M3AN

The front wheels/tyres look stupid on that blue one, way too wide. Tom's is a difficult proposition because it's so far from original. It's the correct car for the person that wants to heavily modify an M3 but of little appeal to everybody else unfortunately. The black one (https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1833187514.htm) does look nice and low km's however being a UK import I'd need to check the entire underbody. $36k is top money for one of these IMHO so it would need to be essentially perfect. Note that subframe not done, no mention of VANOS work, it's an '05 so rod bearings may not be a problem but even without you're looking at another $2k min for the other stuff.

Not sure what horrible filter they used for the photos but I've looked on two difference screens and that leather does not look black!

Yes, a good example of why ~300hp is much more fun than ~500hp on the road.

I like it and tbh, unless you're hoping for a profit it probably doesn't matter if it's fake or not. It looks cool. I'd be more interested in the armour to be honest, how thick is the glass? Because there's not point in putting armour on a car without reinforcing the glass also.

From a comment at that ^ link: Maybe you can save $150 - are you in touch with their "archives" department?

Not special vehicles, for example a standard e46 M3 with the same spec that was available new in NZ...

Does the rule not have a provision for cars that are the "same" as ones sold locally brand new? If not that seems crazy.

Unless you live in the bush keep in mind that you also have a civic duty not to piss off your neighbourhood with an obnoxiously loud exhaust.

Bring them all to our next coffee meet, 2nd December! ??‍♀️

Do both sides at the same time and if you don't have the Z3 reinforcements then add those too (can be done later with the car on the ground). https://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_Z3_ECS_Assembled_Shock_Reinforcement_Kits_1996_1997_1998_1999_2000_2001_2002/ https://www.akgmotorsport.com/product/rear-shock-mount-reinforcement-set-e30-e36-e46-z3/ Cab may already have them? Check first.

Is it? Even if you do it at home out of a massive green canister that should really be at a hospital?

These guys are forum sponsors: http://www.carfolie.co.nz/data/index.php I got mine done by them a few years back, was happy with the result. I got a discount because of their relationship with Bimmersport so check that out also.

They all "fit" it's just a matter of whether they'll "work".

Probably 61318360855 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BG12-EUR-10-1998-E36-BMW-328i&diagId=17_0959)

^ nice seats and great work on the mix and match modules! Yes, you'll need to make them fold and slide forward to get a warrant and tbh, I'm not sure how easy that will be, they often have different frames.

Yeah, I thought I remembered it and I had a fair idea the price was lower a while back. I think it is a tough market for both sellers and buyers tbh. I understand sellers want a premium (why not, it's a desirable car) but how many are actually selling at this price? And keen buyers are left thinking that perhaps it's beyond reach. That good ones infrequently come up for sale shouldn't necessarily create a rising tide that lifts all prices.

That's my choice of the 3 but my caveats still apply and that price... it would have to come down significantly for me to be comfortable with it and I can't imagine my offer would please the seller... ? Nevertheless, absolutely worth a look and do report back! Good luck.

Second one is SMG, you're looking for a manual right? The Topaz one looks nice. But both are early(ish) models and those prices are sky-high premium. Neither auction confirms rear subframe is sorted, bottom end is sorted and VANOS is sorted, all things that I'd expect to be 100% complete to the highest standard for those prices. Although the Topaz one looks nice...

42k ? Better have a lot more done to it than only the rear subframe for that sort of coin.

Might pay to send @M3_Power (Tom) a PM (or he may now see this thread) as he's the resident expert on CSL parts and suppliers. Whilst you're waiting look back through some of Tom's threads/posts for probably useful info.

Do you know of a supplier of those head units @_ethrty-Andy_?

I use Windows 10 without any problems, just make sure it's 32bit if you want to run all the tools. You don't need XP.

Yes, I can't remember the full list but for sure you can't access all features in the cluster, abs/asc, radio and I think body electronics modules via USB. But whatever, I just wish people would say "works partially" when talking about USB because there's so much misinformation out there. If you have an e36 and you're starting from the ground up then you're best to go ADS over serial, Win XP+ 32bit.

Just be aware that "works over USB" actually means "some things work over USB". You can NOT access all ADS modules via USB. I can't recall which ones you can access, they may be sufficient but something to be aware of nevertheless. If I can find some time to get over to Birkdale I'd be happy to bring my setup over. It's still worth you pursuing your own solution because I'm not sure when I'd be able to do that.

I have the computer/software*, whereabouts in Auckland are you? *Altough I've never done EWS alignment before it's apparently simple with DIS over ADS which is what I have.