NZ POM

Thats what i was getting at, because Merc dont offer the over the counter accessories to any old Merc they manage to keep the exclusivity of the AMG unique, unlike BMW who offer upgrades on anything, i suppose its 2 car companies with different marketing strategies.

Shame, if you get another i'd definately be interseted, how much did it go for if you dont mind me asking

Fair comment, but out of curiosity do Mercedes promote the AMG brand by having a line of over the counter accessories available to non AMG vehicles and also allow other aftermarket suppliers to use the AMG logo, like i refer to in my original post on this topic.Or do Mercedes have a view that AMG is a brand that should not be messed with and should remain unique.

Now thats another topic, (how many non AMG Mercs have AMG badges)

Ray check your pm for my request

Says the man who has a 7 series and a Merc Converible

Nice one Gannetboy (Mark)

Thanks Tony i've also learnt something here,

As you are a new member i'll try explaining. A salesmen working in a BMW dealership has a client who wants to by a 525, the salesmen then manages to sell an upgrade kit to the client and tells him the car will be ordered from the factory if not in stock. The standard for the Motorsport and the things to look for are (regardless if it has a badge or not) M-Sport suspension and brake package (the M-Sport car should be approx 25-30mm lower than a standard model) M-Sport Alloy wheels, (obviously its easy to add or remove these so not to be relied on) The Interior should consist of sports seats and in most cases a 3 spoke steering wheel (this may have a M logo on it). I personally would look for these items rather than rely on wether it has a M boot badge or not. If it is an M3 or M5 then that is a totally different animal with a different set up altogether including engine. No standard BMW or M-sport for that matter should wear the M3 or M5 badge.

Even though it was obvious that these car are not M3 M5 etc is it possible that they might be Motorsport versions which are entitled to have M badging but not followed by a number such as 3 or 5, Also BMW are slightly resonsible for this trend as they were the ones that released a line of accessories for your BMW with the M brand encouraging BMW drivers to personalise their cars. This was in response to the obvious loss of sales to the aftermarket labels and the increasing trend of modifying. As you point out such as Holden with HSV, what the manufacturers are doing is a very clever ploy to get the public to market the top end models such as M3 & HSV thus establishing the desire to own a genuine version. This is why companies such as BMW do not stop aftermarket manufacturers from copying the badging, why should they when they get free marketing and publicity. Though there is nothing worse than seeing a 318ti with a M badge or even worse an M3 badge, the driver is only a victim of marketing who has bought the badge with a wish and a desire to own the real thing. So as far as BMW marketing department goes, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I agree totally with your comments about Graham (formally GAC) i wondered where he went (thought he might have retired) I also know Brian at Impwerks, if these guys are working together then thats a great deal of BMW knowledge between them, so i'll revise my suggestions and go with DCH (are they working out of Impwerks premises)

Acton Automotive 8 Phillips St 03 3667858 B.M.W. Svc Centre (Independent, Non dealer Svc Centre) 45 Brisbane St 03 3656500 Both these 2 specialise in BMW, I get mine seviced at Motorworld Automotive 9 - 11 Waller Tce (off Moorhouse Ave ) They were recommended to me by Alan Milligan cars (who sell a lot of BMW's) and svc all there BM's, they know what there talking about and you'll find their labour rate is more customer freindly (cheaper) Ian

And a Merry xmas & Happy New year back at ya. and to our sponsers. Thanks for running a great site look forward to 2008 and the team spirit that is Bimmersport.

Sweet looking car, welcome and it'll be good to see you and your ride at the next ChCh meet (the force grows stronger)

The sheet has the code 807 which means it was for export to Japan, wether it was a exported with a kit from the factory/ACS or was fitted with add ons which were purchased in Japan is a mystery. If the later is the case then somebody went to a lot of trouble/expense maybe the dealer in JPN did it?

No mention of ACS on the list only M & Alpina, i dont think ACS stuff was added on the line i think it went to the ACS workshop at Aachen which was also a BMW dealership which meant they could take a car out of their stock and give it the ACS treatment which was Type 1, Type2 or 3 or a mixture I.E type 1&3. Sorry dribbling on here. the answer to your question is no.

lol cant see that on the ticket

Thanks again guys, i took your advice and lifted the rear seat and lo and behold there it was stapled to the underside you were right it's pre face lift 23/03/96 and it came off the assembly line 07.16 am. Great info

I want that interior Welcome to the forum, how about turning up at the CHCH meet on sunday to show off your nice looking ride

Good timing mate, i was just surfing looking for carbon interior stuff for my E36 and some m3 carbon mirrors, i'll be keen to supply a couple of trim bits

Thanks guys, for the quick response, thats just the sort of info i was after now i know what i'm looking for, i can order the right parts.

Sorry if this has been asked before, but i have a 1996 E36 328 i, unknown to me, that was the year there was some changes?? Can anyone help me to determine wether i have a pre or post 09/96, are there any obviuos things to look for, or can i find this out by the chassis number if so, how? as i want to order some goodies but was asked which one it was. Thanks

Welcome Jed, good to see another member in ChCh, the force is getting stronger

Welcome Sam, Nice looking Beemer, agree with the others Wheels are ACS replicas and change the side repeaters to clear or smoked and she'll be sweet.

From one newbie to another Welcome