Allanw

Actually... for the cam - eBAy search for SJ4000 and just leave them recording full time. It's like a go-pro, but cheap and pretty good (see quality comparisons on You Tube). I have one on my bike helmet.

I suspect they may have actually been trying to park on the side of the road...... but misjudged it, based on the results on their previous "parking by braille" attempts.

Ha... what are the chances of 2 bimmersporters recently having an E39 touring AND a City turbo in the "stable" Maybe I should take the bits you cut off the back, and can convert my sedan into a touring I've nearly got my O2/LPG brazing setup sorted. Mrs is starting to eye up Odyssey RB1 Absolutes (So am I, just have to work out how to convert to manual trans )

http://www.cable-shack.co.uk/ Jimmy can supply what you need. He's not the cheapest, but can offer support and help if required with the setup of the software. The VAG cable needs a mod, and then you still have to get the BMW software, install it, and set it up to work. Jimmy's in one click type install now I think. Lots require virtual machines and looooooooooooooooong setup procedures.

The battery is probably poked if it's been sitting that long as was flat. I'd start there first. Even just try one from another (going) car. Make sure it's big enough.

I hope it still has the 318i badge Fun-ness

You could always buy mine.... Of all the things on your list, the only one is matches is being a facelift... it's manual though, and has factory motorsport suspension

Hmmm... you might be surprised.

Knob... So... you didn't set fireto anything doing that???

And it's not really a Toyota...

Doesn't have much in the option list: VIN WBSBG92030EA88661 Type code BG92 Type M3 (EUR) E series E36 (2) Series 3 Type COUPE Steering RL Doors 2 Engine S50 Displacement 3.20 Power 236 Drive HECK Transmission MECH Colour ESTORILBLAU METALLIC (335) Upholstery TEILLEDER W.N./SCHWARZ (N5SW) Prod.date 1996-06-28 S243A AIRBAG FUER BEIFAHRER Airbag for front passenger S255A SPORT-LEDERLENKRAD Sports leather steering wheel S401A SCHIEBE-HEBEDACH, ELEKTRISCH Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric S473A ARMAUFLAGE VORN Armrest front S498A KOPFSTUETZEN IM FOND Headrests mechanically adjustable, rear S534A KLIMAAUTOMATIK Automatic air conditioning S548A KILOMETERTACHO Kilometre speedo S806A 3.BREMSLEUCHTE Third stoplamp S818A BATTERIEHAUPTSCHALTER Battery master switch S850A ZUSAETZL. TANKFUELLUNG EXPORT Additional Export tank filling S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dispatch protection pack

Hmmm... sounds like the usual NZ spec...

I'm liking this project I really like the M54 engine! It's also very cool that people like you share their projects on here! M54 Nerd info below: You're probably well aware of this, but that's not at all how the Vanos on an M54 is usually controlled. I find it quite interesting, so I'll bore some readers with sme info. The Standard M54 can vary the valve timing infinetly between the upper and lower limit, and uses pulse width modulation of the solenoids to alter the oil flow (pressure) to the vanos pistons to suit. It measures the amount of retard or advance using the cam position sensors, and adjusts PWM to get the reading it wants based on a table along the same lines as yours. It does it that way, because oil pressure affects the oil flow into the vanos, so when the oil is cold and thick, the amount of advance for a given PWM will be different to the same PWM with an operating temperature oil, which is a lot thinner (and of course, RPM can alter it too). I assume an aftermarket ECU capable of doing that is probably a lot more expensive and very complicated! I'm not up with the play of exactly what the full effects of the exhaust cam timing are, but I do know the M54 usually alters cam and ignition timing when the car is running cold, to heat up the cats faster (More overlap, later ignition etc), which is obvuoisly more about emmisions than anything else. I'm sure it has some input into performance at some point too. With really worn seals they can actually idle really rough sometimes as the ecu can't get the cams where it wants them under certain conditions.

http://my350z.com/forum/other-vehicles/54805-i-have-been-humiliated-by-my-friends-subaru-forester-xt.html An E39 540i isn't geared for hard acceleration - it has loooooooooooong gears that it spends a fair amount of time pulling through, because of the immense torque. The Forester is geared much shorter, and has the advantage of AWD... plus when Car and Driver did the acceleration test, they probably weren't kind to the car! Plus the turbo gives it a much better power/torque curve shape than a 540i - it'll appear much less peaky. Put a short diff in an E30 325i and see how awesome the acceleration gets, and it's not even turbo charged.

Go on!

A member had an impromptu barbecue apparently... petrol/sparks/face etc. I want to see pics.

I don't know if any would - takes effort! They'd probably charge more to do it. I also wondered if the specs in the machine are the same as BMW ones, or if they account for the lack of weights, so they aren't required???

It used to be a Suzuki Wagon R. Until someone broke out the plywood, bog and a concrete mixer.

Mmmm... E39 Campervan

Are you talking E36 320i??? in real life driving, you're best with either the 328i, or a 318i (or 318is, especially). The 320i is not really any more economical than the 328i - sometimes they're actually hungrier, but you'll have better resale on the 328i. The 318is might actually be a better performer for daily driving too. Something to look into anyway.

Depends on a number of factors, but a car can be certed to have the airbag removed. They have to be over a certain age or something (Plus aren't airbags only rated for 10 years anyway?). Pay to check the regs with lvvta or your local favourite certifier. If you power the system down (battery off) for the required time, it won't blow up and kill you! Check the time require ment for your model, but in reality, it's almost instant, but most manufacturers have a "recommended" time to wait. I've removed a few airbags from car I was stripping, and never had an issue... be very respectful of them though... until they're out... they you put them face down, hook up a REALLY long wire loom and set them off, seeing how far up they go!!!

Bummer dude! At least none of it is end of the world stuff, but still mightly piss offing! That's pretty retarded about the Beisan uide, because the other ones are over the top detailed! The M54 one is about 5 times longer than necessary, and I think he quoted about 3 times how long it took me - I guess he's aiming at non-mechanical newbies... I'd have assumed that all his quides were the same... apparently not! Oh Well, Hope the rest goes well!

Needs more ///M

Qualitats sponser the VW Nationals every year, and have done so for as long as I can remember. They really are a great place and stock a lot of stuff too!

My mates got an 2003ish 3.0, and it uses less gas than the 2.0 Caldina they had prior??? Last I asked, he was about 11L/100 kms around town. Heaps better on a trip though.