What'd you do to your BMW today?

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

Finally got around to putting the ‘vert in for a WoF check - and it passed, yay!

That should make it piss down for the next three months..

[treone 648]

Upgraded to a genuine ‘M’ illuminated gear knob for one of the e31’s - made it work and period correctish too!

Not sure if its right to get excited about a gear knob, but hey, i am haha 🤣🤣🤣.

Thanks to @qube for a great deal - top member!

Edited March 12, 2022 by treone

[qube 3570]

@treone Fantastic! Did you wire it up also so it lights up? 

[treone 648]

Thanks @qube i did - tapped into the ashtray light wiring which will never be used again for its original intended use lol. All up took about 40min to do. No electrical shorts or fire so a very happy chappie 😎. 

Now just need to drive at night or early morn to get the full benefit haha 😁

[Kees 594]

This afternoon my new windscreen finally went in. Car had been without a windscreen for 2 months as the moulding was coming from Germany. The Smith and Smith tech said it was the hardest car he’s ever worked on. Everyone clapped when I left so seems like it was a team effort to get the new moulding on properly lol. Appears that a decent job has been done which I’m happy about. 
 

First stop with the new windscreen was the petrol station of course 🤣

[KwS 2425]

Love the half peeling off WOF sticker. Ah Smith and Smith, they never change.

That new trim does look real good though. makes such a difference.

[Kees 594]

25 minutes ago, KwS said:

Love the half peeling off WOF sticker. Ah Smith and Smith, they never change.

That new trim does look real good though. makes such a difference.

Yeah looks so much better than my old moulding which had ugly holes in the rubbery-plastic material that runs between the metal part of the moulding and the car itself. 

All the stickers are peeling off which triggers my OCD a bit. Luckily the car is due a WOF as the windscreen crack was what it failed on a couple months ago. Hoping to have a fresh WOF tomorrow with a nicely applied sticker!! 

Fingers crossed they don't find anything else because I would like to have a legal car again. 

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

Gave the X3 a much needed clean on the inside and out.

 

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

Took the ‘vert to work for a run, and yup you guessed it.. that made it rain, sorry Aucklanders!

[Kees 594]

After almost 3 months, 2 windscreens, a windscreen moulding, a flooded workshop, another failed WOF, and a pair of new shocks, my 540i finally has a fresh WOF. My streak of never passing a WOF first try with this car continues 🤣

Took her out for a little drive to celebrate. 

[GorGasm 563]

WOF failed on control and tension arms.  Quoted $3100 to replace haha.

Going to order from ECS or FCP tonight for $800 landed.  Cars eh.

[Sammo 2544]

My Ebay service inspection reset light arrived - so much nicer to see the dashboard light up green instead of red when I start and have no lights on.

Have not seen my intermittent ABS light for a few days either, perhaps the E30 God's will smile on me.

I have been feeling a faint stutter under steady light load at 2100-2200rpm at times but I suspect (hoping) that may have been related to a half tank of Gull 10% Ethanol fuel I put in without thinking that made the car run like a bag of dicks for a few days. Fresh tank of Mobil today so hopefully sorts itself out before I go hunting for vacuum leaks (idle is fine).

 

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by Sammo

[Braydon 40]

Threw an intake on the M135i on Saturday, no CEL thankfully, although thanks probably because of the MHD map that's on it.

Went to go for a cruise to Gore with some mates, and on the way over the hill, the charge pipe finally gave up 🤦‍♂️.
Parked it up at a mate's house, and have borrowed his E55 AMG in the meantime, until the charge pipe I conveniently ordered last week turns up.

 

Also had a service last Friday, finally. But sadly have tints booked for Wednesday, so will need to reschedule that until after the charge pipe's replaced.

 

Edited April 3, 2022 by Braydon

[GorGasm 563]

Replaced the control and tension arms in the 535i yesterday to get a new WOF.  The old ones look and feel fine :/.  I suspect if I had a different inspector on a different day I would have had a WOF no problem.

Not a terribly hard job but probably took about 4-5 hours of actual work and $700 worth of parts.

In better news, the insurance company said I have a $260 refund from the insurance I was paying on my M5 from 2 years ago.  Win!

[Sammo 2544]

Put in some additional / thicker spring pads in the E30 front and rear to raise it 5-10mm all-round, along with new front brake pads while I was at it.

Subtle changes - Extra 6mm rear spring pads in the rear and added 9mm and 3mm front spring shims - fair bit of work but I'm *very* happy with it now - ride height is aesthetically perfect for me - its still quite low, but getting in and out of my driveway now is less of a challenge (still scrapes if not careful but margin of error is higher now).

Height is very even now, with the 16's and Ad08Rs filling out the arches perfectly.

[M3AN 4016]

You can now test my driveway again, it may pass this time! 😉

[Sammo 2544]

6 minutes ago, M3AN said:

You can now test my driveway again, it may pass this time! 😉

Haha I’ve had your tools in the boot for a month 😬 

its still a bit lower than it was then too

[M3AN 4016]

No rush on the tools mate.

Edited April 17, 2022 by M3AN

[C-130 Hercules 571]

The throwout bearing on the e36 spat the dummy a good while ago. This has led down a rabbit hole, car on jacks for the last four months. 

At last it's all ready for new warrant tomorrow. 

So, while at it I replaced 

- windshield cowl

- rear side window seals

- replaced ceiling as the old one was only held in place by staples! 

- gearshift and parkbrake skirts

- new bonnet struts

- new clutch, etc

- replace rear main seal

- oil pan off, clean, new gasket

- valve cover off, clean, paint, new gasket

- oil filter housing gasket and bushing replaced

- new idle pulley

- new exhaust mounts

- new wipers

- replaced radiator and some of the hoses at the rear of the engine

- new valve cover breather valve

I think that's it. 🤔 Long journey, learned a lot. Thanks to those that answered my occasional questions and have supplied parts. 

 

Edited April 18, 2022 by C-130 Hercules

[KwS 2425]

That black valve cover is looking real good. Should take the top of the intake manifold off and paint that to match too.

[C-130 Hercules 571]

22 minutes ago, KwS said:

That black valve cover is looking real good. Should take the top of the intake manifold off and paint that to match too.

That'll be one of the next jobs. 😅

[Braydon 40]

Finally fixed it, and upgraded. 
VRSF Intercooler, Catless down-pipe, and charge pipe installed. 

Flashed to MHD 2+, it's definitely a quick wee car. Enough for me for now!

Took it for a drive and met up with some other BMW people, one being this tidy 335i, looked pretty good together.

[GorGasm 563]

Bought a DA polisher from SCA over the weekend for $100 and had a go with it.  So much easier than doing it by hand!  Although still need to hand do some of the fiddly bits.

Would recommend for anyone wanting to get started with a DA.

 

[Eagle 1662]

Got a ToolPro one at work and its ok for what we use it for. To me for DIY usage its one of those things worth spending another $200 and having the extra power, accessories, comfort and longevity. My Griots was under $300 and expect to have it for life.

Edited April 19, 2022 by Eagle

[GorGasm 563]

Yeah next time around I might go the more expensive route.  I wasn't sure if a DA was going to a great investment so spending $100 to find out isn't so bad in my books.  Also has 3 year warranty and replaceable brushes, so longevity shouldn't be terrible.