CamB

Do you always have to replace the flywheel? Just curious, not worried (PO changed the clutch on my car, and in any case I'd leap at the chance of changing the flywheel coz the dual mass one is a heavy POS).

Common? The story above about a car being for sale since 2007 is really only a statement that the price expectation is wrong. At more than a year you are well past waiting for the right buyer.

I'd guess it would be cheaper to go custom - eg Supra box with adapter - at which point you may as well use the Lexus v8 as well since its cheap and good.

KFC. Mmmm, a couple of bits would go down nicely right now. Also like Crispy Roast Pork on rice (No1 BBQ in the city, Fast Food King in Balmoral, Love a Duck anywhere). And for a fruity Indian experience - Dosa Plaza on Dominion Road.

Sounds about right. I have noticed its quite hard to drive and change gear with my hand on my d*ck but I thought it was a problem with the car, not me.

I noticed a correlation between property guys and M3 ownership, so its not outside the bounds of possibility there may be a greater degree of selling pressure. I am not sure an E36 M3 is more expensive to maintain? They seem to have about the same number of special (ie $$$) M bits, and body panels etc are cheaper thanks them being the same.

I'm keen to see a pic of the cheeseburger.

I wonder what they mean by an M3 being a grippers car? I find it strange seeing the engine in those quattro audis since it is inline not transverse (wife has a Golf). I couldn't buy the S4 - I find the idea of the potential maintenance bills on that engine even scarier than the ones on my M3.

Thanks. What about onto M3 spindles.

Thanks - very good info. If you find it can you see if it includes the bottom part (that attaches to the ball joint - the part that is separate on an M3 compared to integrated on a non-M3). Another $600-800 (total guesstimate - could be way more) on some E36 M3 Evo control arms and $400 for a cert and you'll be done . Well done getting the other 5 sud stuff for $400 though.

Thats a bit of an oxymoron. An S14 can never be called light - just lighter than an M20 or M50.

The standard 2002 engine had 8:1 - once upon a time it was common. If you want 92mm bore (not 93.4) have a look for M30B34 - it appears to be the same bore and stroke by the looks of my 5 min google, but 8:1. I have no idea if this link will work: http://www.motorenteile.mahle.com/eLIZA/ap...243#spa45034123 It's possible it is a USA only engine. I wouldn't know.

Well the block is extremely strong, the crank and rods are forged and assume they used forged pistons for a turbo build. The heads on an S14 have HUGE ports. I mean HUGE. The power potential at any given boost is gonna be massive. Plus it can "easily" (hey, its only money) be 2.5 litres.

Does that prove much? Isn't the right M3 to compare to the Sport Evo, rather than the "run of the mill" (jokes) M3? Coz they're (rightly) more expensive than a standard one, based on performance, rarity and general awesomeness.

Hey are the superdooper long ignition coils an issue?

Oh do tell me more please. Does it come with the bottom part too (to attach to control arm and tie rods)? The bit the strut bolts onto at the bottom? Coz replacing the hub is part of preventative maintenance and upgrading the brakes is something that occurs anyway on my "one day" project. Ooooh - just checked the price of M3 hubs (almost 3x price of normal E30). Ouch. Maybe not then.

Was just thinking with a turbo you might want to put a plenum around it I am confident you already know that.

I would be somewhat cautious about this thinking ---> cars as an investment have had a pretty chequered history and certainly "pre-crash" prices (through history) on collectible cars have had a way of reversing. I would argue that M3s are already a collectible, based on pricing. I'll catch yet more flack for this, but an E36 M3 is a faster, more practical, more sophisticated car at a fraction of the price. Any arguments against this will only reinforce that the E30 has "collectible" characteristics making it worth more. But I'd rather have the E30 M3 if it was an option. I personally think $30-40k is fair for a good but not excellent condition M3 with no faults, and the price can go up from there for the rarer models. My major beef was with $100k pricing on a certain convertible that never sold.

<Paris Hilton voice> That is so hot. </PHv> I seriously have to learn to weld. Properly. Screw the office job. So it obviously then has a plenum around it. Mint.

Errr, 325iX = 4wd

For RWD I suspect its hard work (I recall there is a gearbox that works - Starion? ... but is it strong enough?) How do you deal with the sump? Etc. You could put it in a Hyundai. Pretty sure they have a similar engine (non turbs)*. * Warning - could be talking out arse. (edit - infos here http://www.driftworks.com/forum/technical/...-been-done.html )

I recall something about a special procedure for bleeding with the ABS.

WTF - steering box! I remember reading the V8s (540i too) have a box. http://bmwfans.info/original/E38/Lim/740i-...32/ill-32_0688/ It could be the steering box either worn or out of adjustment (if they can be adjusted - my experience on steering boxes is limited to cars from the 60s/70s before they were generally phased out). Or it could be a number of other things. (edit - whoops beaten to it by someone who knows what they are talking about)

Looks good - I remember the build thread. For 300hp in an E36, I'd almost rather an M3 suspension brakes etc ... with that V8. I am such an oik. (I am also all talk, as I could probably sell my S50 and trans for more than the cost to install a Toyota V8 and box, and I'm not gonna).

Also note the price for E30 M3s varies considerably depending on rarity, condition, and other factors. It also varies considerably depending on whether you own one or not