E30 325i Rag-Top

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!

I take it you mean an E30 325i rather than the later M5x 2.5 ltr out of the E36, etc? Would be one of the cheaper options, just need the full engine swap plus a gearbox (i think) and prop-shaft. it would all sit on factory mounts so no need for all the cert work (I think - correct me if I'm wrong here). M20b25 engines are pretty cheap and they do come up pretty often and it's a fairly straight forward swap because it all bolts up. Not the most power in the world, but then you can add bits and pieces, like headers, cam, etc. later on to get a few more horses.

Good stuff, enjoy James. Andre would be a good person to learn from a great peddler who can get his point across well. Fingers crossed it stays dry, Pukekohe is a real bitch in the wet and it bites hard.

The reviews of the new M3 (F80) and M4 (F82) by local NZ journalists are starting to come through.. http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/road-tests/10047317/BMW-M3-launched-with-M4-twin

Awesome, very jealous. This is right at the top of my wants list. Did you get the kit from Markus in Germany?

Yes it's a well specc'd car in good condition, and certainly at the top end of the market. The only point of contention would be where the top end is priced. Tec II kit is a great value adder, although it does look a bit odd with a "standard" spoiler on the boot and not the Tech II wing, or even a Tech I. The after market wheels do look great, but are possibly not everyone's cup of tea. Factory premiumn sounds (fader and door tweeters) plus the OBC are also good features and worth a higher asking price. Hard tops were mega-expensive when new, circa GBP 3k IIRC. I sold mine in the UK as I never used the car in winter so had no use for it (it was practically brand new) for nearly two grand (pounds). Most E30 Cabs are now sunny summer day drivers only so the demand for hard tops is practically nil, can pick them up for a couple of hundy now. As for the wind deflector - there is a reason why you don't see many of them around! Biggest detractors from the vehicle would be 1) it's an auto which in an E30 is not a good box, even with the selector switch thingy which this has 2) the interior colour - yes it's leather and in great nick, but beige is not a great look for most people look for an E30 'vert these days. If you are in no rush to sell then that is great, the right buyer will come along eventually.

Well, according to the NZTA the X5 IS a 4x4, class MC. This is defined in a number of ways, including the ability to drive all wheels (obviously) but also, ground clearance, approach angles, departure angles,etc. Most soft-roaders DON'T fit this category. I think the issue is more as Miss-BM put it, the idea of getting an expensive X5 dirty is hard for some to get their head around. For others it is great fun! I have got the video that the original still shot of the X5 in the water was taken from, and when I get my kids to show me how, I will upload it to YouTube. Surprisingly to some, no LandCruisers feature in the said video as they were not required.

There were three white ones all for sale on TradeMe at the same time a few weeks ago! Although it's still not as if they are a "common" car in any of the colours!