E30 325i Rag-Top

Some of the ads out of the states are pretty funny surprisingly. Check out the Jaguar one taking the piss out of Mercs dancing chickens on youtube

I am comparing apples with apples - the current auto option with the current manual. Just because the manual is limited shouldn't detract from the advantages of the auto.

Lighter - probably yes, six gear sets in a manual, eight in the auto.Cheaper - again yes, less complexity as less gears. Fuel consumption - no, the auto gives better economy as 7th and 8th are overdrive ratios. More durable - never heard an auto crunch a change, stall or burn a clutch so don't agree there. More control - well the ECU is in control not you either way. If you want to think you are in charge knock it into M or use the paddles, it will still change faster than you can! Multiple driving modes to change shifting points and speeds etc for you to choose. Performance? Faster acceleration - more gears, closer ratios and again it swaps them faster than you can. Do you flat shift your manual? Heel and toe the downshifts? If no, then why not? That's what the auto can do. So yes, moved on, a hell of a long way from the old clunky Jatco E36 boxes. That's why 99.5% of New Bimmers have autos, in models that can have the manual at a cheaper cost.

So much "the earth is flat and I'm a caveman... Must drive stick" News Flash - The world has moved on...

Just got a couple of things to sort out now - got a driveshaft but the front section needs lengthening and the exhaust headers and system. Both of which I will need to pay someone to do for me as I don't have the equipment - so that's the only hold up - money, grr! What car are you looking for the M20 for Bruce? You got another project on the go?

Hey can you post up a pic of the spacers? I take it they are wheel spacers...

Very true Geoffrey, but then what do I do? Pedal it down the road??

I have quite a few M20B25 bits and bobs Bruce, AFMs, ECUs, airboxes, etc. if you find a bare engine and need these bits they could be yours for cheap. Only B25 I have at the moment is in the 'vert and I'm using that I'm afraid!

Is this for your M3? Lots of info about Alpha-N on s14.net (when the site is up - was having a few issues last time I looked). It is very widely used with the CF air intakes and lots of people on there certainly rave about it - for road and track cars. I'm not running it yet with the S14, staying with the factory ECU for now, but it's high on the list of mods to make in the future. From what I have seen the cost of the system is pretty good in relation to the other piggy-back systems, and there are lots of maps already set up out there which you can start with (or run with) and from what I have heard it is relatively easy to tune (although it really needs Dyno time to do properly - which can add to the cost). I was going to run it past Gavin @HiVelocity before finally committing, as I would definitely be using him to do the tuning.

No offence, but I don't think the NZ industry was anywhere near the same scale as Aussie. Comparing the factories here screwing together CKD kits with the plants in Aussie (and quite right - supply chain as well) is chalk and cheese!

The Toyota factory in Melbourne (Altona) only builds two models - the Camry and the Aurion (which is just a V6 Camry anyway..) the majority of which were exported out of Aussie, a handful of Aurions to NZ and the rest were Camrys to the Middle East. So the changes in the value of the Aussie dollar, were killing the cost effectiveness of the car. Once Ford and Holden had announced the closure of their plants there was not enough volume in the whole market to sustain a full supply chain, so it was only a matter of time before Toyota had to pull the pin as well. Unfortunately the factory, whilst it was probably the best of the Aussie facilities, was far from being a world-class facility and needed a hure amount of investment to bring it up to a competitive productivity level (which the unions would probably have fought against anyways...) which only made the decision come sooner rather than later. It's a shame as I worked with some real good people over there, I hope they will all be Ok in the future.

I've got one here you can have for a couple of beers Rich.

Finally!! All the bulk-head wiring is now sorted. Previously mounted up the extra-relays needed for the S14, but then needed to move them into the correct position to make room for the battery terminal from the battery-to-boot conversion. I had put them in a slightly different position as there was an extra bolt welded to the bulkhead for clamping down the battery - this had to be removed which was a PITA. Hole drilled, cut and filed for the battery-cable grommet and the new terminal mount, clamp and cover mounted up onto the bulk-head in a position where all the cables can reach! Oh, yeah and a coat of paint to make it look nice to keep Hotwire happy!! Now I can finish off mounting up the header-tank which needs a couple of fixing brackets knocking up, then I can fill up the coolant at last.

Oil cooler now all sorted. The S14 always ran an oil-cooler, even in the road cars, so pretty much a must have for the race car, even in this mild state of tune. Luckily the cooler radiator fitted is the same as the one used in the E30 325i so managed to get hold of a used one of those (cheers Silver Fox). But, the oil filter and feeds for the cooler are on the other side of the engine from and M20, so had to get a new set of hoses to join it all together! First problem - the holes for the mounts were missing from the cross-member on the race car. Luckily I have an E30 front cut with the holes in, so measured off that to mark up where they need to go. Needs slots for the retaining clips to fit through - so had to mark out the slots, drill round the edge with a small 3.0mm drill then snip out the centre piece, which gives enough room to file out the correct shape. Then a quick touch up of the bare steel with some paint to hold off the tin worm, clips in and mounts screwed into place - lined-up first time, all done!!

No worries Josh, no secrets here! I wasn't sure if many people would be interested... Progress is still slow due to lack of funds and time, but doing a few more bits and pieces as I can, will post some pics up now.

Read the title of the thread and thought you wanted to take a contract out..... ...only read the thread as I could do with the same service.

My E46 330d pulls like a schoolboy when towing, but I found it a little bit light when towing my 1100kg E30 race car on a hirepool 600kg trailer. It felt a little bit 'pushy' on downhills and tight corners. The 530d would have the same (if not more) pull and feel a bit more planted on the road due to the larger size and a bit more weight. Not a bad looking car in m-sport guise. There's an ex-demo F31 330d xDrive on at Clayton's at the moment if you are feeling very flush, and that thing is an absolute rocket. Will have lots of 'options' fitted as it's NZ new!!

This one just listed as well, not m-sport but has got tow bar fitted. https://touch.trademe.co.nz/listing/view/693535030

Now everyone has got their head around the 4-Series it's time for the next one, the 2-Series! Media Release 5 February, 2014 The all-new BMW 2 Series Coupe – it’s almost here! First ever BMW model to wear the 2 Series designation Clear differentiation from the compact BMW 1 Series models thanks to an individual dynamic design plus increased size and interior space Unbeatable driving dynamics and emotionally appealing aesthetics in typical BMW Coupé style 220i available in March, with debut of M235i in second half of 2014 BMW New Zealand has announced details of its newest performance two-door model, the BMW 2 Series Coupé, which is set to raise the bar in the premium compact segment in terms of dynamic ability, aesthetic appeal and emotional allure. The successor to the extremely popular 1 Series Coupé improves in all facets by delivering an even higher level of thrilling dynamics, improved occupant comfort coupled with the latest in innovative technology. According to Nina Englert, Managing Director for BMW Group New Zealand, the new 2 Series Coupé will set the bar in terms of rear-wheel drive performance motoring achievable from a compact Coupe bodystyle. “The 2 Series Coupé blends stunning good looks with the kind of incredible dynamic talent that can only be delivered by a rear wheel drive car,” she said. “Add to this the generous specification loaded with the latest in innovative technology, and I am very confident this will become another performance favourite from the makers of Ultimate Driving Machines.” The 220i will launch in March with the more powerful M235i to follow in the second half of 2014. Both models come standard with the eight-speed sports automatic transmission which includes gear shift paddles and launch control function and will also be equipped with the latest BMW TwinPower turbo engines, boasting exhilarating power and torque figures, yet still returning impressive fuel economy. Priced at $71,700 driveaway, the BMW 220i Coupé develops 135 kW of power and 270 Nm of peak torque which is delivered as early as 1,250 rpm. This is enough to propel the BMW 220i Coupé from 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds whilst consuming a mere 6.0 l/100 km’s on the combined cycle. As with all new BMW models available for sale in New Zealand, the new BMW 2 Series Coupe range comes with a full five year warranty, delivering extra peace of mind for BMW enthusiasts.

That would be far too logical..!!!

Hmm, not really when you look at the sales results and see who is number 1! Having spent lots of billions of Euro on R&D over the last few years, there is a need to increase sales and production volumes to get pay back on the investments made. When you are a Premium "niche" manufacturer, the way to increase sales is to make more "niches" in the market rather than try and become a mass-manufacturer and depreciate the brand image. There is obviously a HUGE difference between the 4GC and a 3-Series sedan, for a start it's a hatch-back and not a sedan!!

First ones released will be G10 and G11 weirdly, G01 and G02 will come later???

Yeah, the E is the first letter from the German word for "project" or "development" and that is how the various design projects were referred to in the various departments. The F is then the next letter in the alphabet after all the E's were used up, and now G is just around the corner!! Very little logic to the numbers, just happen to be the next number allocated from the list. Any "missing" numbers never made it into production. Was so much easier when E30 covered 3-series, sedan, coupe, convertible and touring! Now we need F30, F31, F34 and F80 to cover the 3-Series, let alone the 4-series!!

I don't believe that is true, as this is a Sytner "modified" vehicle rather than a car built at Alpina the VIN should remain as the vehicle manufacturer, e.g. BMW. Also, I think it is only more recent Alpina cars that have the original VIN stamped through, and their own added, and I believe this is because it is only recently that Alpina have been made an authorised "manufacturer" of vehicles. Certainly all the older Alpinas I have seen have retained the BMW VIN, with the build plate adding their details. This is certainly a very nice example and I hope it goes to a new owner who will cherish it for what it is!

Spotted this in Mt. Welly the other day, luckily I was the passenger so managed to get a couple of quick phone shots.. Very interesting colour for an 8 Series!! Interestingly it still has the UK plates on it, and is running on an NZ dealer plate - not sure how it will get complied as I don't think they are 20 years old yet? Could be wrong. And a close up of the colour..