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When you spend a bit of time on here you start noticing a lot of people asking the same questions related to E30's. In particular members who join up having bought a bog-standard car and they want some advice on how to modify the car's appearance and performance. I thought it would be a good idea to compile a post with advice / links / suppliers for all aspects of modifying an E30 so that when a newbie joins up we can point them to this thread and say "go nuts!" I know that there are already lists out there like this, but they're generally on American forums and I'd like to make this very "New Zealand-centric" So, for those of you who have experience modifying E30's, please copy and paste the list below into a post (add to it too if I've missed something) and let us know your recommendations / ideas (include links to your own threads if you have documented your modifications). I'll then edit it into a pinned post that can sit in this forum and assist all new E30 owners with how to make their cars even better. If this goes well we can move onto other popular models as well. Engine Swaps Auto to manual conversion Suspension options (static / adjustable) Bodykits / lips / spoilers Interior swaps Tinting taillights Tinting headlights / smiley headlight conversion Wheels and tyres (size / offset / replica or genuine) Brake upgrades

Hey all After a stint in Australia and the last 18 months in an Audi I'm back to BMW - 07 550i MSport. Import but the Nav has been changed over to NZ. Had it tinted on the weekend, once I've sold the Audi (see FS section) I'll be getting an AC Schnitzer kit and style 128 wheels for it. Few other things to do (will need some help/parts for some of them when the time comes) - swap the minidisc player for a MP3 CD - get Freeview working on the TV, possibly look at getting the TV to keep going while the car is moving - auxillary cable in the front - hardwired radar Keen to come to some meets again, been a while since I've been to one. Cheers Steve

The boat doesn't wait a whole month before you recheck this thread. I do not hold people up for those that can't decide if they want any. No idea when the next one is yet. Will decide when i have enough interest etc.

Watch WOF inspections closely! I was failed on my 406 for cracked front brakelines, which when I went to replace them were fine. I cleaned the road film off them and passed the recheck. Kind of paranoid now what they will pick on next time!

That's really handy, thank you very much for that, I've always wanted to know ! Tonight I set out to lower the front of the car a bit, to even it out in the rear. I can change struts pretty quickly now! IMG_1876 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr %$!@, I accidentally lowered it a lot. I can't even get it into my driveway without commencing operation Beached As. IMG_1851 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr It rubs if you turn the wheel anywhere past halfway, it scrapes on things, I get dirty looks from bro's - but it looks kind of awesome (F#$! normally I hate these kinds of cars). Totally impractical and I'm going to raise it, but for tonight I took photos of the silly thing because it's not going to stay at this height very long! Embracing the hashtagswag I think the kids are calling it. IMG_1879 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Will make a great story to tell my future children, "Let me tell you a story about how daddy became #stancenation for a week" IMG_1881 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr In the next chapter I'll be tackling the grey headlining, the faded plastic door/bumper trim and the doorcards. Stay classy.

That's a very expensive quote. Note the wof sheet says rear brake hoses cracked but they have quote fronts. Anyway those hoses can be much cheaper I got some for about $25 a side. I'd suggest you try sherson automotive in greerton tauranga. Short drive 30 mins? and he's very reasonable on costs.

A new guess the car:

Josh your E30 is new ha.

Time for a wee update. I've spent the last few months installing a DTM style CF airbox and an Alpha N management system. These bits came in from Germany, made to an incredibly high standard and the quality of the finish is amazing. I went with 18cm runners and my car has 48mm throttle bodies. I really wanted to have a crack doing the install myself to keep costs down and learn a bit in the process. Removed the old airbox and intake manifold which was super easy and I took the front of the car and the grill off. To get the airbox and the intake to fit nicely I needed to move the electric fan for the radiator over 10cms, and then relocate the brake fuid and transmission fluid bottles. All of this I managed to do by modifiying the existing brackets. Wiring the Alpha N into the ECU harness was my biggest worry initally as cutting ECU wires scares me, but in the insructions that came with the kit were great and it was actually very easy. I needed to buy some proper crimpers wire strippers, heat shrink plastic and a few other tools to do a nice professional job. All worth it in the end. I then installed a TechEdge Wideband O2 system/sensor into the exhaust. This works seamlessly with the Alpha N software, so now the factory Lambda sensor has been removed and car is running a full closed loop system. The Alpha N and Techedge modules sit at the back of the glovebox nicely tucked away so you can hardly tell they are there. Plugging in the laptop is a simple procedure. I'm a total novice on engine tuning, but with the help of some of the overseas M3 forum guys and also big thanks to Josh I've got the car to a tune that I am happy with untill Gavin Bellers is back up and running with his dyno and I'm sure wiil be able to tune it to its full potential. Even out of the box with no tuning on the base map there was a noticable improvement in power/pickup and response. And the noise is amazing. I've got a Supersprint backbox - tootling around town its fine, but give it some beans and it sounds like the old DTM car's of old :-) Outstanding ! I couldn't believe it when I turned the key for the first time and it just fired straight up. I was preparing myself for a massive catastrophe, few saftey checks as it warmed up and I was off for the first drive. The Alpha N is only a piggyback system, so to revert the car back to OEM spec would be a very quick procedure indeed. Though I don't know why anyone would. To further clean the engine bay up I've got new washer bottles, wiring harness and fuse box covers. Also had the rocker cover repainted as it was flaking badly and while that was off BM Workshop checked the valve clearances and shims.

$180 for a steering rack @hellbm

hey my car turns over but wont start, i took it into the shop and they replaced the distributor rotor because they thought it was that, and the first day i got my car back a few hours later it wouldnt start again. it started the other day fine and was driving round a few days because it was starting now it wont start again. please help its a 1983 bmw e30 320i

There are a couple of meets coming up, one in Auckland: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/49129-18th-may-photography-meet-finl/ and a big track day (if you want) meet at Taupo on Queen's birthday: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/48903-bimmersport-megameet-2014-official-thread/?hl=megameet

dyno runs should be done in 4th or 1/1 gearing and TCF 1.00 and temp sensor hung on the wall in the dyno room

Welcome to Bimmersport.