Jscribble - Jason from WI

[jscribble]

Closing on the house today, delayed a week AGAIN. Financing is locked and done though. Everything came in a little less than planned, so I will have a few bucks left in the account, which is very good for betty.

New issue though, slight clicking coming from the rear of the car when rolling/low load

My guess is cv axle. Anyone confirm? First part I'm getting after close is the diff that Warsteiner was so kind to hold for me, then the bushings to bolt it up (subframe, trailing arm, diff) Maybe I should just get the half shafts too.

[Rain_E30]

About the ABS light on the dashboard, you can simply remove the light just behind it.
I had the same problem, but with the "brakes worn" light, even though I made them brand new.
All you need is to remove the casing around the brake, throttle and clutch pedal. Which can be done quiet fast, then you can reach the light while you prone under the pedal units and reach up to the dashboard back site.
Its faster than actually removing the dashboard unit.
Sorry for my english, since the explanation might not be perfect.

[longtallsally]

Rain, your English is much better than mein Deutsch, and I live in Deutschland, so don't feel bad.

DJ Scribble, first and foremost, congrats on the house!  Hopefully we'll be in a position to buy one when we get back to the States.

On your clicking, is it under load? when you shift?

I think you're barking up the right tree, but I'd check the rear U joint in your driveshaft as well...

[jscribble]

It's never under load, only when coasting. I think the u joint might play a part, because if I coast, then hit the go pedal, i get a little clunk.

On a positive note, Betty slept nice and cozy in her garage last night! It's so cool to finally have one!

[longtallsally]

It's never under load, only when coasting. I think the u joint might play a part, because if I coast, then hit the go pedal, i get a little clunk.

On a positive note, Betty slept nice and cozy in her garage last night! It's so cool to finally have one!

Definitely the U Joint.  I've been going through some debacles on my end and have replaced EVERYTHING in the rear end.  And I mean EVERYTHING.  Half shafts possibly, but my money is on the rear U joint.

[jscribble]

I'm more and more of a mind like you, I'd rather swap it all. Thanks for the tip.

[jscribble]

Now that the weather has started to break here in WI, I ordered a new radiator, hoses, and the plastic water pipe that comes off the block. I would recommend that any time you have your intake off you think about replacing that pile of crap, as mine was cracked again. (as others have noted before, they are flaky) Installing everything today, but don't have the proper hex key for the cam sensor to change the thermostat. I assume it's metric, so I'll pick up a set when I grab hose clamps.

Couple of bits to share: The lower rad hose (below the reservoir tank) is a huge pain, but I coated a screwdriver in coolant and rammed it in the semi-flared end and left it sit during dinner. Went on like a charm an hour later.

For those that have done the "mess under the intake" fix, I had a kink developing under the lower intake. Grab another band clamp, slide it over the part of the hose that wants to kink, and snug it down.

Still not 100% pleased with the bypass hose I made, Might look into making a metal line and flaring one end to match diameter of the larger (water pipe) outlet.

Pics to come, and as I just picked up a new dslr, they might even turn out ok.

[jscribble]

It looks like I'll be leaving the E30 fold for a while, I just purchased a 2004 325xi for a daily. I haven't decided Betty's fate yet, but there's a pretty good chance she'll be sold. I'd love to strip her down and autocross prep her, but I doubt the budget, nor my schedule will allow. If anybody in the midwest is looking for a good donor car, or a beater driver, pm me. I'd be willing to let her go cheap to a proper enthusiast!

[DesktopDave]

Gah...sorry to hear about that.  Though the 325xi is a really nice car as well.

I'd advise waiting on it...you're going to kick yourself later if you make the wrong decision!

[jscribble]

I'd advise waiting on it...you're going to kick yourself later if you make the wrong decision!

The plans to jockey cars in our limited parking are already turning in my head. Unfortunately, I'm car-sitting a friend's Passat while she's out of state for at least the next few months. I'm hoping I can convince her to sell, so Betty has a spot, at least in our driveway.

I picked up "Sabine" (10 Bimmer points if you get the reference), the 325xi today, and I'm thrilled. There is a distinct "glossiness" to the way this particular e46 drives, that I'm not quite thrilled about though. The clutch pedal is heavy, yet it's action seems slow. Not sloppy, but not as "connected" as it is in the e30.

I drove them back-to-back, and Betty has a much sportier feel, and responds to shifting MUCH better. It will take a while to get used to the new, floaty clutch/shifting.

Anyway, for now, Betty is up for grabs. I'd much rather sell it to a fellow M42club member, than on the open meat market of Craigslist. The condition is shown pretty well in this thread, though I now have more (uninstalled) parts to go with the car. I'm not sure the body can be saved, there is some rust, I'll get some updated pics if anyone is interested. I will probably put her on Craigslist for $1800-2k, but I'll entertain any offers + stories as well as trades on here.

[DesktopDave]

I wish you'd have posted this sooner!  I'm sorta wishing I hadn't dragged my 633CSi home now...it would have been good to have another M42.  So I'm tapped at the present time (e24 parts are shockingly more expensive than the humble e30)

...unless you're into overpowered 80s Honda motorcycles...

As for the e46...there's a delay valve in the clutch line that causes that floatiness.  It can be fixed...check it out here.

***edit*** I had to look up the Sabine reference.  Cool!  I won't spill the beans either...

[jscribble]

As for the e46...there's a delay valve in the clutch line that causes that floatiness.  It can be fixed...

This is why I'm going to keep poking in here, Dave, it's a better atmosphere, and smarter minds!