Olaf

^^ This! Also agree with @E30 325i Rag-Top's point about not bothering with the remap. You can extract more HP, more Torque, better economy... but something's got to give. How's the emissions or long-term reliability after the remap? Shocks? Yep, 100-125k kms and they're best replaced along with all the bushes, spring seats etc. OE Sachs are great value, and where the genuine item is alloy bodied, the Sachs are too; Bilstein Touring usually close to price yet steel bodied. Sorting the suspension provides long term enjoyment, better braking and steering, increased tyre life, increased safety - especially for the shopping trolley.

loggin in this morning OSX treats Bimmersport as un-trusted, tells me the cert has expired.

that's more to do about a lack of skill from the mechanics test driving the cars, than any failing of the car. And perhaps QC from the foreman - making sure that an e30 is returned post-service feeling as it ought to. If you're talking late-90's on, most of the apprentices wouldn't have RWD experience. In the same way that more e30's are going to the great wrecking yard in the sky each year - often due to the ruthless combination of a damp road, and little-to-no RWD skill behind the wheel. Add cheap tyres, and worn-out suspension, and there'll be tears before bedtime. If you're sliding - without serious intent - at just 15 km/h in an e30, there's something wrong with your car, your're on a skid pan, or there's a diesel spill beneath you. They were the car all others in the class were judged by when new, and if they were that wayward, people realising a few extra bucks from the stockmarket in the 80's (pre-crash) would have bought something safer. EDIT: sorry, deleted reposts. D'oh!

sure is, well spoted @Sammo and thanks

I've had such a busy time with renovations, little time to drive my e30. Had a little time up my sleeve this morning, met up with @adro and we made some images.

+1, it's looking very classy. Great work!

that HDD-SSD trick sounds very interesting to me. I wonder if that'll work in my 2011 F25?

PPS - can bring jumper leads!

cool car, but *how much*?! Hell, I can lose my license in all my other cars and still have money in my pocket and in the bank. I'll leave that one where it is.

MyUS gives you a UK address too 😀 I'll need an email address.

start using MyUS.com - much easier. If you'd like a referral code that give you a big discount on your first order, IM me.

@Cammsport I'm not far from the airport. 0800 is a bit early for a beer, but there's always a coffee. Feel free to IM me, see what we can arrange. If you're collecting from Brooklyn, I don't mind running you over there if the day permits. PS - I'm around 29 Dec.

Good score on the painting gear! Paint looks good too, nice work. Looking forward to seeing some outdoors shots.

Aye, you've been stitched. Ah well, move forward. Let us know when you're coming through Wellington, I'll buy you a beer @Cammsport - I'll bring the e30 if it's not raining! If it happens to be 6 January, there's a Wellington Pub Night on as well.

Damn! I'm slow on that market - stopped following e46 M3 as I couldn't justify buying one. My view is clearly too last March! 😁

e46 M3 or 1986 Tech 1 325i Msport for $46k.

yes, though at that time people were baulking at paying beyond $30-35k for a tidy 325i Msport. Not all 318iS have sport seats (globally, not just NZ); some are optioned with comfort seats. I've given up looking for sport seats.

Thanks for pinging me @Ghost Chip, I'd not seen this part of the thread. It's been nicely engineered by P&S, they know their stuff. Yes it was sold earlier this year - allegedly on bottle caps for less than the ask. Was that April? Suspension described at the time as Jamex and Bilstein. It looks to me like a good tidy car. And an excellent point of difference: it's certed. One detail I'm surprised about is use of a 3.46 LSD. I think that's a bit too tall for an M42. Factory is 4.10 or (optional 3.91) as far as I know; they made them short-ish for sporting acceleration, the target was the VW GTi 16v mkii which was lighter (I used to own one). LSD was an option on the iS, though I'm unsure if all 25 NZ cars wore LSD as part of the spec from BMWNZ. In the classic car world, a well-executed *replica* (of anything relatively rare - M5, 911 2.7RS, M535i etc) is typically worth around half (more or less) of the real thing, depending on factors like how tidy it is, how well maintained it is, what details are right... things that really set it apart from just another engine swap or modded car. I'd expect a good tidy well-maintained iS to attract around $45-50k in today's market (NZ). Will this car win that kind of money? Crack the popcorn and watch. I think at that ask he should have it on a very tidy set of 14" baskets, and include the BBS reps in the price. Just a gentle point of order mate @Ghost Chip , I'm not *trying* to make a replica! The project goal is to complete my car as a replica, and it will be so. 😉 It'll be an honest replica, never to be passed-off as the real thing, though. First order of the day is it has to be fun to drive, clean, tidy, and reliable. There will be a few details on my car that sway toward restomod such as purple tag rack; I'm leaving the e36 intake alone as DISA just makes sense, no need to be a hair-shirt anorak and source an e30 intake for completeness. I have a plan for the interior, I have a number of key details that will go together before cert, and set it apart from other replicas. I'm trying to make up my mind about when the iS badge goes onto the boot! 😁 I trust that doesn't sound too serious - the car has been a labour of love, though is all about driving enjoyment. First of all though I need to get all this renovation work completed at home, get a bit more time back to myself. I've barely driven my e30 since June, and sure am missing it. Hopefully I'll get to drive it next week. I guess I'd better put the red e30 onto my watch list. Cheers!

Lachs = Salmon. Like Salmon, looks very different in changing light. 'liquid mercury' - exactly! I'm not biased, quite possibly the best of the silvers/greys. It goes with my hair, anyway! 😁

I agree, it's sad when they can't scrape up enough for a decent tent. You're confusing higher price with lack of use, or assuming because a car (let's say an e30) doesn't get driven because it's gone up in value. Can you furnish consistent and reliable data to support your assertion?

Why is this sad? The Classic Car market doesn't care about our feelings. Search 1970's Mazda RX, or late 80's Toyota AE86 or Supras. 35 years ago I could buy decent RX3's for $2500. Can barely find one today in the same condition for $50k. Am I sad? No! I'm happy for those that cherish the cars they like. About 50 years ago one could buy all-steel Model A Fords for under $500. Running. With a bit of rust. A former colleague of mine bought one - running, rego'd and easily WoF'd - for $50 in 1969. How much must you now pay for a barely-complete, unregistered, non-running all-steel Model A Ford? $25k? More? You've got vintage restorers, Rodders and custom car builders competing for steel tubs. Classic car market candidates all feature advanced age, increased demand, diminishing supply, increased competition for the desireable parts. This results in increased price. Price fluctuates with overall economic sentiment and prosperity.

Yes. I've driven it, it's the real thing.

by all means, look for the car with the perfect spec.... meanwhile you miss out on this one which is a genuine, tight, tidy, excellent car. At anything under $30k for this one, you're stealing it. They don't come much cleaner than this.

I've got a decent nick intake boot for M40B16 in my parts stash, and a pair of very good condition tail light seals. IM me if you're keen, I'll figure out an appropriate figure and some freight.

I used to use Edge. Gave it away. My M54 and N62 run smoother on Penrite HPR5, use less oil between changes, and when you buy on special in 20 litre containers it works out at about $8 and change per litre. Unbeatable for quality and value even at twice the price.