The M3...

Bloody car.

Some ex-owner managed to cross-thread No.1 spark plug. Result? No thread in the cylinder head and it's losing compression past the plug. What we thought was a simple coil-pack has turned into a semi-nightmare.

Remedy? Helicoil the head in-situ if possible. Problem? Can't get a helicoil kit that goes deep enough (spark plug hole is VERY deep on an E36 M3).

This could end up in us having to take the head off. A 12hr charge for that minimum. As you can imagine I'm not a happy bunny right now.

At least I get to cruise in the E28 for a while...!

loving the e28 sorry its a bigger problem than we thought

Problem nearly solved.

The head's been re-threaded and an insert has been placed into it (better than a helicoil!) so it could be back up and running this afternoon!

Yipee!

Crikey Gee, I didn't know you were having a spot of bother with the old M3. Have you got it all sorted and the compression right now? Fingers crossed

Still up on ramps and off the road... 10 days and counting. Rubbish.

Waiting for a Vanos re-build kit to arrive. Ordered on Friday - still waiting.

The longer I'm away from it, the more out-of-love I'm feeling with it.

Hang in their buddy, you'll feel the love once you've sorted the engine and squeeze your right foot gently towards the floor on the loud pedal!!

keep strong buddy

Mend it sell it

As of yesterday, it's fixed and running fine again!

The bloody TT is off the road now with a cross-threaded sump plug! Grrrrrrr!

Just finished polishing the outer rims on these and got the centres completed yesterday. Not sure if I'll keep them and put them on the M3 though. Not sure if they'll suit it.

They're sweet, I really like them. I think they'll look spot on, on the M3. What size are they?

They're 8x17 ET20 - same spec as the Style5's I have (two sets of!)

Will be throwing tyres on them this weekend and trail fitting them to see what they look like.

Mmmmmmm, I look forward to seeing the pics of the trial fitting. What ET does my E90 have, is it the same? I'm away for the next two weeks in Oman for a bit of sunshine and relaxation so won't be around on here but I'll pick up any messages when I get back.

The clubsports have come out really nice G,if they dont suit the M3 they will look great on Si's 3 series me thinks.

Bingo, that's exactly what I was thinking Deano. The only thing that I'd need to check is whether they'd get lost in the arches? The M-Sport rims that I've got on it at the minute are 18's and they only just look big enough? I do need to do something on the wheel front, either new or get my current ones refinished.

To be honest, I think they'd be too small Simon.

Off to pick them up from the tyre fitters now...

That's a shame as they're such a lovely wheel, but cheers for being honest Gee, I was kind of thinking the same. I'm looking forward to seeing them on the M3 though, I think they're going to rock.

They don't rock on the M3. Not liking them at all to be honest. They were rubbing on the rear too... lol

So they're back off again and the M3 Contours are back on while I sort the BBS's out.

i actually like them on the car , give it a racy look

Here are a couple of pics - a long time coming!

Updates = de-lensed, BBS Style5's, lowered springs and new top mounts, face-lift front end, Momo TypeV35 wheel, new OEM leather gear-knob & gaitors.

Nothing much left to do to it now. Anything else would detract from the car I think. Just cosmetic updates from now on (dent removal, etc.)

Happy with it!

oooo i like that!

Nice work Gee, love it !!

Very nice G,me likey a lot.

Like it mate

Cheers for the positive comments chaps!