My S14 powered E30 320iS

[raymondw]

I have Michelin PE2's on de Benz; its true that they wear rapidly, but they give a level of steering precision that the competition simply cannot match. When I enquired for replacements in the spring, both Wensink (MB dealer) and my local workshop said that these were not available anymore and offered the Primacy HP as replacement.

With the E28, I am in the same boat. The Pilot Sports are now 9-years of age, but thanks to the RH-controlled storage (40%-50%) still in excellent condition. I don't have to replace them for the remaining thread (around 50%), but at some point about the age. What to replace it with is still uncertain. Keep me in the loop about your thoughts.

[Jeroen]

Will keep you posted indeed. I more or less ruled out the PE2's already as they are the most expensive tire and the way the 323i is being used they won't last much more than 5.000 kms. The most I've done with PE2's sofar was 10.000 kms when trying to behave. Wonderful tyre but that makes it way too expensive.

[Mark]

Haven't been here for a long time (don't know whether I've ever posted a message anyway ) . Nice story about your 320iS!

About the tires.. I've got the Toyo r1-r's on my 320iS and they are pretty grippy in the rain, although I must say I haven't driven my car for about 2 years now.. ( ). They are quite soft however, so I don't no how the durabilty will be.

[Jeroen]

Hi Mark!

Thanks. And well yeah looks like it's your first post so time for an official welcome!

As for the tires, yeah the R1-R's would definitely be the most sporty option and I don't care about wear. Only doubt I had was the possibility of poor performance in the wet, but after Steve you're the 2nd person to tell me they perform realy well in the wet so perhaps that should be the tyre of my choice. Like the profile on the tyre as well!

[Mark]

Hi Mark!

Thanks. And well yeah looks like it's your first post so time for an official welcome!

As for the tires, yeah the R1-R's would definitely be the most sporty option and I don't care about wear. Only doubt I had was the possibility of poor performance in the wet, but after Steve you're the 2nd person to tell me they perform realy well in the wet so perhaps that should be the tyre of my choice. Like the profile on the tyre as well!

Thanks. The R1-R's profile looks kind of 'sporty' indeed.

[Jeroen]

Apart from the tyre change the list with work planned slowly starts to grow. After 3 years of just fresh oil it is time for some extra TLC. That will also help to prepare the car for a more active summer season than the past few years. I want to take the car to the Alps and Tuscany this year and do a trackday or two so better make sure the car is ready and checked!

Regular maintenance includes (as planned previously):
-check on valve clearances
-fresh oil (TWS 10W60)
-bleed brakes
-new spark plugs
-TB vacuum sync

However, with the 200K mark behind us I think I'll pop the oil pan for a preventive conrod bearing change like I did with the E36. When in Rome... S14, M88 and S38 oil pumps are known for stuck return valves, an issue that was solved with the Sportevo oil pump so I might replace the oil pump as well. With the duplex chain in there I do not see any reason to replace the timing chain and cogwheels but I will inspect the bottom cogwheels for wear.

One thing leads to another and I have a larger oil pan baffle on the shelf for some time now, better put that in the oil pan as well. And perhaps... for the job I better remove the front subframe and since the subframe engine mounts aren't too strong either... I do have a spare subframe so perhaps I'll have the spare reinforced, sand blasted and power coated as well, ready to swap in one go.

So from 'some' maintenance like an oil change for some more use this year we're moving to some nice extra work!

Oh and there's a nice Eibach Anti Roll Kit with bigger and stronger swaybars on its way as well!

[uwbuurman]

Lots of things to do than, but its always better to prevent shit from happening. Nice plans!

[Jeroen]

And even though the 320iS will be in hibernation for 1 or 2 more months, this Eibach steel is already waiting...

[gerrit323]

This means even more fun in the alps 2013 Nice upgrade

[uwbuurman]

Nice! regarding hibernation: operations mostly take place while the patient is under general anesthesia, so a nice winter/early spring job?

[Jeroen]

Well yeah but I still need to start on the E21. That one is first and after I'm done I'll start on the 320iS.

And as a preparation for a non-E21 tour of the Alps in 2013 I'll test drive the 320iS in the Alps this year

[Cliff320i]

mooie auto!!
en prachtig ook met een m blok erin!!

[Jeroen]

On of the best automotive moments of the year... waking up the 320iS after 7 months of winter. A slightly rough but immediate start (uhm after cranking her to oil pressure first as always) and a nice drive on a sunny day. What's there to report? I tyre down to 1.15 bars and a whistling coolant tank cap. Guess I can finally start using the spare cap after many years. So now it's time for the announced work on the E30, planning to get that behind me in abt 2 weeks and head for the Alps abt a month later.

[uwbuurman]

It was a nice day for a drive indeed!!

[Jeroen]

Maar even verder in het Nederlands, gaat toch iets makkelijker. Vandaag rechtsvoor begonnen. Wiel eraf, ook maar gelijk die binnenkuip eraf want die is er zeker 10 jaar niet af geweest. Binnenzijde voorscherm achter het voorwiel is smetteloos. Voor het voorwiel is er lichte oppervlakkige roest op twee laspuntjes van het binnenscherm op het voorfront. Mooi in de wielkast dus uit het zicht. Even de staalborstel op de dremel erlangs en in de zinkspray, da's voorlopig weer prima beschermd. Nog even een paar schroefclipjes vervangen, die kap mag van mij weer een jaar of wat op z'n plek blijven met zo'n score. Controle voorwielophanging en remmen, even remvloeistof ververst, zwarte binnenrandje van het voorscherm opnieuw zwart gemaakt na wat steenslag. Controle velg en wielnaaf en hup wiel er weer op.

Veerpootbrug eraf, bougiekabelset eraf, kleppendeksel eraf en visuele controle nokkenassen. Tis er netjes schoon zoals eigenlijk altijd met Castrol TWS. Bougies zijn ook netjes bruin zonder onderlinge kleurverschillen. Morgen rondje kleppen stellen en als ik dan nog zin heb gaat het linker voorwiel eraf voor een zelfde rondje als rechts, oh en nog even rotor en verdelerkap inspecteren. Morgen maar even bellen of de garage zaterdag de R1R's al binnen verwacht dan kunnen die erop. Zal kijken of ik morgen ook een paar foto's kan maken.

Volgende week woensdag wordt vervolgens een dagje doorpezen:
- drijfstanglagerschalen vervangen
- hoger carterschot monteren
- versterkt subframe eronder
- set Eibach stabi's eronder (V+A)
- verse olie + filter

En vervolgens uitlijnen en een afstelronde (vacuum + CO) en dan weer es een keer wat kilometers maken met 't vierpittertje!