M3AN

Rubber mallet and long screwdriver to wedge the water pump. Tried it a couple of times first and failed. Then gave it a proper whack and it worked fine. You just need to consider where your swing arc will go if you miss or slip so you can adjust to avoid breakage. It's only really tight if the fan hasn't been removed for ages, now mine just requires a light tap (when it's on).

^ Nice work Graham - saw the original on Sunday and couldn't imagine Miss M being happy with that!

Gauge rings...

Installed these last night and am very happy with the result. Was a real PITA and even cost me some blood but job done. They're aluminium (rather than plastic) with a nice dark chrome finish. Similar to that seen in the Z and later M cars. Got rid of that hideous idiot sticker for the fuel grade as well. Before: After:

Yep, it's a different show now folks. I think there's still fun to be had, albeit a different type of fun.

Just for the parcel shelf? Way too expensive. I got my headliner, rear shelf, a, b and c pillars done for $550 all up once I'd removed them from the car.

I need fabric spray for something else, any recommendations/links?

I got mine recovered at the same time I got my headliner and pillars done. Used the same material and I think it looks great. Upholsterer said it was easier than the headliner. Was a PITA to get back in though!

Just about dropped my phone when I saw that dyno. Jealous. Now, where do I find 35whp!?!?!

Shouldn't need a cert for reinforcements of a stock part. Well spotted but I hope it wasn't the immediate previous owner as he should know better!

E02 was even better IMHO.

Top shelf Conor, great to see it get some love. I'm surprised how well it drove considering. Stopped well too which is good or you and I might be blood stains on Wairau Rd after that old guy blew through that red light!

At least Prime is in HD now (on Sky at least, not sure about Freeview). Not sure about streaming options, I hear downloading is easier.

Free to air on Prime tomorrow night.

I've got an M3 steering rack that's in good nick and will slot straight in. Cheap too. Feel free to call dibs.

Please don't allow this board to fill up with those hideous faces.

Yep, smilies are still broken. You may need to create a new account and log in as a pleb to see the problem.

They look sweet and you're knocking this off much faster than I am! Also using NZKW bases and sliders and am probably going to lift everything up 20-30mm.

Primarily more space to see/work at the front of the engine. Consequentially car also runs cooler but there's a small risk of temps rising in heavy traffic on really hot days.

Drive it up to Auckland for our monthly mini-meet... Or maybe Taupo is as far as a Southerner can tolerate? I'll meet you there to inspect?

You know what? I quite enjoyed it. I thought the studio scenes were quite contrived and Evans 'tried' too hard but otherwise it seemed fine to me. Disappointed we don't get any of Harris at all, I think he's good value. Matt did well, as I expected after stellar performances in Extras. It's interesting that they've edged toward more of a "Top Gear US" style based around events or challenges with no single car analysis or news. The 'Star in a...' section is refreshing and a good change I think. Disclosure: I love Top Gear US also and many (most?) Top Gear UK lovers hate it. The first season was dire (they used the same format as the original and failed) but the subsequent seasons have been fun. All they do is a major (normally episode long) challenge and thrash hard core hardware. And being Americans they pull that off perfectly.

Yes and to be honest I was tempted but couldn't get into that interior colour every day. Brown and beige, oh my Lord. Hurts my eyes.

Happens to be the same thing. CES use the Rally Road developed ones. Lovely piece of kit but, oh, that price! Well over US$200... :-/ http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M3-Oil-Cooler-Cap-E36-S52-S50-M50-pressure-gauge-GREY-ANODIZED-/190769811388

1997 my arse. It's not even a facelift. "Prod. date 1996-02-26" And this is the problem with that recent asinine thread on registration dates verses production dates. This is NOT a 1997 car folks!

I fell asleep on the couch before it had finished downloading... will give it a go dispute your warning Mike!