Mad_Max

Hmmmm so I've just heard of an E34 540i M-Sport here in Invercargill....... think he's gonna want way too much for that. Any news on the Touring yet @BM WORLD?

Excellent, thanks Ray - just what I suspected but good to know for future reference.

Very hard to say..... the defining thing to me would be if it's being sold certed at a minimum - as you found out, changing to another cert guy caused you to have to strip things off, this may deter a lot of people if there's a perceived "risk" they have to do the same. If fully certed I'd say you'd get at least double the price. As for the actual $$$ value, very hard to say sorry - things are only worth what someone is willing to pay, just a matter of hoping the right buyer turns up at the right time.

Can I ask why that is Ray? Is it for shifter or cross member mounts to line up properly?

Agreed, the vehicle will be getting a good checking over and most likely a fair bit of work put into it over time depending on what's critical.

I'm pretty sure it will work, just make sure you get the shifter linkages and tailshaft. Someone may correct me if I'm wrong but think they will bolt straight in.

Yeah I definitely haven't ruled out a 3 series, or a diesel. It'll all come down to what work the E34 wagon @BM WORLD mentioned would need immediately as I've got 2 E34 parts cars (525i and a 530i) sitting there. Personal preference for the body styling would be for the E34, but I haven't ruled anything out just yet - it's early days really. Good to hear of other's experiences towing with the 3 series platforms though, input like that is always welcome.

Hahaha yeah I saw that..... Yeah that's a much more likely story than the above lol. It does look nice and tidy, especially in that colour too. I'm not too fussed on AC given most of my time is in jSouthland, a heater is more important down this way lol. It's in the pile of "being considered" at the moment, along with Graham's. So possibly 3 potentials so far, all a bit different in their own way......

This one here yeah sensor should be easy enough to sort out, still not totally sold on an E39, though I spotted this one today. Am still hoping @BM WORLD has some luck with the E34 as well.

Link to some more info for you

If I could get the Alpina cleaned up, I'd offer that - not an M but it's different alright lol. Really needs the clearcoat sorted and a good tidy up, not sure I'll have time to get it done though.

Had a look at a diesel X5 as well, while it would be better for towing it's just not really my cup of tea..... So the search is still on. There's a reasonable E39 528i on TardeMe that may be worth checking out at some stage, though its been on there for a while now......

Yes it'll all fit and work no worries, I've done the swap from a 318i to a 328i. The only thing you may have a small issue with is clutch slip, the 4cyl clutches while fine for normal driving, don't like being dumped at high revs and will slip. You can put another flywheel/clutch combo in or get the clutch rebuilt and uprated to give more clamping force to fix this. It's most likely a Getrag 220 box that won't stand constant abuse but will last if driven right. Everything else you'll need will swap straight over from a parts car pedals will go straight in. Hole is already in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder, it's sealed with a rubber grommet. Should be a tube at the back of the master cylinder, just snip the end off it for the fluid reservoir. Mounts for the shifter linkage and clutch lines should also be in place already. Driveshaft you only need the front section, but probably just as easy to swap the whole thing. Two wires to connect under the centre console to make the reverse light switch work as well, I can't remember what pins on what connector they are. There's plenty of guides and advice around to do the job well, just search or ask if you get stuck.

Hahaha brilliant, sounds like a score!

Tell them it's worth bugger all and I'll buy it ????. No idea on market prices for them to be honest but always on the lookout for something different.......

Yep heap of options with the flywheel/clutch combo. If it was me, I'd chuck the 220 in for now, and drive it as you normally would. Change the fluid before you do lol. If it lasts, job done. If it starts making any noises or gives any troubles, then start hunting for a replacement, and it's then just an easy swap of the box, in and out within a day.

That's blasphemy right there ??? May also be twice as unreliable as an RX7 though hahaha.

Basically what I have planned for one of mine too..... Thing to remember with the Getrag boxes is that the number is the theoretical "safe" amount of torque they can handle, so you'd be better off with a Getrag 250 over a 220. Having said that, I had a 220 in my 328i sedan (small mods, nothing super serious) and it withstood the abuse I gave it. Weak point was the M4X clutch which would occasionally slip. For a daily driver with the occasional abuse, the Getrag 250 box should be more than enough, gear ratios almost identical to the ZF, and they came factory in some E36's (I've pulled one from an early 325i, and there's one in my 316Ti). Clutch/flywheel combo I'll leave up to you as there's a stack out there that can be made to work, the only other thing to think about is your starter may actually need changed to suit the flywheel, and you'll want to swap to a manual diff ratio - assuming it's not a track car that is.

My eyes hurt...... not sure whether to cry at the destruction of an M6 or laugh at the idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people doing different things, and the level of engineering and detail that's gone into this is amazing, along with the $$$'s spent..... I'd hate to see the total cost for the build. A 6 rotor? I've heard tell of billet 4 rotors setting people back around US$85k but this is next level......... Oh and yes it actually runs

Hi Brent, just wondering if you've heard anything yet? There's been a few pop up on TardeMe but none are really catching my eye. Graham's one seems well looked after so it's an option being considered. I saw the E30 Touring in the For Sale section, it would've been perfect but it's out of my price range unfortunately. So the search continues.....

Sounds just like the local brothels down here...........

Na the car will be completely toasted and not worth the cost to repair. Best to just give it to me, I'll dispose of the whole thing for ya ?????

That's good info and a good science lesson all rolled into one.... thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Our old inboard with it's 351 Cleveland and 60l alloy tank used to sit parked up for 8 months of the year. First thing we used to do was pour a litre of methylated spirits (which is ethanol) into the tank before towing to the caravan park (over an hour away of shaking the tank) before starting it. Never had a problem once we learned that trick. I was told not so much water being soluble in it, rather the ethanol bonds to the water and absorbs the compression in the motor so the water molecules didn't cause any damage when they didn't compress. I'm not a science teacher so could very well be wrong lol (and would be interested to hear the science behind it if I am) but either way, ethanol/methylated spirits has been known for years to work like that.

Just a thought as I had it happen in my old 280ZX many years ago, it could also be the input shaft bearing on the gearbox, it had the same symptoms. Knocking rattle when in neutral that would go away when the clutch pedal was pressed in enough. Boss drained the gearbox, found metal chunks come out of it. We put new gear oil in it and I kept driving it lol, waiting for the day the gearbox blew up........ but it never did....... Might be a simple check to drain the box and check the oil, see if it's something let go inside the gearbox?