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That appears to be the one that was in CHCH that i was interested in. Bloody glad i dodged that bullet now, sounds like its worse than the original seller was letting on. Would be a great project if you had a donor car or something. Its got a lot of good bits (like the half leather/alcantara sport interior) so could also be worth getting just for parts.

My understanding is the previous Labour government got an excellent deal on these, with the current National government renewing the contract twice so far. Cars were bought new for nearly the price of what they sell for second hand after 3 years of use. And there are no maintenance or repair costs as these are covered under BMW's warranty program and service program. So essentially its a win/win/win, as the govt gets a nice fleet for cheap, BMW gets free advertising, and the taxpayer pays very little. I suspect these cars will be a good buy for someone as they will be in tiptop shape.

Last night went up to Auckland to swap the Getrag 240 M20 box I had for an M40 one. (Cheers Ross) Turns out that the "M40" box is actually an M42 box, hence all the differences. Information is a little bit harder to find on the differences between them, so figured I'd share my findings. Both of these are from FL cars. So the M42 box has it's prop shaft sticking out further than the M20 (M42 top, M20 bottom) View from behind, very similar (M20 right, M42 left) Here is where you can easily see the difference between the bellhousing and the box. Note the line running down the middle of the gearbox in relation to that top mounting hole M42 M20 The M42 also has a locating pin on the belhousing face, so I may need to drill that out/grind it off. Edit: I didn't have to. Edit: It's an M42 box, so making corrections here.

"Team Honey"?

Lol sorry the capitals wasn't me yelling it was just to stand out from the other part Yeah I'm on the fence about it eh.. I've checked with LVVTA and there is no rule about how big the wing has to be as long as it is no wider than the widest part of the car being the side mirrors - which it is just more narrow than. So size-wise its fine. In regards to protruding objects etc, you could say the same thing about your average 3x bike holding bike rack etc.. And mines mounted to the chassis so no risk of falling off. I'll see what happens when I go for cert.

I don't like that body kit at all, panel gaps everywhere and nothing lines up.

Just realised this could do with a wider audience... http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/55870-anyone-have-supercheap-axle-stands/#entry602526

190g/km, 7.3l/100, and the vehicle met all of the tender requirements better than the other respondents. IRD's standard depreciation is 30% per annum (diminishing value), I forget what the straight-line is. So assuming a purchase price of, oh, $120k? The book value is now $20,100 at end of march 2016, asuming (conveniently) that the asset was acquired 1 April 2011. So as with any other business, one asumes they follow the IRD rules, and of course in tendering - for government entities - the Government Rules of Sourcing. One hopes they negotiated an exceptional deal based on their buying power (a large fleet purchase), and the cachet for the Vendor. Perhaps I should get one, if they're going at $20k? If you distill the emotion, this is really a straightforward business transaction where NZ Government has selected the best tool for the job. The asset has gone through its lifecycle, and is now being disposed. No sense in sweating the asset further. Shame they can't get it right with helicopters. err, I'll get me coat then.

Hey Guys I recently(mid January) brought myself a 1991 320i E30 I guess it all started December last year, I was on the unforgotten cruise round Canterbury and this one red e30 really took my fancy, I couldn't stop admiring this thing of beauty. at the next stop I went over and introduced myself to this guy named Billy good fella talked smack for a bit and left it at that. by this stage I was getting well and truly over my legacy b4, so Ione night I thought f it and decided to sell it. boom that sold in two weeks, after selling the car the missus told me I wasn't allowed a second car anymore but I was left with a wad of cash so what did I do? went over to my mates house and waved this wad of cash in his face and told him he had to sell me his e30. it was enough for him so that was me sorted, drove home I was the happiest man alive. pulled up the driveway and the missus was like WTF!!! so end of story I didn't get laid for a month afterwards but I didn't care, as my new whip was worth the dry spell haha

Thanks Lucan. Was really pretty trouble free from start to finish. Seems simpler than a 24v swap in many ways. Yes, used the m30 engine loom. I've heard you can use the m20 looms too. Only things I had to do was to ground pin 15 to get the HVAC & windows working, and rotate the ECU under the dash 90 degrees, as the m30 loom is slightly too short. Driveshaft is the standard 325i driveshaft, but with the front part of the e34 shaft welded on just in front of the front UJ order to provide the larger flange. Including a rebalance, this set me back about $350 from ADL. Apparently you can also use a e36 328i ZF 5 speed driveshaft, or swap the output flange on the getrag260 to the smaller type and use an unmodified 325i shaft. My driveshaft in the end was exactly the same length as an unmodified manual e30 325i driveshaft.

Try SAS suspension for a price, my e36 arms off them were only about 140 each from memory.

suggest you take it to a reputable BMW independent or BMW dealer for a full inspection. They'll be able to recommend what should be done for your vehicle. Your profile doesn't mention where you are, so difficult to recommend someone for you. You'll not find anything about owning a BMW particularly cheap, and in fact if your criteria is finding a cheap place, you'll probablly end up paying twice or more. Find a quality service provider. Getting a transfilter and fluid change is a good start! cheers

Sure Mike. Sure.

Yip agree Peter, I went E38 over the E61 550, every time I drive it, it reinforces the decision. Even if it's likely to be less reliable, who cares To ensure I cover the reliability bit, just bought two

@dkonsta1 I just respond to your message as I was thinking that you can help me with my issue. If not - no worries I will sort out by myself. Thank you anyway! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice install, seems you planned everything out well! cars super tidy too! You use the M30 engine loom? What driveshaft combo did you end up using?

Discussion of politicians' vehicles is always going to be a source of humour, derision or taxpayer annoyance They are premium luxury vehicles with a short life in service that look like conspicuous consumption - just like the huge numbers of $1000 iPhones and iPad being used by public servants. There may be an interesting or surprising business case that actually makes good sense - but there's still the smell of 'bling' Peter (the other not me) is just voicing what many/most will think and I don't think his comment warrants others (inc. a mod) having a go at him. Let's keep it friendly dudes. Anyway - do wonder who ends up buying these - Ls are huge and the flagpole attachments must be tempting to use!

"technically" there shouldn't be any reason for it to not be certifiable. it's narrower than the mirror and as such poses no danger to pedestrians, it's bolted to the chassis so won't come off..Shouldn't be a problem. EDIT: It's not like front mounted Canards which can shear a pedestrian in half should you hit them with speed, unless they go over the hood and the spoiler then cuts them in half?

yeah, Can't argue with that. My Bro has had a couple of those era oz-Mitsis (Magna and Diamante), and they're pretty indestructible. Odd how I don't immediately associate these with Mitsi. I must confess to having run an '83 Sigma wagon for a couple of years in the 90's, and apart from a starter motor, battery and tyres, oil changes and installing a decent stereo, it was an excellent beater that took us up and down the north island a few times without apetite for oil. yeah I was wondering about that too

Front windshield cowl?

Haha. I have no particular love for them. Its one of the australian built '96 mitsubishi magnas with the truly awful 2.6L Astron II 4cyl. Can't fault this one for reliability though. ~360000ks and still going. Bit rattly now though. Oil changes and virtually nothing else.

You realise m325i's go for 12k + M3's are fetching 5x that

This might help. It does seem like you know what you're doing though. http://m535i.org/officers/ra/articles.html#brakes

Someone should OIA it

I have to agree, I have heard from Jeff Gray that the Govt got a stellar price on them and as they are a work tool they get depreciated just like a sales reps Mondeo. Plus being a diesel they were probably a lot more economical than something like a petrol Statesman. Anyway I have had a good look at a few at Turners in Wellington and the ones I saw were immaculate. Curious to know what they were going for.

All torqued properly under load. No other issues apart from steering idler arm. I just found one in my parts bin and I only bought one so I must have forgotten to fit it previously!! Will fit today and have sourced a local control arm. Phew!

The obvious? It isn't so obvious. He is telling you to research it because they cost the govt far less than you think, and they will recoup a lot of their costs with the sale. The deal the govt made makes a Corolla look like a more expensive option. Therefore your comment was pretty stupid, because it was indeed a very wise spending of our tax money (no sarcasm!).

I reckon you're gonna be pushing sh*t uphill with the pointed end of a stick to get that past the authorities.

jeez, you had a mitsubishi that lasted more than 5 years? sorry, my bias. IMHO they use complex solutions to problems other manufacturers (such as Toyota or Nissan) solve with ease, though they fail at ten years. Case in point: white metal bearings for the balance shafts in 4G63 & G63B, they seize and shred the belts. Porsche & BMW execute balance shafts without issue. Oil burning like a tanker at 10-12years, it's pretty rare to see a 12 year or older Mitsi on the road. /rant. sorry, perhaps I shoulda put this one in the quick rant thread!? #8 )

Spend some more time adjusting gearbox tune, shift points on my BMW er, Toyota Better, bit more chilled out at certain throttle points.

These would all have be worth less than usual knowing our sleazy politicians have been picking their noses in these and filling them with dandruff. Ugh

You also need to get a twisted knot wire wheels. A cup and a flat. They eat paint, bog, rust .

before you post stupid comments you should really research what you are complaining about.

well, that was cheaper than marrying her! good looking e30! welcome #8 )

Looks aside I think it's essential that you have a rear bumper or diffuser, as it is the air will be hella dirty around there which will undermine or even upset your new wing. A diffuser will shift your balance even further back so, unless you run an aggressive front splitter, a rear bumper of some sort would be the better choice.

I love it .. looks seriously agressive and you have already done the lowering etc to support the look. I actually think you have a go at making your own bumper setup with rear diffuser. Leave the rear bumper stock and get some glass one made up (Dutchy can do this if you have a the part to copy (which you do) ) That way you can do a diffuser into the back. EG this direction

Yeah it says Titansilber metallic on the build report. It actually says it on the VIN plate but I didn't know what it meant. You wouldn't know it was silver before cause there is not even a spot of silver anywhere. Someone has spent a lot of money on this car. I think it was a Singapore import.

sold pending payment Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

From the October 1991 issue of Road & Track. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28954/european-supertest-german-thundercars/

Main reason I locked it in^

Thought I'd share a couple of photos. Day I got the car, wheels and the interior I'm going to restore myself over the week or so. I'll be doing a step by step thread on the restoration process. Bonus pic. Installing a new gear knob. Previous owner used the strongest glue known to man... Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Drives really well too. I want to drive it moar!

Started the last phase of the Megasquirt project. Wondered why I chose to tackle this while simultaneously minding the toddler. Also remembered just how hot solder can get when it lands on bare toes.

I was promised pictures. My mind can only imagine so much

I haven't had the car re-tuned yet as I'm still mucking around with a few bits and pieces. I'm going to add another set of short AdrenalineR resonators where the cats used to be. They will custom make a couple of 250mm ones to fit the space. There's still a bit too much rasp - especially if the back seat are down when there's a bike in the boot... I've also been wondering about the Vanos map in the Link ECU. At present it's set to turn the cam advance on at 2500rpm and off at 4500rpm - these appear to be the default settings. These settings are also for the M50B25tu which has standard cams. I've been searching with no luck for the Vanos map settings for the M3 S50 US spec cams as this is what I have fitted. I'm not sure if the Graham tried adjusting the cam on/off points but they're currently still stock so maybe not. If it's possible to get an extended torque band by adjusting this timing it would be good to know prior to going in for a re-tune. Does anyone here know what the cam switch on/off rpm should be for the S50 US spec cams or a place with the info?

Or you could let everyone know the conclusion you came to?

Brain scan clear (MRI) Eye surgery successful and loss of vision halted for the time being 9 months of reflection and contemplation over and feeling fortunate. And a couple sneaky glasses of wine on a Friday evening reading bimmersport posts. Life is good .......... actually very good........

Standing on my deck watching a herc turn finals over my paddocks into the sunset, and hearing the dull roar of reverse thrust as it touches down. I love living within the OH circuit.

Still can't believe I picked up this brand new Nissens radiator for 19.90euros + shipping (which was twice that) on eBay.de. Half expected an empty box to arrive. Total cost NZ$128 compared to dealer price locally of $850!! Much win!!