CamB

All that's doing is confirming BMW NZ is choosing to gouge. Charming.

Hmmm, $10k more than an RS3. Would rather the 1M for the extra $10% but curious given they're the same 40k pounds in the UK. Might be spec differences...

I do wonder though - perhaps there are actually quite a few '92 DTM parts floating around in people sheds "waiting for the day".

A different question - why the excitement on the 1M compared to the Z4M?

So what if you have only one car parking space?

TRicky territory for them - needs to fit in the range. - more than a 1M (turbo 6), but avoid being a hotted up 335i. - less than an M5 (turbo 8). It will be very interesting to see what they come up with.

Good plan! Being honest, I'm still in two minds as to whether I should have got a flappy paddle shiftered car (there were good reasons, in particular lack of alternative). Perhaps I'm just rationalising my decision, but so far I think it hasn't ruined the driving experience (like I had always assumed it would). And while it does depend on what I like, rather than YOU ... I'm wound up a little by the d-bag (the one inexpertly drifting the 1M around a giant skidpan in the 2nd video) implying a DCT driver doesn't "get it". I get it, I'm just currently a little more open-minded.

Since neither are supercars or race cars, I guess what's the harm in a decent DSG/DCT/PDK/S-Tronic/whatever Nissan's one is called/etc.... Besides "ultimate driving machine" is a BMW marketing term. They offer it in DCT. DCT must be ultimate. Back on topic... it's good to see the 1M isn't compromised in the handling department (quite the opposite - looks a handful).

Someone should tell several supercar manufacturers they're doing it wrong then... So a better question - what's more "ultimate drive": - manual gearbox, H shift pattern - manual gearbox, sequential (proper race setup) Assuming its the latter (surely the thrill of driving isn't moving through an H pattern), is the thrill of driving using a clutch? And given real race cars flatshift on the way up, that only leaves using the clutch for the downshifts, and rev-matching/double de-clutch? So on the basis the ultimate drive isn't an H pattern or using a clutch to shift up, it must be double de-clutching on downshifts. What if you can't do it? What if, worse, you choose not to? (After that mini-rant, and in your defence, Porsche won't make the GT3 in PDK ) The most interesting thing I've found about my Golf is that the DSG took me several weeks to get used to properly. I formed a view on the test drives which were partly correct - there are things I thought were fine that I'm not so sure about now (like it short shifting into 6th gear at 60kph, which is well off boost and feels sluggish), and things I didn't realise (basically its brutally efficient when driving fast).

What's wrong with the DCT? I now have a Golf with DSG and despite expecting to hate it (I went shopping for manuals ones) I actually think its good. I'd rather different shift points in D mode (it prioritises fuel economy), but otherwise happy. Its less involving and requires less skill than a manual, but on the flipside it offers perfect flat-shift up and rev matched down every single time. Is the BMW version bad? Or is it simply the dude being precious? They have a manual mode...

Interesting - I didn't know that could be done. Are many bits needed?

I'd seen that and marvelled at the km too. My opinion - it would be a good price if the low km mean its in well above avg condition ... but the SMG reduces value significantly so I'm not surprised it hasn't sold (ie I think its a touch high for an SMG). You could always convert to 3 pedals - I've got a getrag 6spd with everything (I think) you'd need except the trim around the stick, the gear knob and master cylinder (ie, I have the box, mount, prop shaft, linkages / shift cradle, slave cylinder and hard line, pedals). Would sell for $1750. I also have a '96 M3 sedan in Byzanz Metallic (<140k km, NZ new, 6 spd, I've replaced/upgraded a lot of parts) which I should sell as I've bought a new car, so if you're feeling like a sedan... send me a PM.

LHD's only practice (although car parks and overtaking remain a pain). I saw the numberplate "strat1" on an X5 in Shortland St the other day... what are the chances?

LHD - that'd help on the downpipe(s).

Have you seen these, which I'm selling? http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=36235

It won't be strong if you don't put an LSD in or weld it (a one wheel skid with big power will eventually destruct the spider gears).

Yeah that's the car I saw, but without the stripes. It had that plate (or a derivative).

Last time I looked at the lvvta thresholds it said the lines had to be one piece (ie swaged ends, not fittings that you can assemble).

And if you get all keen on this: I can sell you a 3.64 large case ring and pinion (not that easy to find).

And if so, its a very good price IMHO.

Some of it is the US$ getting weaker - oil price in US$ has gone up a little.

The stock wheels are back on and I'll get some pics and you'll see the car for sale soon. I have been a traitor - gone for a Mk6 Golf. Too much going on in my life to have a daily car that was effectively part project car.

No tyres, although I have a couple of half-worn Toyo T1R in 225/45R17 I could chuck in at the asking price. Will reply re: PM sent.

As I'm in the process of changing cars, these wheels are for sale: - BBS LM 089 - 17x8" - official offset is +41, but with reverse mounted rims its now ~ +35 - as you can see from the pics, fully refurbished with polished rims (which were essentially uncurbed before polishing and are now perfect) and powdercoated centres - fit on my E36 M3 with 235/40R17 either end, as per the pics - were only on the car for ~1,000km - only negative in my opinion is that 2x centre caps are held on with double sided tape as the prongs are broken off (they were like that when I bought them). Price - $1750, which I think is pretty fair as these are (a) difficult to find; ( expensive to refurbish; and © basically perfect.

I'm sure I saw one on the Ellerslie/Penrose offramp on Friday - white. Looked like a rollerskate with the fatty tyres. Pretty cool. Its amazing they can get the weight so high (ditto a Golf R, for what its worth). I bet that it hides that bulk well though.