M3AN

New job, great pay... now I just need to find a house...

How much?

Nice work James, great service to the community! Props.

Yep, flash as bro!

Your alignment pins look just like mine!

^ I can't believe somebody actually conceived of and manufactured that.

Hi and yes, they're tantalum caps to the best of my knowledge. I just used what the DIY says to use because I have very little idea about electronics and wasn't going to second guess somebody that had already had success. So far so good... with any luck it will hold for years to come.

Cheers Dion, great to meet you too!

^ Where's the best touchless wash between Northcote and Penrose?

Looking very tidy in there now Martin, you're adding value by the minute it seems!

Cheers. Hopefully I haven't overdone too much, don't want to over capitalise. The ethos of this project is to keep it feeling and looking reasonably stock but in good resale condition (even though I'm not planning to sell).

That's ridiculously clean and tidy! Props.

Looking forward to seeing this one tomorrow, would be nice to have the Estoril's side-by-side. Although yours is sure to be cleaner than mine!

Good to catch up today Conor and take her for a drive. Quite a peppy beast I must say, certainly seems dialled in and loves to give back above 4k RPM. Lucky we didn't lose her when that dude ran the red light (real late too!). Lots of little project items for you to get your hands dirty with too and if you need ideas check out my project thread. I still reckon you should get Brent to install that shock mount for free!

lol - I just re-read this and that's the price for one, not a pair! *damn* BMW DE charges EUR8 each.

I don't need them (already have them) but $30 a pair is good. They're US$12 each (+ shipping) from Schmiedmann (51-71-8-413-359) so, given the exchange rate that would be more than NZ$30. At James' price everybody should get some.

Having lunch with him now.

Agreed and totally possible. You just have to be extra careful to get it square and it's a big spanner, a socket will be less expensive if 1) you already have a 3/8" wrench and 2) you don't have a 32/6mm (?) spanner.

Didn't watch the (whole) vid. But it's simple - get plates, weld them on.

No, you weld a new plate over the top that has holes for the existing bungs.

Same, same. Cheers Ron and there you go folks, don't spend more than NZ$34.

My opinions based on 3.2 experience and general awareness: Solid budget, you should get a set of good tyres out of the change from 8k! Would be good to know if it was a new unit from BMW (i.e. still has the inherant problems) or a refurb (which will probably have better seals). Either way, since it's only two years old I'd leave it for the time being. Spend $100 to get the car on a dyno and see what the output looks like. It's difficult to find somebody to do the VANOS and provide a written warranty but a single VANOS overhaul and valve adjustment at the same time would be 6-8 hours work + parts. Yes, check them all and replace them with OEM rubber with (IMHO) the exception of the RTAB's which I'd recommend poly for (I use Super Pro and they're perfect, no additional NVH). FCAB's can be pressed out, you do not need to replace the arms if they're straight. You can spend crazy money on replacing all bushes and some do last for a long, long time so I'd suggest only the ones you need. As per bushings. Do you need adjustible dampers? If not (or you don't know) then you shouldn't get them because you're unlikely to get a return on investment. I use non adjustable Bilstein's with Eibach springs and think they're wonderful. Others recommend Koni's but I'm not a fan. Figure ~$2,000 for all four corners including springs? Yes, it's easy to swap them over but if you have air-con access is limited and you'll need a medium depth deep socket. Can lend you one if required. Be careful not to strip threads in the aluminium timing chain case! 5 minute job with the correct tool. Why? Get it in ASAP, you'll love it. Get new p/s hoses and a new reservoir installed at the same time, cut the return(?) line from the rack and use a worm-drive clamp with the new hose. Hose and clamps cost me about $30 from a hydraulics place, reservoir was about $50, factor in a couple of hours to install it all with a lift. Replace tie-rods at the same time. Engine mounts - I use Vibra Technics but they can be expensive, OEM is fine. Only replace if they're shot. Suspension reinforcements, including RTAB pockets, is a must if you're doing anything other than OEM suspension and bushes but even then, I'd do them anyway. So RTAB, rear sway bar, rear shock towers and for yours the front shock towers too. X-Brace if you don't have one (~$150) Calliper rebuild kit with new seals, perhaps new stainless pistons if yours are in poor shape ($20 x 4) Braided clutch hose (GBP60 or so - get a UK one NOT a USA one) Braided brake lines (US$120 or so) - totally optional Exterior window seals and weather stripping (Maybe $100 - $150 all up from BMW) Water pump + thermostat + pulleys + tensioners + belts (about US$300 all up from Schmiedmann) Cabin micro filter ($40?) There will be more... Laundry list in here: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/47049-m3an-e36-m3-plog-project-log/ Happy to elaborate if required. Edit: talk to SJ (EUROHO) about the stuff you don't want to do yourself or one of our sponsors here of course!

How much are the Z3 ones (universal fit) direct from BMW NZ? Possibly in stock too.

Yes. If you have (and use) a SCA club card. And SCA will price match so not sure what Repco is on about.

Very interesting. Thanks for the link Ray.