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Why? No proof yet of how the fire started, and no confirmation it was an EV battery, no point speculating. Its no different to any of the other times a car transport has caught fire. Could've been just as likely one of the euro ICE cars on there had an electrical failure and caught fire. All you guys are so eager to see any progress towards a new future fail.

Couple of pics - new Storm Motorwerks shift knob

Be worth trying water cannons to extinguish a parliamentary protest though... I'd pay to view Cheers...

Cough cough... oil platform fire anyone?

Got the new shocks and springs etc in - ST 50mm/40mm springs, AP Sport shocks, Meyle mounts front and rear and new BMW (I trimmed them) bump stops and 10mm spring pads No drama's at all on the install but I am a slow wrencher! Car drives much better than with the Dobi's and tired Koni shocks that were in it - a little firmer but well damped now and overall firmer, but more comfortable. I've not had a chance to spank it on a back road but while this isn't an out and out performance combo, it feels like a good street setup with my 22mm/16mm swaybars. Ride height is now a bit low at the front but should look better when/if I go for 16's. Reversing into my driveway now is an exercise in caution. One of the front perches was missing the lower spring shim, but I can't imagine new front spring shims would make too much difference in height? maybe 3-4mm? The yuppie-mobile in its natural habitat:

Tech2 bumper seems to sit low, overall my e36 is lower than the e30 but always catch the front bumper on my drive. No worries on the e36 though

This should be compulsory for all Akl drivers! I miss driving in London, where the vast majority of drivers are considerate of others - that was before the electric scooter knobs arrived though, they seem to be a different breed the world over. Wish I could be that chill when driving nowadays!

That was my immediate thought, but it scrapes elsewhere too, my driveway entrance isn't too bad TBH - E46 on coilovers was able to get in and out easier. Those metal curb ramp things need council consent as I understand.

Not a BMW I know but thought someone could be interested in it for while theirs is in the workshop 😂 Offering it to you lovely people before I have to deal with Facebook idiots. Let me know if not allowed! 2009 Mazda 6 Sport Limited NZ New 132,XXX kms Serviced by Mazda North Harbour from new with full service history records Fresh WOF and full service Powerful 2.5L chain driven motor Tiptronic with paddle shifters Red with gold flake paint (factory) Rear tints Full leather interior (freshly conditioned) Electric seats Electric sunroof Full Factory Bose Audio System 2 x original keys $10,500

My brother works in Japanese vehicle importation and wholesale and he's said cars he could get for 16k landed are going for 30k+ in Japan.

Cheers @Braydon its coming along slowly ... looking a bit like a spaghetti monster but should be able to tidy it up nicely I hope. Have had to order some additional terminals to complete things. There will be two additional relays and a distribution block (downstream items from ECM relay) to mount to the real printed block when its completed tomorrow.

It’s got Eibachs and Koni shocks. Ride is better than (worn out) stock. ‘stance’ is perfect IMO. Still practical for daily use.

That’s funny—- I know they’re rare and all but they do look aftermarket slash cheap, no?

Could get a set of basket weaves, an Mtech steering wheel and some taillight tint spray for that

Damn that looks good! I miss that silhouette 😥 What springs did you go for again? Looks nice and low

I bought three of the "Dr. ColorChip Squirt 'n Squeegee Kit" in Artic Silver, Titan Silver and Bronzit Beige over the years through Pelican Parts (was $65USD). I was never really that impressed with them but that could also have been operator error. The colour always seemed to be slightly off. I had far better luck with AMMO NYC's method of using a paint dropper/pen and the touch up paint from SuperCheap.

Damn, the E46 coupe is a timeless design.

At least those parts are rare and desirable items which justify a reasonably high price. Listings for factory E30 springs for hundreds of dollars are the ones that get me.

Have started assembly of the power distribution on this delightful yellow printed prototype. The real one is printing as we speak, about another 24 hours to go 🤯 Then I will have to see how the PETG goes with the engine bay heat ... once the thing runs. I have some ASA filament but need to upgrade the hotend on the printer to try and get it printing properly etc. The last of the electrical parts arrived this morning also so once the 3D printing has completed I can forge ahead !!

Thanks @Braydon yeah i'm pretty please on how they turned out. Hopefully be a master at them by the time i do the v12 ones. The most satisfying part is i didnt have to fork over 3-5k for someone else to make them.

Pretty sure that VDO actually make N54 pumps for BMW, and Pierburg are another reputable European manufacturer. Noteworthy that Pierburg have actually come out with an alloy pump that they claim eliminates the cracking that is a frequent cause of leaks from the plastic pump housing. They also claim to have found a resolution to the design weakness in the pump motors that causes motor failure due to coolant getting amongst the electrics. https://www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling/Water-Pumps/N54-N55-Pierburg-BMW-Electric-Water-Pump-11517632426.html I have asked FCP if they can get them but apparently not yet. Other places can supply but they want stupid money for shipping, so I'm just waiting until I actually need one. But for sure when the time comes I want the alloy pump housing !! Cheers... PS: There is actually one (alloy Pierbug pump) for sale on TM at the moment for $999.

Got my electrical pieces, so I can now start to lay out the power distribution. Buying from Waytek Wire meant there were some minimum quantities so I've got plenty of 'spares' of some items

While awaiting the electrical bits 'n bobs to arrive I've been chipping away at my trans mount and drive shaft loop ... which I need to get sorted before the tail end of the headers can be done. Just sent my proposal to the certifier to see what his thoughts are. REALLY hoping he is ok with it so I don't have to do the super lame but usual route of mounting through the floor with doubler plates etc.

Uh oh ... spaghetti oh !! Some really good progress today, managing to get the two ECU's slotted into the factory BMW electronics box insert with small modifications to both. Stoked !! Should give a really nice OEM look once all is completed bar some additional cable length. The smaller ECU is dedicated to the VVEL control, the one with three plugs is the main engine ECU. I await my Egis 8033 fuse block so I can get things finished up on the wiring side. As always happens I've completed the power wiring design now and I need another awesome part from Egis which is only available from offshore but it won't hold me up, will just make things more untidy.

Car got a mini overhaul this week with @BMTHUG - Timing belt & tensioner / drive belts, water pump / thermostat / coolant / crank seal / rocker cover gasket / rocker shaft seals / spark plugs and Valve adjustment. Car is running great, little smoother, bit less chattery and perhaps even a placebo 2.5whp. Just gotta do my fluids then time to get on with suspension, interior, wheels and cosmetic stuff.

It's a deep blue / purple kinda colour ... looks very good, much better than the images online I've seen IMO. He got it with some options which also help ... TRD side skirts and boot lip spoiler from memory along with some nice forged 21's At the other end of the automobile spectrum I've been engaging my kiwi ingenuity with my header tweaking as pictured. Engaged multiple wince making techniques from the trolley jack lift 'n shift to the classic ratchet tie down on the tow bar yank 'n twist. The wire in the vice is my gauge so I can tell how much to abuse it. The good news is I have 5 out of 6 pipes now fitting whilst the worst offender gets some surgery at Race Lab ... I really have had enough of messing with the headers at this point and the pro's will give it a quick cut and tuck with far less profanity than me doing it. Next up I'll be targeting the transmission mount, which will likely involve more header / exhaust work to get the collectors and secondaries / Y pipe sorted.

Big day today in general !! Got the drive shaft back and it looks really great ... was worth them noting 'fussy paint job' on the job card As per everything these days it was super expensive but at least they did a really great job. Went for the big boy 1350 slip yoke (because why not) which makes the OEM middle joint look positively puny. Also has a new CV on the end as the old one was poked apparently. Not directly swap project related but I installed my AliExpress air and oil separator for the compressor which is pretty sweet. Also washed the car with my apprentice, SO satisfying as it had 18 months of garage dust all over it (plus a dead cockroach). The E46 is such a classic good looking car

Huzzah I've completed my scale model of the large colon !! The last tube will unfortunately need a tweak as I had to improvise a little when building it up (only one of the six) and its interfering with a bolt head from the starter motor 😕 It fits if I take the bolt out ... maybe i can weld the starter to the block I managed to crack the secret code of twists and turns needed to get them installed as well which is good news but a little nerve wracking !

No posts for a little while as have just been chipping away in the background and making plans for things needed to mount the engine for the (hopefully) final time ... heater lines, wire routing, sealing the cabin blower air intake etc. I did pull the engine again and have fitted the shifter relocation kit finally so I can make car noises and change gears At the same time I shortened the dust cap so the Spicer 1350 slip yoke can fit without fouling. Onto the VERY exciting developments this week ... received the dry sump housing and rebuild kit needed to change mounting from right to left. On the same day the Sikky Manufacturing slim steering linkage arrived. Dry sump is fully stripped and now ready to reassemble with the new housing. By far the most exciting thing to happen was the arrival of the dry sump oil pan which I designed and had made via https://hubs.com ... looks FANTASTIC, so stoked. Lets hope it fits up alright Will need to finalise the design of the oil scraper plate before it can be mounted up permanently.

Well so far this has been a lackluster experience. Paid on the 4th, no comms from this lot not even an invoice email. Only thing is blurb on their site stating that they are very busy sniffing paint fumes and it may take up to 12 business days to fulfill the order.

Some users get (multiple) warnings and are up for days with no price. I report them and nothing happens. Others are removed without explanation even when borderline. Guess you're not in the cool club? I just list everything on TM now.