CamB

Well if you buy it and feel it would be better converted to normal manual I have a 6spd box/shift linkage/pedals that I bought on impulse that I should probably sell. I always wondered what that light would be for - I guessed it would be some sort of "terminal velocity reached" light, haha. (edit) I keep thinking these things (E36 M3) can't possibly get any cheaper - they're a pretty good car by any measure!

Grant, you've seen all the BMWs - beyond that, there was something for everyone there and more than enough Porsches of all ages. Phil did - post 2.

I actually thought the race car/road car thing was a pretty cool idea, and the club should be commended on it (nice one Gerry). You can't please all the people all the time.... speaking of which I'm also not a fan of new cars* at concours / classic car shows, but if its in the rules... fair game. * I reckon an e36 is too new personally, perhaps because I drive one on the basis its a modern car. I reckon 25 years +

THat M3 was beautifully presented (even within the mintness that is concours). Must be stressful trying to keep a car in that condition. I liked the Porsche 356 Carrera (not that there's much to notice) - very rare.

LOL. You cannot suppress the impulse.

Exhibition suggests showing off to someone. Me? I only ever accelerate for the joy of it.

Are they like these ones? http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=34359 If yes, price may be a little high. A pic might help too. As a side rant, I had been looking for a set of these for about 2 years as they fit my race car without fouling the large brakes. I found nothing. Suddenly 2 sets come along in a week... but I've already bought something else

Forum sponsor Zenetti (Mag and Tyre Direct) has replicas in E36 fitment (would need a spacer). http://www.magandtyredirect.com/wheeldetail.php?rc=2771

A random thought (and not arguing) - does the ridiculously heavy engine in an M3 change whether a full M3 setup is "best".

Yes please! You might need a diff plan too - small case diffs aren't the strongest.

Do you need to update your project thread?

I get 13-15l/100km around the city (if no motorway), LOL.

Oooh - another one I forgot about. The Opel Calibra - that smooth, sexy 90s coupe styling ... ewwww

Yes the dead pedal is too close to the clutch, but you get used to it after a week and it becomes a non-issue. Like I said - they're not that peppy down low and the extremely long accelerator pedal takes a little mental effort to overcome. 3rd gear from legal to illegal speeds is an eye-opener.

A battlehip grey self-propelled artillery vehicle (you know - like a tank) on the back of a truck on Symonds St on Friday night. WTF.

I'm not offended - I'm always surprised at how capable (good word) an E36 M3 is. I agree - they're not particularly fun compared to a well sorted E30*. I might try a shorter diff - it might wake it up a little below warp 9. The real test, I'll be surprised if they ever see a revival and start becoming more desirable. It could happen, but I doubt it. * they are still better to drive than most BMWs.

That's kinda true. Still fast though. Back on-topic - should I feel guilty for generally liking the way mine looks (even though objectively I don't think they're all that good looking).

I can't agree - they have 300hp. They destroy an E30 (M3 or not) in a straight line. Plus, the engine's great - that's why people stick them in an E30 when they want to make them faster. They're also much faster round corners as they have a pretty decent rear suspension design. They're just a little uninspiring unless you're going quickly, the steering's not that great and they feel heavy and (sorry Brian) I don't think they look great. They're definitely not sedate though. (super-late edit) - they do have the longest accelerator pedal in the world, and you have to request at least 5k rpm from the engine room to get decent performance out of them. On this basis they might feel a little sedate.

I dunno what the going rate is, but as I saw about 8 lined up today at the Galaxy of Cars (a BMW, Porsche, French and Italian free event it seems) they suddenly don't seem so rare.

Geeez, they're not that bad. The main problem with mine is that you have to be going quite quickly to make it interesting, which is not appropriate in town.

Pm Damo - he might be in the market for M10 bits. I've got my share, although am so, so tempted.

Mazda Familia GTX - the turbo 4WD one.

1) Make sure you get the M3-style offset front control arm bushings - they add caster and this really helps (especially when you can't adjust camber) 2) There's a lot focus on height adjustment etc and do you really need to do it. What coilovers are actually useful for is corner balancing the car (which few people will do) and since the coilovers use smaller diameter springs they can use camber plates to adjust the camber. You don't need any part of (2) on a street car. Its kinda nice, but with a cert - kinda expensive. Arguably you also don't really need it on a race car - the series cars get around most tracks pretty fast on the series setup. If you're going to all the effort to have adjustable camber at the front, and the car will be low, you really should be thinking about a modified rear subframe to allow camber and toe adjustment as E30s get pretty out of whack when they get low. Again - not needed on a street car (unless its very low).

JiB had his E30 through them (all caged up etc). He was 21/22.

Speaking of which, did you see the flywheel and clutch etc on trademe?