central3

Make sure you do not press the seal in too far - I had mine done by a dealer (input and output seals) and they pressed them in too far - major leakage - search the M3forum for more info - more info on my issue containe here

http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/37133-m3-make-over/

Welcome Liam - mine's a manual too - I avoided the SMG due to the amount of chatter on forums and an unpleasant experience in an E36 version - if you ever get the chance hook up with Tom for a ride in his CSL - the speed and directness of the shift under acceleration and the blip on downshift is to die for - given the choice again I may well have gone SMG

This looks like huge fun - love your attention to detail.

Rubbish photo but M3 on the way to Rotorua - WRKHCK registration and looked like it

E30 race car seen parked up in Whiritoa last weekend - going for a run so didn't stop to get more details

Yep, I saw your fleet in the carpark last night mate haha! I parked next to one of the older ones (I don't think it was your one tho didn't see your name).

Yes 1NZFE, gutless as #%! being the auto but even so uses next to no gas. It's now on 59,xxx kms, added 30,000k's in a year from my commute. Has cost me $30 in repairs in that time.. no brainer.

I've now spied something else I'd like for M TOY, to continue on the black-and-grey theme. That lack of spending lasted about a day

Seems you can get these in a multitude of styles and materials.... Watch this space again.

Group buy? I need to replace mine as damaged during an act of stupidity - keep me in mind

Like - know what you mean by not easy - is this the genuine 3M product?

I think the McLaren MP412C was used to establish i lap record???

yeah that's right - belts and braces approach I guess

For those of you who, like me were not aware. The circuit and museum opened last Easter in Cromwell. Huge investment by the owner of VIP pet food who has big operations in Australia, USA and NZ. Apparently he had a look at Hampton Downs but due to its inability to host GT3 rounds (?), which he apparently does in Aussie, he decided to set up his own course. Amazing array of cars, bikes and a truck (Inky's). NO BMW's!!!!!!!!! A few photos follow (the Stanton Special must have been man in its time (1953?) it was quick and reliable - 12.8 second quarter - supercharged at the time I think)

People speak highly of this guy - I took a rim to him once but as it had been previously repaired he wouldn't take the job on - he threw a bit of a wobbly actually but could be worth a look depending on where you are

http://www.rimrite.co.nz/about-theman-for-mags.htm

Haha yep that was indeed me on the way back from work... Had to take a detour to BP ha!

My wife reckons I am a stalker haha - these cars look damm good in traffic - stand out real well versus other decade old cars

Terrible image but spotted (I think) Armit in his new "weekend M3" on a Friday - WTF????

Crap photo but pretty sure this was you today - car looks very sharp

That came out pretty good - I have the same US boot but thought that it wouldn't work because the boot is patterned for LHD as is the plastic base section - looks like it sits ok though

To anyone wanting to mimic what Christan has done here - I have an Alcantara boot (and standard knob - cam with my short shift kit) which I will part with for beer money

yeah i've used plasicx before, it's pretty good! I'm looking around for a machine polisher to take some of the elbow grease out of it!

VANOS - I got the modified oil pump disc from Beisian, also got the seal kit from them too. I also got the sprocket bolts and loctite from Dr Vanos. I had a PPI done before the sale and the subframe was fine, no mention of the boot floor either.

I can't remember seeing a siren in the engine bay, it has a flashing red light under the rear view mirror though?

Where are you loacated central? If you're in Welly come for a blast at the weekend

3.5 hours north of Welly so not too many weekend blast opportunities - the red light under the mirror should flash intermitently when the car is locked if you have an alarm

My comments So after much deliberation I got bored and just decided to pick a car. I decided to go for the E46 M3 because I always wanted one and I have previously had an S2000 and this seemed like it could be a step up.Good choice

So the car has FBSH and I got the inspection II put on credit for when I want to use it as part of the deal. I've ordered some VANOS parts to be fitted when it goes in for the inspection (thanks for the help on the previous thread guys). Be keen to hear what you have brought here but good skills - next valve adjustment is a good time to check out the exhaust cam oil pump drive tabs It looks really tidy and minimal marks on the car, the interior is in great condition, even the door handles are unmarked (which seemed to be an issue on most I looked at). I also got the car PPI'd and the subframe was good - few weeping seals though and the passenger mirror isn't working. The SMG pump was done 10k kms ago as well.

So onto the car, what I like;

- it's quicker than the S2, the engine power and delivery is beautiful!

- it gives me a lot more confidence than the S2 did in the bends at high speed

- The SMG blips on the downshift are sweet

- it's comfortable

- I quite like the noise

- great brakes

What i'd change;

- It's not as pin sharp as the S2 was in the steering dept

- Kind of missing the gearbox (but who wouldn't coming from the S2 box!)

- the exhaust note isn't loud enough for me agree - have been pulling the guts out of mine and starting to sound better - never heard Supersprint but they sound like the way to go

- the upshifting is harsh

- no aux for the radio

So i've got a few questions!

How do I get aux on this thing or ipod control? I don't know if it has a multichanger but i think i read you can replace it if it does? I went for DICE and very happy

Did these things come with an alarm as standard? The owner said it didn't? My NZ new is fully loaded in the alarm department

Anyone know what the issue with the passenger mirror might be? It was raining the other day and the drivers mirror was crystal clear but the passenger one wasn't so the heating element and motor doesn't seem to work.

Is it difficult to fit OEM LED lights to the E46? Are the aftermarket copies worth a look or not? not up on this but from what I have read some of the aftermarket units look pretty dodgy due to the black strip around the outside of the lights

Are there any common mods / changes people generally do on the E46? Not specifically engine mods but just improvements.Endless but IMO cosmetically spacers on the front and and lower is good, maintenance wise understand where the car is for subframe and Vanos (which you are onto).

Few phone pics;

Kerosene works wonders. Be really careful with turps, as it's easy to chew through the clear. Plus it's best to use gloves with turps.

Regarding tar remover; I purchased some from Repco, and I'd be very surprised if it wasn't just watered-down and pressurised turps. Certainly smelled the same.

Beg to differ but I have been using turps to remove tar for a very long time - my paint/clear finish has never suffered - quite the opposite in my experience - I should have added though that my process is to wash the surface first and after rinsing off with water apply turps with a rag - allow time for the tar to soften then wipe over again with another turps sodden rag - wash again with soapy water - never used gloves but this may explain the 6th finger I have grown

Hi guys,

Cleaned my car the other day and noticed thick tar buildup on the alloys.. Not just dots but heaps of it. Took it to the cleaners and their acidic alloy cleaner didn't touch it.

Went and bought some alloy cleaner and wd40 today, hardly made a dent! Is there anything that will dissolve large amounts of this stuff easily?

Simple - turps + let it soak + soft faced scraper + turps + let it soak + wipe off

looks like a great day. Some sweet rides there.

hopefully someone can organise something like this for Wtgn members. although i fear there isn't a rolling road dyno available locally.

That someone could be you? I would be keen to be involved.

Sorry but I didn't realise you were the M5 driver on Saturday - spent most of my time wondering how come you had 2 ladies in tow - now I know

Cheers Andy - good to meet you (and the rest) on Saturday - bizzarely I didn't take many photos so now have a good record - you weren't the only one wondering what was going on in the front seat of the M5 - looked like a move to me

Looking forward to new pics! CSL wheels look great. Perhaps some spacers?

Yeah Christian - my PM probably put you off but worth putting on your list - spacers are good

I am a bit biased here (my old car) but if you are ok with paying the sort of money you are talking for a 330 then this is probably a good one - don't know if it is still for sale though

http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/45797-buyer-advice/

Agree with "don't get too paraniod" comments but when you are due for a valve clearance adjustment go the extra mile and have the exhaust tab's checked and the cam bolts as well. Below is a thread that I did when I carried out this work. Ended up importing the 2 cam timing tools so if you are mechanically minded I have these available. Intimidating job but if you have the gear (and after the first time) no problem.

Does add that piece of mind as you hit the 8,000 rpm redline

http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/42061-m3-work-log/

So had another go at the rear box - this time pulled a skunk out of section 2 of the box - I think this has done the job - sound quite deep and is an improvement over standard without giving any drone inside the cabin