cainchapman

Yes, M42 is 1800cc. M44 is 1900cc. Both are DOHC.

There were no real problems with the M60 motor. Especially if you are referring to the Nikasil problems that all the US websites go on about. The 740 is a nice car and handles bloody well for a thing of it's mass. The motor is superb. It is too quiet if anything. The things to have checked are the self-levelling suspension and EDC. These shocks are VERY expensive. We have replaced ours, but you would need to love the car to do this.

That motor is an M10. The 318iS has an M42.

What a weapon! We took a couple of Elise's around Silverstone. They are nearly as good as driving karts. But you can have a roof. On my list of cars to buy, an Exige is on there too of course. Lotus, stands for "loads of trouble, usually serious"

Andrew, I guess the English version of Roberto is Robert, so I'll let you off with that. It was a great day, this year I got my car washed and still came last equal. Oh well. Gus wouldn't go near Jen's daughter. He'd get killed. Great to see all the people there too. For those out of town, see we do get some nice weather up here. The Club BBQ is on at Okahu bay this Thursday night (weather permitting). Cheers

Happy Birthday Abby I wouldn't let Gus anywhere near me, if I were you! Have a great day.

Alpine have a full-on control unit for the I-pod. Talk to Rob @ Rapid Radio. It was only around $700 for the head unit I think. Why would you want to use a low quality format when you have a CD? I tried running an I-pod through my home stereo against the CD and the loss of information is significant. I like the I-pod, but it is a glorified walkman, nothing more. My 2c worth.

OK, one of the guys in the club does some consulting for High Modulus. He isn't coming out to the Show and Shine, but will be at the Taupo driver day. You should talk to him. Sorry, you are talking to someone who gets Matthew Ridge to wash all his cars. You don't think I'd make my own bonnet do you? That's why I'm an Electrical/Electronics engineer.

The S42 block was originally a sleeved 2.5l (I have been informed), so it wasn't very difficult at all. If you want more info. Eric Swinbourne is the man building these for us. I don't know about the cover. Although the entire head fits straight onto the M42 motor. Now you see why a 318iS would be OK, as I have a few go faster bits that will fit into it. And that induction is the ducks guts. So if I get rid of the 540iS and can find a nice 318iS, who knows? I am waiting on the ex-BMW motorsport guys to give me a list of parts for these cars still. I'll see if the cover is in there. Otherwise, Richard at DCH Motorsport would be the guy to call and ask. I have his number if you are serious about it.

www.bmwclub.org.nz

Yes, thanks for that Andrew Remember that we have a Show & Shine (casual BBQ) at Whangaparaoa this Sunday. Cheers

No, it's not our car. We have it's 2 sister cars however. That one is Lindsay O'Donnell's. He has returned it to it's original ETCC paint job (or as close to it). You'll see it and our 2 racing at the Skope Classic Waitangi week-end. But that is a photo of an S42 motor. 340 BHP is a bit of a stretch (unless it is one of our new 2.5l motors). They were roughly 216kW in sprint form (in 2l). The induction noise is amazing from these cars. They sound like they will suck up small children from the pavement as they fly by. If you can get to Hoonapuna. Buy a ticket. This is one of the best car meetings in the country!

I'll go and buy it then. His books are always a laugh.

I have been talking to some people about Carbon Fibre bonnets. Ex-F1 people and some specialist materials guys. The consensus is around $1500 for a buck to be made from an existing bonnet and another $1000 to make it. Obviously ballpark figures. So, if enough of you got together, you could amortise the buck fee down quite significantly. Agreed, you don't need an autoclave.

It's up and running now.

I'd recommend you go and talk to Rob Charteris @ Rapid Radio in Ponsonby. By the Dog's Bollix. They do excellent work.

Why not an MX5. Good cars, cheap and low tech. Am I expected to use this as my main car, or is it a toy? A worked up Hillman Imp or a Mini make good club cars too.

Yes, we had a discussion about it at the committee meeting. Andrew is onto it. Hopefully it'll be back up and running soon.

The S42 was fitted to the Super Touring cars. It's 1998cc to meet the ETCC regs and 216kW @ 8300 rpm and in the region of 200Nm. It's megabucks for a motor rebuild for 40 hours of running. We detune ours a little to run the entire Southern Festival of Speed on one motor (all going well). We have built a 2.5l motor (4 cyl). Haven't actually been in the car since it has been assembled. It saves us continually buying new block for all the motors. Cheaper to buy an M3 (or a couple of them). The M42 is the road going engine for the 318iS.

Maybe it's my age. But can't you do some advanced courses to have your time reduced from 6 mths to 3 mths for your learners and then from 18mths to 9 mth for your restricted? I assume you only need a car to get around Dunedin in and your not planning SI road trips. Get a Hillman Imp. They are great fun, are nearly indestructible. Rear engined beasts with a good heater and excellent handling. They are great for Grasskhana's have brilliant brakes for a car their age and are cheap to run being 875cc. I am being serious. I had one in Christchurch and it was so much fun to drive. Get a car with character and not a japper. www.impwerks.co.nz See if Brian still runs it. I'm sure he does and tell him I sent you.

One final comment. An S42 would be the easiest swap to do. A modifed M42 would be a lot cheaper and you can get quite good gains in this motor. The best performance mod for your money in a 318 is to get a lighter flywheel. Have a look at this website http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismods.html Using the M42 motor. S42 = 216kW Naturally aspirated.

Why not the M60? It's just 2 of your engines, so no further length in the engine bay and great torque.

Talk to Graeme Clyde. Sounds like a lot of effort. Transplant a 2.7l block with the high compression bits and you'll have 200hp.

Interesting price on the 540i Manual. Maybe there are some 5 speeds out there. Never seen one though. I've seen a few of the standard 540iS and they are all 6 speed. Missing a few bits that ours has got. Also a lot cheaper too if they were $160k. Ours was a list of $180k, paid less than the $160k for it though (you get a better deal when you buy a touring car with it).

I'm with Ollie on this. Watch the road and you are unlikely to get caught. My last ticket was a year ago (or so), I came over the Hopetoun bridge in 6th and didn't have my foot on the brake as I rolled down the hill and got pinged (60kph)by the chick standing on the footpath. No excuse, I don't complain. On the legality of detectors. It is not illegal to have one. However, under the radio frequencies legislation, the police own the frequencies you are monitoring. So you can have it on, but if you use the information you acquire (i.e. your alarm goes off and you slow down), you can be nailed under this act if they so choose. Hence a jammer is even more illegal under this law as you are actively using a frequency you have no rights too. I don't have one as they make you less focused on the task at hand. The rate I get tickets doesn't justify spending $1000 for a good device.