BMW E30 M3

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Discussion

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Wednesday 31st May 2017
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DanielSan said:
Are they a road version of the wheels the old E30 touring cars used to run?
Yes, exactly that. smile



ilovequo

775 posts

180 months

Wednesday 31st May 2017
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Was this a northern irish car ?

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Wednesday 31st May 2017
quotequote all
ilovequo said:
Was this a northern irish car ?
Yes, I brought it back over 3 years ago, almost to the day.






DanielSan

18,745 posts

166 months

Wednesday 31st May 2017
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e21Mark said:
Yes, exactly that. smile
Full on wheel porn! Mind you the whole car is outstanding, personally it's a far more impressive building the original motor than just chucking in a later M3 lump. Just stunning

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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DanielSan said:
e21Mark said:
Yes, exactly that. smile
Full on wheel porn! Mind you the whole car is outstanding, personally it's a far more impressive building the original motor than just chucking in a later M3 lump. Just stunning
Thanks. If honest, I did think about running an s54 from an E46 M3 but there really is something special about the s14/2.3 and the way it simply thrives on revs, even if it is only a four pot.

The engine is running really well now and just needs a few minor jobs doing, such as oil change and spanner check. I've never known another car that vibrates like the E30 M3 can, so regular spanner checks are a good habit to get into. I also wanted to fit the TPS adaptor I got from Massive Lee and a new TPS. There were some cheaper alternatives available online but I figured a genuine Hella part was worth the extra, so C3 BMW in Kent hooked me up.





I know it's only a small thing but I really like the Evo2 lower spoiler section and the overall look of the rear end. The only thing left to fit is the high intensity fog light. I just want to enjoy it for now though.


DanielSan

18,745 posts

166 months

Sunday 4th June 2017
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Loving that Evo 2 rear spoiler. It just adds that extra level of aggression to the car.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
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Yes, it's funny that something so small can have such a big effect on the aesthetic of the rear. I didn't realise just how rare they are either.

Well the car is back with ARM for an oil change and spanner check prior to BHP FUEL FEST 2017 on Sunday 18th near Exeter, where it'll be on display inside. It's also having a more powerful cooling fan fitted along with the front splitter. The new TPS etc is going to have to wait till the week or so after though, as I hope to have the new fuel cell, swirl pot and boot mounted pumps fitted. That will also mean the fuel gauge can finally be connected as opposed to messing with resistors etc to try and use the OE senders. (not as easy as it sounds!)

http://bhpfuelfest.com/

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
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e21Mark said:
Rubbish video but you get the idea? smile

https://youtu.be/OWoR6nK35Cg
Induction sounds great!

Sounds like a nice and smooth power curve also.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Tuesday 13th June 2017
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Finally sourced a light pod and HID spotlights from PIAA. Ideal for Cornish lanes at night. wink







I'm looking forward to BHP show at the weekend but also Petrolicious are planning something.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Got the front splitter fitted today, along with a new tacho.

The weather forecast is pretty good for Sunday so looking forward to putting a few miles on it.






Butter Face

30,191 posts

159 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Nice! Does it rev near the higher end of that tacho?

Those light pods are ace!

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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I've set the limiter at 8200. smile

Butter Face

30,191 posts

159 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Good stuff, go hard or go home wink

DonaldTrump

770 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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What happened at the BHP Fuelfest show?? Went in this morning hoping to see your car and as I was driving in you were driving out. Still for the brief moment I saw it, your car did look good.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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DonaldTrump said:
What happened at the BHP Fuelfest show?? Went in this morning hoping to see your car and as I was driving in you were driving out. Still for the brief moment I saw it, your car did look good.
Sorry - I wasn't very well. I wasn't feeling great on the drive up and was sick in the loos, so went home to bed. frown Am just up and feeling a little better but still not right.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Sunday 9th July 2017
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Thanks to Photobucket suddenly demanding cash for 3rd party hosting this thread has lost much of its content. I've swapped to Flickr now so hopefully normal service will be resumed.

I had hoped to be posting photos and video from the recent trip to Llandow Circuit and Brecon. Unfortunately, I only made it as far as Taunton when I heard something bounce along the underside of the car. I figured I had just run over something but a minute or so later, the amber dash warning light started to flash ominously. As I pulled onto the hard shoulder I could see steam from beneath the bonnet and smoking from the exhaust. Thoughts of blown engines and failed head gaskets followed, along with concerns relating to the potential costs. I popped the bonnet and soon spotted that a bolt, securing the alternator adjuster to the block, was missing. This was what had bounced along the bottom of the floor and it's usually a symptom of the alternator mounting bushes failing. A call to the RAC, followed by a 2 hour wait and the car was on a truck heading home to Cornwall.

The next day, I made a closer inspection and sure enough the mounting bushes were knackered. I also noted the water pump had a lot of movement in the bearing and although not leaking, it wouldn't be long. Many thanks to C3 in Kent for sending an OE replacement. As the engine had got hotter than ideal, I figured an oil and filter change wouldn't hurt. I was obviously disappointed at missing Llandow but extremely relieved that the engine was ok.

19401625_10209755263693750_1567802580_o by markbrown100, on Flickr

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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Well that turned out to be one bloody expensive bolt. It looks like the alternator mounting bolt vibrated due to one of the bushes failing. In fact, a mate warned me about this happening a few years ago, when I first told him I was going to get an M3. Anyway, the end result of said bolt failing was missed track day, 2 nights in a hotel, a new pump, uprated bush and a precautionary oil and filter change. All in, just shy of £1000! cry Mind you, I guess I should just be happy there was no damage done to the engine?!

A new pump from BMW is £313, although I believe you get about £40 back for the old one? I opted for a Meyle pump from the good chaps at C3 BMW in Kent. Initially I thought these were made for BMW, as they have the same part number, but they're not. In fact, dependent on what you read on the internet they are either very good, rubbish, made in Germany or made in China. In the end I opted to go with the fact that at least 3 people I know personally have fitted them to their M3's without any issue. I'll be keeping an eye on the temp' gauge obviously, but so far all is well. In fact, the engine is now running a good few degrees cooler than it was prior to the new pump being fitted. While I was at it, I also fitted a new Kenlowe fan. They really are very good although a bit more expensive. The final bit was a new belt, which I could have probably left but as it was only a couple of quid it just wasn't worth the risk.

I've only done a couple of miles but all seems to be well again although I do want to have the ITB's rebuilt after the summer. The next job though, is fitting a new foam filled fuel cell in the spare wheel well, along with new pumps and swirl pot.


stevesingo

4,848 posts

221 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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Good luck with getting the IBTs rebuilt. Some of the bearings are supplied to BMW only by FAG and not available from FAG. Also, the butterfly screws are impossible to get from anywhere. And, the connecting sync rods, one is available for big money, the other isn´t.

I don´t see the need for a foam tank.

1, They are smaller.

2, Sit outside of the wheelbase and therefore a greater change in weight distribution with changing fuel loads and add to the polar moment of inertia.

3, Sit higher up, raising the CoG.

4, require a good bit of re-plumbing.

Mandatory on a race car therefore the size is less important, the tank must be in the car and separated by a bulkhead.

My car has the 63lt tank, and on track I only get surge when I have less than 1/4 tank. For a dedicated track day this could be avoided by fitting a swirl pot.

Oh, and I can get through 3/4 tank (45lt) in a morning on track.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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More want than need to be honest, brought about by desire to free up some of the space currently taken by the OE tanks for side exit exhaust silencer.

Meant to ask if you were taking your car to Brands next month?

stevesingo

4,848 posts

221 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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Currently overseas, so no car fun for me. Corolla rental. fking suicidal!