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Happy Birthday Andy!

317 is the paint code for Orient Blue Metallic.

Yup knew it was left hand thread... was just too tight. Andrew very kindly lent me a pulley holder today - using that, it came off within seconds. Thanks for the offer Glenn, and everyone else for your help.

Thanks Lance, it's an M52. I'll try that - just hope I can get enough leverage to keep the small spanner from moving.

Don't have any to post but massive change on yours Josh. Great work!

Used to have a bike wrench - thin enough but don't have a screwdriver thin enough to jam across 2 of the bolts without the pulley getting in the way?

Tried to get the viscous fan off with a 32mm and hammer but that wasn't enough to break the hold. Any suggestions on other ways I can get it off without the proper tool, or better yet does anyone have the proper tools (water pump pulley holder and thin 32mm) that I can borrow? Cheers.

Very cool. Does the boss get this one-off like the E39 M5 Touring?

Welcome, very cool that you prefer a stick over the auto!

Early 320s and 325s didn't have VANOS. They only came with the M50 engine. 320 (later ones), and all 323 and 328 have M52. All M52 have VANOS. With E36 prices the way they are now, get a 323 or 328 - more torque, more fun, same costs (except insurance). A 320 gives pretty much the same fuel economy (or worse) as a 328.

The exhaust flap on the E36 328 can be seen by crawling under the exhaust - you'll see a hose leading to the actuator near the exhaust tips. Would think an E34 would have a similar system if it had one.

540iS? Looks really good.

I used epoxy glue (Selley's Araldite) for exactly what you want to do Simon. Figured that stuff is stronger than Ados F2. While it's more expensive, you don't need that much. To me it was well worth the peace of mind knowing I wouldn't need to do it again. Having said that - got curious and searched for which would be more appropriate for door cards - see link. http://www.mr-dt.com/materials/adhesives.htm Reckon at the end of the day though, preparation is the most important thing.

You need to pull it up even more. It's usually very tight - Use a big flathead screwdriver and lever it off (use some padding if you want to avoid scratches etc)

5.25" components should drop into the existing front kickpanels. Anything bigger you will need to cut. Even aftermarket 5.25" may protrude a bit more and contact the kickpanel plastic but the plastic has an inner rim which can be dremeled down (will look normal from the outside). You will need to change the amp, the factory one won't put out enough power for decent components. Headunit - there are aftermarket choices available. In the past these included the Clarion range (black face with option to change to orange display), Alpine 9835... I'm sure you can still find newer HUs around that have a black faceplate and buttons that can be changed to orange. They match pretty well.

HB, have a good one Braeden!

Cool. I've never seen both the interior and exterior colours.

Looks great mate. Are the yellow lights legal?

Happy Birthday Ron!

Good luck with the sale Bruce and nice to see it's being replaced by another M car. Lovely colour. Out of interest is it possible to seat 3 in the back by swapping the rear seats out?

Cheers Nick. Reckon white suede might get dirty after a while. Plus it might still stand out if it doesn't match the seats exactly. Looks fine the way it is IMO!

Great colour combo Nick. I like how you've got a black dash and doorpanels against white inserts, reckon it looks better than grey with white. Is that tri-colour stitching on your armrest? Edit: Is that the weighted knob? Would be interested to hear your opinion on it, how it feels compared to stock.

Happy Birthday Jochen. Have a good one!

Have used them before, didn't find anything wrong with them, I thought they were good value for money. Pretty good tread life and gripped fine. But it was about 5 years ago though so things may have changed by now.

Schnitzers - easier to clean too.