CamB

I did it with a torch - takes ages. I avoided setting them on fire (too much smoke) and heated the inner crush tube until it could be pulled out with a pair of pliers. With that gone, the rest of the bushing could be pushed out with a big screwdriver. A press would be 1,000,000 times easier and less likely to go wrong.

Lets digress! A post about an MTM A4 is by its very nature off-topic anyway. She already has a big downpipe, 4 bar regulator and Revo adjustable mapping. With the puny little turbo its actually a bit unpleasant to drive with the boost turned up too high (basically a massive surge onto boost at 2500rpm), so I don't bother. The bigger turbo (eg the GT28) would be great - same boost but more progressive power delivery. For some reason I can't quite work out, my wife isn't interested in more power. She needs to get her priorities straight...

Doesn't "lag" depend what you are referencing it to? My wife's Skoda has basically none with the standard K03S, but that's tiny and it runs out of puff at not much over 5,000rpm (despite a big downpipe/exhaust and Revo chip). I'd love to have a slightly bigger turbo on it - I reckon it would drive better - less rapid building of boost would actually be nicer to drive.

Good article about them: http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/030...4_gt/index.html A K24 and external wastegate - it probably has to boost at about 20psi for 286hp. You could say longevity wouldn't be great ... but its made it to nearly 200k km?

A motorsport one?

His one's as wide (we wrecked a 309) ... but the wheelbase bit is so true. The main attraction's the "done" Mi16 and the cage.

Is the problem at all speeds, or only at the speeds where aero actually makes a difference? I'm sort of under the impression that a "mobile" rear end is an almost inevitable product of a FWD car that turns in well, and you have to drive accordingly (don't lift)?

My mate Mark knows he should buy it (he has a white 205, which will gradually trend to the spec above) ... but he can't get his head around the 309 being ugly.

Be awaare that you start needing wheels with quite specific offset and caliper clearance (and unless you spend forever searching, 16" or 17" wheels as 15" becomes really hard). PM JiB and he might be able to enlighten you on exactly which front discs (300mm x 25mm with 40mm offset, originally 4x114). Its still not cheap by the time you've bought Nissan calipers, narrowed the fronts to suit the narrower discs and had custom mounting brackets made, then bought the discs and had them redrilled. Then also a master cylinder (23.8mm or 25.4mm) to suit.

So Glenn ... a warranty on that Merc wouldn't have helped???? Really all its showing is that newer cars have a shorter lifespan until they become uneconomic to repair, which is unfortunate.

Presumably though Glenn (and I may be wrong here), the following are not covered by the policy: - shocks - radiator - mirrors Which only leaves the wiring loom. I've spent plenty on the M3 and expect to continue to do so. However thus far, mechanical insurance wouldn't have helped as its worn out (ie a service item) ... (3 biggest bills ---> water pump, shocks, aircon refresh) or below/close enough to $500 (eg broken window regulator, leaking rear quarter window). (edit) So what I'm saying is that you need something serious to go wrong to need the cover. Something serious will potentially cost >$10k, which means the limit is a deal killer on the insurance, if you ask me.

I have an E36 M3 - I am aware of the issue. $2850 AND a $10k limit per claim is robbery (before you get started on what is excluded). It should be one or the other.

Also watch out for rust - they are not as rust-resistant as an E30.

He must have had those steelies made somewhere. I wonder where. I want some in 15x7 old Porker fitment.

At $2850pa you would have to assume you were going to have something catastrophic go wrong every 2-3 years. Having an upper limit at $10k per claim is on the nose given its less than 4x the premium and wouldn't cover an engine rebuild.

I got a set of E36 M3 ones from Speedfactor in Tauranga for ~$1600 a few months ago.

Off the top of my head... - Slightly smaller / lighter - different front suspension (meaning no parts interchange I am aware of) - different steering rack - different rear suspension - only the 323i had disc brakes out back - M20 or M10 - doubt an M30 would fit, but if you try hard enough anything can be made to work.

That is a particularly hot E21. What do you mean by "major differences"? Simple answer - yes.

Make sure you get the M3 style offset ones (and get an alignment afterwards) - they make a noticeable improvement to the handling from the additional caster.

LOL - insurance companies are definitely bottom feeders. What that says to me is that if you need mechanical insurance, you can't get it. If you can get it ... perhaps you don't really need it.

Have sent you a PM.

The blue one with the cream interior, ACS bits/wheels and too much carbon fibre? I looked at it when I bought my car - nice car and drove well but I thought he wanted too much money for it. It also has adjustable height front suspension (certed) and is in good condition (and my favourite M3 colour). I saw the ad recently ---> it was for sale by the owners father a couple of years ago, and I probably have his details (although not sure if its still the father selling). I will try and find them and send you a PM.

I got one from this guy, and thought it was quite good and a good price. http://www.sincocustoms.co.nz/

Software is freely available: www.linkecu.com

+1 !!