Project 328i - a lot to learn

Ok so myself and my brother bought this 97 328i up in Antrim, hadn't been abused and it had a full service history, spotless inside and out.
We could have gone and bought a car ready to go but where's the fun in that, we've never done anything like this before so we want to learn as much as possible and the only way is to get stuck in and do your own work.
So I got stuck into last night for an hour and got most of the rear internals whipped out.
We'll be selling the complete interior, leather seats were spotless so hopefully someone will be interested in them.

So for some pictures;

The car as we got it;

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ild/photo1.jpg

The interior

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-9.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-1.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-8.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-7.jpg


An hour later....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-2.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-5.jpg

And of course the first of many cut knuckles :rolleyes:

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...ld/photo-3.jpg

So here's the plans. This is just gonna be a track car and we haven't got buckets of money to throw at it so trying to keep it as simple as possible.

Complete the strip out, any issues with removing the air bags?

Remove the diff and either get it welded or try to get a welded 325 diff as I read that it has a better ratio, I assume it'd just a straight swap? Any tips for removing the diff?

Looking out for a hydro, will a standard one suit OK or will I need to get a different one for this car? Definately will need some help getting this fitted.

Fit steering wheel & seats.

I dont think we'll be splashing out on a large cone air filter for the sake of a few extra horses, just going to fit a good quality panel filter, what ye think?

I've read about replacing the manifold, gaining extra HP but that you loose torque, so we may just leave it as it is, again, what's ye're experiences?

What should we do with the exhaust?

Really unsure about the suspension, probably just buy some good quality lowering springs for now, anyone recommend a quality brand?

Also on the look out for some wheels, probably sell the ones that are on it, all new tyres on them.

As I said we know f**k all so it's gonna be a steep learning curve, trusty haynes manual on the way though :o

Looking forward to ye're input/ideas/criticism...all welcome :afro::afro:

Ok so time for a bit of an update...

So got the car pretty much all stripped and she was sitting up fairly high after it and felt alot quicker

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/acb15993.jpg

Moved it down to its new home for a few weeks so we can get to work on it in a bit of comfort

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/58cd0319.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/b611683f.jpg

Been gathering up a few bits and pieces over the last few weeks;

some wheels

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/2ac01623.jpg

Strut bars...doubt they'll be much good for anything

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/4f6fa849.jpg

some cheap seats

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/5656c529.jpg

cheap second hand coilvers - jamex, hope they last a while

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/4a83ba1b.jpg

And first of many stickers :D

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/48837bd3.jpg

So we have the diff out and welded, currently removing the rear subframe to weld in the reinforcement plates, rear subframe is in some mess with rust, hard job getting bolts and nuts removed but we'll get there

This came today...fake ebay job but it'll do me

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/6efd663a.jpg

So i have lots of interior bits if any one is looking for something for sale on ebay...

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/087mate123/m....&_trksid=p3686

Have few other bits that are not up yet, M3 steering wheel, spare wheel cover, few other bits of trim

I've sold the alloys from the first few pics so that helped with funds a bit.

So remaining work to do when I get a chance is;

Complete removal of subframe
Weld in reinforcement plates, install subframe (may replace) & diff
Install coilovers, seats & braces
Buy and fit hydro
Decat exhaust

Get it out and take it from there

Future...
M50 Manifold and BBTB
Electric fan
CAI
and whatever else needs to be done


So I'm on the look out for a Hydro if any one has one floating about??? :afro:

nice build she's coming along nicely keep up the good work id look into removing the abs from the car aswell if i was you as you dont need it and its a plain nuisance

Nice build man ! Good to see use getting stuck in !

Ya dont need buckets of money to have fun drifting. Grass roots drifting FTW .

As for the hydro , would ya not make your own ?

Get down to the scrappy and get a mater cyclinder and a small bottle for the brake fluid .

Or ya can buy a master cyclinder for a hydro out of most rally spares shop . Their about 40-50e .

Weld up a wee box to bolt your master cyclinder to and a bit of threaded bar for a handle . :afro:

Aye pull out the abs fuse out too .

Edit. Mod`d the knuckles for extra lock on mine not too long ago well worth doing !

Cut out 25mm off the knuckles and welded them on again , where the track rod end goes into the struts .

And for extra camber cut the wishbones and welded a 35mm piece into it .

Price on the interior.

Good work so far. Have a look through the project section, lots of E36's built lately.

Hydro's are chape, just buy one. Be creative with the rest.

Have a look on driftworks for their "gangsta lean" video review of replica steering wheels.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by keith-n

Price on the interior.

Good work so far. Have a look through the project section, lots of E36's built lately.

Hydro's are chape, just buy one. Be creative with the rest.

Have a look on driftworks for their "gangsta lean" video review of replica steering wheels.

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ha ha just watched it there and I'm after going and pulling and hanging out my one! It didn't go in shit so bit happier now :D

yeah subscribed to all the threads so learning lots from them, yeah gonna be buying a hydro, mad busy these days so only getting to work on it for a few hours every week haven't time to be making one....I need to get this on the track :afro:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideways-theonlyway

ha ha just watched it there and I'm after going and pulling and hanging out my one! It didn't go in shit so bit happier now :D

yeah subscribed to all the threads so learning lots from them, yeah gonna be buying a hydro, mad busy these days so only getting to work on it for a few hours every week haven't time to be making one....I need to get this on the track :afro:

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Price on interior?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac_C

Nice build man ! Good to see use getting stuck in !

Ya dont need buckets of money to have fun drifting. Grass roots drifting FTW .

As for the hydro , would ya not make your own ?

Get down to the scrappy and get a mater cyclinder and a small bottle for the brake fluid .

Or ya can buy a master cyclinder for a hydro out of most rally spares shop . Their about 40-50e .

Weld up a wee box to bolt your master cyclinder to and a bit of threaded bar for a handle . :afro:

Aye pull out the abs fuse out too .

Edit. Mod`d the knuckles for extra lock on mine not too long ago well worth doing !

Cut out 25mm off the knuckles and welded them on again , where the track rod end goes into the struts .

And for extra camber cut the wishbones and welded a 35mm piece into it .

---

cheers man, yeah must do that to the knuckles when I'm fitting the coilovers. The old stick welder will be out :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy drifter

nice build she's coming along nicely keep up the good work id look into removing the abs from the car aswell if i was you as you dont need it and its a plain nuisance

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thanks lad, keeping an eye on what your up to as well :afro:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by keith-n

Price on interior?

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the leather seats is it? Have them up for €180

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideways-theonlyway

cheers man, yeah must do that to the knuckles when I'm fitting the coilovers. The old stick welder will be out :D

---

The very yock i used meself :cool:

Good luck with this best jus weld the diff and get a decent hydro handbrake
cut out as much weight As possible and go drifting and enjoy the car ya don't need big budget To enjoy driftin

Got bit done sunday evening and tonight....

Ebay steering wheel fitted, happy with it anyway

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/92f91684.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/621d0a7a.jpg

got the remainder of the exhaust out for decat, busted one of the bolts though :(

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/f4683957.jpg

Also finally fot the subframe out :D

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/7b8b733c.jpg

Waiting on subframe reinforcement plates to come from turner motorsport, get a lad down then to decat the exhaust and weld in the plates too, better drop the petrol tank before that though

So how she's sitting at the minute

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/41807ee0.jpg

Have to say I'm loving working on the car, just a pity I can't get more time at it

So I've finally got all the ripping done and I can start putting things back together the next few weeks

Picked up few more bits

Hydro
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/5cf4faa7.jpg

Subframe reinforcement plates
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/327fd422.jpg

TRS Tow straps
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/2a4d79f3.jpg

New K&N Filter and bits to fit it
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/ed83fd6d.jpg

And it fitted :cool:
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/d1ba6e4f.jpg

Myself and the misses fitted the hydro in position thursday night, hydro is bolted to angle, angle is bolted through the tunnel and the other plate is on the inside of the tunnel to spread the pressure, all lock nuts used, feels very sturdy so we'll see how it works out.

The plates
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/f66ab429.jpg

And the hydro in place :)
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/28d42a80.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/e4230e71.jpg

Strut braces are no longer green....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/3dfffaad.jpg

Now for some nasty pics.....rust, rust and more rust :mad::mad:

subframe mounting points

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/2c276716.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/a65cc810.jpg

Subframe itself
before
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/d2318e00.jpg

After sand blasting and priming

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/5e025e19.jpg

Also got the exhaust silencers and cats removed and straight pipes made up, fitted them tonight and what a noise, ha ha, loved it, it'll not be as bad when the muffler is back on :D:D
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/d2e08f83.jpg

So tomorrow morning I'll be fitting the seats hopefully, monday I'm getting the steering knuckles cut back and I need to get a section of the subframe plated, get the reinforcement plates welded and get the rear back together again. :cool:

Find a place to let rip and get a bit of practice before I hit the track ;)

So i got the knuckles cut back, before and after pics below....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/8dd0ec5c.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/bbb6c3db.jpg

So I stuck on the wheels the lock has definately improved, 195/50/R15

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/c189ccfb.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/69886809.jpg

It will lock even further but it is hitting the inside of the wheel arch, whats the best way to solve that problem?? :mad:
Sledge hammer to inside of the arch?? :p
Rack and wheel spacers?

:confused::confused::confused:

Use are flying threw it !

Yea wheel spacers or wheel with more negitive offset will solve that , i used e39 5 series wheels without spacers and it doesnt rub on full lock .

So finally got it on the road today for a bit of run....happy out :)

Few things that were done since the last update,

Subframe reinforcement plates welded in place and primed & painted up

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/52529fc7.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/f0fb8715.jpg

Hydraulic handbrake plumbed in, not the neatest of jobs but it's working well! :afro:

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/595c0d88.jpg

Subframe, diff and suspension back in place

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/62ee8432.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/37a62ea5.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/35833430.jpg

How's she sitting today.....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/22423253.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/1c576171.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/7a8f4584.jpg


We took it for a few spins on the road, needs to be realigned, exhaust is blowing a bit and think there's still a bit of air in the brake lines so get that all sorted this week and we'll see where we can head for a bit of track time, happy with how it is for now, we'll take from here and see what else we'll do, jusy gonna enjoy it now for a while and learn a few things :D :D

great work mate, i like the green wheels.... like yourself, trying to learn by getting stuck into it and do it yourself....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by galway joey

great work mate, i like the green wheels.... like yourself, trying to learn by getting stuck into it and do it yourself....

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Ha ha, thanks man, not too gone on the green wheels but got them cheap so they'll do for now....

Quick stupid question :o car keeps cutting back when I want it to slide, what do I need to disconnect? The connection going into the diff or pull a fuse? :huh:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideways-theonlyway

Ha ha, thanks man, not too gone on the green wheels but got them cheap so they'll do for now....

Quick stupid question :o car keeps cutting back when I want it to slide, what do I need to disconnect? The connection going into the diff or pull a fuse? :huh:

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I unpluged the 2 plugs goin into the diff on an mv6, sorted the traction control but had no speedo.

Figured out why the car kept cutting back….put back in the ASC button and turned it off!! :o :o

Done a few bits to get ready for Mondello on the 6th, fitted a TRS tow strap on the front and just a towing eye on the back, fitted the passenger seat and harness, fitted a fire extinguisher and got a few stickers on. I also went and bought a trailer from Ken on here, happy with it. Better than going borrowing for one, few pics of it loaded up and ready for Mondello.

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/1aa88150.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/fe11ac01.jpg


So I went to Mondello on Sunday, second time ever to attempt to drift and first time ever driving this car.

Few Lads from Leitrim said they’d meet me and we’d travel up together, sound lads and thanks for the help and advice, appreciated.

What a days craic I had, I said I’d take it handy but came to the first corner and put the boot down coming out of it and car stepped out lovely, I held it and that was it for the day, as the morning went on I started getting longer drifts, linking corners and getting to know when and where to use the handbrake. Brought the old fella out for a few runs and he thought he’d see the breakfast again!

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/b80b2eff.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/f5e614e0.jpg


The afternoon came and I kept pushing harder for more speed and got third a few times, then I ended up running wide and hit a tyre wall…:mad::mad:

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/1cf3b017.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/26f14b22.jpg

Thought damage was worse so I checked the car over and headed back out, coming on 4 in the afternoon and my arms and hands all seized up, I couldn’t hold the steering wheel or pull the handbrake! that’s how much track time we got. So I packed up and headed home, I’ve just been buzzing since, running over and over every part of the day…this is an addiction.

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/156175d4.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/a705401f.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/7dd1a6d3.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/f05c534c.jpg

So overall it was just an epic first day out, big thanks to the lads from Leitrim and anyone else that gave me a bit of advice. Where to next???

you should take the abs and asc relays out, in the fuse box under the bonnet, they have abs and asc written on them.
looks like you had fun anyway

So first thing I done after mondello was a bit of panel beating, tasty job :rolleyes:

Before.....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/26f14b22.jpg

After.....

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/1d2a5d2d.jpg

Then I stripped the boot and put on boot straps

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/a84faf9e.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/9ac75dc6.jpg

Then I raised the bonnet a bit using rubber door stops, fitted bonnet pins and sprayed the grills matt black...

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/e4328458.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...f3a481b2-1.jpg

Gathered up some tyres and was all set for superdrift in Tynagh on the 10th June.

Some days craic was had, weather was class, went through a stack of tyres, car was great, drifting is improving , also got to bring the wife, mate and bro out for a spin and got the bro driving aswell so think he's got the bug now :afro:

Some pics from the day...

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...d/9ce9e428.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...e%202012/1.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...2/2d356c6b.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_1578.png

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...2/eadf3c64.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...e%202012/3.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...e%202012/2.jpg


So thats it, she's parked up for a few months while myself and herself head for OZ, NZ & Thailand, cant fucking wait :cool: GOODLUCK :afro:

wow shes lookin well now lad keep it up nice to see your not phased by a little drift damage ;) :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy drifter

wow shes lookin well now lad keep it up nice to see your not phased by a little drift damage ;) :)

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Thanks Paddy.

Soo, what have I missed the last couple of months? Any rows or scandal?

Can't wait to get back working on and driving the car, feels like I've been away a year! On the look out for a cheap donor car to start gathering some spares.

Hoping to make superdrift tynagh on the 23rd Sept :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideways-theonlyway

Thanks Paddy.

Soo, what have I missed the last couple of months? Any rows or scandal?

Can't wait to get back working on and driving the car, feels like I've been away a year! On the look out for a cheap donor car to start gathering some spares.

Hoping to make superdrift tynagh on the 23rd Sept :cool:

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no bother lad and no not that i seen i've been a lil busy too , im only dying to drive my yoke still not finished :P , i hope ya make it to super drift pity tynagh is a lil far away for me :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy drifter

no bother lad and no not that i seen i've been a lil busy too , im only dying to drive my yoke still not finished :P , i hope ya make it to super drift pity tynagh is a lil far away for me :(

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Tynagh is only 2hrs up the road pad lad.

I'm liking the progress here fair play.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Famous jh

Tynagh is only 2hrs up the road pad lad.

I'm liking the progress here fair play.

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is it i thought galway was a fair stretch from me :P , im on the wexford kilkenny border

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy drifter

is it i thought galway was a fair stretch from me :P , im on the wexford kilkenny border

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its nowhere near galway even...,Wouldn't think your any further than us

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Famous jh

its nowhere near galway even...,Wouldn't think your any further than us

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im a little further way not a whole lot i dont think i may find out exactly where it is


found it on google maps not as far away as i thought

So are you gonna get to Tynagh Paddy?

Done a bit of ripping the last few evenings, air con delete done, have all the bits there if anyone is looking for some parts.

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...CFF17F36F0.jpg


Removed all the bits from under the dash also, not a nice job :mad:

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...D0073E3278.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...CFE49A536E.jpg

Just need to get rid of some of the wires and tidy it up a bit.

Ended up removing the water valve (3 water pipes coming from it that went into the heating radiator under the dash),

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...D031358411.jpg

I assume I can just join up the engine flow and return pipes now thats its removed??? :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideways-theonlyway

So are you gonna get to Tynagh Paddy?

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i might tip up some day for a look

I picked up this rolling shell at the weekend for some spare parts, it's a 323, engine, gearbox & interior removed but I got pretty much everything else :D

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...6005D8F1AD.jpg

Also got a very nice surprise from my much better half :cool::cool::cool::afro:

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...600A91C101.jpg

Hope to have it on the car for Tynagh on sunday!

Nice one on the go pro lad,btw there's a nice clean looking 318 same colour as your new one in at the back of longford fire station waiting to be cut up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mickel

Nice one on the go pro lad,btw there's a nice clean looking 318 same colour as your new one in at the back of longford fire station waiting to be cut up.

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Ah cheers, I'll call in to them this evening for a look.

Any of ye heading to Tynagh next weekend?

no lad,gonna leave it until the end of october:afro:

Little update;

Went to superdrift in Tynagh early in September, good days craic. Car overheated a good bit, water pump eventually went about 2.30.

Thats been fixed and wiring the fan at the front to a switch so its running constant now so hopefully that helps a bit and hopefully no harm was done from the overheating. Few pics from the day;

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...DE701D5220.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...DE73843D5A.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...484FC71F16.jpg

Also tried out the GO Pro, serious machine, I need a better computer though for editing and stuff, it nearly calved on me.

http://vimeo.com/50250320


Ripping away at the donor car whenever I get a few minutes

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...DBFA1F76C4.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...DBDFB856D1.jpg

Bought this sticker pack on the net after a few too many drinks!

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/...DC01BA4968.jpg

Getting ready now for Tynagh at the end of the month again.

After that I plan to remove the glass, fit perspex, cut doors down, possibly cut up the boot floor, wheel spacers, front camber, M50 manifold & BBTB hopefully, well thats the plan, thinking about some street car drift comp's next year hopefully :afro:

Got the car for a bit of a run today...:cool:

https://vimeo.com/51864379

Should be good to go for Tynagh next weekend

sweet ya had her up at the quarry were ya up there for long ??

There for an hour or so, chatted a few of the neighbours there before I went up, didn't want pissing anyone off!
grand spot for it, first time I was there