[BWG-330]

After many years enjoying 330is, I took the plunge and bought an M3. Wow! I love it! Needs some tidying up but I think its a good one!

First 'M Tax' experience, wanted to replace the worn gear knob. OEM about £250!!! I might restore the old one.

Wish me luck!!

 

[4aceman]

Beaut

 

[4004]

Nice, good luck. Seems like a decent spec car

 

[Alex323Ci]

return it, the steering wheel is on wrong side 😝

nice TiAg M3

 

[IdahoDoug]

Congrats! Interested in your driving impressions. I worry the M's are too stiff in the suspension for me.

 

[y2k_o__o]

congrats on your new purchase !!
I am sure the M tax is a very rewarding experience =)

 

[SlickRick86]

A classic! It's got the right tranny too.

 

[BWG-330]

Thanks guys. Getting her booked in for a full inspection 2. Possibly Rod Bearings and a Sub Frame inspection. I had a quick look underneath, but want to get it properly checked out.

I'm debating whether to put the 18in wheels on it.

 

[elfer]

First 'M Tax' experience, wanted to replace the worn gear knob. OEM about £250!!! I might restore the old one.

Congratulations. Interior looks in great condition. Looks like you found a good one there.

If it were mine I'd change that knob for the M-Sport knob from the non-M3. Not illuminated but it's much less tall, and makes for shorter changes. Nicely weighted too. And only about £65 from the dealer if you want a brand new one. 25 11 7 896 886 is the part number.

 

[BWG-330]

Congratulations. Interior looks in great condition. Looks like you found a good one there.

If it were mine I'd change that knob for the M-Sport knob from the non-M3. Not illuminated but it's much less tall, and makes for shorter changes. Nicely weighted too. And only about £65 from the dealer if you want a brand new one. 25 11 7 896 886 is the part number.

Thanks! Drivers seat actually needs some love. But its pretty good!

I did look at those gear knobs. I think I would prefer the shorter one. But the current original M3 one is one piece with the leather gaiter. Like this: Link so looks like I would need to cut the current gaiter and tidy that up to get the short one to fit.

 

[elfer]

Thanks! Drivers seat actually needs some love. But its pretty good!

I did look at those gear knobs. I think I would prefer the shorter one. But the current original M3 one is one piece with the leather gaiter. Like this: Link so looks like I would need to cut the current gaiter and tidy that up to get the short one to fit.

Could you fit it with the non-M3 gaiter? 25 11 1 434 427

 

[Alex323Ci]

I did look at those gear knobs. I think I would prefer the shorter one. But the current original M3 one is one piece with the leather gaiter. Like this: Link so looks like I would need to cut the current gaiter and tidy that up to get the short one to fit.

if you want it lighted, weighted, stubby top then get the F10 M5. it also comes with a boot but you’ll need to use your boot frame as the F10 is different shape. many of us did that back in the day,

if want to go cheap and have stubby design, weighted, non-illuminated the ZHP knob can be fitted. you’ll just have to cut your current goose neck one piece. just use the bottom half as your boot.
some have retrofitted the lighting to the ZHP weighted knob. it’s actually some crafting work involved and the emblem might not look as nice. therefore the F10 M5 knob is expensive also but better overall choice.

i’d keep the factory 19” Fuchs for looks. but your roads may be prohibitive.

 

[elfer]

Meh, the lighting is a cheesy gimmick anyway. The only time you need to look at a shift pattern is when you've never driven that type of car before, when you don't know where reverse is or whether it has five gears or six. It's a look once, never again thing. You're never driving along at night thinking "damn, i'm in third and I've forgotten where fourth is. If only I could still see the shift pattern to remind me."

 

[ElrichMeister]

Nice!, What are you going to do with the 330ci? Funny thing is, I also have an M3 and Non-M Coupe and they're the same color. Debating selling the non-m, but it's not worth much and some one will probably ruin it, so im probably just keep it for the meantime, as it runs great.

So i've had my M3 for over year now, so far on my maintenance list i've done:

• Rod Bearings
• inspected the Vanos the Hub tabs and Oil Disk looked fine
• valve adjustments.
• New brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines
• Diff seals
• FCABS
• Engine Mounts
• Exhaust Hangers
• Spark plugs and Coils

Next on the list:

• Suspension (has some Stance Coilovers, which are blown)
• Rear Subframe Reinforcement

 

[SloopJohnB]

return it, the steering wheel is on wrong side 😝

nice TiAg M3

OK, funny. I was going to say the Boche folded after 1945 and even build cars for the Brits.

 

[SloopJohnB]

Nice!, What are you going to do with the 330ci? Funny thing is, I also have an M3 and Non-M Coupe and they're the same color. Debating selling the non-m, but it's not worth much and some one will probably ruin it, so im probably just keep it for the meantime, as it runs great.

So i've had my M3 for over year now, so far on my maintenance list i've done:

• Rod Bearings
• inspected the Vanos the Hub tabs and Oil Disk looked fine
• valve adjustments.
• New brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines
• Diff seals
• FCABS
• Engine Mounts
• Exhaust Hangers
• Spark plugs and Coils

Next on the list:

• Suspension (has some Stance Coilovers, which are blown)
• Rear Subframe Reinforcement

I really can't recommend Bilstein for their 'lifetime guarantee.' They're good shocks/struts but not necessarily any better than OEM, especially for front struts. BMW engineers spent a lot of time getting good dampers for the car...my Bilstein B6 struts lasted only 45K miles or so...the last 5K have been miserable bumpy/crashing over slightest bump. I've replaced them with new B6 front struts and yesterday replaced the probably still serviceable rear shocks, but now I have to go through the Kafkaesque process of getting Thyssen-Kruppe (Bilstein) to give me an RGA to return the bits for 'evaluation' and requested warranty price refund. It doesn't help that Bavarian Autosport went bankrupt in 2019 and I therefore have to deal direct with Bilstein. If I had it to do all over again I'd go with FCPEURO for their lifetime warranty which is honored with no questions (although I'm sure they watch out for outright fraud).

 

[ElrichMeister]

I really can't recommend Bilstein for their 'lifetime guarantee.' They're good shocks/struts but not necessarily any better than OEM, especially for front struts. BMW engineers spent a lot of time getting good dampers for the car...my Bilstein B6 struts lasted only 45K miles or so...the last 5K have been miserable bumpy/crashing over slightest bump. I've replaced them with new B6 front struts and yesterday replaced the probably still serviceable rear shocks, but now I have to go through the Kafkaesque process of getting Thyssen-Kruppe (Bilstein) to give me an RGA to return the bits for 'evaluation' and requested warranty price refund. It doesn't help that Bavarian Autosport went bankrupt in 2019 and I therefore have to deal direct with Bilstein. If I had it to do all over again I'd go with FCPEURO for their lifetime warranty which is honored with no questions (although I'm sure they watch out for outright fraud).

Don't want de-rail OP's post, but i have plans to get Koni Yellows and Dinan Springs, as i have been runing Koni yellows on my non-m for about 8 years now without any issues.

OP how many miles on the car?

 

[BWG-330]

if you want it lighted, weighted, stubby top then get the F10 M5. it also comes with a boot but you’ll need to use your boot frame as the F10 is different shape. many of us did that back in the day,

if want to go cheap and have stubby design, weighted, non-illuminated the ZHP knob can be fitted. you’ll just have to cut your current goose neck one piece. just use the bottom half as your boot.
some have retrofitted the lighting to the ZHP weighted knob. it’s actually some crafting work involved and the emblem might not look as nice. therefore the F10 M5 knob is expensive also but better overall choice.

i’d keep the factory 19” Fuchs for looks. but your roads may be prohibitive.

Thanks, good info.I am thinking of getting the basic short six speed. Will see how it might fit if I just cut my existing gaiter.

 

[BWG-330]

Nice!, What are you going to do with the 330ci? Funny thing is, I also have an M3 and Non-M Coupe and they're the same color. Debating selling the non-m, but it's not worth much and some one will probably ruin it, so im probably just keep it for the meantime, as it runs great.

So i've had my M3 for over year now, so far on my maintenance list i've done:

• Rod Bearings
• inspected the Vanos the Hub tabs and Oil Disk looked fine
• valve adjustments.
• New brake pads, and stainless steel brake lines
• Diff seals
• FCABS
• Engine Mounts
• Exhaust Hangers
• Spark plugs and Coils

Next on the list:

• Suspension (has some Stance Coilovers, which are blown)
• Rear Subframe Reinforcement

Yes, so I now have the M3 and the 330ci Auto. Both Titan silver! I was going to run both and decide which is the long termer. But I already love the M3! I will keep both for a bit. The 330ci needs a bit of tidying. But it drives so well and is one owner from new! My ideal is keep both, store the M3 in the winter and run the 330. Then get the M3 out in the summer.

Your list is very similar to my plan. First stop is Inspection 2 and a really good check over.

What is the typical cost for doing the Rob Bearings?

 

[Alex323Ci]

Thanks, good info.I am thinking of getting the basic short six speed. Will see how it might fit if I just cut my existing gaiter.

i cut my one piece M3 stick shift knob and boot. you just measure it first. pull it up inside out, zip tie at top to lever, then fold back down and it’s perfect as a boot. i originally did this with a zhp weighted knob. once the lighted F10 M5 came out switch to this. i still have my boot (gaiter) and weighted zhp knob in a box in garage.
after my F10 M5 knob wore out after 10 yrs i had a custom perforated black leather and Alcantara tri stitched knob done. (to match my steering wheel).