In 2013, I did this road trip in E46 M3 CS and the trip was absolutely amazing best road trip ever. I did a write up ....
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=79223
I wanted to do it in a different vehicle in 2014.
Having been driving E36 316i SE 3 Series Compact for a few months since March 2014 (Thanks PacerPete) I was eagerly looking forwards to the resurrection of the E30 325i Sport with all the mechanicals finished.
A few photographs of the E36 316i SE 3 Series Compact
I collected a few parts from BMW Park Lane which i had ordered for the Sport:
- BMW Service Booklet
- Fuse box lid
- Illuminated M-Technic gear knob
- Pedal rubbers (brake pedal and clutch pedal)
So I sold the Compact on the Friday and Pacer gave me a lift to collect the Sport!!!! I tell you I missed the Sport BIG TIME!!!! I collected the Sport and the parts I bought were fitted upon collection. The vehicle needed an 4 wheel alignment check which I had to myself as bss325i didn't get time to do this so this would have to be done next day (Saturday) the day the road trip would start.
As I was driving home the Sport didn't feel anywhere near as good to drive as I had hoped / imagined. The steering was all whack as needed an alignment check. Sounded alright though a˜Š.
Five minutes before home somehow this happened ....
I was getting a bit worried and feared I would not be able to make the road trip and possibly have to take a different vehicle which I didn't want. So I called RAC and they recovered me did a temp fix and said was ok to drive home.
The next day I woke up bright and early and borrowed my old man's E46 323Ci (FBMWSH) and made a trip to ECP HQ in Wembley to buy some new parts to get the Sport fixed.
New Lemforder track rods
Steering wheel cover to protect New Genuine BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution steering wheel
Parts bought went home and took the Sport to a local tyre fitter where I got the track rods fitted, 4 KDS wheel alignment by Hunter machine
So after that last minute heart stopper with the new track rods and wheel alignment I thought the Sport was fine. As I departed for Wales via PacerPete I noticed a wheel vibration quite severely at 50mph ish. Luckily I was not too far along the motorway to return quickly to the tyre fitter and they were open. Maybe a weight came loose when the wheel was vibrating when the nut came off and track rod was bent
That's the only thing I can think of
Retuned back to the tyre fitter all the wheel balanced. Job jobbed as Pacer would say. I departed again and there were a couple of things which stopped working since I collected the Sport the day before which Pacer said he would sort for me:
- speedo fixed (with some old parts)
- handbrake light fixed which required connection adjustment under the handbrake cover and was simple fix
- electric sunroof was only working when a door was open. Was actually missing a relay in the fuse box which was like that since I had it
- Pacer took it for a test drive and gave the thumbs up so reassured me
- all tyre pressures were low so inflated to correct tyre pressures
Cheers Pacer!!!!
I was at Pacer's for 2 hours and left 7pm. Now was a race against time to get to the hotel in Wales for the BMW Car Club shin dig / dinner (which is at 7:30pm). I called up the hotel to say I would be running late and to keep my dinner! Sat Nav on Apple iPhone says 4.5 hour drive
Last year I got from London to Wales in. Llandrindod Wells in 3 hours I think in the E46 M3 CS. I even had a little play with Aston Martin V8 Vantage S. And I just made it in time for the main course and what a drive!!!!
Ok so I was on the motorway and driving the Sport and it felt MUCH better after the 4 wheel alignment. I thought the steering had a bit too much play and the brakes felt a bit too spongey (when compared to CS) but Pacer assured me was fine. Under braking mainly at motorway speeds there was a vibration via the brake pedal.
Anyway as I was driving the Sport I was slowly gaining confidence and getting used to how the Sport drives again. My main worry was getting there in one piece without anymore mechanical hiccups.
Quick pitstop somewhere in England. This is at Cannock.
First full up
Think I am in England
I am 2.5 hours / 108 miles away from destination
No idea how much fuel left in the tank but I have done 160 miles on the first tank and just filled up as do not want to run out of fuel at Harvest Energy. I was going to find Shell but was taking ages
Unleaded petrol £58 / 44 litres
Then I carried on with the journey Wales-bound. Did an "indicated" 130mph in the Sport innit. I did get lost I think trying to find the hotel in Aberswayth, Wales but eventually found it. I think I arrived 11:16pm and in one piece with no mechanical hiccups. Arrived in one piece and parked next to E46 M3 CSL.
Having the BMW Car Club dinner in my hotel room as I was late. Did say hello to the chairman David Frith and a couple of members. Couple of tasty birds in the car club.
To be continued
