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The price difference was nothing so I got it all, literally everything from the little piece of foam in the end piece of the gear selector shaft to the gear knob itself.
Terrible slop before and now it's almost like an early Alfetta (but only almost).

I'm also replacing EVERY piece of fastener that I'm undoing. It's a magical feeling to have everything available at a local shop, just look up the part number (or have the guy do it) and order it. Awsome.
Great to not have ten previous owners that tighten everything past yield every time and then rusted, everithing just comes loose with ease.

Today I replaced all the guibos. Feels familiar somehow...

Rebuild done.

A bit low in the rear and I have added 30mm spring extenders...

How bout swapping that gasoline lump, for something economical uhm like a... diesel?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ODVbB2uzc

No thanks, for economy I also have a 2010 320dT.
But you never know, the E46 M3 engine is not terribly expensive...

That S54 engine is really pricey for oil changes and water pumps here. Better for you may be the little older S50 engine. I have the S52 in my Z3 Mcoupe. only 240hp by the book.

Since you're in Cali I'm going to assume (I know, not everyone are the same) that you're used to a 10 dollar oil change every 1000 miles? Quick-lube and what not?
I'm more used to paying premium for oil so the BMW M3 spec oil isn't really that expensive. Water pumps? How often do you change those?
I'm not trying to offend here.

This is not a daily driver so running costs are really not a problem except maybe tires and pads...

Mats wrote:But you never know, the E46 M3 engine is not terribly expensive...

wrong engine for your car Mats, It needs a E9x M3 engine

A bit too obvious at the MOT...

Mats,
its roughly $60 for oil and filter using Mobil1 synthetic. I do the labor.

Water pumps, radiators (the plastic tank/ aluminum core ones), and fan clutches are limited to around 60,000 miles. I don't know if its the water pump going out and taking the fan and radiator with it or the fan clutch failing and taking the radiator and pump out or the plastic tanks on the radiator failing.

It sounds like you won't have those worries because of your intended use though.

I bought mine with 163,000 miles on it and it now has 220,000.

The "lifetime" transmission fluid is not, but you are likely changing that and the differential oil more often too.

We always get the "weenie" version of European cars here. This is true of the Z3 M cars as Europe got the S50 while we got the S52. The 2001-2002 Z3 M's got the S54, but at a big price increase.

Now I need to get back to getting a fresh timing belt and water pump into the Alfa.....

I'm thinking of an E90 330i or even a 325i for a dialy driver. Automatic. Traffic in the silicon valley is bad these days. There is NO FUN driving here anymore. Feels like driving in central London sometimes or LA. I know the car is old, but looks ok (not as good as an E46 looks wise). How do you like the car so far?

To be honest, I haven't driven it that much. It's not ready yet because the rear springs are way too short.
It's not insanely quick in any way but it has some top end pull. It's nice and quiet too.
I do have a 320d LCI also and that I have put 10 000km on over 2.5years. There are a few minor issues that all newish cars have now, the side support in seat cushion is a bit hard so on long drives, 2h+, I get a sore area on the outside of my right leg. The steering wheel doesn't come back far enough either or rather the pedals are too close. When the seat is at the correct distance I have to strech the left foot out to fully depress the clutch. It's weird, like the brake/acccel pedals should be 20mm further forward or something. Not a problem for the auto though.

Small problems but annoying. Especially when you're usually happy doing 12h stints.
Overall it's much nicer to have a car that does exactly what you expect when you dive into the roundabout 50kph faster than the rest of the pack than to have perfect seats, but this is a 116 forum and everybody knows this already..

Maurizio wrote:ah, bmw is not only fun.
Go ask any E87 diesel owner about changing an air filter.....

wtf 2.5 [m^2] disassembled plastic and stuff on the garage floor.
And still how the hell do I get this thing out

Holy shit - I went through this with my E61 on the weekend - so much fucking plastic to remove to do the air filter and bleed the brakes. what a prick of an arrangement - have to pull the fucking strut brace out to change the air filter.

Really? Guess they learned their lesson on the E9X because it's right there.

Some pics of the car when I had it together last summer.