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Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can get these bits of brake out of the paint on my wheels? This isn't just brake dust, it's small chunks that seem to have cooked themselves onto/into the paint during the track day. I've already washed the wheels and tried picking them out and using a plastic card but it started scratching the paint. Does any one have any ideas or is this just the collateral damage of racing?

Can't believe I didn't see this thread until now. I am really looking forward to see this done, I've always had a vision of an e24 with a v8. Just seems so right. What tyre size did you go with on the 10s?

Went to the Pukekohe Test Day on Saturday and had an absolute blast. This was my first time at Puke and first time on a circuit in the e36. I was expecting it to be a bit slow, especially after my 1.8t Mk2 Golf felt like a snail at Hampton, but it really surprised me. I was sharing the pit garage with a couple of guys who were driving a stripped out, caged 330i e46 with semi slicks, and I was outpacing them. Had quite a good time tangoing with them on the track. I was quite pleased with how the coilovers performed, held the car pretty solid round the corners and weren't bumpy or uncomfortable at all. I was running consistent 1.26-27s, verified by the in car go pro and someone who was timing me. Unfortunately the batteries died at midday so I don't know what I was running later but I am sure I must have cut that down a little. The car made it through the day like a champ, I faced no issues at all, no overheating, nothing. I did wear down my rear brake pads to the point where they both were no longer held in place by the carrier, so they dislodged a little and started melting against the center of the brake disc. So I didn't do the last round as I'd rather not end up in a wall. Some photos and videos from the day: Bloody tyre kickers I was getting a bit of rub on the front left wheel, must have been quite a bit because paint on the top of the fender actually got burned. Also the exhaust tips melted a bit of the difuser, must be from going so hard round turn 1. All signs that I was going hard enough I reckon. I think what would improve the car most would be a brake upgrade and semi slicks for next round. More photos to come.

Man you have some perseverance for sure. Awesome work.

I have to agree now, every German I have met (here, Europe or elsewhere) has spoken better English. Especially since he claims to have been doing business worldwide. I wouldn't go ahead.

Same, Paypal generally just sides with the buyer right away so I can't see it being a problem for you.

Installed my coilovers today. Decided to go with the Solo Werks S1 coilovers. They had many good reviews, basically labeled the best of the cheap "entry-level" coilovers so decided to give them a shot. I was quite happy when I received them, they included lubricant for the threads and an instruction manual was that specifically for the e36. For $500usd coilovers I though that was a nice touch. While there I also installed new top mounts and installed the reinforcement plates front and rear. Here is how it sits after a quick 10 minute drive. I've got a track day next weekend at Pukekohe so going to be driving it a bit until then to make sure everything is good. Will report back on how the coilovers feel.

I recently did some diff bushes using some exhaust tube, some thick metal plate and a threaded rod with nuts. Worked perfectly. I don't imagine it should be any different for the control arms. Let me know if you want more details.

Agreed, purple tag makes a massive difference.

Looks like it might be the same size. I'm happy for you to take it and then just throw it away if it's no use, otherwise I will probably do the same. I am in Auckland.

Is it the same as a 328i one? If so you can have mine for free.

Thanks Dave, I can appreciate that.

Since I live my life a quarter mile at a time I decided to upgrade my neons. This new setup uses led strips with 60 leds per meter, as opposed to my old setup which used 30 leds per meter (now twice as bright so twice the street cred). The led strips are addressable meaning you make make then do all kinds of stuff not even seen in the new Need for Speed. I put together the whole thing custom including the wiring harness (and no, I won't sell you one because I don't want anyone stealing my thunder (or should I say lightening) at a car meet). The end result is this: NFS-final.mp4 Also a final shot showing off the interior lights as well which are hooked up to turn on when the doors open.

A couple from round 2:

I am super keen to see this come together. Will be following.

Seatbelt Solutions on Industry Rd in Penrose. Roger who runs it is a good guy, will tell you everything you need and has all the brackets, doubler plates etc. Otherwise I also have a pair of e30 buckles I can sell you for $30 (what I paid) if you want to go that way.

Probably just down to the classic open to interpretation/no universal standard approach that is so common here.

I thought so too but both certifiers I spoke to said no.

Thanks but that's actually a bit sloppy. I've been out of practice for about a year. But lucky it was as fast as it was huh. Yeah I did. What actually happened is I was thinking "He should be in front by now" so I decided to check, next thing I know I see red going across my interior mirror. Put me off a bit and I ran a 15 something time, haha. NZKW as well. Just be aware if you want to do this and want to certify it, you will also need to get new web clamped seat belts with matching buckles, and mount the buckles to the tunnel using doubler plates.

I agree, I couldn't ask for better fitment with the stock arches. I'm going to try achieve the same look with the 9s and the arches I'm going to make.

Some cool photos from round 1.

Yeah it's definitely a lot louder than factory. To be honest in my car without backseats it's borderline too loud.

Yep that was it. It's quite a lot smaller than the factory muffler so there is heaps of room to make it work.

I just got a twin straight through rear muffler from Chase for like $100 and made it fit on my 328i with a minimum amount of welding, sounds great if you ask me. Might be something to consider.

Managed to run a 14.48 on Friday. Not as fast as I was hoping for but still the fastest so far. As the night went on and the air got colder I started facing grip issues, which was surprising since I upgraded to better tyres for this round. Got another drag day next month so will see if I can push for 14.3. Also here's a video of the previous round where on my first run a Dodge Demon lost it, crossed my lane and narrowly missed me. Dodge-demon-vs-me-crash.mp4 Drag-wars-my-run-14,48.mp4