CamB

Yeah I have what you need (I think!). I've sent you a PM.

Use the gearing calc and figure it out (5th should be 1:1, use a 3.46 and should be almost exactly 245kph with a 235/45R17). To be honest, it sounds like you already have a 3.46, assuming a 5% speedo error. Gear ratios here: http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=14

Like the guys said, make sure its actually the diff. If it is, the LSD can be rebuilt. If you want to change the ratio you need to figure which size diff you have - if its a 188 (medium case, I think the non-Evo M3s have this) then you can possibly pick a ratio from any medium case diff, but I expect you'd need to look to older cars (like e28 5 series or e30 325) to find the ratio and I've got no idea if they fit (being a Type 188 I don't see why not). There are heaps of ratios. If its an Evo and a Type 210 diff then this is large case and you need to find the right ratio for that. Again, there are heaps of ratios but I couldn't guarantee what would and wouldn't fit. For what its worth, I've got a small case e21 diff with an E30 small case ring and pinion and a 2002 small case rear cover, so there is certainly a degree of interchangeability. Mal Clark at Bygone Autos in Beachhaven changed the ratio in mine (and uprated the LSD). For 240kph or so, assuming you have a 5spd and a 3.15 ratio, you'd be looking for about a 3.45 which gives about 245kph at 7000rpm. Since this means about 2850rpm for 100kph, are you sure this is what you want?

Yeah, my comment was specific to an M3, although I'd assume any E36 on good tyres would be the same. The M3 would need excessive entry speed for the conditions, too much lock and waaaaaay too much throttle to get seriously sideways. The 2002 on the other hand, with old race tyres, is borderline dangerous in the wet.

I'll take a proper LSD and no stability aids any day thanks. To be honest in the M3 you'd have to do something very, very stupid to have it all go wrong, even without any driver "aids" (other than ABS).

Foot to the floor, shifting at redline, stand on the brakes, EVERY CORNER AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. In the 2002. In the M3 I drive almost always within the law.

I'm curious about that setup. I've seen some # online that suggest it is ridiculously stiff.

Don't forget an LSD at $700-800.

If you remove the rear seats and belts, and register as a 2 seater, I **believe** you are fine. Ditto with a half cage (again, I think). JiB on the forum has no rear seats or belts, race seats on runners which bolted to the unmodified mounting points (important to avoid a cert), and he runs harnesses which needs the owner to have a Clubsport licence (join BMW Club and also pay Motorsport NZ ~$60) and a LVVTA Authority Card from MSNZ. Harnesses have to meet certain rules, and you don't NEED harnesses. Keep in mind some $$$ for uprated brake pads and race fluid (at a minimum) if you are going on the track for more than a couple of laps at a time.

The kit's worth a few bucks and so are all the manual conversion parts together, the LSD, the exhaust, interior, etc. I know someone who might be interested in the engine, although to be honest "pressurising the cooling system" is a little concerning.

Is the rust in more places than the roof?

Worse acceleration, better fuel economy with a longer diff.

Yeah, I'm assuming its similar/slightly better condition than TWR ones - I saw one which was under $15k (from memory) but it was a bit rough. Having said that, apparently it still ran very well. I'd really like it, if (a) it could be guaranteed semi-reliable (I'm realistic) and ( it wouldn't be such a hassle trying to get into a parking building, LOL.

It's LHD, will be ex-Japan, and may be a bit tired. If there's a hint of needing an engine rebuild the price should reflect it (very expensive to rebuild). I know of several that have sold for under $20k in average condition. Having said that, if that one is in reasonable shape it would be a good car for the money, IMO.

It seems pretty likely there will be a new government. "People" want "change". I just wish some of those people would treat choosing a Government a little differently than choosing a new couch. "Don't like the old one - that shiny new one looks better" isn't much of a reason. I wonder if there'll be any real debate when National actually releases a few policies? Will NZ First release any policies at all? Will Labour ever stop?

There's a couple of good threads on here, but the way the search works its a bit hard to find: http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....6+trailing+arms

Dairy is the only thing that's going well - that's what I meant. M325I - I'm not sure I want you agreeing with me.

I know you guys are mostly young-uns (not that I am that old). To help you out, what you are seeing right now is economic hard times, and quite possible a recession (falling economic output for 2 quarters). It the opposite to what we've enjoyed for 7-8 very long years, which is way past the memory of most people. Things might be hard - maybe for 1-3 years. We've got rising prices well outside the government's control (international commodity prices over which they have no influence), weakening demand for our exports due to low economic growth for our trade partners, high interest rates (through policy and because world credit markets are f#@ked), and a populace with very high levels of borrowing. Honestly, its not that good. It's really hard to find something positive to say about the economy - really only the dairy sector.

The government's side of the story: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/road+us...harges+increase I'd guess the price change at $40 for a whole bus for a 2000km trip, or $1 a passenger.

There are countries without welfare systems. They suck. Seriously, with no dole (etc) I reckon there'd be a significant increase in crime, etc etc. We need to get people into jobs (perhaps by investing - as a country, all of us - in businesses that create output/exports/etc).

And John Key was bought up in a state house, so obviously not everyone is a long term beneficiary. I agree that we need change through education and in the workplace (training) - but again that's gonna cost and will take time.

I recall you are a similar age to me, so you must be old enough to remember (just) the Mother of all Budgets, and the social consequences of a severe withdrawal of funding for those on benefits. We do have record employment (some of that is definitional). It's not like the unemployment/sickness/DPB etc benefits are that much of a gravy train (for most). Sure, there are some, but I don't think its the major issue, and the dole is pretty low and IMHO, enough incentive for most to try and find a job.

I feel sorry for the truckie at the bottom of the heap on this (and their inability to pass on higher RUCs), but I think you'll find the increase in the RUC each year has a lot to do with keeping the RUC relative to the contribution from petrol. A better question is why should truckies (and those with diesel cars generally) get a break? Or - for Glenn - why shouldn't the charge be increased? It pays for the roads. Everyone wants more infrastructure spend and the $$$ has to come from somewhere. Maybe it does mean we have to pay more for stuff which is shipped by truck. If a lower RUC means there is a roading $$$ shortfall, then it comes from general taxpayer funds. Thats arguably a subsidy of diesel users by petrol users (paying for roads through the petrol price) and the taxpayer (for any shortfall). There is no free lunch here. (edit) Article with both sides of the story (sort of): http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cf...jectid=10519903

No have a look at the site - US$45 each, plus shipping (my guess - US$20). Suspension Tech in East Tamaki, Auckland makes mounts I think. Won't be cheap though: http://www.stech.co.nz/

Not a supporter. They're protesting that they didn't get notice of the proposed price increase. The rationale being they wanted notice so they could buy up RUC early. The Govt sprung the change in RUC on them specifically so this wouldn't happen (they bought up $17m last time it did). If you think about it, it isn't struggling truckies who will buy up RUC early (they've got no money), it is the bigger corporations. I'm not even sure the truckies are (officially) protesting the **LEVEL** of the RUC. In case most of you aren't aware, the RUC-equivalent on petrol is included in the price, so petrol vehicle drivers are already paying more. The change in RUC is to address the imbalance.