gjm

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.

My thoughts too. Solid little motor. May not tune as well as some others, but that's not what we want it for.

Well, this really hasn't worked out anything like the way it was planned. The car is, or is very likely to be given we have had an offer accepted, to be a 1995 E36 318i saloon, 5-speed manual, Cordoba Red, black leather. It has problems of course. Clearcoat is peeling, tracking is about a mile out, brakes are a bit soft, headlining is sagging (they all do that, sir). But that's about it. The brakes do work well enough, just require more of a push than they should. New fluid may sort that. Drives well, with more get up'n'go than I'd expected from a M43 engine. Steering is pleasantly light and tactile, nothing rattles or shakes . What can I say? It' seems to be a solid, sensible car. The engine isn't the greatest ever fitted, but the biggest issue - a weeping cover gasket, isn't a problem on this car. Actually, the engine bay is almost suspiciously clean. It's had a recent full service, new rad, new expansion tank, has new rear tyres and good fronts, WoF is barely a month old. Pics in due course. So now I have two E30 coupes, one with live rego, engine and gearbox, one without. I have some plans, but one of them will certainly be going.

I think the front actually comes down by 35mm. Obviously there's more adjustment in the pads if you feel so inclined. We had this setup fitted to Mrs M's E30 320i back in the UK. Not sure if I have any pics but I'll have a look. Ride was excellent - at least as good as stock. I think the H&R springs drop 40mm?

Bilstein B12 shocks and Eibach Pro kit springs. Lowers 30mm when compared to stock, maintains superb ride and handling.

Bloody houses. Not house prices... Found a house we like. Been on the market for 11 months. Over-priced at the admission of the sellers - they've nowhere to move to, so thought they'd see what the market had to say and if it sold, they'd take time off and find a rental. Went to look on Thursday evening. Not perfect, but that wasn't expected. Nice bit of land, nice outlook, nice neighbourhood, good community. Spend the weekend doing due diligence. Call on Monday and... They'd just received a full asking price offer. (Seriously - not a seller put-on.) 11 fu^%%* months, we look, and that happens! Wouldn't mind quite so much but it is the 5th or 6th time this situation has come up in 9 months. The first place we looked at had been on the market for 18 months, we looked at it, and the very next day an agent approached the owner saying they had a buyer. <sigh> Good job we don't need to move. In the meantime, I think I'll advertise our services to anyone who is having problems selling.

Fantastic to hear you're sorted. I'm sure there were times when you were thinking "Why?????" but hopefully you're now happy it was worth the effort.

The osf wing on my 190E is a case in point. Looked good when I bought the car although I could see it had been painted - subtle shade difference - but is now a bit of a shambles. I've struggled to find someone who will paint a panel at a time. If we weren't using the car so much, I'd take the bonnet off and take into the shop!