CamB

I test drove it with Jonathan - believe it or not, Vanos as quiet as a mouse. I was very surprised (mine had half the km and 3x the vanos noise - a noise that didn't change from when I bought it (except with each application of fresh oil). I think some are just noisier than others.

Did Ray sell you a gearbox too? I have a 6spd in the "things I ought to sell" pile.

Ok, look I'll admit I'm confused. I now understand what you're saying (and it would be good if it could be done), but I remember only the bottom of the strut to kingpin mount as adjustable by spacing (unless there was some sort of eccentric bolt for the top), and only by making it more negative:

He is looking for more camber so the tyre doesn't foul the arch when used with lower offset wheels or spacers, which he needs to use because the design of the coilovers puts the perch level with the tyre when at the desired ride height. So, I am pretty sure shimming the bottom (you said top?) king pin mounts will move the wheel closer to the problem area on the strut, so even lower offset would be needed and negate any tyre clearance due to increased camber gained from the mod. The real solution is to see if there is a spring combination that works with a higher perch position, so the wheels don't need to be changed. His desire for camber is second order to offset. In other news, in the "good old days" they didn't worry so much - the 2002 turbo had wider track to fill the arches through wider, lower offset wheels.

Ron - have another look at my post I added some links with the problem (the spring perch winds down into the way of the tyre). Spacers and increased offset are only a semi-evil. Porsche offers them. If you try too much on an E36 you start losing tyre (or rubbing guards), as well as modestly affect handling.

Think or know? Have you tried yet? It might be ok... (edit) google showed me the potential problem... not ideal: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showp...mp;postcount=49 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showp...mp;postcount=55

Yeah I love reading about urban decay - never actually managed the exploring part myself. There are some great photographers internationally (and possibly here, of course).

Fair enough - it could be considered an odd choice. RWD vs FWD vs AWD might describe which wheels are being driven, but I'm more concerned with the balance of the car and how it turns in, plus how it goes. I'm not worried about doing skidz. So to justify my purchase... while the Golf R isn't perfect (understeers - I'm sure that can be fixed, thirsty for a 2 litre), it met criteria of being fast when I want it to be, nice to be in on the way to work, and it has 4 doors (makes wife happy). Plus, its quite tricky to find any BMW in manual that's not a budget model (too slow) or M car (too expensive for me) less than 5 years old*. While the Golf R is DSG, since its an automated manual its quite satisfying to drive if you drive it with manual selection compared to using an auto with manual selection (very fast shifts, no flare between gears). * Remembering 4 doors... basically leaves a 130i. I'd rather the Golf. I did consider this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-368334393.htm ...in March this year. Maybe they need to drop the price some more...

Sadly no... I miss it. Mine had the sedan five spokers anyway (M Contour I think they're called).

I believe you - the torque's great on the VW/Audi 2 litres I've tried. It's really only the (relatively) narrow rev range that bothers me from a performance car perspective. Oddly, it doesn't seem to matter on the bigger engined ones - probably because there's just so much power and torque everywhere that rpm is irrelevant.

Looks like an opportunity for someone to monetise their spare wheel...

I (sort of) went through the diesel vs petrol debate before buying the Golf R. I don't do enough km for it to matter, although: 1) The fuel consumption on the R is terrible 2) The depreciation is far more painful than any "diesel vs petrol" debate - makes that cost saving a rounding error2) 3) Its really fast, so I am happy (refer "not many km" above), and 4) I too found the power delivery of the (2 litre) diesels just a wee bit unsatisfying. Anyway, back on topic for Clinton ... don't you need something to tow stuff on gravel roads? Or is there another car hiding in the fleet still? I never got around to it, but had intentions of trying a 335d expecting it to be FAST. My old man has an A4 3.0tdi and its pretty damn quick.

Hi and welcome. Sounds like a good project!

Would be a pretty good base for a race car then - lots of nice bits to sell...

A self-serving response... Does a 540 have a large case diff? If yes, I have a 3.64 ring and pinion I really should sell as I sold the car I was going to put it in...

It must get beached as. Looks pretty cool though.

I'm not sure they are - they have asking prices that high but I bet they don't transact at that. I sold mine for $17k for a quick sale. I reckon that was $500-1k below what I could have got for it if I had spent months dealing with people. Or maybe it was cheap - no point dwelling on it...

LOL. Price looks about right.

Assuming its FAR, I have 2002 arches and they are fine.... but thats a sample of one.

Yeah I kinda do. I certainly want to know where they end up. THey've been for sale for a while. Might be willing to drop the price...

Actually you're right - rear sway bar should be top of the list, then get the geometry moved to the sharper side.

Great colour (and Recaros)! My Golf's white, but I'd have prefered the Golf equivalent to your colour (I bought second hand - beggars can't be choosers). On wider and better tyres, I dunno - I don't think I've ever wanted for grip per se (and I'm on the narrower 18"ers). The limit's already too high to be "fun" (the 106 Rallye I had was the best in that regard - controllable lift off oversteer at modest or high pace). I think the way it turns in could be improved, but can't really be arsed going through the cost and hassle of fiddling with the geometry (yet).

Nah I haven't seen one and I expect it does look pretty good IRL. I was kinda winding you up (I liked the old one for the start BTW), although I definitely don't like the wheels. If I hunt around Eurosport will I find pics? Post them here? The Golf R is a very capable and fast car (especially in the wet). If you drive it right, it handles very well, but it prone to understeer if you just punt into the corner at max speed, and you can't always correct it by just lifting off. The Megane, which I am sure handles better, was never an option for me as my wife required me to get 5 doors.... The DSG is much better and worse than expected. Its actually pretty fun when you're driving fast - different to a manual not worse. The main niggle is that it shifts up very quickly around town so the car is perpetually off-boost. Saves gas... but no fun unless you drive it in manual mode (which I do).

So desperately want to wind you up by wanking on. But I think that's what you want. I wonder if the new one will age like the old one (better looking with age, sort of, in a relative sense, if you get what I mean).

Well who'd a known (obviously not me). I've only seen the Getrags.