hybrid

Rock these http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/BMW-E46-3-...oduct_info.html

this is why I switch to step tronic and control hill descents myself. Im not a fan of sitting on the brakes as its the prime cause of traffic shanting in moderate to heavy traffic.

That is more around a sensor issue which I will be investigating in the spring when the problem comes back due to temprature

I would also ask in your report to have the MAF checked .. as over oiling from those after market air filters can damage the Mass airflow sensor.

:thumb:

Casualt, by the looks of the car you have there it looks like a goodie. One of our forum sponsors in vouching for the owners charater so a good ++ there. The only thing left to do if your keen on it and kept in mind the that you dont want leather and MF Steering, is to get the BMW dealership "pre purchase inspection" booked in and done. Sould cost you around $130 and as said before will give you everything you need to know about what you getting into. keep us posted!

Auto. Its why I imported mine as a auto because 99% of the time im in town traffic + I have an e30 m325i manual for weekend fun. I think youll find many people are the same. Its like the 3g ipod, once the novelty has worn off its actually a pain in the ass for everyday use. I use to have the same opinion about the auto/man thing would you believe.

Hmmm disagree again with the manual vs auto thing, Proved this on Taupo earlier this year as I could just shift faster and more stable in the auto, I could keep my foot down and get through the corners faster than a manual equivalant 330i driver. However .. you will have more fun in a manual. If you drive in town / motorway slog get an auto. If you think youll be driving open road or twisties more .. get a manual. That seating is cloth not suede. you will understand when you get into a leather car what I mean about difference. I use to also have the same attitude about the steering wheel thing until I started using the cruise control .. made a lot of difference. When buying a car try not to get your heart set on just one thing... as other have suggested, look for what you want.. you have taken the time to join this forum and ask for opinions.. I would jump on e46fanatics.com and have a look at other peoples interiors. Youll soon get a feeling for the different options availible. you can save yourself quite a bit of money if you can get them as standard options instead of doing it later on.

New Bosch OEM light surrounds and factory elipsodes brand new 1000 is cheap bro. Your thinking of the ebay/trademe clones and second hand without elipsodes and focusing lenes which in NZ is 100% illegal to use if you have a xenon/HID. The bosch OEM lights are the best way to go if you dont want to have issues around warrent time. my e46 ones were 1400 landed.

mostly documented all of this will post something when we have finished and not before.

While not Group-b cars ... defanitly Group-b crowds! .. I miss the 80's

Try get one with leather if possible .. its a 1000 times better. Its not theend of the world if you get cloth as you can do what I did and pay Retro vehicle enhancements $2500 and get it done (is better qauilty than the stock BMW leather) also try get the multi function steering wheel (steering wheel with buttons) that looks good .. just missing a few key options.

hmmm that thread on there has been around nearly 2 years haha

Pull the tail lights out and check the rear transum. It will be the plate metal in there... it is in most cars.

As I say with any new BMW purchased ... get a 'Pre-Purchase' inspection done at either Team McMillan or Jerry Claytons. Don't get an AA check as is more geared to being just a generic check of basica vehicle functions. That and they mostly spin crap. BMW can actually plug your vehicle in and also quote on up and coming work on the car, including check all e46 pitfalls and can easily let you know what you in for. Apex, you know not all imports are lemons The difference between an import and NZ new e46 are actually very few, only in the radio department and body kit. To the Casault, Try get an 02-03 motorsport. youll get all the revised parts and newer facelift look. the M-tech2 coupes are quite nice if I do say so myself

interesting you should say that .. as ford has just dropped sponsorship of the teams in v8 supercars .. it opened up the question for other classes.. dont think it will be done however. But interesting what money does.. GM and Ford are going to the dogs where as European manufactures are posting record profits. its only a matter of time before my master plan comes into effect

hehe yeah saw this a while a go .. its a pretty good idea. Pity the e36's handling was too soft for that track.

http://www.willitblend.com/

you almost sound like Steve Jobs .... almost

Like this. Do it.

Victory by Design: 2005 Le Mans Coupe

If its your first car dude ... best advice (and im not being a twat) is gain some experience with your car before giving it the thrash. Best way to do this is a track day. you will learn the limits of your vehicle in a 'safe' environment. In my first two weeks of driving my first car I managed to spinout around a around corner in the wet and end up on someones front lawn. Taught be a shitload about respect for my vehicle and more importantly it gave me my first real experience of "What If". Im glad 16years on I've slowed down a lot on public roads thanks to the NZ police if you catch my drift.

Honda has the right idea to combat things ... just need to have a hydrogen based engine not electric. http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/how-fcx-works.aspx

Electric cars are NOT the way forward ... what is going to happen when we have a battery disposal problem ? Not to mention the amount of energy and materials needed to build them. It has already been proven that even before they roll off the production line they have more harm to the environment than a petrol car in its first 10 years. Hydrogen people! hydrogen!