Belated hello to everyone. Last month I became the latest owner of LS83381, a car that I know has been owned by a couple of forum members before:
On the rented beavertail because I bought it with an expired MOT and a suspected expansion bottle leak. Of course it would have been easier to buy one that didn't need anything but where's the fun in that? :lol:
In complete honesty, I bought it for the spec:
And because, wheels aside, it perfectly matches this 1:43 diecast model I bought when I first started wanting a Z4
I've had six-pot E46s for 20 years now so I like to think I know my way round the underlying platform and an M54, which gave me the confidence to take this on knowing it might need a few bits and pieces.
So far I've:
On the to do list:
On the rented beavertail because I bought it with an expired MOT and a suspected expansion bottle leak. Of course it would have been easier to buy one that didn't need anything but where's the fun in that? :lol:
In complete honesty, I bought it for the spec:
- 3.0i manual.
Red heated sports seats.
New England extended leather.
Xenons.
HiFI DSP.
PDC.
Style 107s.
And because, wheels aside, it perfectly matches this 1:43 diecast model I bought when I first started wanting a Z4
I've had six-pot E46s for 20 years now so I like to think I know my way round the underlying platform and an M54, which gave me the confidence to take this on knowing it might need a few bits and pieces.
So far I've:
- Unsuccessfully tried to find why the EPS light is lit using INPA, ISTA-D and BMW Scanner 1.4,
Washed all the old oil off the bottom of the block so I can see if it comes back,
Sanded, polished and lacquered both headlights,
Replaced the expansion bottle and radiator,
Replaced the cracked aux and AC belts,
Replaced the missing battery vent elbow and connected the vent tube,
Replaced the broken lower intake boot (on back order in UK and Germany until August so had to source from the US!),
Seeing as I was in there, checked DISA operation, cleaned idle control valve and throttle body,
Smoke tested to confirm no remaining vacuum leaks and reset adaptations,
Replaced missing left rear jacking block,
Replaced missing left front bumper bracket,
Secured completely loose lower grill to bumper,
Replaced bent oil drain plug access door,
Plastic-welded split undertray,
Replaced worm boot struts,
Reseated the loose steering wheel airbag,
Bought replacement triangular underbody trim (thanks Umfaan!), to replace the completely broken original that was held on only by the electrical connector to the outside temp sensor,
Some minor coding changes in NCS expert.
On the to do list:
- Take it for an MOT test so I can tax and finally drive it!
Refurb the 107s and replace worn and cracked rear tyres, or fit the spare E46 style 68Ms I have after I've refurbed those.
Replace worn-looking front control arm bushes.
Replace cheap aftermarket front kidneys with originals (thanks again to Umfaan!).
Symmetrical tail lights using a LHD right hand side light and wire a replacement for the fog light for MOTs.
Change the aftermarket clear third brake light for original red.
Respray the front bumper.
PDR the various dings.
Spot repair touch ups the various chips.
See if I can make a DIY one-touch roof solution using 555 timers rather than buy a Gaptech or Smart Top
Think about a complete suspension refresh.
North West Surrey
Maybe wouldn't be up for a straight swap though!