I am a weakling.

"Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!" (eurylokhos)
10/08/2018 at 16:40 • Filed to: None

Look. I admit it. I am a weak man. Two of my biggest weaknesses are German cars and wagons. Then throw a manual transmission in and I may as well just throw my wallet at it. I’ve fallen in love with a basket case.

My garage looking the other way. Yes, the 2018 Outback gets the driveway.

It’s not rational. My transportation needs are covered. If I need an AWD wagon, I’ve got the Outback. Manual fun car? 911. Soccer team or plywood transport? Odyssey. Sadly my heart falls easily in love.

I’ve solved the CEL. It had a lean code on Bank 1&2, turned out to be a ripped intake boot, which is surprisingly difficult to get at on this. Also stuck thermostat tripping the CEL and a coolant leak, so I replaced the whole cooling system aside from the radiator. It’s good now.

Cigar smell inside is mostly gone. Good cleaning and a week looking like someone held a coke party with everything covered in baking soda really did wonders. A tiny bit lingers but I think I can deal with that.

Tire situation was solved by a nearly new set of General Altima’s Arctic tires on Borbet wheels from another 02 325xi. All that’s left to pass inspection is adjusting the parking brake and replacing the windshield and it should be good to go. Of course I want to deal with the rust on the windshield frame before putting a new windshield in, so I’ll have it pulled and clean things up before they return a week later.

Again, there is 0 reason for me to own this car or even fix it up. Every penny I put into it is less profit when I sell it. I’m up to $870 total invested at this point so at least I’m still way ahead.

My only real justification is that I’m way over the miles on my Outback lease. So I can tell myself that I’m saving money by driving the E46. I’m off until Friday and The next couple days are rainy, so I’ll most likely replace the leaky valve cover gasket, replace the oil level sender and adjust the parking brake.

DISCUSSION (12)

Steve in Manhattan > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 17:18

Odyssey and Outback dead reliable, so you could spice your life up by getting rid of one of them. What year is the BMW?

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Steve in Manhattan
10/08/2018 at 17:24

2002 325Xi. Actually the 996 is dead reliable too, I trust it every bit as much as the Subie and Honda. If the Outback wasn’t leased, I’d consider selling it.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 17:27

Is that E46 stock? Are those ZHP rims? A local guy had a manual RWD 325i wagon that had been swapped with a 330i engine along with a bunch of other work...seemed like a pretty interesting car. Always loved these wagons, wish more of them came with a stick!

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/08/2018 at 17:41

Stock aside from the ZHP wheels and Mtech front bumper. The problem with keeping this is I’ll end up pouring money into it. I’ve already been trolling the List O Craig for a 330i engine. Took a lot of restraint not to call on the $400 one I saw today.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 17:48

I know this isn’t helping, but that sounds like a good price! My ZHP came with non-ZHP 17" rims. The ZHP 18s are so pretty, but I’m trying to save money so not going to buy new wheels and tires for no reason, especially when I have the advantage of a square setup right now too.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/08/2018 at 17:50

I REALLY like the wheels. They are great looking and genuine BMW, not knock offs. If I keep the car long term I’ll put a new set of summer HP tires on them in the spring. This thing will get tracked if it sticks around.

Party-vi > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 19:16

Man, if you’re going to go for a M54B30 just get the S54.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 19:34

Yeah those are the perfect E46 rims, with some good rubber you can’t ask for anything better. Which is another reason I can’t just ditch my 17s. They came with a fresh set of pilot super sports and a set of x-ice winter tires with tons of tread too. So at best all I can justify is mounting the winter tires on to the rims that came on the car, and finding some other appropriate after market 17” rims for the PSS for summer use….so as much as I like those style 135s I won’t be seeing a set on my car any time soon :(

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Party-vi
10/08/2018 at 19:46

Show me one in good shape for $500 or less and I’ll ge t right on that.

Party-vi > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/08/2018 at 20:02

Hell can you find a B30 in good shape for that little?

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Party-vi
10/08/2018 at 20:59

Haven’t seen it in person, but yes, I found one local for $400 earlier today. Also no shortage of rusted out 330is that won’t pass inspection it still run well around here for 1000 or less.

M.T. Blake > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/09/2018 at 04:32

There are dash vent cleaners that help with odors as well. I can’t remember the name but it was something like AC Refresh.