shifter prob

[Slowered318]

Lucky you! They know me by name at my local BMW but no discount, not even on stock items. I think the policy varies because they are privately owned dealers.

I'll take some pictures once the job gets my approval stamp then post on my build thread. Been delayed due to amazon, that's the only place I could find new caliper pistons. What paint did you use for the calipers? I went with VHT rattle cans but I'm not too happy with it. This stuff doesn't lay very nice on light coats and chips off far too easily. Should have just sent them off to get powder coated.

No need to get super uptight with the underside of the car unless you park on mirrors or want to impress the guys at Mr. Lube.

[Darky]

At least your not on a first name basis Norm, now that would be annoying! 

[Darky]

Or after posting, you realize that you are on a first name basis at your engine shop.

Yep I get the expense, brought a clutch, med 3.91 lsd diff, and Pop out windows this week! 

At least we admit to having that disease

[Slowered318]

Slowered...

Not sure its me so much as a policy for older parts when it comes to the rebates but it helps...
As for the calipers I also used VHT caliper paint and I was VERY impressed with it. It painted beautifully and light coats went on flawlessly. Each caliper got three coats or so and they look really nice. The paint is high temp resistant but I will be curious to see how it stands up long term...
I also bought some of their Vinyl paint with an eye to painting those beige iS seats black... People seem to say it works great and holds up nicely... Not 100% I'll do it but I just might...

BTW, what the hell is a pinch rail??? 

Darky,
Annoying is realizing 35% of my take home pay goes straight to BMW!!!

DAMN E30osis!!

Hmmm... Well first I ground down the casting marks and glass beaded my calipers, washed off the dust with a high strength cleaner then wiped down with brake cleaner. Painted one light and two medium coats within an hour or two (had to paint outside in the shade not to harm the pets), let it dry overnight and baked in the oven for 1hr (used a laser thermometer to check the temp is correct). They look good but chips so easily I've had to touch up a few spots with a brush after installing. Maybe I've just had better experience with other paints and I thought you might have too. Is it really important to use "high heat" if your not driving the car like a maniac?

If you're doing vinyl/trim I would look into mar-hyde or SEM, possibly they are higher quality. I think VHT and dupli-color might be the same parent company. Anyways, always test first on a scrap.

Pinch rail is along the bottom of the rockers where it meets the body. A lot of mechanics jack the car on this part and it gets destroyed over time.

[normboudreault]

Holy man you put a lot of effort into those calipers!!

I just ground them, brake cleaner to cleaner and painted them out in the open... They look nice but will they hold up? Not sure...

The vinyl is a big maybe especially since I have the second 318iS with the leather interior. I just find the vinyl sport seats nicer than the leather ones... but a tan interior doesn't go very well with a  red exterior imho....

Thanks for clearing that up about the pinch rails - I thought you were pointing something out on the subframe! Never knew they had a name...man Im ignorant! And yes, they are nice arent they?! 

6am and Im off to the garage to start working on the car....

happiness... 

[Slowered318]

The word 'Effort' doesn't come close to describing it. First I took the old paint off with Circa 1850, pulled the pistons then into a Turkish bath and Mean Green body scrub. After painting they received new piston rings, guides, seals, and speed bleeder valves. I even cleaned up and sprayed the rotor hubs silver to match the wheels.

Brakes better not drag and feel spongy or I'm gonna flip! All this is pretty much hidden behind the stock BBS wheels. lol

Maybe the tan is livable? You don't know how much mineral oil and silicon based protectants were used on the seats. It may be impossible to get them clean enough to paint.

[deansweet]

I get a 20% discount, well, because , when i call they answer "Hello Mr. Boudreault!" before Ive even spoken...i think im invited to this years Christmas party too.....

They know me at our local bmws dealer and I get a 10% old car discount. Maybe I should renegotiate?

[normboudreault]

Yup..Tell them Norm Boudreault gets a 20% discount and youre a close friend!!! 

[deansweet]

I'd do more than slow down... I'd be ringing your doorbell to discuss. and yes, I am that kind of guy. I stopped and talked a complete stranger who was out cleaning up his t-rex three wheeler and got myself in a test drive of the thing. Only issue, no reverse?! reach out to front left wheel and pull yourself backwards? I had no idea... 

[normboudreault]

People keep to themselves here, its kinda funny.. You can see they are DYING to come and talk to you but don't have the nerve or are embarrassed or something.. Jeez, Id talk e30 all day long! There is one guy who lives about 5 houses down who always drives super slow when he goes by and he's eyeballing everything..poor bast@rd..gonna have to wave him in one of these days!! Remember I just moved here almost exactly one year ago - most of the neighbours are ok..no real car people here but polite...

Putting the new ceramic brake pads in today, driveshaft tomorrow and maybe (try to) weld the exhaust together and slap that driveshaft back in.. Then put some gas in the tank and pray that little connector pipe doesnt leak as it wasnt exactly a perfect fit with my replacement tank...

If all goes well, M3 on rubber by Monday!! 

[Warsteiner]

Well Norm.... The M3 hasn't seen the roadways with all the rules attached in a very long time! LOL  You'd be a menace in my M3 on any road like scaring the old ladies half to death.

You could always borrow the 318is with the stroker. That is a lot of fun too.

I thought the rims were just dirty

Cheers,
~Ralph

[Gerta318is]

Hey Norm.  I know what you mean about being a car guy with none of the neighbors being car guys.  I've had a number of them remark "wow!  you have a lot of old BMW's!"  When I put my motor in (for the third time) the neighbors were all staring as they walked the dog.  Apparently no one does automotive work themselves any more.

[normboudreault]

Its kind of funny isn't it? Im quite proud of what's going on in my garage and respectful of the cars it contains...

I wear a white collar when Im off to work but Im blue collar at heart... and boy does it show when Im home!! 

[Slowered318]

I say nothing compliments a shirt and tie more than scraped up grimy hands.

Did you get the M3 out of the garage today?

[Darky]

Hi Norm

Most people check there Ecu by pulling it out and looking at it. Redline hmmm!
Bet you didn't do that in the driveway.

Beautiful work and car!
That's one down. 

Cheers Rohan