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I'm one of the people who emailed. I am more than happy to run/maintain the site. I am not so active as to do moderation daily, but running websites/forums is something I do and have done on a daily basis for a long time now.

Building back the ‘trust’ after a coolant job on an old car involves religiously checking coolant temps and for leaks after each drive. So far so good, lighting was a bit better so here’s a before and after of the engine bay. Many new shiny parts! Keen eye will notice the intensive washer bottle and pump delete. Replaced the washer jets with e60 fanning ones. So much better than the e39 baby pee dribble jets. Engine bay when first acquired. Engine bay after all M54 maintenance done, including new fan shroud and intake boots, and a good clean up.

Intake manifold and underneath it maintenance all done. New gaskets, vacum caps, ccv and hoses, coolant hard pipes and a bit of a clean up. Coolant hard pipes did break removing them as expected but was pretty easy to clean up the remaining bits stuck in the engine. Bonus points to previous owners for regular coolant changes as there was no corrosion or build-up of crusty coolant any where.

Given that BMW won't make an M3 Touring (but seems happy to build a worse riding and less practical SUV version, and thinks that wagon buyers will cross shop to an SUV), I think my next (and likely last non-electric) car will be one of these - in Alpina blue. https://www.topgear.com/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/alpinas-455bhp-b3-touring-m3-wagon-bmw-wont-make

Saw this in the TM MOD mailer:

Following the wisdom received hereabouts, I've ordered 4 shocks/struts from FCP and am having them shipped to a MyUS address... Shipping in the US is *free* so that's one cost out of the way. Let's see how it goes. Can't be worse than my last experience!

‘Ooomph’ green degreaser from bunnings. It’s cheap, works well and doesn’t stink of diesel.

Theres one in Porirua. Yup, Porirua ? I have seen it being driven on the motorway (once last year) and shortly after on display in the 'shop window' of the local vehicle certifiers (the one's who issue/regulate the industry I think). Pretty sure this one has the old 'black' plates too.

Then again, anyone reading this should probably read the following to see what's up.

@OLLIE get your sh*t together and while you're at it, your E30

Yup, there common as muck up here in Auckland. The Back to the Future one is absolutely epic (if you are into that stuff) flux capacitor, time / date settings all work, car drives, etc. So well done. Wonder what happens when you hit 88mph in it...?

No part number I can see but there is this M3 stamp. Taking it in to decent engineering firm here who does pre-cert work so hopefully it is salvageable.

Have to say this forum has always been great but seen better days. Being an IT guy know it gets hard to manage things especially as time goes on but its still alive. I would have no issues to offer some hours to help do a clean up/re-orginise a bit as i have had so much help off here in the early years we need a place that isn't full of stupid comments like FB haha

Time for the intake manifold to come off to replace common maintenance stuff.

Couple of pics taken with the iPhone potato

If it was cheap chinese brand coils then I would be worried but they are not. They are high quality ones so its not a concern for me. I'm sure if you ask nicely, the seller would put the originals in for you and away you go, no worries

I have gone through and removed and un-pinned a lot of the old stuff at the top of the various sub-forums. Some stuff is pretty old, but still quite relevant / helpful so I have left it at the top. If there is anythig i have missed, let me know - either post it in here or drop me a pm and i'll have a look.