gjm

Suspension springs have been replaced with some 'red ones'. (Edit: After speaking to the PO again, I'm told the springs were fitted by the PPO and are probably Jamex Superlows; bought off TradeMe, definitely. The PPO ran Cooper Tyres, apparently.) Front shocks have been replaced with something from Monroe, rear shocks look to be stock. My biggest issue is not turning this into a project... I found myself looking up rear disc brake conversions earlier! (This model has drums.)

Not got to that yet. Symptoms point to a duff thermostat - car runs fine, but temp gauge doesn't get out of cold when moving. The needle will move to a normal operating position if stuck in traffic, but as soon as moving again it drops back to the cold end of the gauge. Doesn't overheat, doesn't appear to use any coolant. Does blow warm air. I have a replacement thermostat which I'll fit at the weekend. Only real issue is that the car will use more fuel, but obvioiusly I'll keep an eye on things in the meantime.

Looks as though what I had thought was a split, could actually be a part of the design. However, I'm sure the exposed channel should be filled by some sort of trim piece. However, that doesn't seem to fit with anything I'm seeing on RealOEM at the moment, although this knob could have come from another BMW, or somewhere else entirely. Regardless, it looks pretty 'orrible, and doesn't feel good to use. IIRC it should come off easily enough, being a relatively simple case of simply pulling it off the shaft. Thanks for the offer but I'd like to stay with black leather. If they're looking for a home, I can offer them some cosy shelf space.

Swapped the ACS rims for some others that were available. Fit much better - 17x8.5 et13 doesn't quite fit on an E36 without bodywork mods. Couple of slightly better pics of the engine bay (still from my phone, so quality is barely better): You'll just have to take my word that the leather interior, while showing some marks, isn't ripped, split burnt or anything else unpleasant.

Thanks guys. I'll take a pic of the gearknob - it appears to have split vertically, which isn't something I'd expect. Could be normal (for an E36) ?

It's Cordoba Red. Not really red, but not quite purple. It will be along.

The gear knob in Miss M's car is falling to pieces. Anyone have a good spare? I'd post a part number but realoem is having a break.

I agree with Kyu, but don't tell TM - they'd probably ban you both for collusion!

Apologies for the crap quality. Better pics in due course. Fuel filler cap and door handles, kidney grill surround and so on have been plasti-dipped in black. Wheels are the wrong offset for the car. Rears rub on hard cornering, despite the arch lips having been rolled. So, replacement rims are on the menu. Not obvious in the pic but to be expected - clearcoat (took me ages to work out what people were talking about - I know it as lacquer!) is peeling in several areas. Cleanest engine bay I've seen in a while, even if it's not obvious in the pic. No oil or water leaks anywhere! It started raining, and it was getting dark, so pics of a black leather interior weren't going to come out well.

If we could just ask people to exercise a little patience when posting, that'd be great. While things are a little slower, please wait after submitting a new reply, rather than click submit several times.

Wicked! Thanks.

Patience is a virtue!

Following acquisition of the Miss M-mobile, I'm collecting useful parts, service parts, and instructions. I have an old copy of a Bentley manual but it covers the M42 and M44, not the M43. I think the Haynes manual covers the M43, but from what I've read it is a pretty crap manual."Undo bolts. Remove item. Installation is reverse of removal." covers most operations and while that's probably true, it's rarely the whole story. Actually, I could do with an E36 manual, too. Any suggestions for good, usable material?

Kyu - I'll take them if they've not been snapped up overnight.

Fitted a new battery in the 320d. Probably about time - the one I've taken out is original, so 14 years old. It was just not cranking fast or hard enough on cold mornings any more. (I know how it feels!)

Thanks Andy. Replied, and payment sent.

I'd like the fuel filter, please. Part 1 of the 'just bought a car servicing' for Miss M's car.

Stuck open I can live with. Removed entirely raises a lot more questions... PO tells me he's replaced the radiator and (I think) the top hose. Expansion tank looks to be in good condition.

Likely to be thermostat, or coolant temp sensor? Or something else entirely?

Well, it's home. And it's dark, so no pics. Temp gauge struggles to climb out of cold. Needs a gear knob, and the rearview mirror wobbles like a nodding dog. It's been lowered, the arches have been rolled, and there's signs of rubbing so we'll need to touch that up. Curiously, and contrary to Jared's post, this one actually seems to like a few revs, and goes fairly well above 3-4k. Assuming the forecast storms don't roll in over night, I'll have a far better look over tomorrow.

First episode of the Chris Evans-led Top gear scheduled for May 29th in the UK, May 30th everywhere else. Some content: Chris Evans & Sabine Schmitz: Dodge Viper ACR vs Corvette Z06 in Nevada Matt LeBlanc in the Ariel Nomad Evans vs LeBlanc in Reliant Rialtos Guests said to be Gordon Ramsey and Jesse Eisenberg

That's the concise version of wht I found. More power from a M43B18? Replace it. Not entirely true of course, but there are other, far more easily tune-able engines around. However, the M43 is (as far as I can tell) a good, solid, reliable and easy-to-work-on lump. And it makes plenty of power for a first car.

Favourite coolant leak location for an E46 is the heater matrix. This is the part of the car that the rest of the car is built around. First the heater matrix, then the rear axle, gearbox, the seats, dash and interior, body panels, engine.. You get the idea. Guess what needs to come out to get at the heater matrix?

The fabric looks pretty good, but I know little to nothing about headlinings, let alone in an E36. To be honest, 'er ladyship was far more impressed with a clean engine bay, comfy seats, and a headunit that will accept an input from her phone. (Have I completely wasted my time? We'll see!) A bit of sag in the headlining really didn't bother her.

Sweet.