i_love_cars

I'd say this should have been posted on Taco Tuesday, but then I remembered that really every day should be taco day. 

The better solution IMO is to move less rocks and eat more tacos.

They are facts - we're talking about the difference between 2 particular motors and my premise is evolution of engineering. 
You have a preference for simplicity, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I'm talking purely about technical advancements over time. Also, your argument disregards the concept of scale and puts no value on it - the crane can do things at scale such that it is exponentially superior to the man with the shovel, wood and ropes. Part of the achievement is how much you can do in so little amount of time with the crane, and I would argue that the R&D and cost of time/materials and hundreds of hours to build it isn't really an argument against it given the absolute ROI you get on the backend for making the design an model a physical reality. You are arguing a poor man's ingenuity over results, based on one scenario's lack of advanced tooling ability. Engineering "achievement" the way we understand it in the world is based on what it can produce when it's done. What is the value-add, so to speak. That's why there's a hell of a lot more money to be made in STEM fields than retail stores selling ropes, shovels, and wood. 
I know we're talking about cars but since you went outside the scope of that and used an example of a man with a shovel and rope vs. a crane - space shuttles are insanely complicated and require absurd amounts of time to program and test and verify. They fly in outer fucking space in a controlled way. Highly complicated. Nothing simple about it. Are we to believe that it isn't a fact that the engineering required to make that a reality in a controlled manner isn't a high level of achievement, just because some crazy Russian could in simple terms build a home-grown rocket and shoot it willy nilly up into the sky so we call it the same thing? Because that's basically your argument. In the end, the man with a shovel and rope and wood can't even come close to building the final product that a crane can, no matter how ingenious that man is. He can accomplish some semblance of the same thing at much smaller scale, but in real terms, it won't even be close to comparable. If you were able to produce an example of an apples to apples result, then I 100% would agree that simplicity and elegance is more of an achievement in this arena. I've been in the software world for 15 years - if someone can produce the exact same results with more elegant and simple code, I will 100% back that every time as the more impressive feat. I just think the way you are arguing this is flawed. 

We haven't defined what best means. 
If we are talking about the best overall package for driving on the street and to/from the track, the E9x wins by a fucking landslide. The tech and creature comforts and interior are a cut above the E46, and as Pat already noted - the lap times are on the same page or better in the E9x. 
If we're talking about raw driving experience overall - the E46 wins. It is the pinnacle of the "pure driver engagement" factor of the M cars. E30 started it but E46 perfected it. 
If we're talking about the engine - the S65 perfected what the E46 started with 100+ hp per liter, because the S65 did it with 2 more cylinders and a significantly higher redline. There's no question that the S65 mechanically is the more impressive piece of engineering. It's simply a fact of physics and design. 
For a dedicated track car it is a no brainer - the E46 wins. But only as a dedicated track car because it's cheaper and parts are plentiful and the aftermarket has had an extra decade to perfect itself compared to the E9x. 
For literally anything other than a dedicated track car, the E9x is a superior vehicle choice on paper because it retains everything that made the E46 good like hydraulic steering and high revs, and improves everything else inside the cabin. The only reason to get an E46 M3 at that point is because it's cheaper, or if you simply just arbitrarily "like it" more than the E9x. But in terms of facts and engineering achievement, the E9x is just simply better. 
My next track car will very likely be an E46 M3.

agreed it's definitely not my style either, but it sure seems rare. I'm not a huge alpina fan in general, though. 

Here's something you don't see every day
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-alpina-b3-limited-edition/

Here's something you don't see every day
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-alpina-b3-limited-edition/

if anyone wants to buy my E46 touring, make an offer.
I'm assuming I'm going to just bully poor people out of this auction later today. And I say that now and will probably eat my words and say fuck it when it hits 30k and I say "who the fuck is gonna pay that for an E61"
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2010-bmw-535-13/

too bad all that wonderfulness is packaged in an e61. touring/6-speed/twin turbo YUM.
 
Ok, if you're trying to raise money for charity, you gotta pick an artist with a bit more universal appeal than this: 🤮
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-840ci-3/
 

if anyone wants to buy my E46 touring, make an offer.
I'm assuming I'm going to just bully poor people out of this auction later today. And I say that now and will probably eat my words and say fuck it when it hits 30k and I say "who the fuck is gonna pay that for an E61"
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2010-bmw-535-13/

"My brakes are pretty good"
Turns 1, 5, 12:

I might have driven past 2 or 3 times and excessively revved my engine to try and draw him out when I saw him parked in Delafield...
 

I am grateful I got to see this come together and go for a rip with you the other day. Everyone has different walks of life and having a "less powerful" build or whatever the case may be is irrelevant. The reason WIBimmers is good is because the people are true enthusiasts. This car gives you good stories and brought good times, but you are right - a car is a car and no matter how emotionally attached we get to them as enthusiasts, there are *always* more important things in life than cars. 
I seriously contemplated buying this car from you so that you could buy it back from me someday but I just don't have anywhere to put it because the stupid village of Hartland won't approve to add a 4th garage stall on my property. 
 

I'll let you guys know

Idk if he vanished from life but I heard he vanished with some people's money.

Went on BaT today, found some cool BMW stuff.
Not one, but two e28 M5's, one with a Dinan turbo kit.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m5-40/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m5-38/
Z1!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-z1-3/
S62/6 speed swapped e38.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-740i-14/
Z8
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-bmw-z8-4/
M635csi
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-bmw-m635csi-9/
Kinda unhappy that someone took a M3 in a special order color and then put rivet-on flares on it. Why hack it up? I personally don't think that the flares look good at all on it.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-bmw-m3-66/
Not a BMW, but this caught my eye. I really like the livery, and its even got a dogleg 5-speed! Too bad it's rusty as hell.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-datsun-510-25/

Started on the install process on Saturday and by Sunday I was ready to mount the supercharger, then I noticed that I had received the wrong belt from ESS. They shipped me a belt for a 650 kit with 7 ribs instead of 6. I sourced a comparable belt from Napa on Sunday at 2120mm which is just 5mm shorter than what the normal 625 kit includes. They are overnighting me the correct belt so whatever I'll swap it tomorrow. 
What's more troubling is that ESS also gave me the wrong tune file. It is fortunate that I am DIYing this install because I don't think even a reputable BMW shop would have recognized that the tune file name ended in "124" which is what ESS uses to identify tunes intended for their black fuel injectors, as 124 is the last 3 of the part number. They shipped my kit with white injectors which have different flow rates and has a different tune. DOn't ask me why ESS has changed injectors over the years - the power is the same regardless, the tune just needs to be calibrated for the right flow rate. I'm sure if I had a shop install this, I'd be driving around wondering why the fuck my car is running like dog shit and potentially leaning out. 
Turnaround was quick and I got my updated tune file from them today for the white injectors that I have in my kit. So now I think all is well. 
I'm 98% done. Should be driving the car tomorrow - the only things left to do is hook up the air filter, put the radiator fan shroud back in, top the coolant off, and start the car. 

Car is up and running. 
TJ did stop by and confirm I did not fuck it up. I needed a witness. I'm not used to superchargers *at all* so I was freaking out about all the noises. Then I learned some things. 
200 mile break-in period for the supercharger gears/bearing/seals and to allow the ECU to adapt to the tune. Luckily I have a 93 mile one-way drive on Sunday to get my rod bearings replaced !

that looks amazing. I wouldn't fault you in the slightest for going the route you did - Wisconsin is so unfriendly in so many ways to the front bumper shrouds and lips on cars. It's just not worth all the money you spend going for something like fiberglass 

I pulled the batt cable to reset adaptations and went out for another 3 mile drive after yet another bleeding attempt. The temperature once again went to 3/4. i switched the car off then back on again.....
 
Aha!
Just like yesterday once i turned the car off and on again the needle snapped back to just under 1/2 and stayed there. I started realizing the gauge may actually be lying to me and made my way home to start connecting the VDO gauges I installed.
 

 
It was running top notch, no sign of any issues, it seems like the reset and the fresh gas are showing a difference already
 
I have the wires run for the VDO gauges but do not have the sensors installed. I have been waiting to order an oil distribution block and also a good enough reason to pull the thermostat housing so i could drill and tap it for the VDO sending unit.
 
 
It was my intention to keep the stock temp gauge in the cluster function and use the vdo as a backup/sanity check but I need answers and cant trust the stock one anymore.
 
I removed the stock temp sender and installed the VDO one in its place without removing the intake manifold. Do I win a prize?
 
Im actually feeling quite optimistic now.
Tomorrow I will give it a long drive and see for sure what the temperature is. As far as things are going right now, it seems to be running perfect and its just the temp. gauge reading that is an issue.
 
Here is a video of the gauge reading climbing then reverting back to a better reading after shutting the car off.
 

 
And a video of the engine running ever so smooth and nice.
 

 
Please let this be just a lying gauge and not another head gasket....
 
 

This! Vanos starts switching over around 3000rpm, above that is where its at! 
Edit: Also railing it through corners, that's really where it's at

Car is up and running. 
TJ did stop by and confirm I did not fuck it up. I needed a witness. I'm not used to superchargers *at all* so I was freaking out about all the noises. Then I learned some things. 
200 mile break-in period for the supercharger gears/bearing/seals and to allow the ECU to adapt to the tune. Luckily I have a 93 mile one-way drive on Sunday to get my rod bearings replaced !

Car is up and running. 
TJ did stop by and confirm I did not fuck it up. I needed a witness. I'm not used to superchargers *at all* so I was freaking out about all the noises. Then I learned some things. 
200 mile break-in period for the supercharger gears/bearing/seals and to allow the ECU to adapt to the tune. Luckily I have a 93 mile one-way drive on Sunday to get my rod bearings replaced !

Car is up and running. 
TJ did stop by and confirm I did not fuck it up. I needed a witness. I'm not used to superchargers *at all* so I was freaking out about all the noises. Then I learned some things. 
200 mile break-in period for the supercharger gears/bearing/seals and to allow the ECU to adapt to the tune. Luckily I have a 93 mile one-way drive on Sunday to get my rod bearings replaced !

Earl swung by this weekend and convinced me to mock up my Rieger "REP" front lip. I bought a rep because its not fiberglass so I dont have to worry about it and its half the cost(shame on me). I have new OEM lip clips and need to dremel the holes in the new lip for it to snap into place. I am doing this today and sending it to paint.