E320WOL has been paid for and has departed. Purchased by a friend of Craig Smith (not that we knew this until the end of the process!), I hope to see it again in the future.

The new water pump has arrived. I’ve also been to BMW and got some coolant.

A nice easy job. I’m pleased to report no leaks, and no air in the system. Looks shiny on the old motor too!

This means that the car is now completely ready for sale. Advert now on pistonheads, here.

I’ve just finished a marathon job of swapping the two differentials over. It should have been an evening’s work, but it turned into about 18 man hours due to a combination of bad luck and stupidity.

The initial issue was that while the bolts holding the differential onto WOL are well trained, WGU’s were properly seized, so much so that I ended up rounding off a couple of the half shaft bolts. This left us with little option but to grind them off (the bolts that is, not the half shafts!).

Later, I managed to completely remove the rear section of WOL’s drive shaft without noting the alignment at the centre join. I tried five different alignments, all of which caused horrible vibrations. Each change between alignments required the diff out, and therefore took about an hour.

Robin then arrived and kindly pointed out the faint alignment markings that I’d failed to notice. Bugger! Still that done and all was good. Both cars are now back on the floor and driving – the single remaining issue before WOL’s sale is the leaking water pump. I’ve ordered a replacement that should be here before the end of the week.

So finally, big thanks to Ben Smith, Ian Haynes and Robin Willis for their assistance through this episode. Robin and I performed WGU’s kebab table initiation ceremony to celebrate our success!

Well, I’m delighted to report that the car passed the MOT test with only the leaking water pump as an advisory. I’ll order the part over the next day or so, and once that’s done it’ll be ready for its next owner.

It’s been another interesting day. I was up early to prepare WOL for sale. It has an MOT test tomorrow, and so long as it passes that it’ll be fully working, with twelve months ticket and tax.

Ben Smith and I got all the hifi out, and fitted neat parts like a brand new parcel shelf. It’s back on original number plates, orange indicators and 15″ silver wheels so is MOT ready and looks every part the modern classic that it is.

Sadly though, I’ve also noticed that it is leaking a bit of coolant, and Robin has traced it to the water pump. Typically, an E30 325i water pump is £17 from ECP, whereas these S14 water pumps are £200ish BMW dealer only parts. Bugger!

Still, needs must, but it looks okay to go in for an MOT anyway so we’ll see what happens…

I’m a bit sad to say that this E30 M3 Project is now coming to an end. Hot on the success of the exhaust work in Birmingham, Ben Smith and I have driven up to Harrogate to see James Byrom, and to view his E30 M3 which is up for sale.

It’s a later (1990) model in the same colour, but boasts a few improvements such as the revised engine (extra 15bhp and 10lb/ft), 15,000km less, short shift kit, leather, and some other nice touches.

It’s got a lot of little niggles, most of which stem from some extremely dubious stereo installation work that’s taken place in the past. As a result the front doors leak a bit of water in heavy rain, but new waterproof sheets should sort that. Otherwise there are a few interior bulbs that need sorting, the spare wheel clearly isn’t even designed for the car, no remote central locking, it needs a good clean and general sort out, but it seems to be in solid condition overall.

The 235 mile journey home is thoroughly enjoyable. With some great driving music on WOL’s system and WGU in the rear view mirror, we attract so many appreciative nods, glances and thumbs up on the A1 southbound that it drives home what motoring is all about. These cars are epic; everyone interested in driving should at the very least drive one.

Ultimately WOL will be up for sale in the near future, and I’ll be turning my attention to WGU. Someone somewhere is going to buy a car that I hope will put a proper smile on their face.

The car has just been to Torqueflow in Birmingham to have the custom exhaust system quietened. Ben Smith and I arrived over three hours late as the M40 was shut in front of us due to a diesel spill, so I must extend my thanks to the guys at Torqueflow for being so patient!

It took just a couple of hours to have the middle silencer replaced with one around 20% larger, and have the leak at the downpipe to middle section join removed. Again, top marks for effort and quality of build – the exhaust system really does look like a work of art!

The result is an improvement – discernibly less noise at idle and at higher rpms, but sadly still a bit boomy around 3K rpms. Still, I it looks the part, and the car feels quicker than with the old Scorpion system, so I’m pleased that the exhaust situation is no longer an issue.

The 330d was facing retirement earlier this month as the M3 was in fine health, and as such missed out on a long weekend trip to Cornwall. However inevitably, with the M3′s exhaust called to question more recently the trusty derv burner has been wheeled out and back into use.

I drove the car to Kettering and back for a rally. During the return journey, tired and soaked through, the 330d really did what it does best: safe and effortless long distance driving. Auto wipers, auto lights, navigation with congestion warnings and avoidance, and cruise control – just what I needed.

In conclusion then: a gentle month, but a perfect performance.

Mileage since last report: 278
Total Mileage: 97,859
MPG this month: 41
Cost this month: £0