bravo

Was looking for a new car for the g/f to daily as her e30 got an unplanned facelift. Looked at about 10 vehicles including 4 e30's. Finally narrowed it down to either Glenn's (botanymotorworx) 316 or an mr2. I've always wanted an sw20, it was priced well, so we went for it even though Glenns e30 would have been a good buy aswell. So I thought I'd post some pics. Its a '90 NA (2L DOHC 4-pot 3sge) with 170kms, and is in mint condition. Flew through a Toyota Extended Warranty check with the exception of play in a tie-rod end which was negotiated off the price. Good compression in all cylinders. Thats one hell of alot of mid-engined sportscar for under $3500 IMO. It has slightly less power in NA form than the 325i, and noticeably less torque, but that said it can easily keep up and is a much nicer ride with better handling, a good driving position and the added plus of a wind-in-your-hair t-top. Went and picked it up from Whangarei heads in the e30. (Awesome twisty road to have a play). The view over the engine cover and through the rear spoiler at the mtech-II slowly getting smaller behind me as the g/f struggled to keep up was awesome. Pics are just the ones the vendor had on TM. I probably won't bother taking anymore to post here being a BMW forum, but I just felt like putting them up here for comments.

the e30 motorsports have LSD and suspension upgrades as well as the cosmetic differences. I think the price simply reflects the fact that there are not many good ones left, and if you are going to have an e30 for your collection, then that's the one you want (assuming an m3 is out due to price). I personally think e30's look sweet with the right mods. They have more character than any of the newer models. They handle well with minor suspension changes and go well too for the money you spend and the age of the vehicle. As others have said they are easy to fix DIY. But the main reason they are so prevalent is that they are the most affordable. Look at the average BS member - your average e60 owner isn't here (yes I know we have at least 1). Most people on this forum are broke. Whether thats WHY they have an e30 or BECAUSE they have an e30 depends on the length of time they have owned one.

No, the newer cars often had in-tank pumps. Some cars had a transfer pump aswell. You might find there are some common pumps, but as you've found out, they often differ. If the pump is of the same type, you can mix and match.

Hey man, cool to see some enthusiasm from newer members to organise meets (they are quite a bit of work to organise). So not meaning to put you off, but that's great. I'm going to give you a bit of advice from what we've found over the years to save you some agony. You need to sit down and plan it all first. Organise for yourself what would be a good date, route, meeting places and times, venues, acomodation, activities, etc. Then you need to just lay it out for everyone in a thread with everything already confirmed. You will never please everyone, but if you put the effort in and think it through and organise it properly, (Like the ANZAC meet), then people will show up and it'll be a success. The reason why there aren't as many meets as there used to be is mainly because those of us who organised them have done it 2 or 3 times now and have too many other commitments to do it again. Like I said - it's a fair bit of work, but worth it if you do it right. good luck. Do a good job and I'll be there.

The timing belt tensioner spring is set against the water pump, so you will have to inspect the timing belt when you replace the pump to make sure it hasn't slipped when you release and then reset the tensioner. If the cambelt is due for a change soon, you would be well advised to do it as there is no extra work involved as you have all the covers off and the cooling system drained, and the belts are only $35-50.

Ok, so now those of us who already spent $1k on a decent remus etc exhaust have to shell out another $200 for an inspection just because the VTNZ guys are a bunch of hitlers. nice.

Thanks Paul - have PM'd. Have found a car. Non-BMW I'm afraid. I viewed Glenns 316i. It is an extraordinarily mint example that goes very, very well. I couldn't fault it really. Only reason I didn't buy it was the other car was something I've wanted to own since before I bought my first e30, it was also a very good condition, and stock vehicle, and at a very good price. All going well I pick it up on Sunday. Thanks all. P.S. I know someone is going to ask: the other car is a sw20 toyota mr2.

Are you sure David? The sump plug threads into the sump on an M20. Either way, a helicoil would do the trick as you say. Or just go down to your local Autoparts place, finnd a sump plug slightly larger than the original, then use the tap that matches to tap the thread.

It was on 'Breakfast' this morning. Search Google. Dozens of hits. So now Kerikeri is world famous for old buildings, oranges, and dirty road workers.

Yes They no longer offer the nz style plates as they have been threatened with copyright infringement by plates.co.nz

Hi, do you realise this discussion is from 2004?

I had to rofl Link I've got a pretty good idea who the whistlers probably were. Will endeavor to get the full story and any pxts at saturday night drinks.

Yeah, she looks pretty rough 'n' ready aye?

Link

205/40/17 runflats on an e30 with 60mm drop = chiropractors dream. Been there. Will never go back.

Most of the guys with euro plates got them from there. About $80 delivered. They are excellent to deal with and reliable. Unfortunately not legal although that doesn't stop most people. Watch the numbers decline with the introduction of new plate-reading toll cameras on the soon-to-be-opened northern motorway extension.

Bentley is king of manuals for e30. Also got mine from amazon. I almost have to get another one as mine is getting dog-eared.

Hope you had a good one yesterday old fulla. Might see you one the weekend.

We had one of these threads before, but would be good to see what some of the newer members do. Notable mentions from the old thread from memory were an IRD employee (Legitimate) and a Police Officer (also legitimate). I'm a surveyor-come-resource management consultant-come-project manager for a small engineering and resource management consultancy in the Bay of Islands. I drive a 10 year old Ford Courier with 352000kms on the clock. To be honest it is great. I don't pay for fuel and I drive 300kms a week to work, it has a 2.6 petrol so it goes alright for a ute, and its old enough I can take it over rough tracks and through the odd bit of bush to get to hard to access sites without worrying about the paint. PS - nice website grant.

I will be travelling to Auckland this weekend. I will make contact with the above vendors beforehand to arrange test drives. Please PM me or call/text for those of you with my number if you want to get in touch first. I am now also considering e36's aswell if anyone has any of these. Same requirements as above (eg 318 manual).

I did

Yes, my g/f noticed his ring too. you bloody girls and your obsession with marriage.

Turn one of the output flanges - does the other one turn the same direction and spin the input flange, or does the opposite one simply turn the opposite direction? The first scenario indicates a LSD, the second an open diff.

Moved out of Race Series Forum

Yeah I didn't like leaving it there, but was between a rock and a hard place. They probably gave it a hiding but it seems sweet so I guess I just have to trust it was treated alright. Won't go back to that particular yard though - their service with the shuttle pickup/drop off was crap.