E30 325i Rag-Top

You can change the springs and shock inserts with it still attached at the bottom - is not an easy job though. And will definately require spring compressors (although I use a thin strop as a home made alternative - if you are feeling brave. And NEVER undo the top shock nut without spring compressors on if it is out of the car - I still have the hole in the wall and my finger to show why !

Got any other ones for other phones? I have one for a Blackberry Curve 8900 if you're interested in a swap + cash? Also, I think these only work in cars that have been fitted with the optional BMW Bluetooth hands free system, certainly that is the case for E46. Pretty sure it won't work in an E21 or an E30 though !

bumpity bumpity bump bump..

Do bears sh*t in the woods?

Haven't you got enough engines to fix already? Or you just looking for one to practice on?

I am looking to smarten up the arse end of my E30 race car and need a new rubber strip for the chrome bumper, any one got one spare for cheap? Doesn't need to be immaculate as it will be painted over, but intact and not melted (like mine) would be good! Ta.

The only people that can supply the compliance certificate for the vehicle are BMW as they are the manufacturer. Your best bet is to go and talk nicely to your local dealer. If you get no joy from them maybe contact BMW NZ direct. Have you looked though all the handbooks with the car, you might be lucky and find it in there it looks like this: The ECE information will be on the plate that is on the suspension turret under the bonnet, probably the right hand one, it will be written under the chassis number after a small 'e' . Unfortunately this plate will only give you the basic whole vehicle compliance level, it is the certificate which will give the details you need. I hope this X5 isn't a diesel, as it won't be Euro4 compliant and you will have lots of problems?

New cat-skin rug for the lounge I hope Ashkan!

It's good to see that you still got a buzz from the week-end, even after all your dramas, and your effort and enthusiasm (and that of your helpers) is to be commended. If you are going to keep the car and race next year (which I would encourage you to do), now is the ideal time to get stuck in and get it to a race ready state. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and push yourself to get it sorted, starting from now, try not to leave it all to the last minute. That way you will be in with a much better chance of getting some results from all your hard work and $$$s next season. Hmm, i think it only counts as being on pole if you make it onto the race grid, not on the dummy grid. I couldn't believe it when you pulled off into the pit lane at the end of the warm up lap!I did come by your pit a couple of times to say Hi, but you weren't around - just a blue car there with it's bonnet up!

Vehicle Identification VIN: WBAAB320100858846 Plate: SF2328 Plate type: Standard Engine no: 22634093 As a RHD import from that time my guess would be it's a Sytner conversion from the UK, so the spec could be anything really as it was a pretty much pick and mix affair. An Alpina build plaque would add much kudos and $$$s to it though...

Only one question really - why? Why do you want 700+ hp in an SUV with poor rear head room? If you want a sports car - buy a sports car. If you want an SUV buy an SUV. And the front bumper styling - a 10 year old child's copy of the HSV Clubsport

Yup, as they are doing quite a few cars out of the UK they were able to get two into one 40' HC, so that brought the costs down quite a bit. Personally I would suggest using an NZ based company, as most of the work and organising is done at this end, MAF, clean, etc. Any NZ company worth it's salt will have contacts at the other end to sort getting the car onto the boat.

Bummer, was wondering what it was coming out from under the car. Hope it goes in Ok, welcome to the wonderful world of 'fun' that it is motorsport. It will feel sooooo much better when you cross the finish line for the first time. You'll be on pole position for the reverse grid race if you can make it on time..

Try McCulloch for shipping - was $4000 all in from UK including the MAF, clearance, etc. Cleaning depends on how bad the car is - allow $200 - 300. Compliance can be a can of worms - depends on the car obviously - but for a late model M3 the only things to worry about over and above WoF standard would probably be the wear on pads and rotors - not a major but could add up to a few $$$s for an M3.

A day celebrating Irish culture... so that's getting drunk on Guiness and wearing silly hats? Just about sums it all up really.Happy Plastic Paddy's Day

There is no way around the owning the vehicle for 12months condition of bringing in the car as your own personal import which is the only way of avoiding the payment of the tax (which as pointed out above is the GST). However, it is often still cheaper to buy the vehicle, ship it over AND pay the GST than having to pay NZ prices. This is how car dealers that import their cars still make money! A lot will depend on the vechicle itself and the exchange rate, but I would suggest that a 3+ year old E92 M3 would still work out cheaper even with paying the GST, even better if you can own it for a year and avoid the GST part!

Shhhh....

You might want to double check the pressures in the tyres, most tyre shops tend to pump them up far too much. Could explain the light feeling. Scrutineers might also pick you up on the fact there is no sign saying "TOW" and pointing to your eyes, needed on both front and rear. Even a hand written sign will do.Don't worry about the 92hp - i've only got 8 more than that, and still have fun (and touch wood don't come last!!) If you can get the rev limit up then that will guarantee you will have more hp anyways..

What about if it's on a car that has been round the ring ?

Happy Birthday you old fart! Sure you're only 40?? Celebration plans?

Must be a Palmy thing - the wagon's just had a clean as well ! Also had a bit of a play with the bluetooth and managed to get the phone hooked in through that so it works hands-free through the steering wheel controls - pretty simple to set up and works well The blanks for the swirl flaps in the in the inlet manifold finally arrived from the UK, so fitted those last night so there is no risk of a flap breaking and wrecking the engine / turbo and cats. New shiny blanks in inlet manifold: Old dirty flaps and actuator mechanism: And a tip for anyone working on an E46 diesel - don't drop anything under the bonnet, you will never find it again. At least with an E30 it ends up on the floor!!

Amen Brother !

Why was it? Close racing? Competition? No.May as well watch a single car drive around.

The article is putting an interesting "spin" on developments in the NZV8s, I read a while back about the new silhouette platform that is being developed (and is planned to be built by the same shop in Aussie that is making the new V8 Supercars "car of the future"). A set rolling body shell with control mechanicals that can accept a variety of engines (as long as V8 and RWD) and different body panels to give the illusion of different vehicles, but controlled to help close racing. The NZV8s have been falling behind for a number of years, with only limited updates to the control regulations and the cars that are running. The Commodores are still running as VZs as they can't update to the VE bodywork on the existing chassis. So a big update is long overdue. As long as it keeps the racing close, and there is plenty of door handle to door handle racing then I'm all for it. I just hope it won't cause a "split" in the category, it is hard enough to get 30 cars out for the NZV8s, splitting that in two won't be anywhere near as much fun to watch. We shall see...

Well what a surprise - last minute random bid comes in from nowhere, well over the current bid. (who would do that - really??) and then the car is "offered" at that price, even though theorectically the auction has been won by another bidder! No worth anywhere near the $4,500 level it has been "bumped" to, probably parts at best being LHD and no paperwork - despite what the clown selling it suggests.