M3AN

I can't see, or even imagine, what is wrong based on the description and pics... but I do know one thing - anything that is described as "race" will never, ever be a "straight replacement" for an OE part.

Yeah, but he seems like a very American Englishman!

If you can find the instructions online I can do it for you... have a power supply and ISTA+ and NCS Expert although I'm not an expert with either so would need a step-by-step guide. It's probably pretty straight forward.

Thread dig... And now Top Gear and Motor Trend are working together. Anyone else watching the new Top Gear America? Two guys I don't know and the other guy from Ballers but they work okay. There's nothing serious on the show, it's just comedy drama.

They look nice, for some reason I thought you had the VAC Motorsport ones which I imagine would work also.

Yeah, it doesn't look too bad tbh although I can't see it being worth close to 12 but I'm not really across the market these days. If it were what I was looking for I might consider somewhere between 8 and 9, depending on inspection. I'd be looking to negotiate down from there not up, it's 26 years old and might as well have a zero safety rating. The reality is that the only buyers for these now are enthusiasts, I can't see the market supporting many at 10+. But as I say, I'm not in the market so there may be more informed people that can correct me.

Project 328i manual: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2985237483

Did PDC use to work, before the FRM replacement? If not you need to check the module isn't swimming in water. But yes, coding the FRM to your car seems the logical next step.

Whatever you do, do not spend $13k on a 26 year old 320i, regardless of the mileage and condition. If you want an E36, find a 328 for less than $5k and spend the $8k change you'll have on a manual conversion and a complete renovation. You'll have a proper project and change for beers.

I'm not confident but I suspect the FRM will need to be coded to your car, especially if it came from a car with different options. Have you tried the reset/relearn procedure with the windows? It's bizarre that up is down and down is up, nothing is plugged in the wrong way?

As Kelvin says above, remove the dipstick tube, that would have been the first thing I did. With the sump cover removed can you not see the dipstick and/or tube from the bottom?

Yeah, and for a pre-LCI auto with no special options. You do however get a Spa Francorchamps sticker thrown in. Would have cost them no more than $5,500 to put on their lot.

Not wrapped I don't think... door jams and trunk sills are matching colour. Sure it's not Montréal Blue with weird lighting?

😝

It's not a 130i but BMW clearly have no idea what their cars are worth... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2992085488 🤣🤣🤣

I'd be careful there for sure... that place closed down over a year ago and I've not seen it reopen (I pass it most days). I could be wrong or that website is a long time out of date.

Not at this stage, I'm going to hold onto it until I decide what to do. I have a Maxton extension for it as well which complicates my decision a little. I am starting to feel the rear end look could do with some magic.

Well, if you still have it and mine doesn't turn up or fit I'll take it.

Yep, I perform that service remotely, just plug in your OBD dongle and I call in with my modem.

I can make you one out of cardboard and cling film... it will be stronger than the original, 20 bucks.

If I had a 1200hp S50 at my disposal I'd do skidz too, just for kicks and giggles.

I got mine from Continental BMW when it randomly popped up on Trademe for a steal. Still not painted or fitted. It seems that the repro's are about $200 landed from China or $300 for the same thing via Trademe, I suppose that $100 extra might buy you some degree of buyer protection but only if you could get Trademe to side with you. The original BMW one doesn't fit that well and I wouldn't expect the repro's to actually improve on that situation, what I don't know is whether they're actually a worse fit. Probably not to be honest, it's a simple pattern to replicate.

Just purchased a cheap silicon intake hose from Ali (to replace the awful 'sound generator' one) because I couldn't find the Mishimoto one for a reasonable price. Bets on chances that it will even fit? Assuming it actually arrives?

Lovely, looks a bit lower than stock suspension too... interested in the width and offset of the wheels and details on that rear spoiler. New to you?

Like this: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/listing/2982906629 Or this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001694590566.html ?