A new week begins and is time to give little bit kore attention to our new member of the family.
Where are my manners? Let me introduce it to you. The new member is a BMW e36 M3, from 1998, finished in Titan Silver with black soft-top roof, black ‘Walknappa” leather interior with fine wood trim on the handbrake and center console. It rides on 17-inch double-spoke ”Style 24” forget alloy wheels. It has a superb 3.2L, ”S50”, straight-six, 316 hp, coupled to the rare six-speed ‘SMG” automated manual transmission. The factory specifications included: multinational M steering wheel, electric windows, central front armrest, heated front sport seats, electrically adjustable rear headrest, park distance control, automatic A/C, cruise control and on-board computer.
The last keeper was an avid collector and has been meticulous with maintenance, having complete service history, and for extra money I got a body-colored hardtop roof.
After the brief test, we found out 2 issues: one is that the parking sensors are not working, not the reverse back lights. I do have 3 month warranty on the car, but I have some plans with it this week so I will try to sort it out myself. Wasn’t too much o a fuss, needed another reversing light switch that is located on the gearbox and problem solved.
The other issue who got me concerned is that one wheel is failing to fully release the brake pads, and me colleagues from BMW dealrship advised me that I might need a new caliber, which ain’t cheap, around £1000 and is back order. Looking after parts, we found out some repair kits for the caliper and after I consulted my mentor, we decided we have nothing to lose if we will replace that. And it worked, we managed to save some money, so I ordered another kit and replaced on NSR as well.
One of my favorite parts of this journey is visiting workshops. I find fascinating to see all the effort to keep this historic treasures in good condition and is unbelievable how dedicated and skilled are the people working on such beauties. I love listening professional car restorers sharing the experiences and their projects with me, while teaching me some useful skills.
If you have such a workshop and you would like to share it with me, please contact me
as I would love to visit it and maybe,for a genuine experience, to do some practical work guided by you.
The workshop that I’ve visited is specialized in the restoration and maintenance of Bugatti Motor Cars. What a fascinating place it was, with lots of projects, lots of engine stripped down.
If you think the shoes hobby is expensive, I can tell you that is nothing compared to the cost of the parts for a vintage car? I saw for the first time a roller bearing crankshaft, price for such part is around £30k.
I’ve seen lots of tools and parts there, and the host has been kind and explained what they are and what they do. It’s been a very useful experience from my journey.
After the workshop visit I went shopping, after a suit that is comfortable, fireproof and Fia approved. I also needed racing shoes, a helmet so I don’t have to borrow anymore, gloves, and balaclava. Found everything I needed to a specialized shop at Silverstone, and I can’t express in words what an amazing feeling I had while trying on the racing gear. I felt like my dream is about to come true..and it will, here, on Blacktag Octane.
Now that my shopping mission was completed, I went out with some new Bugatti friends, and what a great and fun time I had. The weather was perfect, sun was shinning and the ‘dolce vita’ feeling came over me. This Bugatti people are organizing for themselves a ”small and local cultural rally” once in a while, and is a great way to socialize, drive, explore new places and disconnect for a day from the daily routine.
The next day, you won’t believe where I went. Yes, here I was again at Prescott ill Climb School, this time wearing a proper racing suit, and driving a car built for motorsport.
The experience was totally different compared to the first time, maybe because now I was more familiar with the place and the people, or maybe because I’m driving one of my dream cars. And what an incredible team we made, I love it how it feels on the hill, and I bet she loved it too. This M3 only did 300km last year, was like a sleeping beauty waiting to be rescued, and she definitely rewarded me for the decision of buying it.
I wanted to drive on the hill a proper car and I think this M3 was by far one of the best decisions I ever made as I was improving me from a lap to another.
After my lap with the instructor in the passenger seat, he told me ”you are definitely ready”.
For what? Let me know your guess on the Community Group. See you there.
