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The Z3 M Coupe came standard with a 5 speed gearbox - not a 6 speed. A lot of guys prefer the 5 speed for racing because they're a stronger box. This engine and gearbox were lifted straight out of the car as is, so are matching. The auction is for the two units exactly as you see them - ie: no loom etc. Cheers, John

M3 Engine and gearbox for sale ... See advert on Trade Me Cheers, John

+5 ... I don't need it (yet) ... honest!

Yesterday I left Tauranga at 1.30pm and headed home to Grey Lynn (Auckland City fringe), and hit the heavy motorway traffic at Manukau City at 3.30pm. So 2 hours from Tga to Auck! Sounds fair! Arrived home at exactly 5.30pm, so Manukau to Grey Lynn took 2 hours ... same as Tauranga to Manukau!! That's what happens when it rains in Auckland ... no bugger (except Bimmersport members) knows how to drive. PLEASE NOTE : Non-Auckland members, you can all stop laughing now!

Entwicklung Codes – The forgotten 'E' numbers. We all know the E30, E36, E46 etc, etc, but have you ever heard of these? E504 8-Cylinder 503 with a 3 Metre wheelbase 1956 E113 4-Cylinder 707 to 1300cc Prototype in 1960 E124 4-Cylinder Student Wagon Prototype in 1966 E126 was the pre-runner of the E3 with a 2.6 Litre engine E4 was a Plastic Prototype from Bayer 1968 E7 was the Electric 02 for the 1972 German Olympics E11 was an E3 with V8 Engine E13 was an Amphian Prototype from 1970 E14 was a Jeep Prototype from 1970 E15 was a Plastic 2.8L Coupe again from 1970 E18 was a 6.5 Litre Coupe from Bizzarini 1970 E22 was a mid-Engine Auto based on the 2000 E121 E25 was the Paul Braq Turbo concept Codename X1 1975 E26 was a Sport Coupe based on the E25 with a M33 Engine E28G was a Prototype E28 Touring 1977 E29 was an Electric E107 and the E29/2 was a City-coupe 1979 E33 was an E21 with Electric engine from 1980 E34S E34/5S were Hand finished M5 and M5 Touring E36/5S E36 Compact with M3 Engine E42 was 4-Cylinder car with Front Wheel Drive E44 was a BMW Van project E48 FWD Compact from Rover alliance E49 FWD Compact from Rover but larger E51 was a V12 Coupe cancelled with Rover E53S was the X5 with the McLaren engine from the F1 Interesting list! Cheers, John

Gidday Dave, how's it hangin'? Very long, long story with Z3! Ongoing 3 year battle with the City Council over two houses has now cost us "well into six figures", plus couldn't sell the Z4, plus need money for final payment on Hampton Downs apartment, plus had to spend money on Almac Sabre racecar. Bottom line, timing is wrong to start another racecar project, so regretfully the Z3 M Coupe has to go! Cheers, John

Hi. Just thought I'd let members know that I have relisted my damaged Z3 M Coupe on TradeMe. Almost reached the reserve price prior to Christmas - but not quite - so am trying again. Check it out here! Call me on 09-3787840 or 021-378989 if you want to know more. Cheers, John

Hi. Many of you may already know about this site, but I've just discovered it. It has a huge variety of BMW videos online. Great selection of racing, promotional, street, performance, and general videos! Check it out. Cheers, John

Great work Graham! Big thanks on behalf of everyone who has spent far too much money on personalised plates over the years! Looking forward to future news on the subject. I've signed the online petition, plus agree with others re: contacting 'Campbell Live', 'Fair Go' and 'Commerce Commission'. After all, it's not as if we have a choice - a Euro plate is a necessity, not a luxury on a Euro vehicle, so we are FORCED to deal with Personalised Plates. Keep up the good work, John

Sorry, you're correct ... it is an E92, the E96 is the M3 GT2 version! Cheers, John

Yip, pretty sure you're right about the engine. The owner has thrashed it around Pukekohe during approx 70 laps of practise, and apparently is goes like a dream!

Hi All, A friend is now unable to find the funds for his half of our Hampton Downs apartments, so I have a half-share available for sale. Details are... Apartment Number C10U (top floor, end of the Denny Hulme block). One of 80 apartments on the main straight. Approx 800 sq. ft. Directly opposite the pits & start / finish line (great location). Two bedroom, large outside deck, double garage - check out the floor plan. Full furniture package - check out what's included. Use of all facilities (eg: Gym, pool, tennis court, plus use of the track). See every motorsport event for free! Three other upstairs apartments are currently for sale - D6U ($475,000 inc GST); C6U ($450,000 inc GST); and C7U ($450,000 inc GST). None of these are end units (which provide the advantage of large viewing windows in the side wall). So C10U would be valued at a minimum of $475,000. The apartment is in the rental pool, so that you gain a return on the investment - that is of course when we aren't using it!Here's a couple of images of the inside (although this was taken a few months ago, and it is now totally finished)... And here's where it is located... And here's a few shots of a sample apartment to show what ours will look like once furnished... It may sound like a lot of money to invest into an apartment at a race track, but with all the international events planned for Hampton Downs (such as the SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in 2010) there will be a good opportunity for income from rentals. We believe it's a damn good investment. Anyone interested, give me a call. John Mob : 021-378989 Work : 09-3787840

I was visiting RaceFX in Henderson today, and they had a few interesting BMWs in the workshop. M5 powered E46 Coupe... E92 M3 Racecar... Plus a Z3 M Coupe project car. This potential racecar is currently FOR SALE on TradeMe... Cheers, John

Thought everyone may be interested in a Z3 M Coupe I have for sale. Would make a great car for the open class of the BMW race series - RaceFX could build it up like Paul Mill's blue racecar. Check out http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...214&ed=true Cheers, John

G'day Sheytoon. Yes it can be done (after all the Z4 comes with the 3.2 engine, so it will fit), but I agree with others that it would be cheaper to sell your car and buy a Z4M. There are simply too many things that you would have to change to create a top-quality show car - engine, trans, diff, suspension, brakes, computer, wiring, etc etc. Plus, 3.2 litre engines are bloody hard to find. I looked for 6 months to find one to put in my Z4, and finally had to buy a complete (but damaged) Z3M Coupe from Japan, just to get an engine / box. Which Z4GTR kit are you referring to? The one in Sweden? If you are thinking about buying one, let me know. I've been corresponding with that company, and have negotiated a very good price on that kit. We want to use it on our Z4 racecar - the finished kit looks great. Cheers, John