Apex

Thanks once again guys, I was quoted $1,200 for a piggy back installed with a Dyno sheet to back things up. To remap the factory ECU I was quoted $1,125 so not much in it. Either way im not going to spend near 30% of the cars value on a tune. I am staring to think that this is a expensive conversion for “only†200 odd BHP, to build the 2.7 I essentially need to buy another two engines + pay for labour and new refresh parts + supplements etc..It’s quickly adding up to nearly $5K. I could have a 2.5Vanos in for not much more than that! Maybe a M20-25 with a few little mods could be better option. What kind of power would a M20-25 put out with say a set of extractors, polished intake plenum and a cold air box? Say 180bhp? Don’t mean to come across as tight, it’s just I have been down this road before and ultimately ended up nearly 10 grand out of pocket for a minimal and unreliable power gain.

Thanks guys that would end up costing me the same as a piggy back though. I can get a M50 ECU installed for that money. Does anyone know if there is a chip or a factory BMW ECU that can run the 2.7??

So nice! Something you’d only dream about. I wonder why it’s never been driven?? Surly it wouldn’t be a good investment. Do the centre parts of the Mags come off?

Ok so this has probably been covered before but im struggling to find info. I am planning on building a 2.7 for my car using a ETA block, 2.0ltr F/L head and 2.5ltr intake and injectors but im stuck when it comes to the computer. What’s my best solution for the ECU? I don’t want to go piggy back or stand alone as it will be too costly and I can’t justify that cost over a simple m2025 conversion? Thanks Graham

Weird, looks like a NZ new one to, maybe it overheated one to many times and they just left it there. Give me a day and id get it looking like new!

Check the air filter? My old 2.8 got a bit sluggish when it reached 100+km and the diagnostic put id down to the Vanos system needing a good clean out.

Yea, I can imagine Mercedes C63, Lexus ISF etc sales will go through the roof in the next few weeks.

Maybe the Euro/American market has a larger air box?

That’s sad, cant believe they will just crush them! I wonder if they part them first.

Lust. That car looks amazing with only a few cosmetic changes, a 60mm drop and some dished wheels. Trust the Japanese to be first on the bandwagon.

Thanks guys.

I saw you “ found rabbit†add the other day when Trade-Me window shopping and thought to myself it was a brilliant way of posting up you contact details.

Agree with you guys. Hey out of curiosity, do you know who the first NZ owner was? My old man brought in the identical (as in exact to the colour, trim and rear blind (an unusual option in itself)) car a few years back. Check if the plate was ever JUMPER. Graham

My thoughts exactly. I think most early E39’s had cooling problems, mine did and it cost me nearly 5 grand! I would personally go for a facelift M-530i Manuel if you could find one.

I had a E39 with 130km on it (when sold) and it was the biggest piece of sh*t I have ever owned, although it was a Japanese’s abused import (never again) that had been in a minor accident, it had never been serviced properly and never garaged. 140km is relatively low km’s for its age, that equates to around 17km a year with isn’t bad we clocked up nearly 30 in our Astra last year. If it has had all recalls and has been serviced and repaired by BMW (with records and receipts) im sure it would be a nice car to own and drive, I would offer no more than $25k.

That’s December 07, Im still waiting for that issue! Where do you buy it? Ozzy cars do seem to have a fully sick style of their own now don’t they, good on them for doing different to the yanks, japs and Germans.

Kick panel that sits under steering wheel, the part the pedals protrude from.

Just the first 5 cars that sprung to mind 1) Toyota Corolla - Unbreakable, unbeatable. 2) VW Beatle – The people’s car. 3) Ferrari F40 – Just bad ass. 4) Nissan Skyline GTR BNR32 - Technical marvel. 5) BMW E30 M3 – As a kid I believed the M3 to be the coolest car on the planet…Still does. Don’t get into bikes.

Agreed, I drove a RZ a year or so ago before purchasing the Astra and it was hilariously grunty, like 3rd gear sideways grunty. You’d be looking at 30-60K for a tidy 98- facelift version. I don’t think this video was meant as a direct comparison, just an illustration as to how un amazing the new M3 is for the money. I would love to see it up against today’s Japanese hero cars, Evolution X, STI, ISF and the new 911 killing GTR!

Shesh, take it personally will ya! He was meaning newish M3 drivers, im sure he could care less about who’s driving some old dunger.

It was the test I was waiting to see seeming so many journalists had given the M3 such mediocre reviews! The lap times say it all. I have to agree, M3’s don’t normally make it to the write person.. well when they are new at least, I talked my old man out of one years ago simply because he had no appreciation for what the car was designed for.

You call them, tell them what you are selling and what you want the add to say, email them a photo and then they list it. Your car will also be featured on their web site. Oh you have to pay them too. Its not hard and can fetch an audience that trade me normally misses. I had a hard time selling a nice newer BMW like yours on trade me once so I listed in the AT and got lots of interest.

I bet that car is stock. That is a Euro spec Supra (can be distinguished buy the bonnet scoop, big wheels, breaks, TRD Dials and glass headlights), they pack more like 400bhp and would be a good match for an M3. A Jap spec RZ would get owned. 2JZ-GTE FTW! Best jap engine by far!

I believe Autocar and BMW have a good relationship as Autocar seem to rave about and feature there product in every issue. I wonder if this will affect things?? They should publish pictures on the front cover, it worked wonders for wheels in the mid nineties when their European based journalist (Peter Robson?) biffed a new pre production Diablo. That would make for a nice e30 conversion! Out of my projected budget though im guessing.

Nice, sure looks good! Those ITB’s look brand spanker! Why do the kidneys sit in so far?