Mad_Max

Trying to talk my partner into buying this, it would look good sitting next to the B11 here!

Yeah I'm hearing you, quick question though which may help others - are you after a cable one or an e throttle one, as there's two different types. And I'll talk to my daughter (as it's her car) and, if we've got the right one, see if we can pull it out sooner if needed.

Can probably get you one if you're not in a super rush, got an E46 coming to bits slowly here and we won't need the pedal. If you find something quicker and more local go for it, we're probably a couple of weeks away from getting back to stripping this thing.

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E28/14547-new?product=11121730226 not sure if that's the correct one though, for an M535i.

I'd say you may be, got to remember that manufacturers changed gasket designs over the years to change water or oil flow properties. Sometimes they restricted flow to help the head keep an even temp or warm up faster or slower, or to get more (or less) oil to certain galleries, after discovering minor issues. As long as the perimeter is sealed up, and the gasket is the right size and seals, those are the main things. Had the same issue many years ago with an old Datsun L series, and got to the stage I was on the phone to the company that made the head gasket, and they explained that exact thing to me. Bolted the changed design gasket up and never had an issue.

Or you can try this for a complete kit: https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/engine-gasket-set-complete-incl-all-gaskets-for-m-5-all-years-of-manufacturing-please-order-head-bolts-also-11-00-00.html

Yeah I thought that's what you'd be more after lol. I will recommend a couple of places - Schmiedmann out of Denmark I think they are (https://www.schmiedmann.com/) and Wallothnesch out of Germany (https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/). Schmeidmann to me are far cheaper than buying from the US, and shipping is generally incredibly quick (usually around a week). Wallothnesch specialise in NOS for the classics - and their pricing is extremely realistic, though they are a bit hit and miss as to what they have in stock at the time. However, you can't beat around $40NZD for a front indicator lense that's NOS for an E3 3.0, when everyone else was asking $400 second hand. I get trade pricing out of Schmeidmann too, so if you get me a list of part numbers they've got that you need, I can see what sort of price I can get them for for you.

I've got an E3 here for parts that I shouldn't need suspension from, also think I may have both front and rear subframes with arms etc, plus maybe a steering column - can't remember if I kept the column. Subframes were removed complete, not sure of the state of the parts TBH so depends on what your plan is. Also hoping you aren't looking for these parts in a major hurry as getting to them is near impossible at the moment, it's a summertime job haha.

Would you mind if I rang you or PM'd you with questions? Not sure which way I'm going with it just yet, and would really like to get some answers from someone who has done it before as to what combo works best.

I'd be interested to to talk to you and hear your plans on this, as I've gotta rebuild the M20B25 in my E34 and looking at doing the same thing, curious as to which way you're going with it all and why. So much confusing/conflicting info online as to rod/piston combos and what's possible.

No worries, let me know if you get stuck or what happens. May actually be cheaper to go through the dealer for these parts.

Thanks for the part number, I assumed that was the part you were after. From Schmeidmann, a repo part will probably be just under $500 landed. Wallothnesch also have them, their pricing is $199 Euro (about $350ish) plus freight, I suspect theirs will be NOS - unfortunately I don't get trade pricing from them but some prices are amazing - NOS corner indicators for a 1973 E3 3.0 were $35 each plus freight compared to $350 each second hand. So I trust both those vendors. Schmeidmann are typically cheaper for freight but parts are dearer. Kapteijn Classic Parts is another option, though I can't vouch for them - I haven't bought anything from them yet but have been put onto them by someone restoring another E3, apparently they are quite good to deal with too. Let me know if you want me to try get firm pricing, though I suspect that may be more than you want to spend for a race car, but if not I'm happy to order on your behalf and get it sorted for ya.

Neil is onto it, Schmeidmann is definitely a good option, if you can get me part numbers or a photo of what you're after I get trade pricing there, and their shipping isn't too bad. There's two other companies I can check with too and will get their names when I'm at my computer next. One is out of Germany that has a lot of NOS and repo parts, that are great to deal with. And the second I think is in Denmark that I got put onto while searching for E3 parts.

Definitely interested, any idea how much shipping would be to Invercargill? Thanks

Have got one here in Invercargill spare. Doesn't appear chipped or scratched, just needs removed.