Olaf

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!

Can bring up to e30 Mega Meet if you're buying it back? ?

Well, that's over. The two top coats of silver, 40 minutes apart, have gone on. Two coats of silver, and thirty minutes later... And 30-odd minutes later, the clear coat went on. I used U-Pol, the body shop said it's the best quality clear you can buy in a can. It's pricey, but who am I to ignore their advice? I'm now praying my workshop gets/stays warm enough with the heater on, to keep the clear from going cloudy. Wearing it's new coat of clear. Tomorrow they'll get into the warmest/sunniest room in the house for a few days. Mount on Friday perhaps?

I gave up on the wheel spinner. Too much faffing around. I had spent time with my recipro-saw cutting my office chair down, got it to a reasonable place, and then figured I could waste another hour on woodwork and such - better off painting! So I shot a coat of primer over them and let them dry, had some lunch. I came out just in time for.... rain! Primer Coat, relocated to workshop to dodge the rain. These looked a bit average to start with... then with prep, primer, and a couple of coats of silver... they look better. So I'm painting them in the alclove outside my workshop, one at a time, and returning them back to the 'bake' - an oil column electric heater in my workshop ?The first coat looks okay. My hands are getting sore!

I went to Union Hardware with a rim. They gave me the sun lamp and a fan deck and warned me that looking at silver chips for too long would mentally blind me! "pick one that's close to what you're seeing". I found one that looked good to me. Code photo below. Silvers are a real bitch to match, that's for sure. Those spray-painters that do colour-matching by eye are Jedis! Details of the paint that was mixed for me. I'm not saying it's a correct paint or anything. It's one I liked the look of. @Cammsport Right then, the etch has dried, I've fixed a couple of nicks, wiped it with Iso, time for me to shoot some primer. And now it's late enough on a sunday, get the grinder out!

Update: Wheels Part One. More prep for e30 Mega Meet. Again, I re-cement my respect and admiration for the spraypainting and panel-beating trades. I'm refurbing my 14" basketweaves, in preparation for putting them on the car. To be fair, it's probably "apprentices" who'd normally be assigned the tasking of scuffing/smoothing/filling/prepping old wheels... particularly something like Basket Weaves. Still, following my blood with the old Scottish (Spike Milligan, actually) Proverb that 'money is flat, and meant to be piled up', I spent the day cleaning, scuffing, filling, smoothing four near-thirty year old rims. I was looking for 'looks good from a few metres back', rather than 'near-perfect'. I managed to clean up most of the light kerbing with my magical random-orbital sander (hello Bosch Blue) and a 120 grit oxide pad. The rest I filled with Isopon Wheel Filler. This sh*t is really good. I bought the kit with sachets and all the stuff you need, reasoning I'm not filling wheels all the time, and who am I kidding - buying everything in a box makes sense. It mixes well, has lots of metal in it, goes off like... (well, choose your own similie and I'll leave your mom out of this!), and sands and shapes well. Spraypainter's Scotch-brite is a wonderful thing. So too is white oxide paper. Yes, my lilly-white office-worker hands have taken a beating. At the end of the afternoon yesterday, I had this to consider: Like the Beatles, only not scousers, not remotely musical... unless you consider they ring like bells. Four wheels cleaned and scuffed. Anything remaining staining in the shadows should come out with the spirits, there's no dust there. I'm glad I didn't forge ahead with primer last night. In the light of day, I went over them with a spirit rag, and (as expected) I found a few minor spots on the spokes that I'd filled, but not smoothed. I sorted those out, finished the wipe-down, and filled my water bath when the jug had boiled. Yes, when painting from aerosols, I find a standing the cans in a hot-water bath ahead of shake-shake-shake, makes a huge difference to paint flow. And your groove thing. And now they're drying, ahead of primer. And I have a wheel-spinner to make, a workshop to heat, and wheels to paint with two coats of silver and a coat of clear. I'd better prep those waffles, too. Etching in the suburbs