_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted February 12 On 2/11/2024 at 11:33 AM, Vass said: Bit off topic but have been curious on this for a while. Is there a reason people are opting for M52 conversions as opposed to M54? Have a mate that just got his E30 certified with an M52B28 and have heard of a few others too. I would have thought the M54 to be, I guess, a superior engine, the fabrication involved and fitment would be pretty much the same and M54's are surely more easily available nowadays. Is it the electronics behind it that are more complex or just down to what people have had available to them at the time? Possibly just experience with whos doing the work. This will be my 4th M52 swap. I havent done an M54 (and wouldnt have taken the job on if thats what was going in). Its hard enough navigating LVVTA certification, learning time is not billable time there is also 20 years of information out there on the M50/M52 swap, which were being put in e30s before the M54 was even launched Rather keep this thread on topic, but feel free to create another thread about it, or even google, im sure there is plenty out there arguing one way or the other. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted February 16 Recieved rear driveshaft back, both UJs replaced, looks schmiko. Fitted brand new center support bearing, and front half back on, taking note of the paint marks i put on it as it came out. guibo shows no signs of wear so no need to replace, and all back in. also replaced the transmission mounts with some 335i ones inhad lying about while in there. one was a bluetooth mount, the other held up coming up but as soon as on ground and In disturbed it it broke. Have never seen so perished, and they have an ‘01 stamp on them so they have been there right from the start took for a wee drive around the block, its still a diesel so still a tiny hint of vibration, but huge improvement, and no vibration at all under boost any more, so a job well done! Milage update 313950 miles (505254km) 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted July 2 Another four months gone by, done a bit to the old girl so thought I better make another post to update the thread! May have posted in here already that I sourced a minty black headliner for it. Any decent E46 headliner is a hard find these days, let alone a non-sunroof, black, Touring one! After sitting on top of my Tech2 E30 in the garage for at least a year, and the original one deciding to come away completely, I had a spare afternoon and got it installed into the car. I have to say, doing a headliner job on a touring is a breeze compared to a sedan, as it flys in and out of the tailgate! I also decided to service the transmission, new filter oil and pan gasket as no idea when those were last done! At the last Wof I got an advisory that the left front shock had very slight misting and to keep an eye one it. I forgot all about it, but the last month or two I have noticed the car a bit bouncy in the front. So I have ordered some Bilstein B4s, and of course tophats and bumpstops as makes sense to do those while in there. I have a set of M Sport springs here, so I think I will put those in place of the original 320d ones and see how that looks and feels. If memory serves correctly, when Graham owned the car, the front control arms and CABs were changed already, so shouldnt have to do anything more for many more miles! Other than that, just keeps going and going, starts first time every time, happy days! 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
icasak 2 Report post Posted October 23 Just wanted to say thanks to Andy and Graham for such detailed posting over the years, it's been a pleasure to read through everything this car has been through over the years. I'm sure the dozens (maybe??) of us that read this appreciate it! I'm a long time reader, first time caller - just managed to pick up a new-to-me 2002 320d Touring m-sport so the info in the thread has been invaluable. Keep it up! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vass 830 Report post Posted October 23 48 minutes ago, icasak said: I'm a long time reader, first time caller - just managed to pick up a new-to-me 2002 320d Touring m-sport so the info in the thread has been invaluable. Is that the manual one off Trademe? Looked an awesome unit, love the color. Congrats! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
icasak 2 Report post Posted October 23 7 hours ago, Vass said: Is that the manual one off Trademe? Looked an awesome unit, love the color. Congrats! Yep that’s the one, it’s got a matte black wrap but underneath it’s like a blue green which is pretty sweet! Might be the same as the M539 restoration guy on YouTube so the plan is to get the wrap off at some stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted October 26 On 7/2/2024 at 2:58 PM, _ethrty-Andy_ said: If memory serves correctly, when Graham owned the car, the front control arms and CABs were changed already, so shouldnt have to do anything more for many more miles! LCAs & CABs were done twice while with me. Once because they needed to be done, and once because I thought they needed to be done (but they didn't). Trans fluid & filter was an annual service thing. Normally soon after Christmas when the weather was good and I had a bit of time off work. I'd planned for a set of Konis, probably the reds instead of yellows. B4s will work well too. Keen to hear how you get on with the turbo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
