Olaf

I’ll be formatting this post later and adding photos.... Date: 25 Nov 2019 Distance: 260740kms 1. Tested stereo with USB stick and .WAV files - works fine. ? First up: a blast from the 80's: Love, by The Cult. Playing 'Rain' by The Cult, from USB stick. 2. Replaced Clutch master cylinder and feedlines, bled clutch. It's now super-smooth, sweet and light. Not expecting a clutch failure now! Shiny new (Febi) Clutch Master Cylinder featured. 3. Reset Service Indicator (first green LED is faulty) 4. Replaced missing water pump bolt (Jon spotted that last time it was in). 5. Drained gearbox oil, mixed in 25mls of MBL8, refilled. (this oil is the Penrite Full Synthetic that was installed earlier this year. It's nice and clear. Gearbox is smoother. 6. Checked exhaust hangers. Will replace after Christmas. 7. Inspected and pressure tested cooling system. Found leaking heater matrix. Replaced heater matrix with good used Behr OE item, pressure tested and bled system. My e30 bleeds blue! Genuine BMW coolant sopped up by rags. 30 year old Behr Heater Radiator during removal. 8. Lubed antenna Auto 38 in Newtown, *THE* place to go for top quality servicing on your BMW. Thats it for me, the other stuff can wait. A clean and wax is all that’s left before e30 Mega Meet. And a bit of duct tape to secure that drip-rail trim ?. Maybe if I get excited, clean up the HT lead connections. My lesson is that I should have assumed the heater matrix would need replacing, given I'd already replaced the rad, thermostat & housing, all the hoses. I'll order a water pump, and a matrix for future use.

4 sleeps till Megameet. Here's my final list. Not sure if I'll fit all of this in today, but I'll give it a lash! Test audio - a 32GB USB stick with 80's albums in .WAV format Clutch master cylinder replacement [Parts list incl Feed line (21521163714), Feed line grommet (21521156082), master cylinder connector (21521154163), master cylinder (21521156000), clutch hose (21521154163), Clutch pedal to MC Fit bolt (21521151447) and nut (7129906196), clutch line clip (34341163565)]. Not much said quickly, eh. Reset service indicator (for Thursday's oil change) Add MBL8 to gearbox Check exhaust hangers Clean HT lead connections Secure gutter trim, driver's side Sound deadening under rear parcel shelf Replace parcel shelf and install premium rear speakers Lubricate antenna Replace tail light seals (this may have to wait) Wash and wax. Have another crack at the wind roar Investigate remote mirrors not working

21 November 2019. 177039kms 1. Replaced lower oil pan, gasket, oil level sensor seal, 20 x pan bolts. New oil filter and oil. N62B44 with it's pants down. Check out that aluminium subframe. 2. Annual Service to keep current for MBI. Brake fluid flush & pressure bleed, cleaned and lubed all caliper sliders Genuine BMW coolant and demineralised water Replaced air filter and cabin filters. Replaced LF indicator and RH failed bulbs. Checked belts, hoses, underbonnet fluid levels. Lubed all hinges and catches. Tyre pressures checked. Scanned and reset service items. She's going like a bought one. A new one, even! As ever, craftsman work from Auto 38 in Newtown!

OMG. 5 sleeps till E30 Mega Meet.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire! Google "Ford Automatic Transmission issues"

It's nice. Mind you, if I had my hand on my wallet for $33k, I'd be spotting things like: paint chips along the bonnet leading edge and a very deep stone chip near the badge, bonnet alignment off, a worn-out gear lever, worn-out pedal rubbers, no caps on the wiper arms, very poor alignment of the bootlid left to right (where it meets the tail lamps), gash at bottom of rear bumper/apron at right side, poor paintwork on the valve cover, dashboard cracks, no aircon ... and I'd be thinking "hmmm, I know what one of these looks like in primo condition. And how much they go for. I'll try at $25k and spend the money to eliminate all of those points". I've a lotto ticket for tonight. Let's see how it goes!

whilst we're rivet-reviewing colours... https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Paint_Colour_Codes ?

Today I worked on a couple of smaller items: 1. Steel Wheels water-blasted my old steel wheels, if only to make them cleaner for handling. 2. Alloy Wheels no's 5 & 6 Washed, Scrubbed, and water-blasted the two additional alloys. They'll need dressing, as they are corroded inside the barrels. I figured I'd need more paint, so I went to the paint shop to buy etch primer, more primer surfacer, and more colour. They suggested I visit the sand blasters, and pay to have them stripped. One of them needs welding, so they'll go to the wheel repairers next week. I don't expect to complete in time for E30 Mega Meet Additional basket weaves getting the green snotty kiwi wheel cleaner treatment before water blasting. "Here we go again". "Will the circle be unbroken". Detail shot showing gash on the inner rim, and some of the lighter corrosion. Rim Repair specialists next week, after sand blasting. 3. Rocker Cover Breather Hose My christmas present arrived from Germany. p/n 11151727851 So I fitted it. 1/4" drive set a boon, here. The old one was completely baked, 30 years of temperature cycling. 'ere's the new one fitted. Nice supple rubber; the old one was essentially thermosetting plastic. Viewed from above (from left side of motor, front of car to left) - Breather clip is closest to bottom of frame. It's a bit bloody tight in there. You get the idea. I may have over-tightened it.

indeed, Pierberg is the OE Manufacturer. Also for the auxilliary coolant pump on e60 545i.

$100 of materials. scotch brite, primer-surfacer, matched colour, U-Pol clear. Doesn't look like you'll need bumper flexible-filler. It's the edge-blending that gets me; maybe your cool former landlord would give you a lesson? In the mean time, Brakeleen (or thinners/prepsol etc) will make it a lot tidier.

Date: 21 Nov 2019 Distance: 260672kms More items off of the list today. Less than 2 weeks to e30 Mega Meet. 1. Pinch Bolt for Power Steering Reservoir This had been missing since before I bought her. My sincere thanks to Jon at Auto38 for letting me scrounge through his spare fasteners (from dismantled/parted out vehicles). I found the appropriate 10mm bolt and secured the PS Reservoir. No more Cry Freedom for you, Mr Reservoir! 2. 14" Basket Weaves installation They weren't as straight as expected. We opted to move the tyres across, and see how they'd balance up. In some cases it was the old 'chasing 5g around the world' game. They look terrific, really giving the car a boost. Here's some 'leg shots'. Something's up here... (Steelies to be cast out) Left front brake detail (Zimmermann Sport z-coat rotor) Right front brake detail (Zimmermann Sport z-coat rotor) Even the paint shop guys were impressed. I also installed the security bolts I sourced last year, to (hopefully) ensure the wheels stay on the car. 3. Dash mat Keren at Auto38 was right. My dashboard was letting the side down. It was an easy decision to say "yes please" to one of their smart black dashboard mats, and reasonably priced too it was. Smartens things up. 4. Stereo Installation I went to Streetsoundz, I was short on time yet high on expectations of quality. Krishna and his team certainly delivered. As supporters of the BMW Car Club NZ, I was keen to experience their quality and service. It was also unknown territory, as I'm a former technician and would normally have done this myself. I was not disappointed, and very impressed with the care taken. I've got more setting up to do. There are so many options on this deck it's mind-blowing. Also need to get that faceplate colour 'just right'. The proper hands-free is exceptional, as is the bluetooth integration with 'hey Siri' etc. Kenwood's KMM-BT305 Head Unit (playing one of my Spotify playlists) This was Audio Stage 1: simple replacement with a mechless head unit. I now have cool (modern) sh!t like bluetooth handsfree and Spotify. Tomorrow I'll try it with .wav files from my NAS. The amps and sub, and power distribution to go with it, will wait for now. And a decision on whether to revert to Cassettes with mods (eg pre-outs and line in). 5. Oil Change with Filter This time a Hengst filter (Hengst E88H D24); the last was a Mahle (OX91). 4 litres of Penrite HPR5, with 75mls of MBL8. Trusty drain pan, Orsome Orange gloves, MBL8, old filter Mahle filter detail (old, though just 1200kms) Hengst filter detail (new) 6. More Wheels Two more basket-weaves to refurbish, as I should have more-thoroughly checked the state of mine before I stripped and painted them. I should have had them straightened first. Oh well, live and learn. I went to Union Hardware and had more of my Wheel Silver made up, and picked up more primer-surfacer, U-pol Clear Coat, and two grades of Scotch-Brite. Tomorrow: Stripping down two more wheels and painting them Reset service indicator Sound deadening under rear parcel shelf Parcel shelf & rear speakers Clean HT lead connections Investigate remote mirrors not working Next week: clutch master cylinder replacement MBL8 in gearbox More 80's than a Razor Cut, Winkle-Picker Boots, and a copy of Power Corruption and Lies.

congrats on the WoF and Rego, mate!

@HELLBM @BM WORLD perhaps you gents can assist?

More on removing the glue residue. Recommendations noted for: Panelbeater's Spray Gun Cleaner. Safe on automotive paints, though kills adhesives. Noxious,. Prep-sol panel degreaser.

Date: 20 Nov 2019 Distance: 260610kms More items off of the list today. Less than 2 weeks to e30 Mega Meet. 1. Driver's door wind roar Oooh, this has been somewhat annoying. My sincere thanks to @Autoglym for working his magic with the errr rubber, and fixing the wind-roar. I've not had it above 90 yet (peak traffic motorway etc), though noticed even at 60 it's much quieter. Thank f#%k for that! 4 hours of it was a scary prospect. 2. Underbonnet foams At last. A couple of old bedsheets/duvet covers, gloves, plastic chisels, rags, IPA, and citrus degreaser. A sharp knife, and of course your replacement foams. And a good mate to while away the time, trying not to laugh to much with the fumes from IPA releasing old glue! Thanks @Autoglym ?! 1. Starting position. Thirty year old foams looking rather dead. 2. Duvet drop sheet catching crusty old foam. This is the easy part. 3. What a mess 4. We changed drop cloths, soaked the residue with the citrus degreaser, and scraped and wiped. Then followed up with the IPA. Removed the now very flammable drop cloth. 5. Washed, water blasted, and dried with the air-blower. 6. Happy Ending. 6a. A selection of bulk commercial cleaning products. Other things I've painted the new parcel shelf (vinyl dye). I brushed it (per the instructions). It clumped. Oh well, re-upholster in future. I've painted the rear speakers (vinyl dye). Tomorrow: wheels parcel shelf & rear speakers possibly stereo Next week: clutch master cylinder oil and filter, and more MBL8 MBL8 in gearbox POSTSCRIPT: These are the plastic chisels that @Autoglym has for this job. They're well worthwhile.

@Funkyflynz have you any local recommendations, mate?

okay, here's one of mine...

With respect, I think you're missing the point. What you refer to as 'fiddling around and looking' is in fact Diagnosis. The professional operator is exactly that; a professional. Anyone can plug in a scanner; it's what they do with the information provided, and what the discover beneath the hood and in driving the vehicle that results in a diagnosis. It's based on training, experience, knowledge. They'll recommend an approach, estimate or quote for their work, and stand behind their work and the parts they've supplied. Nothing wrong with 'going it alone', plenty of us here do so. Though with healthy respect for the professionals. Cheers!

That may indeed be a blessing for the professional workshop operator.

When your battery was installed, was it registered in DME?

I'd like that, thanks. Will give you a shout. Andy had very kindly offered me a drive of his (as you know, it's all poly-d up and a slightly more serious/spartan part of the e30 continuum) before it went into storage, alas I couldn't make it. Same goes, if you're in Welly, grab a drive. Wait up, are ya coming to e30 Mega Meet? ?

I've been industrious this evening while watching TV. I popped that new badge into a repainted waffle, and it looked goooood. So I separated the remaining old emblems from the badge backing plates, cleaned up the backing plates, and re-installed the badges into the waffles. I'm liking it. They look flash on the wheels, can't wait to get them on to the car. Cleaned up, emblems removed. Completed waffle, assembled badge, and backing plate awaiting emblem.

? yeah, my declared plan is M42, but I do have a good mate in my ear suggesting M50 or M52... I'm nearly at the end of my list, and wishing good fortune on this M40!

If the i-drive won't stay up, I'd be checking battery first. Headlights are a huge drain on a battery, if you're trying to run headlights on a bad batty - and still have enough to run the on-board computer, and starter... your chances are slim! Hope that helps.

Date: 18 Nov 2019 Distance: 260530kms More items off of the list today. Less than 2 weeks to e30 Mega Meet. 1. Wiper Arm Alignment This had been bugging me since I bought the car, though there was always something more important. With @Autoglym's help today, we re-aligned the wipers to sit lower. Ahhh, much better. Wipers parked, at last. 2. Fuel Filler Inlet Cover and Fuel Cap Seal Six weeks ago I noticed the fuel filler surround was perished. I figured a new fuel cap seal and filler neck would be a wise precaution, thirty year old rubber and all. The surround is fairly easy to replace. If you're driving a 30-odd year old e30, it's worthwhile inspecting this, along with all of your fuel lines, and replacing any suspect parts. Wet Rubber: New Cap Seal (p/n 16111179680) and Fuel Filler Inlet Cover (p/n 51711884358) The vortex of doom (aka where the $$$ go in) Old and crusty, perishing blighter replaced by a younger more supple model. Observe the deterioration, cracking, and areas where spilt fuel can run. 3. MBL8 Additive in the engine oil On start-up, I have noticed one noisy lifter since the last oil change. Concensus was - particularly amongst those of us who don't go for additives at all - that MBL8 is the sh*t. So I sourced some. I dropped the oil, re-tightened the drain plug, restored 3 litres of oil, added 75mls of MBL8 to a remaining half litre and mixed it thoroughly, added to the car, and topped-off. I then drove it for 30 mins. Well, it's smoother! I've decided to do another oil and filter next week, with MBL8, in light of the blackness in relatively fresh oil. I figure the detergent is doing it's job, and having had a good run to Castlepoint and back shortly after it was last changed, it's cleaning out the oil galleries. The additive recognised as not snake oil, yesterday. 4. Other Stuff I've been working on the wheel badges, and a friend kindly gave me one to replace the imposter. Result! I've been prepping the speakers and a later parcel shelf, for the forthcoming stereo install. Next on the list: Underbonnet sound deadening replacement Tail light cluster seal replacement Stay tuned!