E30 325i Rag-Top

If I had the E46 - yes, if I had the E30 - no!!

Every one is a f$%$%ng expert - can tell you where you are going wrong, but sadly lacking in solutions or ideas to fix it.

^^ Not always the case, especially in terms of power and performance. Later componentry is often developed more with emissions in mind, and as a result de-tune, or strangle the engine. I'm not saying this is the case for the M50, but I have certainly found this with other items.

I've got a guard that I think is diamond schwartz, will check what side it is. Definately have a couple of glove boxes, with latches and keys.

Benefits come also from the later suspension set-up of the E36 / E46 rather than just the bolt pattern. Much wider availability of coil-overs, shocks, etc, no need to weld struts. Other benefits you have mentioned, yes you can weld and drill some but not all rims (also cost). Yes you can use top hats and remove able rotors but off-the shelf are easier and much cheaper. If you are running bigger rims / tyres then a bigger and stronger wheel-bearing and spindle to match is a good idea. With the scarcity of E30 M3 suspension parts the prices are in the moon beams area now and not going to come down if something breaks later on, so I would suggest the other options.

Those photos certainly don't do it any justice either. For a car like that and at that price you'll need to do a better selling job than those potato photos. Those rims are totally off for an 8 Series and also detract from the car, quite badly in my opinion.

There are a few in NZ, but only a very few. And thinking about it, they might not be for sale to the General Public...

They should have got a "proper" E38 and gone all out for the Protection version, the police would have had trouble stopping all 3.5 tonnes of one of those. There is a BIG difference between the double glazed windows (which are 1/2 inch thick and not bullet proof) and the bullet proof windows (which are THREE inches thick and in special door surrounds with protective coatings on the inside, which not surprisingly are), then there are the bullet proof tyres, steel plated armour, etc, etc. NOTE: This is not condoning criminal activity, merely pointing out they bought the wrong 7 Series for the job.

You might want to start reading and understanding the web-sites you are posting the links to. You quote me and posted a link to the Uk customs web-site for a scheme which only relates to Overseas visitors and EU Residents, so I pointed that out. Then you post a link to another web-site where the second section is titled: "VAT Qualifying vehicles" where it states "only if strict guidelines are followed" so it is NOT any car, even if it is bought through them, that can have the VAT taken off. I'm posting this up so others don't get confused.

So you're going to fly over to the UK to take delivery of your car then, and qualify as an "overseas visitor", to use that scheme? That would add about $2.5k in flights, plus $1k accommodation, living expenses, etc. onto the price. I think you've maybe got the wrong Customs and Excise notice, there are quite a few relating to car exports.

You would be VERY lucky to find a 2008 car that still qualifies for VAT refund. Would have to be owned by a business for the whole time. Most businesses turn their cars at a maximum of three years, not eight.

sh*t mate, you have gone grey very qucikly! Good to see you can fit in the new car now though.

Make sure it's got the right plug on it, and is DC rapid charge compatible or you may as well throw the electric motor away!

Read very carefully, the 2003 M3 you mention is only for the M3 CSL not the common or garden variety.Quite a few people in NZ with non-compliable E46 M3s already, don't want to add more!

Cheers, it seems it was the old bookmark being the issue. All sorted now!

^^ I've seen that around a couple of times. Just about stopped myself from ramming into that abomination. I should be more tolerant, maybe he had an M3 and had to downgrade but couldn't handle it?

Errr, ok. I'll switch it off and back on again then ?

Anyone else having trouble accessing from a PC? Works fine on my phone, but get server errors when I try a computer.. Odd...

Cool, looked a bit more than that in the photos, my eye-crometer must be a bit out of calibration. Car sounds like it will be quick enough that you won't have to worry about someone running into it!

This thread just needs someone to chime in about salty roads and then it's all finished..

Not necessarily down to price, there are lots of models in the UK either not in NZ at all or rare are rocking horse poop here. Lots more choice in the UK.

That's ok then - looks like it doesn't apply to production saloon cars, only sports cars (hence why 800mm is the max height!), you should be sweet.

I know what you mean Rich, it all comes down to the "officials" view of the rules at the end of the day. Have certainly seen cars with spoilers way out back, that haven't been pinged. I would hate for you to get to a meeting and have someone pull you up on it (if indeed it is outside the regs - I seem to remember a figure of 200mm max behind car, but I could be wrong!).

Jeebus, that is massive!! Looks like it should do the job. Don't mean to be a kill joy but isn't there something in the MSNZ regulations about how far behind the car a spoiler can stick out? The looks to be a looooonnggg way back.

Try Hans (bmrmad) he has a mould for the E30 boot and makes a good product (better than the TradeMe stuff) very good price and very nice bloke as well.