BMW inside.

[matt_132]

Few pictures since the wheels have been on

Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

 

[matt_132]

Update. I've mainly been out enjoying the car over summer but have a lot planned for it in the next few months. Mainly due to finally tidying the garage and having dry space to work on it:

IMG_20141104_130711 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Over the next few months it is getting -

Lower temperature thermostat and fan switch, metal thermostat housing, new water pump and a bigger radiator due to the old one splitting. I need to mount an separate expansion tank somewhere as the new rad does not have one built in like the OEM item:

IMG-20141118-WA0010 by matt_13289, on Flickr

20141116_172959 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Rear anti roll bar items - old stuff is well rusted in so will need cutting out:

20141116_173821 by matt_13289, on Flickr

I picked up a diff casing so I can put polyflex bushes into it - bought the various washers/gaskets so that I can swap the casings straight over. Also picked up a prop doughnut as I'm trying to get rid of the annoying jerkiness at low speed:

20141116_173639 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Picked up some M3 exhaust manifolds a while back, bought the gaskets for when it gets fitted:

IMG-20141118-WA0006 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Vanos parts that I've had for ages - now I have the garage free I can tackle this without having to have it back together again within one day. I need some M52 timing tools if anyone has them and fancies selling:

20141116_174045 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Lastly, I put the car in for under sealing last week. I got a call from the shop about one of the jacking points. It had started to rust out pretty badly:

20141113_091006 by matt_13289, on Flickr

It was cut out and a new piece of metal welded in (the guy took lots of photos, he hasn't sent me them yet though). The whole underside and arches have been sealed now, skirts will be going back on covering the black part!

IMG-20141117-WA0003 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Here is the jacking point rust free:

IMG-20141117-WA0006 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Oh and on the way back from the body shop one of the calipers was binding badly. Nursed it home and it STUNK of cooked brakes. Picking up 2 new calipers tomorrow and fitting Friday if all goes to plan.

 

[f0xy]

Good work - much better noise with the M3 Manifolds. How much were the gaskets?

 

[_Tom]

Few pictures since the wheels have been on

Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

My god it looks awesome here. Just needs a M3 heart now.

 

[matt_132]

Good work - much better noise with the M3 Manifolds. How much were the gaskets?

£7 each was expecting worse!

When you welded on the plate for the expansion tank, did you take the strut out? I don't want to set fire to the top mount.

My god it looks awesome here. Just needs a M3 heart now. :wink:

I keep looking for rear ended M3's. Problem is, so does everyone else. People know what they are worth so hard to find a bargain.

 

[f0xy]

Yeah, although mine were solid top mounts, but I had it off the car at the time anyway. If yours are the stock rubber type 100% remove it..

 

[matt_132]

It's been ages since I've updated (as always)!

The car has stayed pretty much the same since, although the M3 manifolds are now on. It sounds better and seems happier at the top of the rev range so well worth it. The best photo I could get as it is tight for space!

20150429_185432 by matt_13289, on Flickr

IMG-20150423-WA0019 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Engine wise there isn't much else I can do now. It has an M50 manifold with remap and now the M3 manis. I want to get it rolling roaded as it should be around 215-220 from what I've read with those mods. The M3 LSD has a higher ratio than standard and with all of the mods combined makes it pretty fun to say the least. The last thing I can do would be a cold air intake but I'm very unlikely to make any power with it and I don't want chavvy induction noise either.

Also cleaned the bay for the first time ever as the idea of water on engines always worried me but it looks good for it.

IMG-20150520-WA0007 by matt_13289, on Flickr

IMG-20150520-WA0013 by matt_13289, on Flickr

IMG-20150520-WA0024 by matt_13289, on Flickr

One if it lurking with my pals RX-7, what a batshit car that is.

IMG-20150512-WA0006 by matt_13289, on Flickr

So in summary - car is still by far my favourite and its not going anywhere soon. Recent career developments mean I may have to get a cheap runner as I'll be commuting for the first time ever. But if that happens, the garage is empty and it'll just go in there. The aircon will be working again Thursday if all goes well and then its time to put the bigger radiator in.

 

[matt_132]

Since the last update I have moved and no longer have a driveway to work on the car. I'm looking for a garage to rent in the Maidstone/Medway area in the slight chance that anyone reading knows of anything!

Since the last post I've done a few small things but waiting on work space to get properly stuck in. First was an oil change with Forte engine flush at 159k.

IMG-20151020-WA0003 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Also changed the Vanos seal which I've been meaning to do for a long time:

IMG-20150727-WA0003 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Raised the rear ride height as it was a little too low:

IMG-20150611-WA0001 by matt_13289, on Flickr

I need to either go back to decent shocks and springs or get some decent coilovers as the JOM rubbish on there are starting to annoy me.


Gave the leather a much needed clean and feed with Gliptone:

20151006_134626 by matt_13289, on Flickr

IMG-20151005-WA0007 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Replaced the Nankangs with Michellin Pilot Sports all round. Not surprisingly the difference is huge!

IMG-20151015-WA0001 by matt_13289, on Flickr

I've also picked up an early M50 single flywheel as it was local and cheap. I had a problem sourcing the right bolts but managed to get some from Germany in the end. The advantage with the M50 flywheel is that there is no need to get it machined or use another starter like you do with the M20.

20151010_101714 by matt_13289, on Flickr

The clutch isn't going and probably won't for some time as it was replaced with a new DMF in January 2013 so the flywheel is bottom of the to do list.

Finally a few pictures. I found some pictures of when I first bought it. These were taken at the previous owners house, it still had angel eyes and the BBS fitted before the unfortunate incident with them.

IMG-20151001-WA0016 by matt_13289, on Flickr

IMG-20151001-WA0017 by matt_13289, on Flickr

And some of the car is it is now:

IMG_20150919_161357 by matt_13289, on Flickr

20151107_213615 by matt_13289, on Flickr

I can't weld for s**t so its having an expansion tank fitted on Thursday. I can then finally fit the bigger rad I've had for over a year!!

 

[Matt Cup]

Stunning mate, love it on the sunflowers!

 

[JoeyD]

That is perfect! Love it.

Makes me miss mine, even though it was nowhere near as nice as this one.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

That really is a lovely car mate!

I love that you're putting a big effort at keeping it mechanically sound as well as aesthetically! Well played!

 

[matt_132]

Cheers people.

Its the first car that I haven't been bored with by a year into ownership. There's just so many mods you can do to these that they never get dull!

 

[v15ben]

Properly stunning car!
Always loved it and especially the colour.

 

[Philip.]

I love this car, looks great!

 

[Cookson]

Nice to see you still have it and it's going well.

 

[matt_132]

Car is for sale - I want 4k.

167k 328i sport individual in Santorini blue. No history before 2013 however its had a huge amount of work since then including clutch, dmf and mods as follows:

M50 intake manifold with enlarged throttle body (properly adapted)
E36 3.0 M3 limited slip differential
E46 purple tag steering rack
300mm front brake discs
Wheel stud conversion
E36 M3 exhaust/manifolds
Remapped ECU (Lewis Hayler)
E36 M3 sunflower style 39 alloys or style 66'
Bilstien B8 suspension/Eibach pro springs
Polybushed front anti roll bar/drop links
Polybushed rear trailing arms
Polybushed rear subframe
Kenwood DAB radio
Toad Ai606 alarm

It has just had a new bootlid painted in Santorini as the old one was rusted out. Front M sport bumper currently being painted.

Huge wedge of reciepts of work done since my ownership which has been about 3 and a half years. I really don't want to break it but if needs must.

I won't be on here so my number is 07507530803.