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part 6 video .

in addition, there's something very special about the handling balance of the M43-powered e46. Yes, it's missing 2 cylinders... but the way it tips in to corners is sublime.

For reliability, you'll have to go a long way to beat an M43! Older BMWs may be simpler to fix, and in some cases will match reliability, but won't necessarily give you the same refinement. It's a balance. I recall someone saying to me (many years ago, when I bought an E21 323i) that he'd never buy a 6-cylinder car because they were 50% more expensive to service than a 4-pot. I thought he was just a doddery old geezer at the time, but there's a lot less to go wrong, less to fix, and... Well, you get the idea!

Picked up a X5 4.6is as a new tow wagon. With the Alpina powerplant it seemed like a good idea retrofit a E46 M3 SMG steering wheel. the Easy mod. gives a cool dynamic to the driving experience.

went to park at the shops in papakura with my son after work today , went to wind the windows up in the X5 crunch bang went the rear window regulator , so back to work , remove one from a parts car door and refit to my car then back to the shops also took the 330Ti for its 1st proper drive .

The dry sump setup is an old one off a friends superstock so it was free to a good home. The fact that these conversions are not straight forward should make the whole thing quite cool once finished. Swapping out a 4 cylinder for a bolt in 6 cylinder just doesn't seem like much of a challenge to me. Steves V10 conversion now that's a challenge I would like, but I don't think I'm going to get one of those for $200.

Haha okay okay. Admittedly not a good idea to have it sounding like a fart cannon or blaring while going 100. I need a good muffler not a straight pipe jobby. Whats good?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1224603294

Many thanks to Rohan & Jasjot I finally have my new rims on my M535i, I am absolutely wrapped with them, look great & the drive/ride is much nicer Here are a couple of photos

CUBs. Cashed Up Bogans.

I think he's using the brakes on his ex-shopping trolley project.

Yep I almost regret putting my 330ci up for sale such a good car. I am starting to find the love for my E92 but its not the advancement over the E46 I thought it would be.

got have ac when driving to and from the track and doing the shopping and school run etc

yeah holy crap, I looked into buying a 3 year old SV6 and they're just not cheap at all!

I'm gonna +1 to the "get an E46" suggestion. Be picky, and you can get a nice one with a proper 6cyl engine. Maybe even a good 330i. I'd pick a high end E46 over a low spec E90 any day... My previous car was an E46 328i, now I drive an E92 335i. I still think E46's are awesome.

Hopefully I'll have something driving... I'll refrain from putting a time frame on it because we know how good I am at sticking to them. But between you and me I'm secretly hoping New Years. But I'll reserve judgement till I'm taking it for a wof. As it sits it's currently got the gearbox and flywheel off as well as the engine de-loomed.

Thanks guys, I will sort something in the new year! Yeah Olaf, just silly money genuine!! Brent your option looks great with free shipping, must also order the chrome tips!! Regards Barry

I concur, you should be very proud of what you have produced. Well done Also, respect for pushing forward despite being shafted by the previous owner of the original shell. That would have turned a lot of people off.

Check! I agree with the other, look for a well-loved and maintained e46. Although the list above seems a lot, when you get a vehicle that's around 150k kms, if most of this work has been done you're good for 100k+ of trouble-free motoring, providing you're good to it! Mine (purchased at 112k kms) was ex-Japan, and I've spent the last 4.5 years catching up on deferred maintenance, and general wear... it's now at 173k kms, and I *love* driving it. I'll run through John's list above, and add my items: Vanos rebuilt with Besian kit. [not yet, will no doubt be soon]Vanos oil feed line replaced. [not yet, will no doubt be soon - hang on, perhaps so!]PCV System including hoses completely replaced. [yep!] New brake booster, as oil from PCV system contaminated booster diaphragmRocker Cover gasket replaced. [yep!, and all those seals around the plugs] Oil Filter Housing gasket replacedOil Level Sensor replaced. [yep!] Replaced power steering reservoir and top hoses (they like to leak pentosin) Sump gasket, and bolts replaced (they like to leak oil) Engine and Transmission mounts replaced (do it whilst doing the sump gasket)M Sport Steering wheel, [I'd certainly like one!]Bluetooth Head Unit. [replaced MD deck with factory CD head unit]Idle air control Valve service. [yep!]DISA Valve repaired. [yep - doing that this morning with an i6 Automotive unit]New Alternator. [thankfully no, not yet]New Water Pump and hoses. [yep! I had all sensors, thermostat, and header tank replaced at same time]Front Control arm bushes (Poly Meyle HD) [replaced lower control arms with Meyle HD] New ARB end links Rear Control arm bushes (Poly) [yep! Meyle HD, I think]Strut tower reinforcement plates. [yep!]Rear Shock reinforcement plates. [yep!] New Sachs OEM Shocks front and rear, all strut mounts, fasteners etc Motorsport ARBs front and rear, new ARB bushes Staggered Style 194 rims and appropriate rubber Replaced broken rear springTransmission serviced REBUILT, flushed and new filter. [new cooler lines and transmission cooler]Hawk performance [Akebono Euro ceramic pads -I'd go Hawk Performance next time] brake pads. Slotted and dimpled rotors (Near new) [yep! - Slotted Rotors front and rear] Replaced all parking brake hardwareBraided brake lines. [yep! First front, and four years later, rears]New Radiator overflow bottle and sensor. [see above]Aircon regassed. [yep! and compressor plus receiver drier replaced - my compressor was pooched] Replaced broken sunroof shade sliders Replaced windscreen wiper shroud [bottom of windscreen] Replaced those seals on top of the headlap glasses that disintegrate Replaced Rear Screenwash Pump Replaced Front Screenwash Pump and addressed leak Replaced spark plugs with NGK units Replaced fuel pump and fuel pump relay Regular coolant and brake fluid flushes Airbag Recall (no charge) Purchased another key Replaced passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat (twice) Replaced serpentine belt idlers and belt Add countless oil filters/o-rings/sump washers for the many oil changes; air filters, cabin filters, and many, many litres of either Castrol 0w40 or Penrite 5w40 Synthetic oil; a few fuel filters; a few sets of tyres, multiple wheel alignments, wiper blades, and lots of polish and wax..... and you have a fun drive! Yes, I still love it. No, it's not for sale. Yes, you really should consider an e46, they're a great drive. About once a year I think of my old e30 325i Touring and think "that was fun, and lighter, but this is SO much better". PS - the green saloon linked above looks MINT! You should consider it. HTH/

Soo pretty......

Do some hunting, find an early E46 with the M43TU engine.

Didnt know Co-Op Taxi's used lowered E28's...