Olaf

As an M3 is above $90k; and a good ///M325i coupe is $50-60k now... then a tidy 318iS is absolutely worth $20k. Check out the prices of tidy collectible non-garage Queen 318iS in USA where they are relatively plentiful!

DiSA: "Differential Air Intake System". DISA offers the advantages of both short and long intake pipes, which contributes to improved power, torque and fuel efficiency. I suspect I'll find most of the answers here, once I've slowly worked my way through it. https://carchat.org/articles/1394-bmw-m42-engine-technical-information-e36

@nick496 you should do these!

Fully agree. Sadly that appears to be the fate of most 5ers of any age/series; more complex car (than a 3er) with higher parts cost and needing regular care. By the time they're a sub-$20k used car, buyers leveraging costly dealership hire purchase run from "expensive" repair bills ("I told you we should've bought that Camry! Next time I'm making the car purchase decision!"). Three or four more years of neglect, they're traded-in, relegated to beater status, and in the wrecker's yard after a couple of years being thrashed by a twenty-something lad who picked it up for $1600 for something different, fed a diet of used parts.

Did you install a blanking kit in their place?

Jesus, that's Orientblau? Wow, it is filthy. Orientblau sparkles up a treat (I'm not biased), something to look forward to. Great score!

Date: 23 Sep 2020 Distance: Perth, WA, to Wellington Niu Zild, via Seedney. 1. More M42 prep So this happened. Found in WA, bought via the book of faces, and slowly made it's way here in the time of Covid. Yes, I believe that that looks like David Jones wrapping inside the Australia Post Parcel Box? Oh yes! e30 318iS loom. Result! ?? Right then, that's into storage. Along with the high-temperature TESA loom tape that I bought to freshen this up. M42 DISA QUESTION: does anyone know if any extra wiring is required for the M42 e36 ECU to run the e36 M42 DISA with this e30 M42 iS loom? I’d really like to have the benefit of DISA. Next Steps: Centre console - clock (have parts) Driver's window - fix in regulator to address wind whistle Address non-functioning remote door mirrors Rear Parcel Shelf, Noise deadening, Premium Rear Speakers (have parts) Fog light rebuild and install (have parts) Horns install (have parts) Wheel alignment (last done 259342kms) - it's over a year, and I think it's settled a little. 15" Basketweaves and tyres - need wheels and tyres ... plenty to keep me entertained in the mean time!

@Sammo thank you sir! Yes, an M42B18 swap is scheduled for second quarter next year, to give it more torque, and +35hp. It'll get certed too. I'm currently doing research, acquiring some of the basic parts (like I've already got the fluid engine mounts from an e30 iS, and the iS-specific RH mount, another M40 sump, engine support, dipstick), am getting ready to strip it down, then buy the parts and do a careful rebuild (whatever it needs), including rings and bearings, all the gaskets, any cooling system hoses and a new water pump, possibly timing gears and chain - certainly tensioner and probably guides), maybe oil pump... and also ensure it's cosmetically sorted. It'll get a Stromung iS exhaust, and coil-on-plug conversion, and some other bits. At that point, it should have earned the iS badge. But the Cert is a very important aspect for me, got to keep it kosher, despite it all being 'factory'. Edit: To answer your question, I'm certainly enjoying it as it is as 'the momentum car' that it currently is. The power, when it comes, won't be at the expense of balance, or transforming it into a Q-ship. I have performance in my other car(s); with this one, I'm taking 'the road less travelled' ??

Wow this car is taking big strides. I had the pleasure of test-driving it yesterday. It's transformed since I was with Barry for the original test drive. It's now got my old 13.5mm rear ARB with genuine BMW ARB bushes (~5 months wear on them - like new!), and Barry put new Lemforder dogbones on. ...and Rear outer brake hoses... And as Barry has noted, new transmission and motor mounts, LCA bushes, ARB bushes, endlinks, rotors, pads, brake hoses, and a new LH brake hard line. It's very smooth, gobs more torque at takeoff than my M40B16, it's very willing, and there's no rattle at all from the rebuilt M42B18. It's got much better composure now than when I first rode in it, with body roll significantly reduced and managed. It's smooth through the mid-corner bumps, though still feels like a lively dancer as you punt it down the road. It's really getting sorted! And that Zinnoberrot paint is looking really smart. Can't wait to see the next steps in the journey.

Two for the price of one, mate!! ?

First world problems! Aren’t we lucky we have relative freedoms ?

was about to suggest the same. not much is coming out of BMW Germany in less than 4 weeks

Got rental car contribution in policy? Get to nominate your own panel beater? A month is good, think yourself lucky you’re not in Wellington!!

are you missing a rear swaybar?

you have now attained perfection. no need to do anything more to this car, it is complete!

Recommendation 1: don't throw away what they remove. Recommendation 2: ensure they do a solid job that's reversible. You'll probably end up paying to get it reinstated!

The time to update your project thread. This will be super-tidy when you've finished; I'm certainly enjoying following your journey. Where'd you learn to paint? I'm doing pretty well with aerosols (good prep, hot water bath for flow)... one of these days I'll get to try with a compressor and gun.

I've run out of likes. This is awesome!

@Mooky time for you to start a project thread, though... and keep it updated with the latest adventures! Welcome to Bimmersport ?

Try Union Hardware in Petone, Wellington. I think they do Deltron (much of what I’m buying from them in Aerosols is), though pretty sure they do other brands too.

need a separate thread on this @LsBeema . are you sharing the CAD files? I'd be interested to know more, how to do it... love to try making my own biltong!

@325_driver the blue pearl variant is the bomb, I reckon. Can't wait to see it!!

I've got a set of genuine BMW floating caps brand new in box, yours for $95 plus freight from welly. let me know - I’m listing in the for sale room too: Pics: never opened - seals intact! I bought them and then figured e60 different size. Cool car!

Sparkling Graphite Metallic. Do It!!