E30 325i Rag-Top

There are a few Commodes on the roads, but when you take into consideration even asmall assembly plant like Adelaide would need to pump out around 400 cars in a day (2000 a week, 100,000 a year) then you start to see the issues! Even the NZ Police can get through that many in a year. I saw yesterday that the US government has now sold its GM shares from the bail out, the nett loss was US$10BILLION for the tax payer, makes this Aussie figure look like chump change!!

There are a few Commodes on the roads, but when you take into consideration even asmall assembly plant like Adelaide would need to pump out around 400 cars in a day (2000 a week, 100,000 a year) then you start to see the issues! Even the NZ Police can get through that many in a year. I saw yesterday that the US government has now sold its GM shares from the bail out, the nett loss was US$10BILLION for the tax payer, makes this Aussie figure look like chump change!!

Meh.

Have a look at the 330d sizing as well - I changed the fronts on mine and they were biiigg! More weight up front with a diesel, so often have bigger stoppers on the front to compensate. Rotors and calipers should be bolt-on replacements, but just watch the balance between front and rear braking pressures, may need to change that as well. EDIT: Just checked, same as the 330i!!

With the clamp on the EGR pipe, are you prying the two halves apart after you have un-done the screw? It's not like a normal pipe clamp / Jubilee Clip, The clamp is in two C shaped halves, which do tend to stick on to the pipe. Use lots of WD40 or freeing oil and get a small screwdriver in the join and gently prise them apart - only then can you get the flanged end of the pipe out from the clamp. (Hope that makes sense - not easy to describe) Just a quick search on eBay UK, these are not the ones I have, but similar. Why do you want to go 17"s? I have the MSport suspension and the 18s are still ok, even on the rough kiwi roads. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18-CSL-style-wheels-BMW-3-Series-E36-E46-E90-E91-E92-E93-Touring-Compact-/221209716175?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW&hash=item33812065cf#ht_2314wt_3974

Yup, just checked the sales figures - the EcoBoost is being outsold 10:1 by the XR6 on its own! The market still hasn't got around the stigma of a 4-cylinder engine in a large car. But yes, still to be confirmed, and being strongly denied by the State Government.

I had to do a double take there as that photo looks EXACTLY like my wagon outside my old house in the Uk - pretty freaky!! Before I brought the car over I had a set of those CSL reps put on it, they are pretty cheap in the UK, 600 quid with tyres fitted and balanced for a set of 18"s pretty easy to clean. Look pretty good on the wagon, and not very common wheels, so look different.

What you are saying about the smaller 4-cylinder turbo cars makes 100% sense, and most people would think that is the way to go. However, sales of the new Falcon with the new EcoBoost engine have bombed in Australia, and I believe in NZ as well. It seems the car buying public still have an issue with a "small" engine in a big car. The same can be seen in NZ with BMWs like the 520i, good car, drives great - but is still seen as needing a bigger engine. The economy of the car is usually off-set by the amount the companies back the bigger engines on the fleet deals - it used to be MUCH cheaper to lease an XR6 or XR6 Turbo than a billy-basic XT over a three year lease period. As for diesel, neither Ford AU or Holden have access to a half decent engine unfortunately - try driving a diesel Captiva or Territory. So, yes the reliance on building a single "large" model car is a dangerous position to be in over the long-term. Personally I really hope they keep the plant alive, and invest some real money to bring it up to world-class standards. Once it's gone, it's gone forever!

Pretty much spot on I would say...

Good idea, when we moved up we rented where we thought we wanted to end up. Renting is a pain, but gives flexibility if things don't turn out how you expected.

Holden are in a much better position than Ford as they contribute globally to GM, engines to Mexico, cars into N America and Rwd design centre. That said, nothing is for ever and can change quickly in the auto industry. My bet would be that it is a bit of manipulation by GM so that the Govt. Enquiry decides it is better to give Holden $$$s rather than pay 50,000 more benefits.

The camshaft and radiator are the only ones that would be worth more than scrap value. Price of the cam would depend on what profile it had on it, is it standard? Radiator $100-150 I would suggest would be a fair price.

Isn't that the Grand Tourer concept car that was revealed a couple of months back?

Oh wow, that is so cool. Added to my Santa list to go with my other E30 M3 models.. maybe if I stop buying these I might be able to get the real thing though??

He lists it as 265/overdrive box, which I guess means it's the 265/6 which would be the same as a US Spec E30 M3 (non-dog-leg). Must be a good box if it can handle the torque of a V12, my little 4-pot won't stress it too much!!

Colour looks amazing, very good choice! Looking forward to seeing pics with the MTech1 kit on it as well, I hope the colour match on the kit goes well!!

Certainly in very good condition (if it's as good in the flesh as the photos) and if the mileage can be verified then that is a big plus. There are a couple of negatives - Japan version so US Spec (no dog-leg box and strangled by emissions gear) and not the most desirable interior with the basic cloth. A pretty good price for what it is though.

Yes, the Individual information does show up, but not on some of these external VIN decoders which is the problem here. Option code 774 (showing blank on your link) should read Individual Series 93 Japan. So this would mean it is a Limited Edition for the Japanese market, put together by the Individual Department, and as the Individual Dept are part of BMW M Gmbh and not BMW AG, then technically the guy is right, this car has been through the Motorsport Centre. As to what the Limited Edition included, and which of those badges were added by the factory and what were bought on eBay it would be very hard to find out. And as to what value, if any, that adds to the vehicle that is a whole different question.

No good for me, the wife took ownership of the hairy walnuts when I said "I do"!

Don't you start Michael, there's enough twats in Auckland doing that already!

So glad it was dark in the cinema when I saw it for the first time, certainly "got something in my eye" even though you knew what was coming.

Wow, you don't see one of those every day!!

Biggest question is how much can you pay? Are you buying or renting? Good news for you is that the new lending restrictions are beginning to slow the market, making it better for buyers!

Glad it cured your problem James, it took a full Race Series Brains Trust to come up with the diagnosis! Personally I have never been a fan of water blasting or steam cleaning engines, water and electrics do not mix, and there are lots of places for the water to get in and cause gremlins. Can be a prick to find where / what it has got into to cause the problem as well.

If you want to drive fast do it on the track, where there are no cars coming in the other direction and safety measures for your protection. A controlled environment takes a lot of the variable factors out of the equation and allows you to go as fast as you want (or can) without risks to others.. or your licence. The countries that are increasing speed limits probably have proper motorway systems, not NZs idea of rutted cart tracks called State Highways which are dangerous in their own right. I agree that the focus on speed is a bit one-eyed, the number of downright poor drivers and vehicles on the road should be taken out before such stringent speed measures. Maybe a bit more emphasis on driver education rather than punishment - explain to people what a "stopping distance" is meant to be, I can't get over how many nose-to-tail accident there are! Unfortunately this news will just mean more people wombling along straight open roads at 80-90km/h as they are worried about getting pinged for 104, does nothing for safety as pretty soon there is a long tail of frustrated drivers trying to overtake with some desperate manoevers.