take that holiday and then we'll be happy ... slaving for that promotion and then i'll be satisfied ... etc. Full disclosure: Not saying I'm any different and I probably say this to justify my own spending habits hah

https://22rpd.com/blog/the-future-of-na-n52-no-throttle-body-bonus-beta-testing-sign-up Interesting, N52 becoming more of animal.

Haha - just remember it’s only got half the power 🤣

It looks fantastic!

Stretched the legs earlier this morning and gave her a fair bit of jandal over a solid 4-5 hours seat time down to Karioitahi beach then up the Āwhitu peninsula - such a stunning rural / coastal setting and the roads are sufficiently twisty and deserted too. Got some good pics with the E46 up here 3 years ago and essentially recreated half of them with the E30 😂 Great way to start another perfect summers day, off to the beach now and then time to clean the car again for a meet tomorrow.

Recieved rear driveshaft back, both UJs replaced, looks schmiko. Fitted brand new center support bearing, and front half back on, taking note of the paint marks i put on it as it came out. guibo shows no signs of wear so no need to replace, and all back in. also replaced the transmission mounts with some 335i ones inhad lying about while in there. one was a bluetooth mount, the other held up coming up but as soon as on ground and In disturbed it it broke. Have never seen so perished, and they have an ‘01 stamp on them so they have been there right from the start took for a wee drive around the block, its still a diesel so still a tiny hint of vibration, but huge improvement, and no vibration at all under boost any more, so a job well done! Milage update 313950 miles (505254km)

Finally got around to swapping the 3.73 lsd diff I had waiting for this car. What a noticeable difference with the ratio change. It is a lot more lively now. The diff has barely done 1000ks since a rebuild but has been in storage for 5 years or so. I treated it to some Penrite differential oil for LSD diffs and gosh it makes it wonderful to drive.

Fitted a reverse camera! Interfaces properly with the idrive (not an OE camera module) but methinks it was designed around the bigger screen as the visual PDC display is pretty small.

In other news! Sold the 335i, bought a momo wheel, hub adapter and a set of xyz’s coil overs for the compact, so spent a couple days fitting all that up, pumping the rear guards to fit the 17x9.5 arc-8’s, as well as getting the intercooler system plumbed up and working

It came!!! such a work of art!

bought a daily driver so I don't have to daily drive my M3 while I'm building my E46 compact daily driver, so I don't have to daily drive my M3. Boston green manual E36 318is coupe. It's rough but I don't really care, I got it for cheap. My dads been wanting to build a M42/44 with throttle bodies and a lightweight flywheel so he'll likely start tinkering on it once it's not needed for daily duty.

Tee hee

Been a little while since I updated. Replaced injectors and my coolant temp sensor (one that tells the ECU roughly how cold it is) which seems to have really improved the cars temperament when cold (would always idle fine but would often be a little hesitant under load like in old cold carbureted car). Also replaced my blower motor resistor but think I’ll need to replace blower motor too as it was stiff as - lubed it up but imagine it will seize itself again before too long. Running extremely well for the BMW club run this Sunday - let’s hope it does not need a tow this time around!