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Will have a few befores. Haven't done many afters as haven't had the time. Excuse the dirty car.. But she's looking good. I like the ride and height. Overall would recommend

SMG Popcorn

Depends on if it's manual popcorn or automatic

Don't work for a dealer Ron F30 factory standard = manual Add the optional steptronic box = +$$$s Therefore it is an increase in spec from standard, I.e. It is up specced. It is also why if you do buy an F30 with a manual there is a cost REDUCTION for the customer as the spec of the car is reduced. Unfortunately there are so many options and variables these days it's not possible to have a demo of everything, even for the bigger dealers, simple stocking / cost equation. When 0.01% of demand is for manual then it doesn't justify the cost. However, those very few serious customers who really want a manual do order them and do get them.

Incorrect, even though the 8 speed sports steptronic is standard, like the rest of the range the 340i can be ordered with the 6-speed manual box.Let me know when you are buying Ron and I will put the order through for you. Technically, as the 6-speed manual is factory standard it is the 8-speed Steptronic that is the "option" but the NZ spec level is upped to meet what 99.9% of the market requires.

My new toy. Will be a project/maintenance thread as there's really not much else to do to this car. Put the Estoril coupe up for sale approx. 5 mins after hearing that a friend was selling this - 3 days later and it was in my driveway. 1996 NZ new 328i Manual coupe turned M3. A good friend built this car from a bare shell, the only remaining part that is a 328i aside from the chassis is the subframe. Everything else is M3-equivalent or better. Drivetrain: S50B30, Vanos has been rebuiit. Chipped, Tuned. M3 ZF 5sp gearbox Quaife helical LSD. Remus exhaust Fenix alloy radiator Light weight Single mass flywheel and heavy duty clutch Short Shift kit Suspension/Brakes/Wheels: M3 bilstein monotube shocks B&G lowering springs M3 sway bars Goodridge Braided brake and clutch lines E46 m3 front floating rotor with 330i caliper and e46 328i rear brakes (Bigger than e36 M3 whilst keeping same brake bias) Front and rear Strut Braces Powerflex front trailing arm bushes E46 Msport steering rack BBS RC 18x8.5 in BMW Marrakesh Brown Interior: Grey rain Alcantara Vaders and rear seats 18 button OBC Carfolie Carbon Classic tint 35% Jvc headunit, upgraded speakers, amp, sub etc. M3 instrument cluster Exterior/Misc: Schwarz II AC Schnitzer rear window spoiler HID headlights M3 Electric mirrors Front lip Fog light blanks LTW wing Clear indicators/tails I'm in love with this car, I wanted it the first day I ever saw it, so naturally the only response when I was told it was for sale was to buy it. Spend this past Sunday cleaning it and went out for the day with 2x E46 M3's and an E92 M3, what an incredible car, and a ridiculous difference between this and the Estoril 328I. There's no fair comparison between the S50 and M52 engines, this completely blows the other car out of the water in terms of power and acceleration, and all the suspension components make this car handle insanely well. I'm extremely happy, and content with a car for the first time. Few photos below, more will be coming soon.

Are you sure? Everyone needs some light in their life during the Christmas season.

oh not this sh*t again, Ron, seriously?! If you want to buy a new BMW with a manual box, test drive the auto one, and then tick the manual box on your order form. You'll now know what the car drives like, feels like and smells like, and you already know you want the manual... so test driving a manual version will make no difference. I also agree that at least in photos, the front doesnt look quite right. Almost like the front is from a smaller 1 series or something, and didnt quite get scaled up with the rest of the car.

You seem like one of those folks that doesn't consider SMG to be Manual.

"Self intimidating" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did I see you at the meet today? Really friendly guy with really bloodshot eyes?

Situations like this really make it worth getting an AA plus membership. Includes transporting your car up to 400 kilometres to your home or to your chosen workshop. They'll even put you up in accommodation if you get stuck somewhere. Only $50 a year when you add it to your current AA membership.

Anyone know the best microwave time for cooking pop corn?

nah i dont need them just curious!!

Love this car to bits. Went for a nice driver out to Huia point lookout with the rest of the ECC crew on sunday afternoon- car performed brilliantly well, definitely getting rid of these landsail tyres ASAP though as they really were making me sail across the land. Can't wait to get a daily driver so she can be a weekend/garage queen. Spark plug change this weekend - May need to find someone to help me helicoil 3 valve cover threads as they've stripped themselves, no oil leaks on 2 of them but one leaking a small bit of oil into cylinder #3 causing a slight miss - hopefully can resolve fairly easily. (Dave/M3AN I hear you're the man for this? ) Thanks to Jayden (ibboostn) for building such a wonderful car - After owning her for a couple of months now I can certainly say it's the most fun car I've owned, and I'm not wanting more for once.

You made a statement which I pointed out was wrong, and the reason why it was wrong. Not inaccurate and not inflammatory. I did not refer to you or your opinion in any way that was abusive or derogatory, which is what you then did.In no way am I denying you the right of reply, I just ask you to refrain from the personal abuse, which you have again included so I will delete it out. Please accept this and move on, we all have much better things to be doing with our lives.

Nice one bro im glad your excited about it

I didnt finish in the 4hours I had to do it, partly thanks to a stripped distributor rotor bolt but I'll finish it tomorrow. Just have to put the distributor and radiator back in

If you have a brain. Very easy to get wrong too.

are the LED door handles factory?? mine doesnt have that on the outside, only on the inside.

The term "like a dog with a bone" comes to mind when reading this thread... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Few photos from the weekend (Cleaning car and also meet on the sunday)

Jumping way back in time...Did anyone ever do this mod?

Yeah mate, I know. Was being a smart arse.

Ron - I have deleted your last post. I am all for healthy debate and discussion, it's the point of having a forum, but when you start being abusive then you have crossed the line and breached the forum rules. Yes, by all means state your opinion, you are entitled to it, if you disagree with others fine, but no need to be abusive.

Ron, again you are dodging the point. You made a derogatory statement that is factually incorrect.For the benefit of the other users I pointed out your inaccuracy, at which point you then start to change your argument. Everyone knows your views on manuals, but keep things accurate and watch the abusive terminology as well please and thank you.

stupid that a 205/45 is too stretched but a 205/40 is legal lol the whole sizing chart they use is ridiculous. cant wait to see this driving round the streets

As usual Ron you are not letting the facts get in the way of your story.'Your point above is incorrect, the option is there for those that want it. As for "stocking" cars... We are not talking about white Toyotas here, the days of stock are long gone. Just take 3 Series, 4 models x 4 trim levels = 16 cars, x 2 for manual / auto of each = 32 units x 2 for wheel options = 64 cars x 5 for popular colours = 320 cars x 3 for interior upholstery x ?? For different options. No business can sustain that level of stock. That is why customers specify what they want on their cars and it is ordered for them. Not every one granted, but most. And funnily enough when they spec their cars and order they take the 8-speed. Not exactly controlled when customer choice is a key POD. Then there are the customer enquiry channels through CRM and dealer feedback... But hey, keep grinding that axe if it makes you happy!!

thrashed the old girl around hamptons last. uncles Christmas event ,(targa people) tried out my new tyres , seem to hook up nicely. but need to change the profile size or diff ratio again.

I would get the badges, redo them slightly to the left a bit and fix the f**kup with the height of them. Then send the dealer a bill for my time. Pissed ant built the jig for that badge.

one of these two cars will make look like an old fart..........just waiting to die. ho hum... yawn

Oh you are F(&$(*&king joking mate. Uhuh. No way. Pissss off. Go on.

What is wrong with this world, we have a group 5 replica project thread with 3 pages, then a myriad of threads with 10+ pages where people just talk about doing wheels and springs. Keep up the good sh*t Richard!

Zento or something. Bought them off trade me, they seem to have good feedback for the entry level races. They are the stick 286 replacement size, as if I was to upgrade to bigger, I'd have to change the tears too....apparently. But we will see how they perform