gjm

It's worth a go.

Prolly got cutties, bro.

E21 swissrace.mp4 Originally a 320i E21, now powered by a 2.0 version of the M42, a copy of the 1994 STW engine.

Frickin' PayPal... I sent USD35 to a guy in the US. No problem - he received USD35. Someone in Oz wants to pay me for something a little more valuable, and he gets stung AUD30 for currency conversion fees, and I get over NZD40 of fees deducted before the money gets to me. I wouldn't be bothered if I was making anything out of the deal! Any suggestions for a better way? International bank transfers are reliable in that money gets from account A to account B, but the vagaries of bank exchange rates and bank charges mean that you rarely have an exact idea of how much money will be received.

This is about the size of it. (y) The M43 makes about 115hp. The M42 and M44 make 140hp. Getting that 30% increase from the M43 is likely to cost as much as replacing the engine... And either the M42 or M44 will then tune well beyond that 140. The problem with the M43 is it's design, especially the cylinder head. Getting more air and fuel in there requires some fairly serious work, work that's done for you in the M42/4. I like the M43, and have daily driven one for a few months. It's a good engine. Have a chat to James (thorburn). He'll probably have some ideas that may help, but his question, and "how much [more] power do you want?" will be determining factors.

It's a brand-new Garret GT1749V from Turbo Dynamics in the UK - an like-for-like. Retail on these is well over NZ$1400 plus shipping, insurance and taxes... Fortunately I got this one from Richard in wellington when his plans changed. It's a PITA job. The 320d has one of the most difficult to remove airfilters I've ever come across, and that's just the tip of a rather large iceberg. Mileage hasn't risen much recently. The 320d has been resting while we've used Miss M's 318i to ferry her around and get her some driving experience. She's off to Uni next week and the 318i may well be up for sale - she needs the money!

Not really worth it... Not because of the engine size, but because of the engine design. You can turbo it but it doesn't respond particularly well to that. The M43 is a solid, reliable, economical and simple engine but doesn't really tune in the same way the M42 or even M40 (for example) does. Crunchy knocked up a M42 turbo which was a success by most accounts - more power, and more economy. Have a look here.

A lot depends on what you're after. Parts for newer BMWs do tend to be expensive in NZ, and importing can be cheaper but will incur taxes and so on. For a performance exhaust it may be more economic to talk to someone like Mike at Sinco in Hamilton. (There are other people who will custom-make an exhaust... This is one that I've used and comes readily to mind.)

320d has a new battery. Forgot to mention that. I think. Today... And all to fit the shiny bit in the lower right of the picture.

IE do a 25mm hollow front say bar which combined with the M3-type strut tabs and raised mounting position should keep the car flat. You'll need to upgrade mounting points (additional bracing), suspension generally and certainly tyres.

In Thames, Sunday 5th Feb.

My first BMW - an E21 323i manual in Turmalingrun metallic with gold BBS rims. Might send a text asking for more info...

Your description is correct. Prices are now ridiculous, if you can find one. They can be repaired... This - http://www.ebay.com/itm/351427894250 - isn't cheap, but could be cheaper than buying an undamaged dash.

Waved goodbye to the white E30 rolling shell.

If we're all quite honest, the seller isn't asking more than it's worth. Her mechanic quoting $2k - fair enough. But the scramble that seems to be occurring with people offering instant $2k, unseen, tells you what a mad place the market for E30s is at present. I do like the comments!

Appears to be fixed - I received an email notification of a PM this morning.

Seems to be working.

I think these are broke again.

At the moment (and there are exceptions) it seems that those near Auckland typically travel further and/or longer than those anywhere else in the country. I was going to say that was to be expected, but is it, really? We know why, but unless you live here it is more likely to come as a surprise.

Check with Charlie - Euro V8.

Bugger. Sorry. I have the weekend and plan to have some time off next week. According to RealOEM, p/n 51331386987 is the one that fits my car, and it's also used in the Tourings. (And sedans, verts...)

I agree - a long commute is not a good thing. It's a tough call... Should I look at the long commute and (hopeful) remote working, or settle for buying a house we're not going to be so happy in, but means I spend less time travelling? I think the solution is to suck up the commute for now, and find alternative employment that will mean less time in the car.

Bit OT, but it's my thread! Mercedes responded in 2000 with the OM628 - a 4.0 V8. This was superceded by the OM629 in 2010 which made up to 400hp and 900Nm of torque, and was developed further for use as an aircraft engine. Mercedes also produced V10, V12, V16 and V20 diesels.

I'm fortunate that I don't work in central Auckland and only have to go as far as Papatoetoe. That doesn't stop the 'trial by SH1' being particularly annoying, especially on the way home. It's bad in the morning, but seemingly regardless of time, it's worse in the evening. There's no way around it. The train would be good and I'd be keen to use it, but there's no train from the south into Manukau. I know of some people who live in Paeroa and work in the Auckland CBD. They leave Paeroa around 6.30, and get the train from Papakura into the CBD.

These days, I work to live. There was a time when extra hours at work, working weekends and so on were normal, and what I expected, but you soon realise no-one compliments you for doing it, and no-one goes to their retirement wishing they had worked more hours. It's trying to ensure that quality of life when not at work that is causing the problem. We simply can't do it without living further away. At least, not the sort of life we want (which I appreciate may well differ to what many other people would be looking for).