Discussion
sixpistons said:
the bills look properly wounding so hats off for persevering. Nice to see one that's still in the hands of a proper enthusiast and driven, rather than a showpiece for wealthy speculators.
I can't deny it's been a bit of a struggle finding the cash but my Mrs has been very understanding and my job means I can pretty much work for as many hours as I can stay awake for. It wasn't always easy to stay motivated though. That said, this is a very 'first world' problem and I'm well aware just how lucky I am to even own an E30! I know what you mean about the whole 'squirrel away as an investment' ethos some owners have though. It's just not an option for me. I used to daydream about having a car like this over 25 years ago and driving it takes me back to that time. I know how corny and cliched that sounds but it's true. I like it when I see people do a double take. I guess people just don't expect to see an E30 M3 on the road nowadays, let alone one that barks and pops on overrun like mine? I like seeing other people enjoy it. I've lost count of the times I've come out of Sainsbury's and hung back while people take pictures. As I say, I'm very lucky.
sixpistons said:
This car is fantastic - proper labour of love. I think I would have chickened out and sold it long ago if it was me - the bills look properly wounding so hats off for persevering. Nice to see one that's still in the hands of a proper enthusiast and driven, rather than a showpiece for wealthy speculators.
Great post and amen to that final part! Keep up the good work mark. It’s a lovely looking machine.
Well last weekend I racked up about 600 miles, which included a handful of 'spirited' runs up the hill at Shelsey Walsh. The car was simply fantastic and never missed a beat all weekend.
The only things of note were the clutch, which was slow to bite on the 3rd run. In fairness the tyres were hot, there was a lot of rubber down and I did give it a fair bit of throttle but it just didn't bite as hard as you'd expect / hope. Just to play safe, I am going to fit a paddle clutch before next months event at Watergate Bay. The other thing was my losing some brake pedal, although taking up some slack on the rear (using a couple of clicks of the handbrake) brought it back again. I'm going to swap pads anyway, so a thorough inspection is in the post.
I'm also making a film for one of the larger, more established YouTube channels and they were there filming all day Sunday. Some of the footage is just brilliant and the car looks and sounds great. There are 2 further days filming down here in Cornwall (including drone footage) and then it'll be released a week or 2 later I believe? The only downside is my appearing on camera, as nobody wants that inflicted on them, including me! I'll apologise in advance!
Hopefully I will have a few pics from the day a bit later.
The only things of note were the clutch, which was slow to bite on the 3rd run. In fairness the tyres were hot, there was a lot of rubber down and I did give it a fair bit of throttle but it just didn't bite as hard as you'd expect / hope. Just to play safe, I am going to fit a paddle clutch before next months event at Watergate Bay. The other thing was my losing some brake pedal, although taking up some slack on the rear (using a couple of clicks of the handbrake) brought it back again. I'm going to swap pads anyway, so a thorough inspection is in the post.
I'm also making a film for one of the larger, more established YouTube channels and they were there filming all day Sunday. Some of the footage is just brilliant and the car looks and sounds great. There are 2 further days filming down here in Cornwall (including drone footage) and then it'll be released a week or 2 later I believe? The only downside is my appearing on camera, as nobody wants that inflicted on them, including me! I'll apologise in advance!
Hopefully I will have a few pics from the day a bit later.
Nice one Mark, looking forward to the video!
I know you havent built it for recognition but it must be a great feeling having this video and other articles done on the m3!
I've had a couple of hints about features for the 2002 and whilst it's never something thats crossed my mind i cant help but feel it'd be great to see pictures of it in a magazine!
I know you havent built it for recognition but it must be a great feeling having this video and other articles done on the m3!
I've had a couple of hints about features for the 2002 and whilst it's never something thats crossed my mind i cant help but feel it'd be great to see pictures of it in a magazine!
stevesingo said:
helix402 said:
Do you have a hydraulic handbrake? The normal one works a set of brake shoes.
Losing some brake could be pad knock back. Do your calipers have anti-knockback springs?
I don't know is the honest answer Steve, but I'm pretty certain the problem relates to the rear brakes somehow. In fact, after applying and releasing the handbrake a few times, it seems to have fixed itself. I'm still going to strip the rear system when it next goes to ARM though and I want to replace the Hawk pads for something with more initial bite. The Hawk are great once they've got some heat in them though.
I spent the day at Shelsey Walsh / Retro Rides filming with Thomas Garner Films and Mumbo Vlogs, who were shooting on behalf of Petrolicious. They also came to Cornwall where we spent a further 2 days filming and the footage of the car itself is simply stunning. The sound recordings really captured the very best of the s14. All being well the video is due for release in mid October. Just fast forward to bits with me in.
In just over 2 weeks I am entered in a closed road hill climb event near Newquay. In fact there will be a couple of E30 M3 as ARM are also entered in their Grp A rally car. It's promising to be quite an event. www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk
This time next week the first days hillclimb will be over, so I've been giving the car a thorough spanner check. I'm also changing the plugs and oil, plus replacing the brake fluid. Unfortunately I just cannot afford to fit the paddle clutch just yet so will just have to drive with an element of mechanical sympathy, which I usually do anyway.
Although I fitted a new AFR gauge I've been obsessively checking the plugs for their colour and sniffing the oil for any sign of excessively rich mixture. I've also been looking for any sign of metal in the oil. Fortunately everything remains in fine fettle and performance is really strong. The exhaust note has changed a little now there's a bit of carbon build up in the new silencer but it still sounds great. There's no drone on dual carriageways either, although it was never going to be exactly quiet was it?
Unfortunately, when checking the bodywork, I found a small scab of corrosion on the front screen surround. It's nothing major and mostly cosmetic but it'll mean removing the front screen to do the job properly. I'm tempted to use it as an opportunity to fit a heated front screen as I will most likely take the car off the road over the winter. I should be at Mallory at the end of November and if I can work enough hours, I want to get across to the Nurburgring too, so repair will most likely have to wait till after then. It's only been a couple of years since the front screen was replaced and there was no corrosion then, so just shows how quickly it can appear I guess?
Now I need to go and sort the tow straps for next weeks hillclimb and make a timing strut for the front.
Although I fitted a new AFR gauge I've been obsessively checking the plugs for their colour and sniffing the oil for any sign of excessively rich mixture. I've also been looking for any sign of metal in the oil. Fortunately everything remains in fine fettle and performance is really strong. The exhaust note has changed a little now there's a bit of carbon build up in the new silencer but it still sounds great. There's no drone on dual carriageways either, although it was never going to be exactly quiet was it?
Unfortunately, when checking the bodywork, I found a small scab of corrosion on the front screen surround. It's nothing major and mostly cosmetic but it'll mean removing the front screen to do the job properly. I'm tempted to use it as an opportunity to fit a heated front screen as I will most likely take the car off the road over the winter. I should be at Mallory at the end of November and if I can work enough hours, I want to get across to the Nurburgring too, so repair will most likely have to wait till after then. It's only been a couple of years since the front screen was replaced and there was no corrosion then, so just shows how quickly it can appear I guess?
Now I need to go and sort the tow straps for next weeks hillclimb and make a timing strut for the front.
Have been reading through the thread over the past few days as love what you’ve done with the car, it’s a real credit to you. Some seriously bad luck with things along the way and I admire your persistence with it - I guess it’s just worth it for the good times experienced. Again great car, best of luck with it and hope you get a trouble free run once things are all sorted to how you'd like it
lastofthev8s said:
Have been reading through the thread over the past few days as love what you’ve done with the car, it’s a real credit to you. Some seriously bad luck with things along the way and I admire your persistence with it - I guess it’s just worth it for the good times experienced. Again great car, best of luck with it and hope you get a trouble free run once things are all sorted to how you'd like it
Thanks. Yes, I guess it's a bit like child birth? All that grunting, groaning, moaning and pain but you forget it all when your baby is everything you'd hoped.
That and the never ending expense!I've decided to just replace the whole front scuttle now they're readily available from BMW. You have to produce your V5 and matching identification obviously. I just figured it's better to continue doing the jobs properly than risk not getting every bit of corrosion and having to do the job again a couple of years from now. I'm going to drop the suspension and either replace it or at least have KW do a refurb'. I'll also look at messing around with spring rates and finding a more compliant set-up.
I'm really looking forward to www.watergatebayhillclimb.co.uk this coming weekend. I have a few friends entered in various other BMW, including Joe from ARM (who look after my car) in his full on rally E30 M3. His makes well over 300bhp, revs past 9K rpm and has a Drenth sequential gearbox and flat shift. It sounds incredible and he's a pretty good driver, so I imagine it'll be a respectfully quick time he puts in. Some of us are just there to have fun and make up the numbers though!
Edited by e30m3Mark on Tuesday 11th September 10:22
Slippydiff said:
Have you sought advice on fitting this Mark ? They're normally a bit too fierce for road cars, far better just to find an upgraded cover and plate rather than going to a paddle (though clearly it depends on what type of paddle you intend using ? Organic or sintered ?) The latter would be brilliant for hillclimb starts, sequential/dog 'boxes, but grim for road use.
No, although I ran one in my old E21/m52 2.8 daily so know they can take some getting used to. The one I'm fitting was in ARM's car for a couple of hours but was changed when they swapped out the flywheel and went with the Drenth sequential gearbox. I believe it's an organic, so not quite as severe, but if it's too harsh I'll just take it back out again. 
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