Non-BMW Stuff on a BMW Forum
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No judgment. I've groundhogged far too many times with my project.
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I should be able to start the car tonight, but I don't want to take it out for its first shakedown to seat the rings when it's dark out. Does anyone see any issues with me starting it tonight and bleeding the cooling system but not taking it out right away?
Yes, you could be kidnapped and never know how it drives.
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Started it and bled the cooling system. Sounded great.
0780933E-7A4B-4254-B6EC-A38FEADBF48D.MOV
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Drove it to work for the first time for the third time.

Also, I’m sure you’re all dying for an update on the playhouse. It’s drywalled, taped, mudded, and painted. Other than staining the floor and interior accessories, it’s pretty much done. Put these adorable solar lights on it.
And my shed is almost done! Wrapping these up is a huge relief.
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Impressive! Me and wood do not get along.
Playhouse doesn’t appear to meet required egress codes as the grass could obstruct the door in the event of a fire. Also Wis. Stat. M20.b25(e)(30) states that “No external structure shall take precedence over completion of any existing E30 builds, and something something about culverts.. or culvers...”
I’ll give it a B+
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I like the look of those knobs, but they can be kind of pricey.
I do need to change up my current one though. I tried my Nardi on and it felt so sloppy because the knob is so light.
I am debating getting one of those IRP short shifter centering shifting deals as @suspenceful's feels like an bolt action shifter. Granted, these can be very pricey. But for how much you use it, I feel it's worth the price.
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I like the look of those knobs, but they can be kind of pricey.
I do need to change up my current one though. I tried my Nardi on and it felt so sloppy because the knob is so light.
I am debating getting one of those IRP short shifter centering shifting deals as @suspenceful's feels like an bolt action shifter. Granted, these can be very pricey. But for how much you use it, I feel it's worth the price.
$114 for a shift knob is more than I wanted to pay, but I was willing to pay a little more something that worked well and that fit the era of the car.
I would say the extra height gives it a little more “slop”, but I haven’t had an issue with missing a gear.
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Your knob looks great
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Your knob looks great
That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my knob. Thank you.
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I know it always fees like an accomplishment when I have my kids in the BMW and am running errands. Makes the car’s existence feel more legitimate and justifiable
I totally agree. I wanted this to be my fun car, but I also did things in a way that we could use it for day trips and everyone would still be comfortable. It’s a really good feeling when my family is in it.
Ive also been dailying it for the past week while I give the wagon a tune up and repair the AWD. It’s been very pleasant.
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Got a box of stuff for the next little project for the e30. I’m going to attempt to spray the trunk lid and bumper. If it turns out okay I will probably gradually work my way down the car panel by panel.
Non bmw but I replaced the module and pump that operates the awd on my XC70. Gave me a renewed appreciation for older cars. It was an expensive repair.
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Im sure it’ll turn out ok on each panel. The color match/blending might be the issue.
I’ve seen your playhouse skills so I have full confidence in you
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Im sure it’ll turn out ok on each panel. The color match/blending might be the issue.
I’ve seen your playhouse skills so I have full confidence in you
If I go beyond the trunk lid I would only paint sections where there is a seam so I’m not blending anything. Even if the color is slightly off between say a door and a fender, it will still look better than the paint that’s on it now.
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Got a box of stuff for the next little project for the e30. I’m going to attempt to spray the trunk lid and bumper. If it turns out okay I will probably gradually work my way down the car panel by panel.
Non bmw but I replaced the module and pump that operates the awd on my XC70. Gave me a renewed appreciation for older cars. It was an expensive repair.
Looks the same as the P2R Haldex unit. Worst design ever! Why would it be designed so that you have to remove the driveshaft and input flange to get the 1/4" of clearance to remove the pump???? And why is the filter in such a difficult spot??? Also no drain plug for Haldex or the rear differential. I added 1/8" NPT drain plugs to both on mine when I had it. There is no way to properly remove all of the fluid with the suction method. Oh and the price for parts is insane. A new pump is over 300$ for that tiny little thing. Luckily mine failed open, probably due to the brushes being worn out but if it shorts then it will ruin the DEM and then you are out 400$ for that too. And the special fluid is 30$ / liter. I don't miss that car.

As for the painting, see how it goes with the spray cans but I am a novice and had good results painting some parts on my van after a deer accident with an old HVLP gun. The spray cans will be very expensive to do a large area with. Mine turned out good and it was Toyota Beige with metal flake which made it trickier than just a regular color. The metal flake takes practice to lay down evenly but even that I figured out pretty quick how to make it look right. I tested on a piece of cardboard to get the gun set up. That looks like the 2k clear coat in a can. Huge sticky mess on everything. Make sure to protect everything, the over spray goes everywhere. It is different than paint over spray, somehow it coats everything in the room.
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Kind of like @jc43089 said, cans are expensive for areas larger than a trunk or smaller panel. If you want to not spend a lot, the Harbor Freight guns are good for one day of use. I.e. don't clean them and use them again. If you want some more confidence in the gun, you can get something decent for not a ton of money and will get a lot more even coating of paint with a proper gun over an aerosol.
Painting sucks, painting cars is worse.
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