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Spotted at Supercheap in Palmerston North today, rego said 1971 2002

It's a deep blue / purple kinda colour ... looks very good, much better than the images online I've seen IMO. He got it with some options which also help ... TRD side skirts and boot lip spoiler from memory along with some nice forged 21's At the other end of the automobile spectrum I've been engaging my kiwi ingenuity with my header tweaking as pictured. Engaged multiple wince making techniques from the trolley jack lift 'n shift to the classic ratchet tie down on the tow bar yank 'n twist. The wire in the vice is my gauge so I can tell how much to abuse it. The good news is I have 5 out of 6 pipes now fitting whilst the worst offender gets some surgery at Race Lab ... I really have had enough of messing with the headers at this point and the pro's will give it a quick cut and tuck with far less profanity than me doing it. Next up I'll be targeting the transmission mount, which will likely involve more header / exhaust work to get the collectors and secondaries / Y pipe sorted.

Groomed the (BMWish) GP today as start of prep to sell when I have it back in Wellington. Looks good from 1m, trying to de-customise some of the appearance “improvements” POs have done. Tomorrow is aircon repair time. 🤔 $$ or $$$ tbc @Sammo had some Meguiars Ultimate Conpound and Autoglym super resin polish on hand, two stages of hand work

I can't imagine that. I moved my Austin 10 on Sunday and the pinion seal let go from excitement

I forgot I still had this and it's no longer required. It was installed on my 130i but I understand it fits all E8x/E9x N52's. The only reason I took it off is because my brother got me a Mishimoto one not knowing that I'd picked this one up and I can be a brand whore so swapped them. Comes with free OE used clamps (not pictured) and if you think it's beyond your mechanical skill or available tools, and we can establish a mutually agreeable time, I can help you put it in. I'm in Mount Wellington Cost: 1 x 12pk Mac's Three Wolves Pale Ale You'll get this plus the clamps if you want them (you can also reuse your existing clamps): And on most vehicles this simple hose replaces all of the weight and complexity of the assembly at the top of this pic: More vroom.

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Is it rusty?

I go all the way to Marton to continue with Jon of Auto 38, at Begley Motor Works. You could try Peter Craigie at All European Service in Fifeshire Avenue, if you need to go local. I don't recommend Page European. And I wouldn't bother with VTNZ, they're not useful for PPIs, and barely adequate for WoFs.

Red mirrors is a GP thing, not done by a PO. A very cool car.

Wash time with Autoglym, beading nicely!

Revealed a hairline crack on the subframe floor awhile ago whilst cleaning (the usual L\H crease). I was planning on dropping the subframe anyway so went ahead. Luckily it didn't appear to be any additional failed welds or cracks, but Redish V3 plates will be going in anyway once Fedex Australia sorts their sh*t out. New subframe bushings and inner control arm bushings done whilst its out. Inspected the clutch\flywheel. Very little wear so must of been replaced not too long ago. Re-used the flywheel and installed a new clutch kit. New winner for the hardest job on this car. Not something you ever want to do on axle stands with standard floor jack with a cramped transmission tunnel to boot. Unfortunately the refurbished slave cylinder was weeping, probably due contaminated fluid from wear given the marks in the cylinder. Seal still looked ok so honed the better spare cylinder swapped it over and bled it. Appears to be holding for now but will refurbish the old one again for insurance. Cleaned all the solenoids, drained all the fluid and flushed some new stuff thru using the pump so hopefully cleared it out. Driveshaft nose bushing, Meyle HD flex disc and Febi center support done. FAG front wheel bearings, replacement rack and new Meyle HD control arms also done while everything is apart. Just need to do install rear wheel bearings, put everything back together and parts cannon along with the operator can retire for awhile.

Went through the window seal (the slot the window slides into) or this job - I assumed they would remove trim too - worth getting someone to take a look, if the paint is unbroken they can do some pretty impressive stuff, most charge per panel I think - $100-150 depending on number dents / complexity. My drivers door is still the worst panel on the car, but without the eye catching dents in your eyeline, you're less inclined to notice and then 'zoom in' on the other flaws.

Got some paintless dent removal done on the E30 this morning - drivers door had about 6 pin dents in a row which looked terrible and drew attention to the other flaws in the panel (chips / poor repair work) - Pete from Dent Magician got them out efficiently for $140 despite access being an issue (upper door where there is a double skin). Very impressed, although now I'm aware of some less obvious ones that I barely saw before haha. After a DIY paint correction and tidying a few trim pieces next month, should be good enough until I get a bunch of painting done later in the year and try to get it to a 9/10 kind of level. Currently she is far from perfect, but overall looking very sharp for a 400,000km 33 year old.

Thank you, Olaf. All has been noted down. Good to hear, I've been wary of VTNZ as my mum has had persistent issues with them. Appreciate the recommendation!

Great work Jared !! It is disappointing re the slave cylinder. I could provide some "feedback" to supplier if required. This ultra rare car is really getting serious attention - and one to watch...

Aww thanks Sam @Sammo. The PO or one before added the black stripes, some carbon fibre stickers inside and out, some aftermarket gauge faces, chrome rear boot handle, and a few other things. I removed two stripes off bonnet and used eucalyptus oil and Meguiars to try to get glue off, looks bad so will probably reinstall the stripes and call it done. The paint was looking swirly and tired but has come up well, lots of sweat! Some chips on bonnet etc.

the red mirrors are cool.

Removing the 130s trombone is up there with docking its lovely long aerial

Hey Guys, Im looking for the below switch to retrofit an auxiliary fan switch - came in both e28 and early e30's - 2x prong switch https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/50958/Foglight-Switch-61311380352/ If someone's got one would be a great help and save me installing a crappy aftermarket switch. Thanks

Thanks for the offer, I should have updated that I'm all sorted now! Will have a spare set of bolts and gasket if/when Fedex deliver my order

I'm thinking back in the 2000s certainly very much before 2010! The gap did close as this shows...but the "Diesel takeover" was well established by 2012. I had the Mark V back in 05? 06? Anyway, even if they were the same price per litre...the MPG was the star...that 48 / 50 MPG could be hit easily.

Car events sure have moved with the times. Hope he got home.

looks like the 1 series is a real all rounder

N54 was voted engine of the year for 3 years running i think. Was a test bed for BMW into the turbo six mix for the M cars. Issues with ancillary reliability, fuel pumps, injection, turbo rattle etc. But, what a motor! Can't recall driving a car so wanting to make power, in all rev ranges. The rotating mass is built proof and head/ valve function not far behind. Way, way slower car in a straight line with a manual transmission, but if drifting or tracking, maybe some gains.

Not a BMW but the OG fast wagon so thought someone might appreciate it (just looked, performance is extraordinary for a mid-90's 1600kg wagon, 4.8s 0-100 🤯)

Alas not the grey GP ones @KwS, these ugly mofos…

I guess I need to do it now since surely no one wants a trombone!