Ajec Racing

[Simon]

We always hear the bad stories and scare stories, so how about some good stuff for a change..

Had the M3 serviced there today, did it in the day, great people, know what they're doing, was made to feel very welcome, lent me a barge (read E34 530i) and it didn't cost the earth either, definitely recomended.

They were featured in total BMW a while back, and they said they've got another feature coming up soon.

If anyone goes there, check out the 3.0 E36 M3 engined 600kg racer

[Andy335Touring]

What body was the racer ?

[Simon]

Like the ones on their web page..

http://www.ajec-racing.co.uk/

[Andy335Touring]

ah right,a Radical type thing

[Demlotcrew]

We always hear the bad stories and scare stories, so how about some good stuff for a change..

Had the M3 serviced there today, did it in the day, great people, know what they're doing, was made to feel very welcome, lent me a barge (read E34 530i) and it didn't cost the earth either, definitely recomended.

They were featured in total BMW a while back, and they said they've got another feature coming up soon.

If anyone goes there, check out the 3.0 E36 M3 engined 600kg racer

Simon why dont you do the service yourself?

Andrew

[Simon13]

exactly dude if u can rebuild a top end on an M20 then u can service an S14?!

[Moofles]

600kg? wtf? it must be space framed or something, there's no way you can remove that much weight from an e36gay

[Sjoerd320i]

Moofles there not using the e36, they use something like this

[Jimbob]

We always hear the bad stories and scare stories, so how about some good stuff for a change..

Had the M3 serviced there today, did it in the day, great people, know what they're doing, was made to feel very welcome, lent me a barge (read E34 530i) and it didn't cost the earth either, definitely recomended.

They were featured in total BMW a while back, and they said they've got another feature coming up soon.

If anyone goes there, check out the 3.0 E36 M3 engined 600kg racer

Simon why dont you do the service yourself?

Andrew

Looks better when you sell it I suppose, especially if it's always been done by a garage throughout its history. Oh and the piece of mind its OK lol!

[Demlotcrew]

Piece of mind? From a garage? i dont trust anyone!

Andrew

[Moofles]

now that's a 600kg car

[Simon]

Simon why dont you do the service yourself?

Andrew

As Jimbob said, I want to maintain the service record, I know I could keep receipts etc, but it's not the same, I do anything else myself out of service intervals though.

[ian332isport]

Simon why dont you do the service yourself?

Andrew

As Jimbob said, I want to maintain the service record, I know I could keep receipts etc, but it's not the same, I do anything else myself out of service intervals though.

Exactly the same as me. Mine had a full dealer history until late last year. I have now started using Munich Legends, and am really happy with their work.

I'm more than capable of doing it myself, but there's something about having those stamps in the book (just started a new book - old one was full ).

Ian.

[Simon]

Exactly the same as me. Mine had a full dealer history until late last year. I have now started using Munich Legends, and am really happy with their work.

I'm more than capable of doing it myself, but there's something about having those stamps in the book (just started a new book - old one was full ).

Ian.

Out of interest Ian, what are their prices like? I hear so much about them and their prices!

[ian332isport]

Exactly the same as me. Mine had a full dealer history until late last year. I have now started using Munich Legends, and am really happy with their work.

I'm more than capable of doing it myself, but there's something about having those stamps in the book (just started a new book - old one was full ).

Ian.

Out of interest Ian, what are their prices like? I hear so much about them and their prices!

Simon,

My last service was an Insp1, but they also did the valve clearances. I can't remeber the exact figure, but it was about Ԛ£280-300 from memory.

They are certainly not cheap, but they do know what they are doing with older BM's. I'm not sure many BMW dealer techs are familiar with E30's now, so decided to try Munich Legends as they are only about 30mins drive from me. They also gave me a car to drive around in while they did my car (kept it over night so the engine was stone cold for setting the valves).

I'll certainly be going back.

Ian.

[Simon]

Simon,

My last service was an Insp1, but they also did the valve clearances. I can't remeber the exact figure, but it was about Ԛ£280-300 from memory.

They are certainly not cheap, but they do know what they are doing with older BM's. I'm not sure many BMW dealer techs are familiar with E30's now, so decided to try Munich Legends as they are only about 30mins drive from me. They also gave me a car to drive around in while they did my car (kept it over night so the engine was stone cold for setting the valves).

I'll certainly be going back.

Ian.

That's not bad then, considering it's an M-powered car, the dealers prices double as soon as you mention the M word

[hogweed]

My friends and I always used to take our BMs to Ajec, as they were local, and Dave Brunsden (the proprietor) undoubtedly knew what he was doing Ԛ—a but you should know that he has now moved to France to concentrate on the European racing side of their business.

IÔš'm afraid that we no longer have any faith in Ajec at all - I wasn't too happy with the last couple of jobs they did for me.

We now use Gloucester BMW Specialists (01452-300150) and are happy again! Seem very E30-friendly. And they also lend me a 318 Touring when I have the 325 serviced. Not too dear either.

[Demlotcrew]

Simon why dont you do the service yourself?

Andrew

As Jimbob said, I want to maintain the service record, I know I could keep receipts etc, but it's not the same, I do anything else myself out of service intervals though.

Exactly the same as me. Mine had a full dealer history until late last year. I have now started using Munich Legends, and am really happy with their work.

I'm more than capable of doing it myself, but there's something about having those stamps in the book (just started a new book - old one was full ).

Ian.

Mate if its stamps you are interested in i can get you a BMW stamp with a ink pad!

I just dont trust anyone, and why would your motor need the valves set? are they not hydraulic?

Andrew

[ian332isport]

and why would your motor need the valves set? are they not hydraulic?

Hi Andrew,

As with most (if not all) 'M' engines, they do not have hydraulic tappets. It's the old bucket and shim stylee. I think it's because hydraulic ones don't like the high RPM's that these engines are capable of.

I had them done, as I did not know when they were last adjusted, and wanted to be sure they were correct. Barney at ML also said that most dealers tend to adjust them a little tight to make the engines quiet, but this can loose a little power.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Demlotcrew]

and why would your motor need the valves set? are they not hydraulic?

Hi Andrew,

As with most (if not all) 'M' engines, they do not have hydraulic tappets. It's the old bucket and shim stylee. I think it's because hydraulic ones don't like the high RPM's that these engines are capable of.

I had them done, as I did not know when they were last adjusted, and wanted to be sure they were correct. Barney at ML also said that most dealers tend to adjust them a little tight to make the engines quiet, but this can loose a little power.

Cheers,

Ian.

So, do they put in different thickness shims to take up the slack? Maybe i could do the same on the M42

Andrew

[ian332isport]

So, do they put in different thickness shims to take up the slack? Maybe i could do the same on the M42

Yeah, they measure the current clearance, and then fit a suitably thinner or thicker shim to give the correct clearance. It's exactly the same as on the S14.

It's possible that S14 parts may fit in place of your current hydraulic versions, but I'm not sure what benefit it would give you.

Ian.

[Demlotcrew]

So, do they put in different thickness shims to take up the slack? Maybe i could do the same on the M42

Yeah, they measure the current clearance, and then fit a suitably thinner or thicker shim to give the correct clearance. It's exactly the same as on the S14.

It's possible that S14 parts may fit in place of your current hydraulic versions, but I'm not sure what benefit it would give you.

Ian.

Hmm, interesting!

So they take the cams out?

There is a 38% difference in weight, the S50 ones being lighter. When this is multiplied by 16! there is possibility the engine will be able to rev quicker, as 0.3kg will be lost, in moving parts!

This is speculation.

Andrew

[ian332isport]

So they take the cams out?

Hi Andrew,

No, there is a special tool that is used to depress the bucket. They then use a magnet or similar to lift the shim out of the top of the bucket.

The tool is hooked under the camshaft, and presses on the edges of the bucket as it is levered downwards. Something like this:



Cheers,

Ian.

[hogweed]

...sounds like a recipe for finger-removal...