Sammo

$28k with 160k is pretty lol worthy. I do like them a lot though with the pop up headlights.

Yeah, can't imagine it's cheap to send a wheel back and forward to the US. Stitching is easy if you take your time - I actually just re-did my one as first time around I was a bit lazy, now its pretty mint. Takes a few hours including pulling the wheel off. I went black on black on purpose however - coloured stitching would show up any imperfection. Extra wheel thickness is great too ?

This Showroom thread mentioned using them - halfway down first page: I've wrapped a few steering wheels myself (with leather, not alcantara) from Ebay sellers (Mewant) and was genuinely surprised at the quality and fit. Pretty impressed, looks and feels pretty much OEM+ (if you do a good job stitching) and 100 x better than 15-20 year old leather. With an M3 however, might be worth going with the pros?

Thanks mate, as per Dogballs, think I'll hit up Ray at Hell BM once I get everything sorted ?

Hmmm... I'm guessing if I wanted a remapped DME while retaining all the security of EWS I would need to get my own DME mapped (as opposed to buying a wiped and rewritten one online to just swap in)? Anyone doing this in AKL? I'm doing my Vanos seals next week and would be interested in remapping afterward - just don't have a windows laptop / want to risk bricking my DME...

Both are reliable engines, cooling system being the achilles heel ?

For an E39 touring I think a 530i would be much better and doubt it would use any more gas. Cooling system Vacuum leaks Oil leaks Vanos seals Spend some money on preventative maintenance before you start dropping cash on stancing it out.

Cheers, much other benefit to a stock M54B30 - i.e. little more power? I'm less interested in the burble / higher redline stuff

Very interesting - was just looking at the amount of people selling remapped MS43 DME's in the UK to plug and play, kind of seemed like a cheap remap option, but obviously possible to DIY as well. Is it possible to swap a DME or remap one without deleting EWS? Also saw a ICV delete option for better throttle response too. My car is manual swapped (by previous owner) so not sure how / if that plays into the whole thing either. I like the idea of better response and drive-ability even if actual gains would be minimal...

Got a few little things done to the 330ci over Easter: Front and rear sway bar bushings Adjusted front bumper and resprayed the aged lower plastic mesh. Stitched on a new steering wheel cover - had one on earlier and it was great but was synthetic leather and I did a so-so job stitching - got a higher quality proper leather one and took my time - much better. Got a week of AL coming up last week of the month (Managers encouraged to take 4 days in April ?) so will be tackling vanos seals, vanos oil line then oil filter housing gasket. Got a new fuel filter too for when the shops open and I can get some new fuel line and vacuum hose.

Ill check those out too. Appreciate the offer, but hoping to get it done with a mate who has a nice big garage and more nous than me ?

Yeah, I've seen the poly (or even solid aluminium) bits you can replace the rubber bushing part with, looks like a bit more work, wasn't sure if it wouldn't be too harsh though?

Was giving the car a little Easter love yesterday, things however didn't go to plan ? Swapped out my front and rear sway bar bushings and had planned to do my fuel filter and steering coupler as well. Turns out, like a muppet, I had bought the LHD steering coupler, and to add insult to injury the RHD version looks to be over double the price (and a more cramped install). Then I couldn't get the fuel filter hoses off, date stamp on filter was 2001(!!) so will have to wait till stores are open again, buy some more fuel hose and cut the old ones off. Finally, getting car into the carport (very tight 5 point turn for access so I seldom use it) managed to put a little dent in the rear panel above the bumper and below taillight from a little tree branch 'hiding' in a bush. Then while trying to access the panel from behind to see if I could push it out, I managed to do something to my tail light and i've got a 'phantom' bulb out dash light now.... Good times! Car did feel a little flatter in turns after the bushings at least - looking forward to doing the shocks, struts and CABs after lockdown.

FCP euro is great, not sure how extensive their E28 catalogue is but prices, service and shipping is fantastic.

Badass wagon, E91 LCI's look great and that is a fantastic spec ?

Supercheap also mixed me a rattle can in orientblue for $35 which was a great match if you have some larger areas.

I got mine from Trade Me, a guy will mix and send the pot for around $15 I think. Was a great match for my Orient blue too.

Had an order from FCP euro delivered yesterday, ordered weekend before lockdown. Got an email from Demontweeks saying my shocks and struts shipped, ordered weekend before lockdown, will see if they arrive too.

I've had good results with it but to be honest, using the Fireball hydrophobic shampoo regularly (and sometimes Gyeon Wet coat) it's constantly being topped up anyway. I'm nearly out of the Powerlock, what do you recommend? Some of these wash on, wash off Si02 products seem great, especially if used regularly. Wanting to try Chemical Brothers Black Light as well but I'm a sucker for marketing ?

Ahhh right... I was thinking about it but might leave as is - going for a more classic look with it (prefacelift / chrome grille / 'Grandad' colour combo).

Nope, I did replace the inners / boot lights with some fresh ones though. Might just be catching the light right in the pic.

Just hand polished, to be honest I only did the bonnet / front quarters and upper door / rears (i.e. the ones that catch the light most). Maybe 3 hours all up? Menzerna is a great sealant that goes on and off really easily and will bead like crazy for months. Then I just wash every week or two with Fireball Hydrophobic shampoo (amazing product) which keeps the paint glossy and beading water for very low effort.

Killing time in lockdown... Resprayed my roof rails (clear coat was peeling), fixed a couple of interior rattles and adjusted my driver window rattle then gave car a full groom, ready for winter: Wash and claybar Polish with Menzerna 2400 (got rid of a few buffer trails panel beaters left) Menzerna Powerlock Sealant Solution finish on black exterior trim. Thought I should get some (very local of course!) glamour shots, as its now guaranteed to rain soon ? *Edit - photos bigger and sharper if you click them*

Beautiful car, and that M6 ❤️

Yeah, I think an E30 can definately pull off orange.