Touring Project Begins...

[NHskibm]

After over two months of inactivity there will be life again.

Look on next week as the car is moving from the body shop tomorrow (still not started) to the mechanic shop.

This week should have progress... Motor swap, Suspension, etc etc.

Hopefully all mechanics will be done in a couple weeks and a running M50 will be had (minus exhaust likely).

Pics of progress to be posted... Stay Tuned...

[NHskibm]

Pictures of M50 coming soon. On the camera, just need to get in the Computer!!!

Good news:

Just Purchased:

UUC 11.5lb "stage 1" clutch flywheel kit.
TMS Underdrive Pulleys (alt., WP, PS)
New OE Water Pump
TMS "coolest part ever" nut to cover exposed threads where fan/clutch used to be.

Soon to purchase:
Diff (deciding between 3.15 and 3.23)
Chip - Jim C
Intake - cone w/ heatshield (AFE perhaps)
Exhaust - possibly an E30 rear with a custom fit OEM style Cat (maybe ANSA - I like it on my iX).
Driveshaft (325i E30 or E36 - whatever I can get used).

That should be about it aside from miscellaneous items...

[davey101]

some nice mods there, cant wait to see the m50 pics

god....i gotta get a job like yours

[M-technik-3]

3.46 Lsd with a standard M50b25tu unless you are adding S50 cams and EU or 540 hfm and chip. 3.17 is gonna feel slow a 3.23/3.25 is not bad but for the added weight of a touring I would recommend a 3.46 out of a 735i E23 or a 635csi.

[e24mpwr]

I'm curious why the Jim C. chip vs. the Mark D?

[NHskibm]

some nice mods there, cant wait to see the m50 pics

god....i gotta get a job like yours

not the job this time... this project is all the $$ I got from selling the E46. And if the GF wants a ring sooner rather than later then I'm going to have to sell the Touring to fund that...

3.46 Lsd with a standard M50b25tu unless you are adding S50 cams and EU or 540 hfm and chip. 3.17 is gonna feel slow a 3.23/3.25 is not bad but for the added weight of a touring I would recommend a 3.46 out of a 735i E23 or a 635csi.

I looked up the car on Real OEM and stock was 3.15 in the car. I've decided to go 3.25 based on the advice of Dan from Diffsonline. I'm also going chip, pulleys, intake, exhaust, and eventually I'm likely going to do head work.

I'm curious why the Jim C. chip vs. the Mark D?

Jim C chip can be picked up at TMS about 15 min down the street. Regular ground shipping is next day if I can't get there. I want to get the chip in before we put the ECU in the car - it's just easier that way.

Plus it is my understanding that Mark D. for E30's but Jim C. for E36. I'd be curious to know why you say Mark D however.

Thanks.

[Shaka]

Dude. Once you get this car done I'm gunna have to leave the wife and kid at home for a weekend and come visit just so I can get a ride in this slick automobile. I miss the days of extra cash to spend tinkering, LOL

[1988 325ix]

not the job this time... this project is all the $$ I got from selling the E46. And if the GF wants a ring sooner rather than later then I'm going to have to sell the Touring to fund that...


Wait what. After all of this work you're gonna sell the touring to get your GF a ring Are you nuts.

Whatever you do DON'T sell the "ix"

[davey101]

not the job this time... this project is all the $$ I got from selling the E46. And if the GF wants a ring sooner rather than later then I'm going to have to sell the Touring to fund that..

ill take it off your hands for......oh, 2 grand?

[kishg]

not the job this time... this project is all the $$ I got from selling the E46. And if the GF wants a ring sooner rather than later then I'm going to have to sell the Touring to fund that...


Wait what. After all of this work you're gonna sell the touring to get your GF a ring Are you nuts.

Whatever you do DON'T sell the "ix"

remember, rings can be financed.. e30s cannot be

[kellie]

I've got major ring hookups, when the time comes. Srsly...

[NHskibm]

I've got major ring hookups, when the time comes. Srsly...

HaHa Thanks! I've got a couple as well, but we'll speak.

remember, rings can be financed.. e30s cannot be

True True

ill take it off your hands for......oh, 2 grand?

haha............. NO!

Wait what. After all of this work you're gonna sell the touring to get your GF a ring Are you nuts.

Whatever you do DON'T sell the "ix"

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do... Yet the iX will NEVER be sold!

Dude. Once you get this car done I'm gunna have to leave the wife and kid at home for a weekend and come visit just so I can get a ride in this slick automobile. I miss the days of extra cash to spend tinkering, LOL

Come to Bav Auto man! Bring the wife and kids.

Cleveland to NH is 9 hours at 80mph taking 80 accross.

Done the drive many a times. A friend lives in the Bingham downtown...

[NHskibm]

[kellie]

Quit bragging, bragger.

[Shaka]

Come to Bav Auto man! Bring the wife and kids.

Cleveland to NH is 9 hours at 80mph taking 80 accross.

Done the drive many a times. A friend lives in the Bingham downtown...

Do you work at BAV now, or do they just have all your hard earned cash so you sort of feel like its your business? LOL

Seriously though... i'd love to come visit some day. If there is every any special event worth my trip let me know.

[kishg]

Do you work at BAV now, or do they just have all your hard earned cash so you sort of feel like its your business? LOL

lol.. i suspect howard gets commission from bav

[NHskibm]

Quit bragging, bragger.

haha.. just thought I'd put SOME sort of picture up...

Do you work at BAV now, or do they just have all your hard earned cash so you sort of feel like its your business? LOL

Seriously though... i'd love to come visit some day. If there is every any special event worth my trip let me know.

Bav Auto does a show and shine every year in october. LOTS of cars and all sorts of them.

Last year best in show was a 2002 Touring (awesome) and best interior was this hideous blue E46 coupe with lambo doors and tons of electronics and then EVERYTHING in between.

Oh and I live like 15 min away so I'm there spending money each week. In fact, an ex employee is about to move into my place in NH (empty bedroom might as well get some rent) and a current bav employee totally stepped up and helped move that damn M50.

lol.. i suspect howard gets commission from bav

haha. I wish I wish.

I just can't say enough about their customer service. They take care of my each and every whim.

And I swear someday, when I have lots of $$, I'll definitely approach the owners group and see if they want to sell.

[kishg]

And I swear someday, when I have lots of $$, I'll definitely approach the owners group and see if they want to sell.

i guess i can look forward to a 50% discount then

[NHskibm]

i guess i can look forward to a 50% discount then

perhaps...

Actually bav has changed in the 5 years I've been shopping there.

Customer Service is always top notch. OE parts (and OEM for that matter) are usually cheaper than stealership (even with CCA discount).

Problem is that they also sell aftermarket parts.

I.e. If you order iX sway bar links from Bav they are aftermarket (not OE or OEM). I installed some 3 years ago and they were creaking right away. Only got worse. Cost $70/ea. OE (from BMW) $110/ea no creaking.

My feeling is that if there is the demand for the $70 aftermarket junk you carry it (as they do) but I also would want to carry the OE one (and discount it) for those that want it.

Some people (Jordan for one) think that bav carries junk. I don't totally agree with that statement but they do have a bunch of aftermarket parts.

I also think that some of the performance parts that are offered are offered because of price points and not quality. I would think that although TMS is down the street carrying H+R that Bav would want to to supplement their Eibach and Bav Springs.

I just believe that their inventory is a little interesting and that with the amount of marketshare they have that they could offer some better product line - or even more consistent product line.

Those that work there know I have these feelings, but this Touring project is still 90%+ from Bav Auto (for new parts). Ian and Mike have gone to some great lengths to help get all the random and ridiculous crap that I have wanted.

I think as an educated buyer Bav is the ultimate resource as they can and will get you what you want and do so with the same enthusiasm that we possess. Hence why I am also dropping their name on this site.

[kishg]

good points above..

[davey101]

+1, i love bav auto. always had good customer relations and got my parts in about 2 days

many a pay check has been sent there way

[Shaka]

Ahh okay thanks Howards. As we move closer to October make sure ya keep me posted on that info. My daugther wont quite be a year old by then, but if I can pull it off we'd love an excuse to travel east in the E30 for a little show'n'shine and to meet some E30/ix brethren.

[NHskibm]

Bav Auto = Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, NH = Seacoast - beaches just south

NH Secoast = 1 hr from Boston

If you think your daughter can handle the travel it'd be a trip you'd love.

Oh, and assuming my GF hasn't smartened up any (or perhaps allowed my to place a ring on her finger) then you could always stay for free at my place for the trip as I'm usually in Boston.

[NHskibm]

Engine, ECU, Pretty FLywheel, Exhaust Out driveshaft out

[NHskibm]

tranny out, underside of the car missing such things, historic fenway, wally