What next?

bigwinn said:
Pbondar said:
I have an E89 which over 4 years I’ve done around 2 dozen mods…

Technically there’s little incremental radical new technology on the E89 over the E85..

So if you can twiddle with an E85 then you can do an E89..

The N20 engine is the technically most advanced engine in the E89 which requires a fair smattering of special tools for more intricate operations..

However there are specialists who can pick off those chores that you can’t quite step up to..

I guess, reflecting a little on the last two cars, I’ve enjoyed sorting all the bad stuff and making them good again- like if I could do the vanos on every car I’d be happy as a pig in proverbial…

I think that’s why I’m leaning more to e86 because of the age and amount of stuff that will probably need sorting:

I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:
 

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enuff_zed said:
skmattwell said:
There's always plenty of stuff you can fix on my car if you like, would keep you busy for months :P
Exactly! Seems Stuart just wants to find work for idle hands. Plenty of people out there who don't want to get their hands dirty but would trade a few beers with someone who enjoys fixing Zs.
Could go into business as 'The M54 Shed' :D

(PS. Apparently payment in alcohol-free beer is frowned upon.)

Why would anyone think that’s a thing

Alcohol free?? That’s water isn’t it?
 
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
Pbondar said:
I have an E89 which over 4 years I’ve done around 2 dozen mods…

Technically there’s little incremental radical new technology on the E89 over the E85..

So if you can twiddle with an E85 then you can do an E89..

The N20 engine is the technically most advanced engine in the E89 which requires a fair smattering of special tools for more intricate operations..

However there are specialists who can pick off those chores that you can’t quite step up to..

I guess, reflecting a little on the last two cars, I’ve enjoyed sorting all the bad stuff and making them good again- like if I could do the vanos on every car I’d be happy as a pig in proverbial…

I think that’s why I’m leaning more to e86 because of the age and amount of stuff that will probably need sorting:

I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:

Nice

I’m feeling a yellow theme
 
bigwinn said:
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
I guess, reflecting a little on the last two cars, I’ve enjoyed sorting all the bad stuff and making them good again- like if I could do the vanos on every car I’d be happy as a pig in proverbial…

I think that’s why I’m leaning more to e86 because of the age and amount of stuff that will probably need sorting:

I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:

Nice

I’m feeling a yellow theme

You might say that, I might think that…I couldn’t possibly comment :rofl: :thumbsup: :driving:
 
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
Pbondar said:
I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:

Nice

I’m feeling a yellow theme

You might say that, I might think that…I couldn’t possibly comment :rofl: :thumbsup: :driving:
Maybe Peter is actually Donovan?

C'mon, keep up. :wink:
 
bigwinn said:
You guys….

Wasted on a forum like this
Sorry I get annoyed with others who go off tangent..I blame those b8ggars with too much time on their hands.. :tumbleweed: :headbang: :fuelfire:
 
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
You guys….

Wasted on a forum like this
Sorry I get annoyed with others who go off tangent..I blame those b8ggars with too much time on their hands.. :tumbleweed: :headbang: :fuelfire:
More to do with Working From Home and the freedom to have the forum open in the background. There is only so much compliance to the Machinery Directive I can take before I need a Z4 fix!
 
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
Pbondar said:
I have an E89 which over 4 years I’ve done around 2 dozen mods…

Technically there’s little incremental radical new technology on the E89 over the E85..

So if you can twiddle with an E85 then you can do an E89..

The N20 engine is the technically most advanced engine in the E89 which requires a fair smattering of special tools for more intricate operations..

However there are specialists who can pick off those chores that you can’t quite step up to..

I guess, reflecting a little on the last two cars, I’ve enjoyed sorting all the bad stuff and making them good again- like if I could do the vanos on every car I’d be happy as a pig in proverbial…

I think that’s why I’m leaning more to e86 because of the age and amount of stuff that will probably need sorting:

I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:

I would love to do that. Bit spendy though, I believe.

I might do that!
 
steve_naive said:
Pbondar said:
bigwinn said:
I guess, reflecting a little on the last two cars, I’ve enjoyed sorting all the bad stuff and making them good again- like if I could do the vanos on every car I’d be happy as a pig in proverbial…

I think that’s why I’m leaning more to e86 because of the age and amount of stuff that will probably need sorting:

I understand your viewpoint :thumbsup:

My E89 journey was more product development/ enhancement…

I bought an old Jeep Wrangler to address my mechanical refurbishment desires :thumbsup:

I would love to do that. Bit spendy though, I believe.

I might do that!


Er yes..I’ve spent a lot of money on my baby…

It’s the usual story that BMW does 80%+ of the job for 20% ish of the cost…

So I’ve spent 80% more to get the last 20% :tumbleweed: even with some judicious sourcing..

Still I spend a lot of time driving it in demanding conditions and a lot of time just admiring it..

So I’m happy and having looked at the 35i and the G29s (plus many other makes) I’m happy with the course I’ve taken… :driving:
 
Running costs are a chunk more on the S54, £600 a year road tax for a start, and then the inevitable bits you want to probably get sorted over tiem like rod bearings vanos etc. If you can find the money there really is something rather special about them, but undoubtedly they do come with their foibles, and to be honest they're not THAT fast. Real-world, due to the high-revving nature of them, you'll be enjoying making a lot of noise but in reality a fairly warm hot hatch would probably match the acceleration!

In terms of the N52, they're a great engine, and fairly reliable. you do need to be careful with replacing Fixings, the block is Magnesium Alloy so a lot of the fixings are aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion. Aluminum screws are single-use, and have a specific torque procedure, but as long as you have the info you shouldn't have any particular issues working on the engine at all.

Bits you may find you need to do are the water pump and stat as Mr Tidy said, and also the Crank Case ventilator (CCV). You may possibly need to do the DISA valves - one of mine went hooky during the course of my ownership and needed to be replaced - not too awful a job, but a bit fiddly! I've not heard of the N52 having vanos issues, but I'm sure the above would be plenty enough for tinkering with !


If I were you, I'd have to say the 3.0si Coupe would be the pick - great engine, great drive, and genuinely at least 80% of an M car for what 50% of the money, and significantly better running costs! I adore my M, but I still miss my si Coupe, it was a cracker of a car, absolute riot on track, genuinely involving and fun on the road, and a great daily as well.
 
Ed Doe said:
Running costs are a chunk more on the S54, £600 a year road tax for a start, and then the inevitable bits you want to probably get sorted over tiem like rod bearings vanos etc. If you can find the money there really is something rather special about them, but undoubtedly they do come with their foibles, and to be honest they're not THAT fast. Real-world, due to the high-revving nature of them, you'll be enjoying making a lot of noise but in reality a fairly warm hot hatch would probably match the acceleration!

In terms of the N52, they're a great engine, and fairly reliable. you do need to be careful with replacing Fixings, the block is Magnesium Alloy so a lot of the fixings are aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion. Aluminum screws are single-use, and have a specific torque procedure, but as long as you have the info you shouldn't have any particular issues working on the engine at all.

Bits you may find you need to do are the water pump and stat as Mr Tidy said, and also the Crank Case ventilator (CCV). You may possibly need to do the DISA valves - one of mine went hooky during the course of my ownership and needed to be replaced - not too awful a job, but a bit fiddly! I've not heard of the N52 having vanos issues, but I'm sure the above would be plenty enough for tinkering with !


If I were you, I'd have to say the 3.0si Coupe would be the pick - great engine, great drive, and genuinely at least 80% of an M car for what 50% of the money, and significantly better running costs! I adore my M, but I still miss my si Coupe, it was a cracker of a car, absolute riot on track, genuinely involving and fun on the road, and a great daily as well.

Excellent advice Ed- thank you
 
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