LemonHunter

Righty, finally got the crankshaft timing pulley off after investing in a Harmonic BalancerPuller. Looking inside, it looks like the crank shaft outside is toast, you can see on the right where the biscuit woodruff key is supposed to sit... and on the left where it has been moving about. but the inside of the pulley seems okay? There is a wider part, but that seems machined rather than worn. biscuit woodruff looks a bit beat up too. On the upside, I didn't pull the trigger on a new head gasket set. Series of Expletives omitted. Wish me luck at small claims.

I've had great experiences with FCPEuro also, but discovered after one purchase it pays to check locally first. With freight, one purchase was the same as buying locally, except locally I wouldn't have waited a week and a bit for delivery.

I picked up a 1995 E36 318Ti as a run about while I sort out the lemon. It was cheap, motor and box feel strong, but the handling... So I figured maybe they all just handle rubbish & I'm pampered with my adjustables and direzas on the E30, i.e. expecting too much. To describe it, better, basically the handling feels like my old Nissan Terrano, after I put in 2" spring lift, 2" body lift, and 32" mud tyres. Wallows it's way through corners at speed. Or maybe there are like 5 or 6 really straight forward things I can adjust/replace to get it back on track (pun?) The steering wheel wobble I'd normally put down to warped disks, but maybe there is something more nefarious at play? If it's of relevance, the steering wheel itself is not central when driving straight, it's about 20ish degrees off.

I've never replaced a head gasket with an OEM one, generally favor Cometic MLS or equivalent. Seems that with BMW though oem or VR are perfectly fine? I have a 'recent rebuilt' M20B23 with the gasket probably gone between 5 & 6. After only 7000km. I don't think I'm going to turbo this engine ever, but i do like to give it the beans on the twisties. Seeking suggestions for make, type & best place to shop.

Sort out your camber and spacing at the same time :banghead:

Try your luck asking the C130 pilot that lurks about these parts? An inactive member/mate is a load master also.

I'm very suspicious of mechanics to be honest. I'd get a second opinion or post us some pictures

Oh i thought the A1GP had replaced it ;-) F1 is still a thing?

Local yokle http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/54595-e30-rolling-body-getrag-260-1-no-res/#entry589318

I thought mine was leaking from the Crank case also, but a bit of googling confirms what is mentioned above, it seems more likely to be the oil filter housing, check the attached for a guide to identify and fix that particular problem. Replace the Oil Filter Housing Gasket and Bush.pdf Sauce: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20854

Now that the E30 is off the road for a while... or forever, found a $1 Auction for a cheap and cheerful E36 318Ti to keep my Vitamin B stocked while I decide what to do or buy next. All it needs is the roof lining replaced and the gasket and/or bushing on the oil filter housing replaced (seems like a pretty common job on these) to be more or less mint. Leather seats, factory Alloys, handles like a brickies wheelbarrow but once the tacho gets over 5k rpm she pulls surprisingly well for a 1.8L

If I'd been active in the forum when I lived in Dubai last year I'd have shown you guys some unreal cars...

I see that you are speaking from experience. Fun times?

What if i REALLY like lemonade. Given all the 335 seem to be dealer based, who could say one jap import for 45k at a fancy euro dealer was any better looked after in Japan than a 20k one from regular ordinary importer.

I'm having an existential crisis, somthing fun fast and practical like this, or martins M5, or a Delica.

What dealer would you recommend?

What Am i missing here, every one else is listing these at 20 to 45k, albeit with half the milage. Doe these become lemon flavoured dog pops above 100k or is this a bargain? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-987481064.htm Suject fixed, cheers rubix

One careful lady owner (race look pedals/steeringwheel/handbrake)

That may be true, but i have more evidence of a total lack of rebuild or just an extremely poor quality one. So for him to say it was rebuilt 5000km before i purchased was a very high factor for my purchase. But yeah, refer above. It's misrepresentation.

Okay, engine is trash, just performed a compression test, albeit cold as the water pump etc are disconnected, 150-145-146-151-75-115 PSI respectively I put this as blown head gasket probably between cylinders 5 & 6. I've emailed with a suggestion to let him buy it back for $500 less than I paid and forget this all happened. Will be interested in seeing what he comes back with. But for a 'rebuilt' motor 5000km ago, for the Stem seals to be leaking, head gasket to be blown & jesus bolt missing... it is now beyond a joke.

Fixed

I'm probably going to go look at it, will report back.

I kinda like it, but I already have one lemon to contend with...

The colour looks like techno violet to me, but is listed as SONDERLACKIERUNG (490) Which means special colour... I think... so what colour is this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-985199760.htm High milage but in the pics it looks in crazy good condition. I imagine some hard bargaining would net this for between 3.5 and 4.5k tops.