Yeah,Peter,
As said,I had a "wish list" of things I wanted to get done to the car for a couple of years or so now.
Things I have wanted to get fixed,that I had previously tried to get sorted,but 2 "specialists" had failed to locate/resolve!!
That being the Kangarooing at low to moderate speeds in lower gears,plus the Rough idle,extra long time it took to settle at idle from cold,and a slightly noisy Vanos.
The Vanos could have been probably left for another year or so,but tbh not worth the risk,as by the time it gets to a groaning noise,it can be prone to breaking,and junking the engine at the same time...so money well spent.
Timing chain was a no brained at the bargain supply and fit price it was done for when doing Vanos upgrade/renewal stuff.
Got new Spacers and Hub extenders to go on once the former arrive from the States. Just a minor issue,but one I want to resolve re my existing Spacers. Again,just a minor niggle,lived with it for a few years,but thought I would take the hit now while in Lockdown,lol.
Bought new Front Discs and Pads for next year/as I renew these every 3 years,as they are prone to warping etc on the M's,especially with spirited use,despite getting renewed every 15k miles.
As for the Cams,it was something I couldn't pass up,given the bargain I got them for,and although used for track based m3,they only have done 26k miles ,and have minimal signs of wear.
Its had replacement (used) Schrick followers etc as well as a remap set up to allow for the fact I kept the existing airbox,and didn't upgrade it also,as is recommended.
As is,the car should give around 370/375 brake with this kit,but if I did the CSL type airbox,it would give a reliable 380/385 bhp,so I am told.
A couple of BMW /specialist mechs I have spoke to regularly see 380+ from good,low mileage/well cared for csl's,or those running these kits with a CSL airbox.
The cams and followers are £1400-1500 and £800 respectively.... Plus labour of around £5-600...so around £2,200-ish new,plus fitting, and I got mine for £800 with free fitting,(sort of),so felt it was worth it. Already had a map on it/Power tune,which just got a Write over,so I was told.
It had been done to give a smoother torque/slight increase in bhp too,plus it removed the Speed limiter,done years ago.
Been advised to change to Race spec oil though,which needs changing every 7k miles....not a problem though,as i change it Annually/every 5k miles.
The kit on mine is fast road/race spec,not too aggressive...there are other cam sets from Shrick that need various other parts replaced, and give another 10-20 bhp on top of these,but not worth it,as these ones are safe for the existing engine components.
Yeah,spent a wee bit,but probably not as much as yourself with you Quaffe diff, m3 sway bars,etc etc,lol.
Once I get new brakes and the clutch kit fitted over the next year or 2,then its the bodywork/front end respray,full pro detail,ceramic coat,etc etc.
Never ending haha.
But the cars not really depreciating,so no harm in renewing bits as preventative maintenance and getting rid of some small niggles,poor starting,etc...its definitely been worth it.
Can't praise Mr.Vanos /Steve,enough, for his work on it in April,upgrading all Vanos components, as well as Timing chain,and renewing Plugs,Coil Pack's etc which all combined to fix the Poor starting(along with replenishment of battery cells via an AGM ctek charger unit I had bought and used prior to vanos work).
Rough idle,and slow settle both fixed,noisy vanos gone,Timing chain no longer slack.......
Misfire gone.
Valve clearances and shims also done by Steve/Mr.Vanos
Car driving very well now
Oh,and I intend getting All new,OEM/BMW Suspension,bushes, Springs/shocks etc,when funds allow
Then it will be good for another 12 years
Attleborough, Norfolk