KwS

you should be able to test the vanos solenoids with a scanner too

Surely that wouldnt be too hard to fix? Looks like quite a high hit, so shouldnt have hit the chassis rail or anything. Pretty tidy otherwise.

still wouldnt run that piss is any of my cars. 95 minimum for me

Agreed, looks pretty good from here. Glad to see another 3.0 getting the care they deserve.

My old 523I was gutless as hell. Way underpowered. I wouldnt bother with anything less than a proper 525i like in the original post, or a 528i. To check options, chuck the last 7 digits of chassis into http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

should start a project thread for your updates. would be keen to see more of the car.

i threw up in my mouth.

speaking of letterbox sh*t, im f**king sick of people not understanding what the "no circulars" sign on my letterbox means. No, it doesnt mean "go ahead, shove all the local community news papers into my letterbox". If it aint addressed to someone specific, f**k off. Oh, and companies that keep sending letters for previous occupiers of the property, even though you have RTS'd a whole bunch already. sh*t just goes in the bin now. Debt collectors come at me.

Doesnt sound too bad from that Did you have a panel beater of your choice look at it for you, or was the car inspected by someone specifically for the insurer? Ive seen what 15k worth of parts looks like to repair a crash job, and its a hell of a lot of parts

Following your facebook Michael, i would be very surprised if you couldnt fix one yourself

Surely Ray has some bits left over from that E46 that went for a plunge? hardest bit would be the chassis work i'd think, panels wouldnt be hard to get

argh didnt even notice they had hacked the front to bits too >_<

...

it'd be good for somewhere that doesnt have the space or stud height to fit a proper hoist, otherwise i completely agree. I just want something compact-ish, and easier then jacking up each end and putting it on stands (i hate stands and i hate lifting a car end by end).

i dont even need the hydraulic version, just a manual one i can wind up with my impact wrench or something would be fine. This would be my jam except at about $2200USD+shipping its farking expensive! http://www.ezcarlift.com/ezcarlift_video.html

lol, check out the awesome quality work done to the parcel tray in photo 10. i hope theyve cut the metal and now made it illegal. Tragic.

i actually really like the look of these but you still need to jack the car up to get it on them, which sucks. http://myliftstand.com/video/

ive been looking for something similar for ages but cant find anything that isnt on the other side of the world (killer is shipping). Be keen to know if you find anything.

Not always the case. at the age of the vehicle suppliers are more than likely to quote used parts, and well within their rights to supply them, especially if it means a drastic reduction in repair time to use used parts instead of new. At the end of the day, no matter what is quoted out, its basically at the mercy of the insurance company as to which quote gets accepted (usually the lowest price one because they are dicks). /Also quote partstraders for a job. Partstrader is the bane of panel beaters existence, havent met a single one that actually likes having to use it and its screwing them out of money on every job just so the insurance company doesnt have to pay out as much.

The other insurer doesnt go by book value when fixing someone elses car do they?

Keep these guys in mind if it all turns to crap. http://www.iombudsman.org.nz/

top one is facelift

That link is crazy, looks like it was probably winched onto a truck from it or something. Interestingly, arent the stickers on the arm to say "DO NOT TOW"? I also concur with the other comments, the blue actually looks nicer in proper pictures, and since its cleaned. Love that inlay in the wood trim, just the small details that show the car is special.

i know you love the car, and im really glad youre OK... but im half of the mind that if its as ugly as it looks in the photo earlier, would you want it back repaired? Itll never been the same car again. Same with replacing it, i wouldnt get another E46, because ive been there, you will never find one that lives up to the expectations of the previous one and you will just burn money trying. Whatever happens, im sure you will find something to heal the pain.

very cool, i was stuck using my laptop on a foldable outdoor table LOL INPA and DIS are a prick and a half to get working, so well done. Also in regards to the antifreeze being sweet, i think its the glycol isnt it? Thats why you have to keep it away from animals as they are drawn to the sweetness?