E30 325i Rag-Top

How ridiculous is it? Well, as pretty much most of general public are not Automotive Engineers it's there for your safety. It may not feel like it, and you may think you know what you are doing - but surely it's worth while to have it properly checked out? As for assessors not knowing what they are checking, I would guess that statement would come from someone who has looked on the internet for all the information on their modifications, and then been upset that the assessor has not passed them? Same as Red Dwarf above I have seen some wonderful "kiwi Ingenuity" on vehicles including HT units, some of which was performed by so called "experts" in the trade. Crunchy, you are right, there will always be those who think they are above the law, and who will not be controlled, but at least with laws in place there can be some come-back when (if) they are caught. I really don't care about what happens to them, but it is the poor innocent party that usually gets taken with them I care about.

Saw that on the Best Of Top Gear again the other week, very funny, if a little "staged". Might even be the same Getrag in the 190e as I think they went into some other cars, like Mercs and Volvos as well. I am looking foward to the day I chuck my "new" dog-leg into reverse when I am sitting on the starting grid...

I've got one here in the garage you can have for cheap - will get it out and put up a pic for you.

The rotors and pads change will be due to compliance. Every rotor has a manufacturer's minimum thickness stamped on it - they still work ok at much thinner, but because it is stated by the maker the rotors must be above that to comply. I had to put new rotors on buth my cars when I brought them in, even though there was nothing wrong in terms of the old ones working.

Pretty much this. It was felt that the Americans would have enough trouble driving a stick shift, without moving the positions of the gears around with a dog-leg box. Hence they got the H-Pattern and a changed diff ratio. The only real driving advantage, as was mentioned above, is the fact that the more often used changes become a straight shift. There are physical changes between the boxes, as you'd expect as they work slightly differently, as to whether one is stronger than the other I can't comment. Maybe Kayne would have a view, he's worked with plenty.

The Turbo S14 is Shane Helms Enduro Racer, the "Golden Homes" M3, another insanely quick E30. Driftit and Jamez are running an E30 with S50B32 motor in it, M3 wide body flares, very stripped out and lightened, and seriously quick car. And if Jamez has got round to tightening all the bolts up, it goes round corners pretty well too!!

Welcome to Bimmersport.

Bit of a long shot, but here goes... Just ordered the brackets and bolts from the USA to do the brake upgrade of fitting the 4-Pot Mazda Calipers on the front of the E30. Now I can't find any of the calipers on TardMe and the guy in the US isn't doing the reconditioned ones anymore. Anybody out there got a set sitting around that they never got around to fitting, or they took off??

Cage it and race it!!

There should be a small silver tag on the back cover, held on by one of the bolts. Numbers on that will tell you what ratio it is. Usually covered in oil and crap, so needing a clean before you can read what it says!

Glad to hear it all went well James. Sounds like you have been bitten by the bug..... addictive isn't it??

4-door shells tend to be stiffer than 2-door, although there are two extra bloody great holes in the side, this is more than made up for by the extra bracing that is added around the door frame to hold it all in place. The down side is that this then results in extra weight (especially in an E30), which you can't really get rid of. The other thing I would suggest you consider when looking at which shell to use would be the length of the wheel-base and the ratio to the track width. Can make a difference in terms of turn-in, under/over steer, etc. and give a better 'starting point' to adjust from. If you are really worried about the twisting noises Michael I suggest ripping out all the interior panels and adding a full cage, which runs to the strut towers front and rear !!

There's some very useful info on certing on the LVVTA web-site, just google it. I would suggest you have a good read of what is needed for what modifications before deciding on the engine swap. It could make a big difference in terms of the cost of the build (not just for the cert process - but what you may need to get the cert) and change your decision.

Dog-leg box is a 265/5 with 1:1 5th gear ratio. 'The 'overdrive' box is a 265/6 with a higher ratio for 5th. There are a couple of good sites in the web which show how to tell them apart from each other.

I think the VIN is correct and it is the seller that is confused.. Looks like he is close to breaking point also..

Canada drive on the Right Hand Side of the road = Left hand drive cars. I think this poor guy is genuine and got his wires a little bit crossed.

I think the problem is identified in this cryptic comment... 1991 325iS = Evo2 = E30 1992 325iS = E36 I think he has the wrong year for the car, therefore totally the wrong series. Who wants to give him the good news? On the upside it is actually a 325iS - for what that is actually worth!! Close, but fail.

Just about to post up the same list Brent, beat me to it...

Ask Ashkan about the benefit of driveshaft hoops, like the one he had to add to get his cert. Yes, it is like trying to tighten gun control laws, but if there isn't a law in the first place then it can't be enforced. Unfortunately when you have a "rogue element" of Boy Racers amongst the car enthusiast community the general public will see all modified cars as being in the same category and look to the Police and Government to do something about it. Hence we have a system we need to work to, and thank out lucky stars that it is a million times better than the system in Aussie.

S = Sport buuutttt...... No Sports bodykit. No Sports seats No Sports Auto No Sports Steering-wheel. Soooo S /= Sport for this car?

There were some real weird and wonderful models produced with dog-leg boxes in them, as Dave says above there are differences between the types. Plus obviously the bell-housings to match the box up to the engine. One version of early five series, either E12 or E28 had an M20 with a dog-leg box - something like a 525iS or 528iS. Very few were made, might have been only for certain markets. And as for what the South Arficans came up with, I wouldn't have a clue! Possibly the SA E30 325iS had a dog-leg, as it had lots of other M3 running gear (5-stud) etc. in it. Was there a particular reason for the question?

My comment about certifying was not intended to mean "don't worry about getting a cert", using factory parts - rather than those that have to be fabricated to suit, makes the whole certification process easier. There is no need for engineering certificates and drawings, or certification of welds, etc. both of which take time and cost money. I will double check the rules as to whether it removes the need for a cert at all in some situations. It was certainly not intended to encourage anyone to ignore the law, either by accident or design, more to make the OP aware that there can be more of a process involved with putting some engines into an E30 as opposed to others.

There is a BMW dealer in Dunners - Cooke Howlison 03 466 4929

I would check whether this is a "common rail" diesel or the older pump type of injection. Chalk and cheese in terms of power and smoothness. Common rail was introduced later on the 4-cyl than the 6es as Alfa had a protection on the 4s. Otherwise looks a good car if you can get the price down about a grand.

Finally found the menu to play the songs from my phone in "random" sequence - hoo-rah!