Jacko

Theres a number of ways - To get tradecert in A&P (or the NZQA equivalent) you do a 1 year pre-employment course (chch,blenheim,akl) then a 3 year apprenticeship. License exams are done through ASL http://www.aviation.co.nz/ and once you have a license (9ish exams depending on what you want) you can convert it to a diploma (which isnt really worth anything anyway). Once those are done there are courses/qualifications/ratings for africa.

Airframe and powerplant for 5 years and now 2 years specialising in structures (where there seems to be the biggest gap at the moment, which translates into opportunities to travel and earn good $)

True true. But thats what insurance is for End of the day a bolt is a bolt. Car Technician puts a bolt in, the bolt is in for all of 0.1 man hours. Aircraft tech puts bolt in, signs his name twice, another QA tech comes over and signs his name. 3 trees are killed in producing paperwork for said bolt, and the bolt takes about 5 man hours to install. Up ands down to both sides. NZ seriously has to sort out the skilled man power issues.

I dont get out of bed for less than $35 haha NZ has a seriously massive shortage of skilled people, I know of a very large aviation company who just imported 80 guys as there is no one available in NZ.... Very happy to have ditched the automotive apprenticeship and gone into aviation

Random. What kinda person buys an m5 and never drives it? whats with the white wall tyres!

Hahahaha, you dont wanna know! . Found a sump plug that'll work. realoem.com rocks! gives you measurements of the stock plug.

Segedins had one, they the business. Am12x1.5

Heya, i need a 1985 e30 2.3 sump plug urgent. Just went to change the oil in the new project and she is totally rooted, going to have to smash it off - not really too keen to smash it back on

Just went to change the oil. Sump plug is totally rooted, going to have to smack it with a cold chisel Has anyone got a sump plug they would like to sell

So I have just brought an 1985 E30 323i. It has a M badge on the grill, and an M badge for the tail gate (its in the glovebox at the moment) and no other badges except for the BMW circle ones. Its a manual, im pretty sure its got the close ratio box (1-3 are all really close 4th feels quite tall but is probably 1:1 and 5th results in about 2.5k rpm at 110kmh), and seems to have an LSD, havent jacked it up and done the tried and true method yet, but it def spins both wheels . Suspension wise i wouldnt have a clue as it handles like a sack with the koozed shocks it has currently. Its on the BBS style wire looking 15" wheels. Interior wise it seems to be very run of the mill, cloth interior, electrics, sunroof, 4 spoked wheel, I dont think they are sports seats (but they currently sit like bucket seats as all the springs are broken.....) What options where availible to the NZ new e30 buyer back in 1985, what does one check the vin codes against to see how she originally came outta the box?

Yup, shes from ohakune, sold new in new market. I think i got a pretty good deal for the 2k it cost, just needs another 8k spent on it

He must be either gay or incredibly focused. How could you actually look at the rd/track while that thing is sitting next too you . I would never be able to get out of the car in public.........

A couple of pics. Check out the satin finish paint job

Found a haynes manual http://www.e30.eu/tech/E30ManualHaynescomplete.pdf

Thanks, Anyone know anything about these? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-137932880.htm Sounds like exactly what im after to sort out my floaty sponge bmw...

Heya, Im Chris, 25 year old aircraft engineer, just brought myself a very well used 1985 M 323i coupe, with a close ratio 5 speed. Previously ive owned r32 skylines, GTZ corolla, and a porsche 944. The cars not in toooo bad a shape for the 120,000+ Miles on the clock - bit of bog in the RH front gaurd, minor rust in the lower sill of the drivers door, rust under the badge on the bonnet and a touch under the spoiler. Some idiot has tried to paint it in his shed at some point and made a mess, so its going to need a total respray, No idea why it was painted as all the paint where the monkey hasnt sprayed (underbonnet, door sills etc looks mint). The shocks are all reallllllyyyyy stuffed and I think the springs have gone a bit saggy too (my mitzy v3000 handles better at the mo!),Id expect all the suspension bushes to be well koozed after 23 years as well. The diff ,seems to be an LSD , has a bit of a whine under heavy load so its probably on the way out as well. The gearbox feels very nice, but has a bit of slop in the linkages. Having a look underneath it looks like the rear gearbox seal is leaking and the engine crank seal too. Ive got a few questions - 1) Is there a PDF version of the manual online? it didnt come with anything - Id just like to know which fuses do what and how much oil she takes - 5L? 2) What shock/spring combo is a good one but not too expensive, I had good experiences with koni adjustables on the 944 - is this a good way to go with the bimmer? King springs OK? Are nolathane bushes available and worth it? Currently its sitting on 15" 60/205's, Id like go to something like a 17" 215. 3) Wheres a good place to go to find E30 parts? What about a crowd who could rebuild my diff? Thanks