Kodachrome

I think you misunderstood my point. It was about relative ratios of budget to parts. I never said the 420g was comparable to anything. I just said it was expensive and in the engine conversion game I'd end up with a V8 manual yes, but my primary aim was not to manualify an e28. There are tons of people with getrags on s50's with zero problems, first hand feedback. Fwiw I've had a 420g before and a 560g, they were fine, no better or worse in terms of feel than any other manual shifter. It's just a functional part. Unlike an engine, which is all character. A rare S50 plus gearbox is "more valuable" to me than an fairly regular old M62 and gearbox but the total price is similar due to the used aftermarket pricing on the gearbox. I'm not sure what you mean by a ZF on the M62.. there is a very rare old 5speed ZF from the 3.5litre M60? Not super appealing but not usually available anyway??

Yep, this is what I was thinking too, I have no problem with a Getrag, Im not looking to race, just cruise. Already have the clutch and guibo for a Getrag, just waiting on the rest!

For a bare gearbox? Well around about $500 maybe? I see a lot of people listing gearboxes for months on end on TM for all sorts of random numbers.. I think these were ok priced IMO but don't appear to have been snatched up: Here was one for $700ish, that seemingly didnt sell: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/bmw/gear-boxes/listing-2638733212.htm?archive=1&archive=1 Or the complete package (gearbox, driveshaft, shifter, pedals, clutch, flywheel etc) for $1600 odd. Not an amazingly good price, but not terrible for the lot if its all usable. Still didnt sell though. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/bmw/gear-boxes/listing-2653280107.htm?archive=1 If I pay for importing one Id at least get a pick of the litter. Anyhow, this is about $3k manual gearboxes, which is just not worth it IMO. Or, if this takes much longer to source, just call it quits and I'll put it on export container as is and buy one in Ireland/EU for EUR300 when I take the car back there.

I couldnt find one (of the oddly several available for import or here etc) for less than something like $3k landed. $3k for gearbox to mate for a $1k engine (M62) didnt make sense to me. The engine:gearbox price spend is just all wrong, I'd rather spend say $4k for the S50B30 on TM and like <$500 for a gearbox.

FWIW I paid $4k for a one owner E28 last year. Original wheels (and tyre in the boot!), seats, suspension etc. Spent.. at least that replacing everything since.

Im thinking the lack of and outrageous expensive of the Getrag 420g has killed my V8 plans for the E28. So instead looking at the way more popular 6 cylinder options: M50, M52, M54, S50 etc. Anyone know of a gearbox for sale to suit? EDIT: And an engine? Also if I do the M50/2/4 etc route I will need the E34 M50 oil pan, dip stick and pickup to fit in an E28.

I'm interested in case that sale falls through!

I'll take the clutch, pressure plate and guibo for asking!

If it ends up at an auction/bidding I'd be seriously tempted as a donor car for my e28. Found a place selling sensor simulator harness to allow the N52 work in any chassis, the pinnacle of NA 6 pot engine design from BMW.

Anti scrape detail, polish and phone camera makes it looks in much better condition than it is. Going for that fake BMW Advert look.

The 3.0TDI is a very standard and basic VW engine. I had the V10TDI Twin Turbo 5.0 version in Ireland. It required specific VW Master Technician to work on from a servicing POV.. officially anyhow. Mine was remapped to 350BHP, 650ft/lbs (1000NM?) torque. Great, great car, but very heavy (on fuel and in weight, 2400kg!!). I'd have that one or the W12 Petrol version in my future noah's ark garage.

Picked up and gone, thanks for the beer!

Ah, I may have misunderstood and over complicated things for myself, found this: With this glossary: So.. this isnt a "new" car and therefore doesnt need the Certificate of Conformity at all!

I want to put one into the e28! Not sure if the N52 and M54 share engine mounts?

Well BMW in the UK were no use! Ill try BMW Ireland (and the import authority people) and failing that will have to take my chances with one of those pay for COC places..

I dont have personal experience of the 330e (but do of the I8 which is a similar hybrid) Autocar in the UK rate them highly, even on long range trips. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/3-series/first-drives/2016-bmw-330e-iperformance-sport-review Its worth noting that all of these hybrids regen when braking or coasting down hill, its not like on a long range trip you are only on combustion. Also "long range motorway driving" in NZ is kinda like extra urban driving everywhere else due to low speed and bends and hills and traffic. I think the 330e would be great here. The closing statement from Autocar is interesting:

My E28 when down in Blenheim recently: https://imgur.com/gallery/ckEK61W

There are a ton of things regarding importing into Ireland, espeically from outside the EU. One new rule thats came in since I was there is the requirement for a European Certificate of Conformity (incidentially I think NZ had/have such a requirement for some imports too). Since it was a UK car originally I emailed the UK BMW email that deals with this ([email protected]), I heard it takes them weeks to reply though. I can manually create a CoC on the Irish revenue site for the car.. but its like a hardcore 10 page document with really obscure trade agreement and manufaturing specific detail. Way more data is required than I would be able to get. There are services you can pay (EUR160 a pop) to make one for you, but rather see what BMW say first. Aside from this, Ireland is mostly concerned with paying VAT and Customs, which if I care enough I can be exempt from as a returning citizen and also Vehicle Import Tax (VRT), which again I can get an exemption for but in this case its only EUR200 as the car is so old. Ive paid EUR10k before for newer things, its a % of the current value! I don't think there is the rust paranoia and other odd import inspections NZ has as Ireland has a more robust (and annoying) annual Vehicle Inspection, they dont tend to freak out about safety at the border point. They certainly wont be moving the car around the dock repeatedly at my cost and then gassing it like my E31 had to do when imported here!

Giving these away now as fitted e36 seats in their place!

Ive just completed fitting e36 front seats into the E28, so I have these spare. They are in (IMO) excellent condition. They are the ones I refurbed with new foam and cleaned the fabric: Just the front seats. Free (though a 6 pack of craft beer wouldnt be turned away), pickup from Wellington. Otherwise I have no room to store long term so they would sadly have to be dumped.

Lol, you guys watch too much TV. Yeah Im just trying to plan how to legit and easily get my E28 from here to Ireland. NZTA replied to my email, their advice (though I dont know if this is everything): - Get a "replacement" Certificate of Registration (cost $9.10). Not sure if I had/have one of these, what do they look like? Form for replacement is here: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/application-for-replacement-certificate-of-registration/ - FIll in form MR15, Application to Cancel Registration at AA, VTNZ or Vehicle Inspection NZ. Cost is also $9.10. Ive imported loadsa cars into Ireland, but never from outside the EU, which I think will be trickier. The massive time lag (ship transit time) will likely cause some confusion as it will appear as a gap in registration, but unavoidable. This car came from the UK originally incidentally. For its 40th I might try find the original BMW garage if it exists and take it over to the UK and take photos. If the UK still exists post-Brexit and allows foreigners in of course. ?

Whats the point though? I see you guys with similarly new N54 B30 engines.. an engine with forged internals that can do 500bhp on the cheap looking to more to a more "commodity" engine if its anything like the N54. I dont get the attraction?

Lots of info on importing, which I did when coming here, but taking a car out? I would need to show ownership and usage. Maybe even official export docs too. Usage is fine but actual ownership is hard to show given the system here is mostly online?

Wow there is something not right with yours then as mine is nothing like that at all.

You should report people all the same tho!