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My mother in law took a Kona for a drive as she was wanting a replacement for her Forrester. First up tier one Korean manufactuers like Hyundai and Kia are a fair way ahead of GM Daewoo and the Cruze is just plain bread and butter motoring. I think saying all Korean cars are the same is unfair an Opel is not a BMW or Benz.I thought the Kona was fine a bit on the small side for my 196cm frame but just about everything in that class is, but I am at one end of the Bell Curve. The Koreans have focussed on plain value for money cars for a long time but the Hyundai N and the Kia Stinger have shown they have some intent and to be fair they are not bad first up efforts. I would happily drive either. Their SUV 's are decent and I for one dont look for sports car handling in an SUV, if I want that I will buy a sports car. Technology wise if you like old school then buy an old car, hell even my 79 year old mother in law can use a touch screen. A lot of this is just badge snobbery. But I guess we all have that to some degree. I dislike French and Italian cars because of quality issues.

She's GONE! Off to a good home though. I left her outside for the night... and it was a bit frosty - quick hose over and she was ready to go on her long journey to her new home.

Hi Tony & welcome, don't be put off by all the negative comments, enjoy your car & the site Barry

The M52 has the advantage of being alloy block, so you lose a fair bit of weight over the front axle as well.

Thanks Allan, she's a beaut. Drove it home without doing the rocker cover- raining too much- and it didn't catch fire so I'll chalk that up as a win. The B25 makes okay power, but with the manual there's all this torque available that is completely missing in auto. Now... who knows anything about RB swaps? Also, do 22z fit? Chur!

A random stint of progress on the fleet. New rear tyre on the E39 last week since the previous had sidewall damage/split...prepping for sale next as I have a company car now and next to no room E30 was rolled out, washed down and got a new car cover. Motivated to get my nails back into the M30 swap now! E36: picked up some E46 330i front calipers and rotors yesterday and an MSport wheel off @Palazzo earlier tonight to boot! Looking for front and rear strut braces next

Ahh they finally put pics up.

Here is a nice one https://www.trademe.co.nz/1681253575

Sold.

I feel like a $17k 135i will need at least 5-8k of work over the next few years. Keep that in mind for your budget. Repair bills with these turbo engines are higher than the E46 generation.

A few people have asked so attached is a 2 tab spreadsheet of all the conversion parts I used / could remember while converting my 330ci. Also a TIPS tab. Notably the last tip, which is that it will cost more than you think, especially if you're a fussy bugger like me. This isn't gospel, it is a GUIDE. Hopefully it helps someone else out. BMWorld, HellBM, MotorSport Rentals, P&S Automotive and FCPEuro are great sources of help and parts E46 Manual Conversion List.xlsx

Does it take a couple seconds to start up when cold but starts up instantly when warm? If battery is good, it's common for the high pressure fuel pumps to cause this issue when they get old. It causes a shadow code relating to fuel pressure, which can be read with MHD. Code 2BDE if I remember correctly.

Oh well... I'm thinking of getting an M2 at some point. But this is fine for now.

I drove to Aucklandto get a manual conversion and m42 that I don't need because all my e36s are manual So the only logical thing to do was commit to buy another e36, so I suppose I'll go get that tomorrow I keep saying I don't like e36s because they fall apart inside and now I have 4 again

I think the more important question is if you are aware they are low quality and have doubts about whether they would get a cert, why the hell would you want to drive around on them?

It really grinds my gears the lack of attention people give to spelling. Especially in the professional work email environment, I take extra care to double, triple check the name of the person I am writing to (even more careful if foreign name) but probably 50% of the people I talk to daily email me as kyo instead of kyu. its bloody 3 letters cant be that hard.. (sorry off topic)

Replaced the front bumper

yeah, I can't take credit for @_ethrty-Andy_'s great work, but thanks for thinking of me @drtimwright! ?

I’ve also heard horror stories of the later V8’s blowing a water line inside the V, dang BMW, get yer sh*t together.

Come on mate, this is a common malady that doesn't discriminate! BMW engine = oil leaks.

Completed up

With a 20mm drop in front from sports. Suspension still settling in.