isnowi

It's the same polo, ive had it for around 5 years, i bought it with a cracked window rego on hold, imported a new screen from Ze Fazerland, and drove it round (sans wof) gradually fixing it up to get it on the road as a daily. Then some punkasses smashed it up pretty good, and i put it into storage, pulled it out a couple of months ago, got some new glass for it and have it almost to the point of road worthy again. It's sitting on mirror polished p slots, has a Nardi wheel innit, and as soon as i get it running again and get the cambelt replaced will be breathing through GSXR750 carbs with an electronic ignition system i've put together (hopefully) Then it may go up for sale to fund other endeavors... Anyhow, pics of Bimmer loving from today. New twirly wheel. Stuffed rsm's. Half a custom sub box. again. Enjoy, cheers, Dan

Spent a bit of QT with the car today, fitted new rear shock mounts to try and solve the thumping in the suspension (fail) Fitted a M spec 3 spoke steering wheel out of an M coupe, installed new Blaupunkt head unit, and made a start on a nice integrated sub box to house a 10" in the boot. I have to say that althoug it looked really big and cumbersome off the car, the new steering wheel is a delight to drive with. Just a tad smaller in OD and slightly thicker in section. Only complaint is that it blocks the warning lights in the bottom of the cluster when it is up as high as it goes. Anyhow, pics to follow. Cheers, Dan

Have been going through the suspension on my newly acquired e36 318is coupe, it had some rather intersting habits and noises when i bought it. A lot of them have now been resolved, however there is still one annoying thump that seems to be coming from under the front passenger side (very hard to tell as the exhaust noise thends to mask it a little bit. ' So far i have put 4 new tyres on and had an alignment performed (toe in was a little bit out, everything else fairly close) i looked at replacing the front lower arm rear bushing as i have read of failures causing similar issues to what i have, someone has already beaten me to the punch and fitted solid poly bushes. Not that then. Balljoints appear in reasonable condition, wheel bearings and strut top bearings likewise. Right so onto the rear where i knew there was a problem with the shock mounts, which were duly replaced, old ones were on the verge of pushing right through on the passenger side thanks to a bright spark smearing them with grease (not rubber grease either) causing the rubber to go soft and sticky. Having seen the state of the shock mount i had almost convinced myself that was the cause of my troubles, alas the thump is still there as load as ever. I still get the feeling that it is related to the front suspension, but i can't really get under the car properly to look so will send it in this week, and get it on the hoist to have a proper look. Has anyone else had similar issues? or can offer suggestion of what else to look at? I have an inkling that it could be in the steering rather than the suspension, but again i really need to get under it properly to look. Cheers, Dan

I have a similar setup, 215 45 on 17x8 acs's, and the car (318is with M suspension) behaved in a similar manner to what you have described, i changed all 4 tyres to a new set and had a completely different car, it now feels very solid and not at all twitchy. The tyres that came off it were not down to their minimum, and would probably have passed another wof, but i suspect they had been rotated and had developed an uneven wear patch on them causing the nasty handling.You probably should be on a 45 profile tyre with a 215 section width, although your car is prehaps a little undertyred with 215s anyway. Cheers, Dan

My 2 cents: It seems that no mateer where you buy a car from (nz new, jap import, uk import, etc etc) someone will tell a horror story, somethimes factually other times it was something that happened to a mate of a mate of a mate. Personally i judge a car on it's individual merits, i've had nz new and jap imports, both euro and japanese cars, and i have found (moreso now in the past) that the general gap in price between similar spec jap and nz cars is often unjustified for the following reasons: 1- mileage , many people still beleive this to be a major issue, as far as i was aware the original issues with winding back of speedo's was done by unscrupulous importers (generally speaking) so as to maximise the value they get out of the car, the language barrier served to cover their tracks. Aside from this digital odo's and OBD systems are much harder to fool these days, I'm not saying it can't be done, i'm sure there are plenty of ways, however with the focus on mileage in recent years, it is surely much more difficult to get away with. 2- service history, i've heard (and seen first hand) horror stories of japanese maintenance, or lack thereof as the case may be, but NZer's can be just as bad. How many people drive around for months on end with a blown headlight or bald tyre, only to bemoan the fact that they fail a WOF and have to spend hundreds of dollars to fix their car to a WOFable standard? As far as proactive maintence (not just vehicles are prone to this) NZ is terrible. In the industry i am in we maintain major passenger carrying equipment that in some cases has exceeded it's design life specification by a factor of 3 or even 4 times, and when something does break we are expected to repair rather than replace, when replacement is a far more viable and cost effective option. 3- Some cars are just bad, i don't mean some makes or even some models, just some cars fullstop. Friday jobs we used to call them. Anyway, those are my views, feel free to agree or disagree, thay are simply the observations i have made over my (somewhat brief by some standards) history of car ownership. Thanks, Dan

Actually it was probably genuine, there is an AMG tuned galant, in both the 88-92 shape and also in the suceeding shape as well. They got tuned up motors and special body kits, the earlier model is not too dissimilar to the 190e kits with a wraparound rear wing. They also got some pretty funky alloy wheels too.

Aha, but wait a moment lets compare apples to apples, AMG was afilliated with MB for a long while, but MB only became majority shareholder in the 90's and complete owner in 2005, thus it (AMG) was able to take it's own direction with products offered etc. Whereas M technic has always been under BMW's control. AMG was more like ac schnitzer or hartge (until MB took a controlling interest) Although it's quite likely that the company still had it's own agenda up until it was fully owned by MB. (that last comment is purely speculation on my part, being that the founder of the company remained on the staff up until he sold his share to MB) I think it's probably quite likely that the M badge has sold a lot more (base model non M cars included) BMW's than the AMG brand has for MB, but that's something that cannot be accurately measured. cheers, Dan

LOL i've got those as well, but they are staying. There is no denying that the M cars are desirable, and remain unobtainable to a lot of people, thus a lower spec car with a few cosmetic bits is as close as they can manage. Also don't forget that the M3 mirrors are available from BMW as an upgrade option, for the 3's, on the ETKA along with various other M upgrades. I suppose the difference between me and some other owners is that i'll never pretend that mine is anything more than a sheep in wolfs clothing, despite numerous attempts from lads in jappas to race it from the lights, it's not something i am into. Actually i followed an avus blue m3 evo down the motorway the other day, he was in front of me and probably managed to work out that mine was no m3, so he put on a bit of a display of 'unwarranted acceleration', from where i was sitting it looked like it nearly got away from him around one corner, mind you he was a fair way up the road from me at that point. Just goes to show that even BMW owners can be bellends, the track is the only place for that kind of crap. Anyway, theres always the saying: 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'

I'd lay dollars to donuts that a lot of it is due to the influx of imports at the moment, the vast majority of people driving around in misbadged cars a not the ones responsible for the misbadging in the first place, they simply don't fell the need or desire to remove or replace the badges. I myself am an example of this, my 318is has M3 badges in the side moldings, i haven't removed them (yet) because of the hassle of taking the molding off, taking the badge out of the molding and then paying 3 months wages at the stealership for some more appropriate badges. cheers, Dan

I've heard that the plate font change was to bring us into line with the predominant euro font, in order to facilitate the introduction of text recognition software connected into cop cameras. Don't know how credible it is, but the gist was that the dashboard cameras in patrol cars (in the EU) are going to be able to identify plates and automatically run them through the registration computer and bring up all the owner and vehicle details. Would make money grubbing, i mean policing far more efficient. Actually thats a fairly cynical comment, there are merits to its use particularly surrounding stolen cars, however the pessimist in me can see it being used primarily to issue infringement notices at the expense of following up on car thefts. As i said, i don't know if this is accurate information, but it makes sense. Cheers Dan. Oh and I have ISN0WI plates not on anything at the moment, her indoors doesn't want them on the e36, might have to buy me something to put em on maybe an e21. My mate has HOOTRS, he's not allowed to put it on his car though.

I quite like it with the acs stripe down the side, kinda makes the lines look a little different from all the other black coupes, although there aren't as many in diamond schwarz as there are in cosmos. Anyway this one is much nicer than the other we were looking at, it was a montreal blue non m 318is, 1 year newer, with the same k's and a rougher body, and dreadful clear taillights for the same money. I think i will swap out the side badges, anyone want to buy some genuine m3 side badges? Cheers, Dan

They should work. They work for me....

Hey all, finally have some pic's. Also managed to ascertain that it left the factory as a motorsport, the ACS bits were added shortly thereafter all in one hit (wheels, spoiler, stickers/badges) also the wheels are type 1's not type 2's. I put some new tyres on which instantly cured the tramilining and high speed nervousness, but i still have a small clunk at low speed during steering moments from the front left. I geuss it's a bush, or possibly the top bearing. Not a minter by any means, but tidy enough for the money. Plans are: -fit M3 sport steering wheel (should be arriving on Monday) -fit new stereo, something discreet up front, maybe a stacker too ,new set of components up front, and whats left out of my old Audi (infinty sub, alpine amp) -fix up door linings, the infamous glue sag.... hoodlining is good though. -oh and i need to replace the M3 badge in the side mouldings, i don't mind it being dressed as one, but claiming to actually be one is another matter altogether... Thanks, Dan

Now thats objective comment, you are right about the ranges of tyre/rim combos now compared to back in the day. I was reading some tyre specs the other day, i forget who's they were, and they gave a range of about 2.5" and this was for a 215 45 17, so not a particularily large peice of real estate or aspect ratio. I can identify with being picky, i just tell myself i have high standards. I apologise for taking your comments out of context, i did not pick up the 'tongue and cheekness'. Anyway, that is probably enough thread jacking for now. Thanks, dan

Hi all, I don't profess to know nearly as much as some of the poster's on this particular thread, all have valid points, and i too am appalled at the state of a good proportion of the cars on the road today. (both standard family cars and cherished examples of modified vehicles) I believe that there is only a small minority who purposefully endanger themselves and other road users through poor modification of vehicles, the majority of people who fall into the same endangering themselves and others category, are, in my opinion, blissfully unaware of the fact. Put this down to ignorance or poor information from vendors that should and do know better. That being said, i take issue with 3 pedals on only 1 assertion made, that is that the statement that all your posts are objective, I find your first post on this particular thread not at all objective, you have made one or two cynical assumptions, the first being that SOSnz has bought cheap tyres, totally unqualified comment in my opinion, for all we know he could be running p zeros or similar. The second assumption made was that he was looking to put the cheapest possible spring set on his car, personally i would find an assumption like that to be extremely offensive, he has only asked about one particular branded spring, and it is by no means the cheapest available in the NZ market. As for commenting about stretched tyres, several tyre companies recommend a 245 40 18 for anywhere between 8.5-9.5" wide rims, and similar for the 235 35 18's OK so he may be at the maximum manufacturer recommended size, but certainly not stretched to the extreme. And lastly Over sized rims, again a fairly unqualified statement. All we know is they are 18" rims, where the m3 came with 17" rims, one size up only which as i recall was recommended as the maximum increase in rim size for a long time, again it is not an extreme change from original equipment, now maybe if they were 20" chrome wheels the comment would be entirely justified, and then some, but in this instance i think it is inflammatory. For the last point i will quote SOSNZ where he stated: Clearly he is asking for informed opinion, of which you obviously have a great deal, as do many other users on here, before he goes ahead and makes any rash purchasing decisions that may or may not compromise the safety and handling of his car.I hope you don't take personal offence at this post, that is not the intended result, i am merely pointing out that there is room for a modicum of diplomacy when dealing with new users, who are asking genuine questions, and looking for informed answers to help them safely enjoy their motoring. In the short time that i have been reading these forums i have found them to be exceptionally well furnished with knowledge and help, i hope it stays this way. By the way it is nice being able to read a forum that is written in English too, with a minimum of colloquialism that i am now too old to understand. Thanks, Dan

Hi all, I need some new rubber for my e36 318is. It's currently got bridgestone b500si (a JDM tyre i think) 215/45's on 8" wide schnitzer type 1's and has nasty camber wear and suffers from pretty violent tramlining. I suspect that the tyres were rotated by a previous owner, which has caused the wear i am seeing. (it's also possible that there are some bushes to be replaced, but these will be found when it's aligned.) Anyway the reason i am posting is to get some feedback from people as to good points/bad points of various tyre combo's. On my audi i had both sportmaxx's and a set of well loved contisport contact 2's, (in 225 40 18's) i found the continentals very sticky, but a little nervous at cruising speeds, and atrocious in the wet. The sportmaxx's were not a sticky, but were more consistent at various temperatures and in different conditions, noisier though. As far as for the BM, i am looking at something similar to the sportmaxx, not particularily loyal to any one brand , and don't need an all out sport's type tyre (needs rim protector though 215 is a little stretched on the 8's and the missus aint to hot on parallel parking ) Anyway, i look forward to comments and opinions. Cheers, Dan

Someone earlier quoted some ltsa legislation in regards to fog lights, further on from that peice is another entitled 'daytime running lamps' in this it gives another angle for defence, although i am not sure on the technical differences between foglights and daytime running lamps, i would imagine it is the light pattern output, but certainly worth a look. I seem to recall the police themselves encouraging drivers to use some form of daytime running light over a recent(ish) holiday period.

I bought an E36 coupe after looking at many rough ones, i found a reasonably tidy 318is ( i originally was after a 6 cylinder, which would of been nice but the car is to be used every day as a commuter, and i think the 4 fits the bill a little better.) Anyway its a diamond schwarz coupe, has ACS rear spoiler, type 2 17x8 acs rims, m3 front lip and mirrors, and motorsport bumpers and skirts. I don't know if it began life as a motorsport or if the bits were added later, suspension seems a little firmer than others i had driven, but doesn't seem to be any lower. Anyway it has a few minor issues to sort through, front suspension being the biggest, has a few clunks and creaks and is scrubbing the inside edges of the tyres. I'm thinking bushes, will lift it up and have a good look. The interior trim needs a tidy, it has the infamous sagging door material (any links to best way to repair) and needs an air con clean (is there a replaceable filter in the system?) Anyhow, will post pics when the sun comes out.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...48/k-971436.htm Any thoughts on this? only a 318, but a pretty smart looking car nonetheless, i do wonder exactly what involvlement (if any) ACS had. Has anyone on here ever heard of a ACS 318? Cheers, Dan

I best not be rude about it then In all seriousness, it looks really nice in that colour with the motorsport kit, i just can't handle the red leather, and i can only see a glimpse of it in the photos. Cheers, Dan

Thanks for the replies, i like the colour of the first one, and in fact have been looking at another in the same colour with black interior and higher k's (not a motorsport though) Only thing i don't like on the first one is the red (half) leather. The silver looks nice too, but i kinda want a different colour (last car was a silver A4) plus i think the lines of the E36 look best in a deep dark colour, calypso red, avus blue, or boston green etc. Will let you guys know when i am closer to a purchase and takeo n board any critiques. advice you can offer on specific cars. Cheers, Dan

Hey all, first post here. Am looking into buying an e36 coupe, probably with the motorsport bodykit, and most definitely a 6 cylinder. The vehicles i have been looking around at are all of relatively high KM's (in itself this doesn't worry me) and all are imports (Wanting to spend well under 10K) I'm aware that the budget i have does limit things a little and it means that i have been looking at early model years, but if the right car is around i'll stretch a little. My questions relate to what to look for, every car has it's own little quirks and weaknesses, and being that I have not owned a BM before i am not aware of them. Any advice that people can furnish will be appreciated. Cheers, Dan

hi ya, im after a set of 14x6 e30 factory alloys, the bottle cap type. preferably in wellington and in reasonable condition, surface is not too important, as long as theyre not severly gouged..