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Very productive weekend. New input shaft seal for the gearbox. Was super careful putting this one in, made sure it went in as square as possible and tapped it just barely below flush. Didn't take many photos since I was really trying to get the car driveable for this week. Motor back in, cooling stack in. I installed a new MAF sensor, O2 sensors, fuel pump. But I still had a rough idle. Eventually discovered it was the MAF connector itself. The female pins were quite loose which meant that with the airbox off and the intake tube moving around with the engine the contact was not good. I squeezed the pins tighter and fitted the airbox so everything was solid and the idle was perfect. A quick look at the fuel trims in INPA suggest they are perfect but I'll do a proper log later and see how things look. Front end taking shape Back on the ground, first time seeing the final ride height (will settle a bit) with the new bilstein B8s and eibach springs. Pretty much perfect for what I was looking for seeing as it will be my daily. Cabin filter and new windshield cowl fitted. Unfortunately I'm still missing the front air duct that feeds the airbox. The one of the donor car was broken so I'll have to make a trip to the scrap yard to get one. Interior assembled with a few nice new parts, I'm still repairing the driver seat so I have temporarily fitted the driver bucket seat from the M3. Sorry Olaf, this ones getting a badge. Car got a much needed wash and out for it's first quick test drive. Absolutely stoked with this thing. It's very quick, corner to corner it's not really any slower than the M3. Not quite as much zing as the S54 up top but much smoother and torquier low down. Still a few details to finish it off: - Driver seat - AC re-gas - Air intake scoop - Exhaust hangers, the 325ti has unique hangers which I didn't pony up for resulting in the tail pipes not sitting quite centred - It's too quiet. I like my cars quiet but at idle you wouldn't even know the thing is running. It has a fully stock 325ti exhaust, so I think I'm going to open up the small centre resonator and gut it and see what that sounds like. - Z4 FCABs - Alignment - Tyres, the Chinese ones on it are not up to scratch for the B30 torque - Custom plate I think, this one is a keeper I love it too much already.

Finished building the race car….!

Hard to imagine ever seeing one in NZ that would beat this. The wheels, msport kit and alpine white really make it, somehow the head lights look great now haha.

Thank you bro, if you weren't on the other side of Auckland I'd be there. I'm sure I'll get to have a look around your E30 at some point. Fortunately my local shop is pretty good and I'll get them to sort the alignment at the same time.

Unfortunately long gone, or I'd let you have at it.

This is a wicked little build dude. Been watching with anticipation! Can sort your ac regas if ya need

Looking super haaaaawt !! Must be awesome to have it driving Is the donor car heading to the wreckers once done with ? I need to hack at one as per my thread:

This guy is a huge shareholder in Autosol Metal Polish............

Let's hope so...

Super happy with the suspension. Just the right amount of firm but very compliant and comfortable. Looking forward to seeing what difference the FCABs make. I still have the rear section from the donor 330 so I'll cut into that one and see how easy or difficult it is. I really only want it to be maybe 10% louder, just enough to know that it's something special but I still want it to sound stock. Hopefully gutting the resonator gets me what I'm looking for but will report back. You're a legend mate, I'll gladly take it. Happy to pay for shipping plus some. The ones I've come across so far at the junk yard are usually damaged in some way. I actually like the look of the blank steering wheel panel but losing out on cruise control is a bummer. Maybe one day I'll fit a Z3 CC stalk. Cobywheel. Reasonably priced and they use genuine grey 9002 alcantara to match the bolsters. I've seen the wheels and some other bits done by coby and they've been average quality but the boots are really good in my experience. They just copy the pattern from the genuine bits so fit like OE. I just removed the old leather and glued them onto the frames with some contact adhesive.

Ahh man, well done! What a wee weapon. Looks so good in white, and the ride height looks absolutely bang on. Keen to hear how you go with the exhaust, looking to add a bit of sound to mine at some point as well. Was just clearing out the garage yesterday and stumbled upon a spare air intake scoop thingy. Was gonna go in the bin but happy to send it your way to save the scrap yard trip. Also have a few spare steering wheel button panels if you wanted cruise & media controls. Where'd you get those shifter & handbrake boots from? Hardly see any RHD ones around, or was it a DIY effort?

I am so excited for you man!

Update: My car is on a vessel awaiting passage through the Panama Canal. ETA in NZ is early April.

There was an ‘05 Nz new 330i on fb last week with 215km and a warranty until ‘25. Now sold, they’re out there.

Guy selling it is a mate of a mate, have seen the car a few times. A few imperfections here & there but plenty of car for the money. Happy to make contact and check it out more thoroughly for you.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/330d/listing/4536568597 Can't be too many cars with steering wheel heating AND rear seat heating! Perfect for the drive up to the Remarks. Very keen to hear from owners whom have gone from M57 to N57, and whether I'm going to miss much by not holding out for an N57 335d? Especially as I've got a Racechip GTS just sitting on the shelf doing nothing. cc @balancerider