My BMW M3 Evolution Imola Individual GT2 Journal

[mboon]

Too much gap. They are common for sagging. Skmeone suggested bending the plastic clip but I cannot see how that happens. Must be a different type

[mboon]

I shall give that ago gents, thank you

[mboon]

Has anyone reconditioned these wheels?

Mine are original from the factory and although are in good condition, couldnt help feeling they could be better to bring the appearence up a notch..

If you could post some photos of the finished wheels with polished lips, how much it cost and who did them would be great? I am looking to as close as possible to standard finish

Cheers

[mboon]

Upgraded my daily driver to this.

















It belonged to a Premier League football player so the spec is pretty impressive.


Freeview/Digital TV

Bluetooth

Xenons

Electric memory Leather seats

Professional Sat Nav

Tyre pressure warning system. 

Auto lights

Auto wipers

Folding mirrors

Folding rear seats

Isofix

And so on...


I still have the M3 but not spent much time with it recently.

[mboon]

Sf_Manta said:

Both cars are awesome, though a suggestion with the 330i.

Would recommend getting the PCV (breather system) changed as these can cause the engine to suck it's own oil and change the oil for 5w30, Mine used to suck it's oil but since it's not done a drop

Check the condition of the RTA bushes and the lolipop bushes as these tend to go soft and make the car wander. some OEM ones or powerflex purple ones (fast road) will restore the handling to something more direct.

Hi,

We own a 330i Sport already (we use it to kart the kids about in) lovely car and familiar with most of the issues. This one drives tight as a drum and pulls really well. I am currently monitoring the oil consumption. At the moment it's looking like she is not burning much at all

[mboon]

Paul S4 said:

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p137/mark_boon1...

I have just done a similar job on my E36 318iS. I ordered a full set of the door card clips from BMW main dealer, but when I tried to fit them I had the same problem as you ; ie they were too big and needed cutting which is not ideal.

However, they did come with rubber washers which helps reduce rattles etc when it is all put back.

I left the top plastic piece attached to the top of the door to ensure it went on correctly, and used 2 pack epoxy ( Araldite by any other name !)

The door cards on E36s must be the poorest quality parts on the whole car !

Impressive M3 by the way !

Thanks.

The door cards are ok once fitted right. BMW wanted to charge me nearly £900 per door card to replace

[mboon]

mark.c said:

That looks lovely and great for a daily...its a slippery slope though....especially with your obsession with cleaning and detailing etc.....before you know the 330 with be too nice to use everyday and you will need to find something else to use but cant quite bring yourself to sell it so keep it...and so on and so on! ask me how I know

Haha yes been there. Ended up selling the car and regretted it badly. I like any car I drive to be tidy but will have to control myself on this one ha

[mboon]

My agreed valuation has finally been sorted. I can breath a sigh of relieve and not worry so much.

Very easy to setup as well with these guys

[mboon]

Today I wanted to give the M3 a clean down. The 330ci was also covered in dust so that got a clean too. First time I managed to get some photos of them all together.


After cleaning them, I appreciate just how clean the M3 is now

[mboon]

I need to get back on this car. Not seen it for a while now 😕

[mboon]

Been sat now for around 2 months. Battery needed a bit of help but she started fine. Love the old school smell this car gives off (running rich on cold start)

Think I will clean her ☺ might even tax her

[mboon]

Yes I do, when I have time. Last weekend it went on a coastal run for 100 miles then on to a Pistonheads Breakfast club meet after. When I can, it does get used. Would I take it abroad, no I wouldn't. I get enough enjoyment from her on the country and coastal roads we have in this area. I don't need the autobahn to know she goes like the clappers 😉

[mboon]

Tonight I sat down with a beer and sorted through the history folder for my 330ci. I had a few bits I needed to put into the M3s folder so did them both at the same time. It's a workout moving this lot about











☺

[mboon]

Its been a while as it seems you cannot talk about the GTs in certain areas of the internet

Any how, the car has done pretty much nothing in the last 4 months or so. It passed the MOT in September with flying colours which I expected, since then she has covered around 40 miles.

The battery keeps going flat which is annoying, I have taken it off and back to the Bosch service center but as it just passed the test they sent me back with it. I will be taking this back soon as its getting worse and still has 2 years warranty remaining.

I have not had much time for the car and to be honest, with the poor driving on the roads these days, I am happy for it to sit out of harms way (Someone hit my daily driver and then claimed it was not their fault! Which it was

A couple photos to prove it is still alive and kicking (and looking good)











Thanks

Mark

[mboon]

Its good the vanos rebuilds etc have come down in price. It is not so much of a worry these days. They are great cars.

[mboon]

Thanks for that, made some changes Could you try viewing it again and letting me know if the changes I have made, have worked? Thanks

[mboon]

Got a week off work so decided to get the old girl fired up. Forget how good the old girl drives.

Local car cleaning people gave it a clean for me. Wash mitts, easy on the pressure washer. They do a nice job. I must admit, it wasn't exactly dirty.

[mboon]

To be fair, they did exactly what I would have.

Pressured washed it down
Foamed it up
Washed with a wool mitt
Dried with drying towels
Cleaned the door shuts
Tyre shine.

Good bunch of guys to be fair. The car was also hardly dirty in the first place.

[mboon]

So its been a while since I had the car out to use, I have mainly been using my daily 330ci and diesels.

What I have noticed with the Evo is just how good that engine is, it pulls from 1000 RPM with more than enough grunt and gets stronger and stronger throughout the rev range. It never seems to be in the wrong gear for overtakes and 6th on the motorway pulls really well from 70 MPH. These cars really do have a turn of pace when they need it and in my eyes, you do not have to try that hard for it either, just a gentle squeeze of the right foot and it takes off. I have had plenty of powerful turbo cars and some not so powerful, I have driven powerful diesels and mapped diesels but nothing compares to having instant response when pressing the accelerator pedal instead of lag.

What I think is a great shame is how everything is now going to Turbos. Not just the //M range but everything in general.

A well engineered big NA engine is a work of art in my eyes and perfect for people who like to have full control of the power delivery.

Anyhow, back to the car, I have ordered a few bits from BMW. The plastic cover that goes over the wiper motors etc as mine is looking old now and the rear light unit seals as they are looking aged. Fingers crossed they arrive before the weekend so I can get them fitted.

I am also in the process of getting her in for a inspection 2, just not sure who with yet.

[mboon]

When washing the car I was noticing a bit of damp getting into the boot of the car, I checked all the boot seals and they all looked good, however the rear light seals looked in poor condition





I ordered the replacements from BMW and got on with fitting them



Removed the rear lights and was confronted by lots of grim







and the culprit



So a nice clean behind the lights





And gave the lights a quick clean off



I had to remove the old gasket which is stuck on, careful work with a blade and some solvent to clean the glue off got them back nice again

New gasket fitted







And fitted back to the car








While I was in this area I checked a common rust spot on the E36, around the boot seals

Lucky for me, mine is rust free





I am also in the process of getting the engine bay up to scratch, only two things need doing now, one is the engine cover which needs painting, I need advice on the correct paint for this please if anyone knows?

And

The plastic cover which goes over the windscreen wiper motors

This is mine before







As you can see, it was in poor state. It came up on with some plastic treatment but needed replacing, its all in the detail

The amount of crap under this cover surprised me



And the new one in place





And the old



Another couple jobs ticked off the list.

Thanks