My BMW M3 Evolution Imola Individual GT2 Journal

[Vincefox]

Ikwym about it being nice not having to use it too much. Mine's confined to barracks until xmas when i rebuild the vanos, i'm borrowing my brother's old volvo estate. Have to admit i'm quite enjoying it.

[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.

[shalmaneser]

I've just rebuilt the VANOS on mine - not too bad a job actually. Just make sure you have a 7mm spanner and 4mm 6-point socket - they're pretty hard to find!

[MDMA .]

Quick one. Youve gone to a lot of trouble hiding the registration but left your pb open for all to see. Reg shows in your other pictures. Just a thought.

[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

[MDMA .]

mboon said:

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

Showing private now.

[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.

[DanielSan]

After all the work and effort to get it as clean as you have I'm amazed you even considered a random local car wash.

[JackP1]

Car enthusiasts and hand car washes, beggars belief.....

[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.

[dragonheart]

If your steering away from main dealers and main dealer prices then i can highly recommend these guys.

http://www.thepaddockgarage.co.uk/

They used to take care of my old M3 Evo and are currently looking after my R56 Cooper S.
Really knowledgeable guys, and keen prices. Also not a million miles away from you.

[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

[mboon]

dragonheart said:

If your steering away from main dealers and main dealer prices then i can highly recommend these guys.

http://www.thepaddockgarage.co.uk/

They used to take care of my old M3 Evo and are currently looking after my R56 Cooper S.
Really knowledgeable guys, and keen prices. Also not a million miles away from you.

Cheers, I will check them out. At the moment Reddish are doing the best deal

[helix402]

Good work, why not Eden this time? How old is your brake fluid?

[mboon]

Brake fluid was flushed and changed in September, around 400 miles ago.

Prices are getting too high. Near main dealer prices now

[helix402]

mboon said:

Brake fluid was flushed and changed in September, around 400 miles ago.

Prices are getting too high. Near main dealer prices now

Fair enough, the fluid just looked a tad dirty in the pic. Probably a trick of the light. Always good to see a well looked after car

[custardkid]

how much was the wiper cover?

mine is track spec so loathed to spend money on cosmetics... but sometimes i cant resist!

[Vincefox]

Iridium.

[mboon]

The brake fluid is blue. Cannot remember the name of it now but it's decent stuff that went in. Braided brake lines on the front too.

Iridium as in Southampton? Not sold of them personally.

I think the cover cost £30 and about 30 minutes to fit.