MLM

^^ Merge like a zip? Merging like a button is probably a better analogy for most drivers though who try to push into a space just a bit smaller than their car.

Have a look for metricmechanic m44/42 engines. This should give an idea of whats possible for how much effort. Your never going to get the same dollar/kw ratio of a 6 cyl swap. depends what your into.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pictured-man-woman-survive-after-3916219

Who are you using for the print company? Am a cad jockey so can help

Spotted my personal winner of d-bag of the year. The owner of this Nissan lucino coupe cxz*** first got my attention with the flurry of wheel spin at the lights in otahuhu. The spectacularly stuffed suspension as he pogoed toward the motorway was enough warning to give him space. Just as well because the following spin at the princes street on ramp because he went to fast into the corner was ridiculous. But hey at least he got to eat his breakfast while doing 50 along highbrook drive (70 zone). All in the fog this morning. The mind boggles...

Maybe start here: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/49600-basic-chassis-set-up-suspension-101/ Not a complete guide but a good place to get an idea of whats happening

Got an alignment. Felt sorry for the workshop guys while I waited who were trying to get an alignment on a rx8 which was to low to even set up and were battling trying to fit a stretched tire onto a rim as it had been cut up on the guard on an excessively lowered corolla.

I have done some measurement recently based on my non m spec suspension. Using a bit of cad wizardry it shows a 40mm ride height reduction gives a roll center height decrease of approx 120mm which results in a roll couple increases of 30%. ( will check numbers later as away from cad box right now) Unfortunately I can only measure these things out of my interest but not comment on the real world impact of these changes as I am at the same point as you looking at upgrade options. I don't want to derail your thread away from your original question but thought it would offer a viewpoint to discuss any changes you may want to make.

M42 twin charge. Different, a challenge and BMW. Would love to see that done.

Pm'd

Would you sell the front shocks separately?

Z3 rack installed with all new tie rods etc. No more steering play. Its the best the steering has ever felt. Needs alignment before passing final judgment.

Sounds like somthing along these lines then: http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/car-audio/head-decks/jvc-kdr-425-head-deck.html MOS-FET 50W x 4 24-bit DAC3-Band Parametric iEQ Ready for Bluetooth® Wireless Technology* Front USB Port (MP3/WMA)MP3/WMA Compatible with ID3/WMA Tag (CD/USB) HS-IVi Tuner Loudness Control 2.5V Line and Subwoofer Pre-Out Level RCA Pre-Out Terminal (Rear/Subwoofer Switchable) Subwoofer Control High-Pass Filter Dual AUX-IN (Front/Rear) << this is the bit you discribe? Detachable Face Panel Cheapy at $170 for more features add more $$

I have a JVC unit which accepts audio (aux in 2 ch) in though not in surround format. This is reasonably common now. The unit I bought 4 years ago was able to play the dvd with sound over 2 channels and other audio over the remaining channels. Good for someone who wants a movie in the back seat (via headphones) and somthing else in the front. All functions on the unit were controlled by remote. If your after somthing which controls the tv via the head unit then thats a bit different and beyond my knowlege sorry. hope thats helpful.

Its been discussed a few times though no definitive list drawn up. Try these threads for the common recomendations http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/35555-best-shop-for-an-alignment-in-auckland/?hl=alignment http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/33568-recommended-wheel-alignment-shop-south-akl/?hl=alignment http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/29364-wheel-and-tyre-alignment-specialists-in-auckland/?hl=alignment http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/16465-good-wheel-alignment-place-in-akl/?hl=alignment

So thought its time for a bit of an update. Its been over a year now since the final tune and the car is still going strong at now 240000km. Its showing its 22 year old age a bit too in a few places but nothing which cant be recovered easily enough. Also in this time I have had a new Bimmer enthusiast (I hope) join the family. Born on the 17th April my first son is now my focus. However I have still found some time in the garage to have a bit of a play starting with the head DIY style as always. So starting with the inlet port , this is how the OEM port looks as it leaves the factory, note the steps from factory machining processes. So attack with the die grinder and some sand paper rolls for a bit and the valve guide is gone. Im not worried about valve guide life at this point as if this head ever makes it on to an engine it would never be a build for high mileage as per the factory design. The final inlet port looks like this. It looks seriously hogged out, but in reality its only lightly shaped and smoothed. Progress is slow as I stop to measure every few minutes to make sure im not getting carried away. If your new to this like me don't under estimate the material removal power of a sand paper roll! The short side didn't get touched. The exhaust got a bit more attention as the port closed down on itself through the short side and the roof had a hard direction change at the valve guide. Here I raised the roof a bit to open the port. Previous comments and suggestions indicated the exhaust was restricted hence the additional focus. Only after photos for the exhaust available. I also cleaned up the chamber with where the valve is shrouded around the spark plug as there was a 1.5mm step from the seat to the chamber which would do nothing for flow. This is only for a bit of fun and learning. I will get this port and the adjacent ones measured for flow to see if there is any difference between stock and modded. Will post results when I have them so we can all see if porting can be achieved by a novice with no experience. Will see how the pics turn out as the posting method seems to put extra pictures at the bottom

Looks like these http://www.aliexpress.com/item/TUNING-DIY-E36-wholeset-COILOVERS-SHOCK-ABSORBER-HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE-COILOVERS/846537153.html

Thought this may be of interest: Chassis stiffness values BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg I cant verify the numbers any more than other data of the net but shows the deficiency of the coupe format. Possibly a reason why BTCC e36 shifted from the coupe to a sedan? It would be interesting to see comparative e36 numbers if anyone has them. The interior build quality of my e46 is far better than my e36 which is quite frankly appalling and a step back even from the E30. The E36 certainly missed target expectation in this area. Im not surprised your e36 squeaks and rattles more than e46. Your bracing looks hefty Michael, Have you done any calcs on this? I wonder how much value the short angled in braces are offering relative to the weight and build complexity they add.

Spotted this in Otahuhu the other weekend. The lip sets it apart.

Make sure the shroud is for RHD markets. The shrouding my be LHD if purchased from the USA which would not suit our roads.

replace with a bomb.... I'm still missing a piece some sh!te stole when I was in the wairakeres. Scumbags.

Awesome. Must eat more popsicles...

I have heard this too. I was looking at this earlier in the week and found a forum where a chap used a E46 rack with part number 32136755068 which produced a quick steering option. Using Real OEM it seems this rack appeared on compacts and a bunch of other models. Maybe its not just limited to compacts? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=32136755068&showeur=on

It seems there are various ratio options in the E46 range, at least the american sites bang on about 330i ZHP (guessing means motorsport version) being the quick rack option. Though have found plenty of conflicting info on the net, it seems not all racks are equal from the e46 range.

I run a link with Alpha-N. Setup and cost is quite minumal, and have had no problems running it.