Leaderboard

I'm stunned and shattered. Sanjay was the ultimate enthusiast. Yes his knowledge of local BMW's, particularly e24, e34, e31, e39 M5, was truly next level. But his ability to recall particular cars, their owners and locations, and time period they owned them was mind boggling. And he would rattle off local build and import numbers like you wouldn't believe. For those that didn't know, Sanjay was an ex-pat living in the States. I connected with him several years ago when I cheekily PM'd him enquiring about his 840ci (he had mentioned in a post that it was still here). Within minutes of passing on contact details he gave me the first call of what would become many. Although conversations where mainly talking cars, there were many times of just chatting about life. Sanjay was a ball of excitement and enthusiasm, always freely passing on his knowledge and advice. We looked forward to one day meeting kanohi ki te kanohi, tangata ki te tangata (in person) to talk about and drool over cars. Alas, this was not meant to be. Our connection was over the e31 - I was constantly picking his brain! "My 840ci was a keeper" he would always say (he was fastidious about it and it was one of the better, if not best, examples) until... he acquired his e39 M5 Dinan. Not that long ago, he did let his 840ci go so in his honour, I share with you 'his 8' ... Rest In Paradise my brother and until we meet...

Well after the last post, and always following the do it once do it right my long term cars, I ordered a new waterpump, belt, tensioners, idlers etc, which have been on hand for a while. Only thing not ordered was thermostat (as thats right on the front and easy accessible if ever needed), and the crank pulley which, while a vulnerable part on these M47, was replaced by Graham already. Ive also known since turbo swap that the rubber intake charge pipe could also do with changing, so ordered too. also after last post, the 320d was parked up down the back. With the December rush, christmas break, welcoming my newest son to the world mid jan, and then busy back into it, there its sat for just under three months! Well today being all caught up finally, i booked the day for myself to finally do the pump. Moved some other cars out the way, key in and bumped the key, and started up first pop! Disassembly done, and I was astonished to find the waterpump was a genuine BMW item. Surreeelt not.. I thought. BMW genuine parts as well as many aftermarket ones have manufacture dates cast into the part, and this one, would you believe it, said 02 on it!!!!! Meaning it is either an original part from new and never been changed, or changed within the first 2-3 years of 02. Which means it has done this milage!! Worth remembering, it wasnt even leaking, just a very slight wobble. Tensioner pulleys also replaced, although the tensioner itself prooved within spec, as well as the belt with plenty of life, so reused “old” ones. intake charge pipe also replaced, the rubber all perished due to oil contamination from the turbo failure. New one all good to go. Anyways , back on the road today, and really enjoyed running about in it again!

Design breif for the M47 and M57 seem to be to take the already brilliant M42/4 and M52/4 petrol engines, and make them even stronger and tougher.

Thanks for your help with this James. I checked continuity across the clock spring and may have found the issue. I'll have a go at repair otherwise it's replace. Cheers.

Bought from Ray at HellBM, top service and top bloke! Highly recommended.

Yep have messaged him, will likely pick it up on the weekend if it has had the rust repaired properly/is as rust free as he claims.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/360565837/bmw-unleashes-first-ever-m3-cs-touring-bathurst

Looks like a spaceship in that thing

I reckon it's a god-tier chassis-engine pairing. I do appreciate an original build but this looks real tastefully done, I'd probably take it over the S14 if I'm honest. If I were to nitpick anything at all about it is that they kept it LHD. Since originality got sacrificed anyway and all the effort that's gone in they might as well have converted it to RHD.

I’m extremely saddened to say a dear friend of mine and great contributor to bimmersport suddenly passed last week. To me he was Sanjay but you will know him as ssbmw. He had a wealth of knowledge on bmw stats in nz. He would eat, drink and sleep the brand and love to talk with anyone who shared the passion. Bimmersport was a great outlet for him to share his knowledge for which he was regular contributor. A huge loss to all.