Made a start today

[Bozzy]

If you're going on the Dutch cruise you could ask him nicely for it, if not get @Grumpy to mug him

Tony.

No I'm not going on that one mate.......tbh I think it's a look that only Mr. HT can carry off .

Steve

 

[t-tony]

Just one thing Steve, looking at the side view picture I think you need some of these to finish the look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-Z...del:Z3&hash=item3cd2d5cd7f:g:PqgAAOSwpDdVXcam

Yes, I know it's easy spending someone else's money.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

Just one thing Steve, looking at the side view picture I think you need some of these to finish the look.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-Z3-Roadster-CHROME-Door-Handle-Cover-with-Radio-/261235264895?fits=Car+Make:BMW|Model:Z3&hash=item3cd2d5cd7f:gqgAAOSwpDdVXcam

Yes, I know it's easy spending someone else's money.

Tony.

Yep totally agree and they're on the list .......chrome hoops would be nice as well ......but I've pushed my luck enough for now,got to rebuild my browny points .

Steve

 

[t-tony]

I've pushed my luck enough for now

Yep, I know that feeling, but I have a couple of items on my radar and in 3 weeks time I'll be in the sweet shop ...............................

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Nice one Steve, as I found with mine, the hoops certainly are a great improvement on the looks.

I was thinking of going down the chrome route with the bars, but the aftermarket ones are for show rather than protection, so didn't bother.

At the moment I have 2 sets of OEM hoops, so as an alternitive I am considering having a set professionally chrome sprayed, just need to get a price.

 

[Bozzy]

Nice one Steve, as I found with mine, the hoops certainly are a great improvement on the looks.

I was thinking of going down the chrome route with the bars, but the aftermarket ones are for show rather than protection, so didn't bother.

At the moment I have 2 sets of OEM hoops, so as an alternitive I am considering having a set professionally chrome sprayed, just need to get a price.

Thanks Bryan I'm happy with them it was well worth doing. I prefer the wind deflector that go's with them compared to what I had before as well .
It'll be interesting to see the result of having your hoops chrome sprayed if you can get a decent quote for it.

Steve

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Thanks Bryan I'm happy with them it was well worth doing. I prefer the wind deflector that go's with them compared to what I had before as well .
It'll be interesting to see the result of having your hoops chrome sprayed if you can get a decent quote for it.

Steve

Are you after a Perspex or the fabric mesh deflector Steve?

 

[Bozzy]

Are you after a Perspex or the fabric mesh deflector Steve?

I was thinking Perspex but Sara prefers the mesh type.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I was thinking Perspex but Sara prefers the mesh type.

Mmmm decisions, decisions! Can't help you on that one, but I will try! I went for the Perspex as it shows off the hoops better and gives you a clear rear view. Downside is access to the cubby box.

 

[t-tony]

Mmmm decisions, decisions! Can't help you on that one, but I will try! I went for the Perspex as it shows off the hoops better and gives you a clear rear view. Downside is access to the cubby box.

You just have to store your curlers somewhere else Bryan.

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

You just have to store your curlers somewhere else Bryan.

Tony.

T..t!

 

[Bozzy]

Whilst the rain was holding off long enough today I got some more jobs done on our Bob.
After a short drive to warm up the oils,got the car up on axle stands and set to on the gear box oil change

I was pleasantly surprised when the old stuff came out looking like clean engine oil,but when I poured some into a jug it didn't look so good but no debris in it that I could see.

The new oil had an awful smell about it but of course looked much better,like cherry aid pop.......wouldn't want to drink it though . I used Redline D4 and it took 1.5 litres roughly.
And as luck would have it the posty turned up with my oil syringe from Opie oils just as I was about to crack off the drain plug .......can't imagine how I would have got the new stuff in without it.....phew .

Then I set to on the diff making sure that the filler plug would undo before removing the drain plug,both were very tight.
This wasn't looking as good as the gear box oil

You can see the difference with the new stuff in the jug next to what just came out.
I used Castrol Syntrax 2 litres as it has a limited slip diff and it took nearly all of it.

Whilst that was draining I changed the spark plugs,I used NGK platinum plugs. Not cheap at £40 for 6 but apparently they have a longer service life.
The old ones looked fine so I have saved them.

old and new together,I wonder if it'll perform any better with these plugs.
Refilled the diff next before I forgot
Next job engine oil and filter.......used wynnes engine flush before draining off,this was certainly looking ready for changing,was done less than 8000 miles ago sorry no pics at this point due to having oil covered hands.
Removed the old oil filter whilst that was draining,first time I've changed a paper element type,was slightly different to the new Mahle one

Hope it should be ok it's what Opie specified and it seemed to locate and fit ok.
Refitted the sump plug with new copper washer,screwed the new filter on and refilled with 6 litres of Shell helix ultra 5w-40 .

Oh almost forgot......i used a wheeler dealer tip to remove and refit the spark plugs

A short length of rubber tubing pushed onto the top of the plug,a god send for getting the plugs in and out of those deep recesses

A good afternoons work and I enjoyed it
Just I was about done the sky went black so I hurriedly put everything away and got the car cover on just as the heavens opened........so no test drive yet .

Steve

 

[Low Rider]

Excellent work Steve

 

[Bozzy]

Excellent work Steve

Thanks mate
You did the right thing having @NODZED change yours on that fab ramp thing he uses,there's not much room to work underneath the car on axle stands .

Steve

 

[Antm72]

Great job mate well done should be loads better

 

[Bozzy]

Great job mate well done should be loads better

Cheers Ant
Just had some dinner and looking out the window,the rain has stopped and the roads are drying..........i can feel a test drive coming on .

Steve

 

[Nodzed]

Whilst the rain was holding off long enough today I got some more jobs done on our Bob.
After a short drive to warm up the oils,got the car up on axle stand and set to on the gear box oil change
View attachment 34656

I was pleasantly surprised when the old stuff came out looking like clean engine oil,but when I poured some into a jug it didn't look so good but no debris in it that I could see.
View attachment 34657

The new oil had an awful smell about it but of course looked much better,like cherry aid pop.......wouldn't want to drink it though . I used Redline D4 and it took 1.5 litres roughly.
And as luck would have it the posty turned up with my oil syringe from Opie oils just as I was about to crack off the drain plug .......can't imagine how I would have got the new stuff in without it.....phew .

Then I set to on the diff making sure that the filler plug would undone before removing the drain plug,both were very tight.
This wasn't looking as good as the gear box oil
View attachment 34658

You can see the difference with the new stuff in the jug next to what just came out.
I used Castrol Syntrax 2 litres as it has a limited slip diff and it took nearly all of it.

Whilst that was draining I changed the spark plugs,I used NGK platinum plugs. Not cheap at £40 for 6 but apparently they have a longer service life.
The old ones looked fine so I have saved them.
View attachment 34660

old and new together,I wonder if it'll perform any better with these plugs.
Refilled the diff next before I forgot
Next job engine oil and filter.......used wynnes engine flush before draining off,this was certainly looking ready for changing,was done less than 8000 miles ago sorry no pics at this point due to having oil coveted hands.
Removed the old oil filter whilst that was draining,first time I've changed a paper element type,was slightly different to the new Mahle one
View attachment 34661

Hope it should be ok it's what Opie specified and it seemed to locate and fit ok.
Refitted the sump plug with new copper washer,screwed the new filter on and refilled with 6 litres of Shell helix ultra 5w-40 .

Oh almost forgot......i used a wheeler dealer tip to remove and refit the spark plugs
View attachment 34662

A short length of rubber tubing pushed onto the top of the plug,a god send for getting the plugs in and out of those deep recesses
View attachment 34663

A good afternoons work and I enjoyed it
Just I was about done the sky went black so I hurriedly put everything away and got the car cover on just as the heavens opened........so no test drive yet .

Steve

Well done mate that must have been a bugger of a job on short ramps, but give it a few miles and I'll almost guarantee you'll notice the gear shift getting better. Good Job

 

[t-tony]

Well done mate, glad you got it done in the dry too.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Well for someone that claims not to be good with spanners your doing a fair job oh short one! Well done mate. I've been having a go with my new aquired work bus and to be fair I'm quite enjoying myself. That doesn't mean your off the hook @t-tony!!!

 

[Bozzy]

Well done mate that must have been a b***** of a job on short ramps, but give it a few miles and I'll almost guarantee you'll notice the gear shift getting better. Good Job

Thanks Niall
Yes it was a tad tricky and well done to anyone that's done this without one of them syringe things.
Hoping it does improve the gear change but i do wonder as the old stuff wasn't so bad compared to others I've seen especially @Low Rider's.
Guess I'll soon find out .

Steve