gjm

Miss M would like bluetooth connectivity for her car. There are options that retain the stock headunit, but many $$$ seem to be involved. I've even seen one where the cassette mechanism is replaced by a bluetooth unit. Simpler and quicker is an aftermarket unit. Anyone fitted one? I know it requires a single DIN adapter to fit the larger 'hole' the BMW unit uses - any good sources for that?

To be fair, it was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Great kit, no doubt, but yes - not everyone will want to spend that sort of money, or have that sort of power. The stock turbos are Mitsubishis, I think. Either TD03 or TD04. You could try talking to Turbo Bits in Chch - they do rebuild kits for Legnums, Evos, and the like. They may have a suitable kit, and might be able to recommend a rebuilder. Bear in mind that it's not just seals that can fail. Probably worth getting the unit(s) looked over by a specialist before splashing out on rebuild kits.

https://www.tomiokaracing.com/products/tr-twin-turbo-upgrade-for-bmw-n54

I like yellow! But I'd prefer a white Z4 coupe...

Gavin is a good guy. Very helpful. I've used Paul many times. Excellent service, good prices.

I've got a set of Style 73s looking for a new home. Legal tyres - can't recall immediately exactly how much tread.

New landlord reckons he regularly made Waipukurau in well under 10 minutes in a Mini Cooper! When we came back on Friday, it took us 15, and that was taking things easy. Waipawa is another 6-10 minutes beyond that. Bit longer at the moment due to extended 30km/h zones for roadworks.

Looks like we're moving to Oueroa. (Look it up!) Once I know the road a little better, it'll be about 20 minutes to work.

Mrs Ms Baur would like the sump gasket.

If I can get the money together, I'll be in the market for a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/porsche-taycan-cross-turismo-will-arrive-2020

I thought e30goodies might have had them, but seems not. (They do have new pedal rubbers, if you're interested?) Someone was 3d printing them. Maybe investigate r3v?

The guys are using the ORC 2 and LRX from Altus intelligence - not cheap but pretty decent kit. They're used for photogrammetry and for LIDAR. The owner of the survey company is shareholder in Altus (NZ) which kinda explains some of his affinity.

The self-employed (in all senses of the word) route might work in the field I've been investigating... In a few years' time. At present, it's simply not sufficiently profitable to make sense. A shame, as it has been an interesting journey (and could be one I continue). Most recently I've been working with a local surveying firm, investigating ways to deploy survey markers (Ground Control Points) without actually going to the areas where they are required. It can be done with GPS (and 4/5G or wireless communications between a drone and base station, aka Ground Control Station) but there are benefits in 'walking' the land to see exactly what the terrain is like. That'll be coming to an end shortly, as I have been offered a role in Central Hawkes Bay. Exciting times down there, too... Which means another headache for us. Rent, or buy? How do we relocate all our 'stuff' economically? Oh well... No-one said life was easy!

You may have noticed the wink at the end of my post! I'm of the opinion that the Z1 isn't really an E30, although it was built at the same time as the last E30s, and given an E30 code (it was a development of the E30 line) The predominant underlying structure is completely different, although a great number of E30 components are used. Doesn't look much like any E30 I've seen!

Not a colour I would have chosen, but having driven Mondeos for years in the UK (mostly hire cars, although I owned a ST200) I can happily say I'd much rather have one of those than a Vauxhall (Holden) Vectra. The Mondeo isn't bad car at all. Lacking in charisma, perhaps, but very capable.

Thanks Jon. 170-175 isn't all that much power these days, or even 15 years ago when the M3 was making well over 400. The attraction for me was around handling rather than outright acceleration or speed, so that's not an issue. Sadly it seems as though the lower power output doesn't necessarily translate to better economy, although the stock 85hp per litre isn't too shabby.

Gruppe5 Motorsport are building a road-going 2002 with a Dinan-tuned 5.8-5.9 litre V10. Power output is 744-803hp, fed through a 6-speed transaxle. Fun times! https://www.gruppe5motorsport.com/

Camchain tensioner and VANOS are the biggest issues with the N45 generally, but the N45B20 used aluminium liners which can cause problems. Usual other factors apply - use good oil, regularly changed, and good quality fuel. Other than that it's probably no better or worse than many other engines of the same era. But as Jared says - the earlier iS versions may be a better long-term bet. If you can find one... (And the E36 has build quality issues all of it's own, too.)

N45B20. 175 road-going hp, 275 for racing. The 320Si is said to handle at least as well as the M3 - it's a homologation car with 2600 being built.

Has anyone seen or driven one of these? Are they (m)any in NZ? Jon @E30 325i Rag-Top - do you know?

Definitely would be useful info.

Plan is to build 30 cars a year.