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Olaf

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Posts posted by Olaf

  2. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    added image     · Report reply

    05 November 2021.  185???kms

    1.  Service by Jon Begley (of Auto 38 and JK Southern Euro fame)

    • Valve Cover Gaskets (Elring) replaced 
    • Exhaust Cam Position Sensors and Seals (VNE)
    • Serpentine Tensioner & Pulley (INA), Belt (Continental)
    • VANOS motor seals
    • PCV Bellows (Vaico)
    • Oil and Filter (Penrite HPR5 & Mann filter)
    • Air Filter (Hengst)
    • Brake Hoses front and rear (Corteco), full brake flush & bleed
    • Vacuumed out cowling drains

    It's running soooooo nicely.   Seventeen years old and not a rattle or a squeak, rides well, handles brilliantly, and is quick, comfortable and just munches miles.

    IMG_6672_1600_300.thumb.jpg.64445460169c886ecdd9bf4f325c2de9.jpg

    • Like 2

  4. Posted · Report reply

    "negotiated with the seller".  Err, you attempted to bargain with the seller, unsuccessfully.  You capitulated to their unreasonable demands, relinquishing any negotiating power that you held to start with.  Then you attempted to qualify your purchase after you'd already agreed to the sale.  They held all the power, and treated you as they felt like.  Tough but useful lesson.  

    There's an old saying in sales.  "if they're not talking to you, they're talking to somebody else".

    The seller's "overseas".  You may have narrowly avoided a scam.  Count yourself lucky!  Learn and use some better strategies for next time.  

  5. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, cleanish_e46 said:

    I'll avoid turning this thread into a mental health journal, but I have not had a good time recently!

    The missus convinced me to go to hospital last week, a place I stubbornly avoid. I ended up staying for a while... 

    Long story short, I had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder, and I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. I've been feeling less than well for years, but recently it really ramped up with severe pain in my side. I'd been to my doctor, had all sorts of scans and tests, and it was chalked down to chronic back pain. I was always pumped full of painkillers and sent home, not good for the physical or mental health once they wear off.

    I'd actually quit my job as a builder, stopped playing sport, stopped surfing, and was worried I'd have to stop working on cars because everything was just getting too painful to do. It basically felt like I couldn't do any of the things I'd worked hard towards and the things I loved doing anymore.

    The diabetes thing, well, the doctor said I'd put up a hell of a fight and done well to avoid a coma with the blood sugar level I came in with, but my body had just given up, but it can all be managed well now. 

    [snip]

    The reason I've posted this here is that I've had a lot of support from communities of like-minded folk like Bimmersport, and I just want to thank the people that have reached out, offered to help and everything else. Hopefully I can get Mo on the road for Summer, not much left to do there, and then turn my attention to saving the 325i. Bit to do on that one! 

    Josh

    Sounds like you need to find a new GP, *stat*.   Part of your new health journey.  From your description, it sounds like they'd not been listening, for quite some time.

    Good luck with your journey.  Much of this life can be filled with things you didn't expect to happen; don't let it twist you outa shape, remember that we're lucky to have the opportunity to make changes necessary!

    • Like 1

  8. Posted · Report reply

    On 10/24/2021 at 7:10 PM, adro said:

    Sounds about right. I expect it would be easier to pry the fuel lines off with the smaller interval too.

    I replace the small sections of line.  Easier to plumb it up before installation, then just slip onto the hard lines.

  10. Posted · Edited by Olaf · Report reply

    I took a pair of weaves to a blasting shop recomended by my paint supplier, asked for 'fine'.  Yes they were stripped, but it will be many, many coats of primer/filler before they're ready to prime and paint.  Go for PMB (plastic media blasting) or Soda blasting or Vapour blasting, it'll save you heartache.

    And if they're not that bad, do it yourself.  Get the right materials, take your time.

  13. Posted · Edited by Olaf · Report reply

    On 10/16/2021 at 10:16 PM, Olaf said:

    If you're buying a car you've got to love it.  Just like a guitar, the right car will speak to you.  You don't shop for your wife on spec, so why shop for a car remotely on spec.  Best done in person, make the connection, fall in love with the real thing, not just an avatar.

    It occurs to me that some of the ideas expressed in my post may be a little old-fashioned!  For those of you who’ve found love or more through technology, whether use of avatars, swiping left/right on Tinder/Grindr/Bumble etc I meant no disrespect 🙂

    6632D4B6-32FB-4155-ABBE-B579079A091B.thumb.jpeg.62b4d4f26e4c8b1011856351a0174be0.jpeg

    Down on my knees with some grinder action in the kitchen 😎

    • Haha 6

  16. Posted · Report reply

    On 10/17/2021 at 1:18 PM, gjm said:

    Market has gone mad.

    Live rego, non-running, no WoF, 'small engine fire'. M20B20 auto swapped to M20B25 manual (cert status not quoted). Will require paint and wiring.

    Asking $10k. (Although will consider offers.)

    honestly mate you sound like a smashed-avo-eating zoomer sagely pronouncing that the housing market has gone mad (while hoping for a readjustment).  Sure, classic cars are more volatile than houses.  The best buy is an e46, get back into one!

  17. Posted · Report reply

    On 10/15/2021 at 11:29 AM, E28E30 said:

    I am sometimes risk averse but after a couple of wines bought my E30, but I had seen it in the flesh and driven it.  Also drove that red M Tech2 that went for $62k before settling in to bid with a wine in hand, then being greatly blown out of the water, made for entertainment at least.  

    Reckon there’s enough Forum members around the country to go have a look for you, assume it is out of Auckland otherwise you’d be able to have a Level 3 “picnic” and view while socially distancing.  I am not mechanically minded, but the experts here tell me they’re easy to work on if you are, so does it come down then to the “price v rust”? equation as if the body is sound and it’s cheap enough, does the mechanical stuff matter AS much?

    I can sell you a lovely 4 door 😉 but suspect you’re after a manual and a coupe, which I am now too.

    @Olaf and @_ethrty-Andy_ and @Ghost Chip what does your experience advise @Sammo?

    I've bought three vehicles remotely, employing the services of Car Inspection Services, VTNZ, and a BMW Dealer, respectively.  

    1.  I'd never use Car Inspection Services again, or VTNZ.  Though I kept both vehicles long-term, there was plenty wrong with each purchase that should have been revealed by the test.  In the case of the first, I wouldn't have bought it if the issues had been accurately reported.

    2.  In the case of the BMW Dealer, I got a much better report, though there were still a few items missed.  I'm very pleased with the vehicle.

    If I was buying a classic by remote control, I'd have a large risk budget.  That is, money I'd be prepared to lose if the car didn't meet my expectations.  It would vary with age, cost, complexity of the vehicle.  I reckon $5k-$7k5 would be about right as risk budget for an e30 - enough to put some rust right, or panel work, or a lot of remedial servicing.   I'd want it genuinely inspected.  I took e30 Andy with me to buy my e30 - he knows them well.  Or I'd commission Jon from Auto 38 to travel and inspect it, I can be assured of an accurate appraisal.  

    I've photographed vehicles for those buying remotely, it's quite different to good honest but 'catch my sexy angle please' sales shots.   Up to 200 hi res files shot on a hoist with controlled lighting (often studio flash) to ensure the buyer really gets to see under the arches, all the leaks etc.  A picture tells a thousand words.

    If you're buying a car you've got to love it.  Just like a guitar, the right car will speak to you.  You don't shop for your wife on spec, so why shop for a car remotely on spec.  Best done in person, make the connection, fall in love with the real thing, not just an avatar.

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1

  22. Posted · Report reply

    the M42 adds real character to the e30 without sacrificing any of the fine balance of the 4cyl.  Way more torque is my first impression driving @Autoglym's.  It's swings and roundabouts in some respects, as his has the auto and fairly stock suspension, mine has all the suspension work, manual, and lighter weight.  I'm so looking forward to the M42 (my parts stash growning each month).  If you get really keen on an M42 rebuild you can get over 200hp at the wheels (there's a club member with around 220 ATW dyno'd) and it's a thing of beauty.  The M5x guys will rightly point out that at that point it's cheaper to go M5x.  It's cheaper to wear a Seiko than an Omega or Tag, too; you go with what's important to you.

    Most swear by the six and M5x conversion, they're certainly great and with grown-up torque, and more pure propulsion... for me the magic is in the balance of my 4cyl e30.  It's like the most perfect version of what I was learning to pedal as fast as I could in the 80's, but done right - the ergonomic setup, brakes, suspension, vision, torsional rigidity, weight distro, power plant - that was the preserve of only a few cars that were well beyond my reach.  It rewards with getting it right, momentum driving.  It's easy to buy a faster car, I've taken the road less travelled.

    You need to be very sure before you pick one direction or t'other.

    I agree re diff ratio, 4.27 is there with the 1600 for good reason.  4.10 for the M40B18 and most M42B18 iS, usually (but not always) LSD in the iS.  4.10 would dull all of the fun from your 1600 e30, unless 95% of your time is spent above 90-100ks.

    @aramoana what are the specs of your new wheels and tyres (incl rim offset)?

  24. Posted · Report reply

    OTOH it's a less-popular model, nothing special (well, floor mat excepted), so about $5k oughta do it because e30's are over-valued now and eventually - along with housing prices - there will be a significant and permanent readjustment 😎

    9 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

    Seller has been trying to sell that for a while now. Seems tidy enough but for an auto rag top, may be a hard sell. Who knows these days.

    Overlooking the obvious:  It's spring, the best time of the year for any vert to find it's new home at the firmest money; the convertable is a cruiser and folks optioned them with the auto for a reason (a manual gearbox vert could be a barrier for the majority of vert buyers); even over-paying now is offset by essentialoly nil interest in the banks, inflation is erroding those dollars.

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