Herbmiester

Wow so defensive, you slammed the N54 I just replied.

Cant argue that at all, but you would hope that after 2 decades they would have a better design.

The N52 is a more reliable engine in some respects, but its worth noting the internals of the N54 rarely give issues unlike the lifters on the N52. As to the whole penis size comment, all I can say is that it was you that felt the need to mention it........... What you do lack in an N52 that you get a shed load of in an N54 is torque, crazy launch you forward like a slingshot levels of torque, available from about 1800 rpm. Out of corners its so impressive you dont need to rev it to 6000 plus RPM you just ride the torque wave and watch cars disappear as they scramble for revs. In the real world it makes overtaking so easy, better than most V8s that I have owned. BTW BFYB results below.

Yes laughing at the Bully RS3 drivers as well. Buddy has an RS 3 and even my modded 335i cant get near it.

Well if a nice E36 Coupe is far from pretty an E87 must be downright Fugly!

Damn I was hoping for a 18 x 9 wheel so I could get some 265s or 275s under the arse of my 335i.

I laugh at you laughing. I dont mind the E87 but they are certainly an acquired taste. E36 Coupes are of course one of the prettier BMWs ever made.

Very pretty what is the sizing?

What are the main differences between black and silver top engines? Do you mean M54 vs N52?

Which we are doing, how they may be a bit overrated.

No we are here to discuss BMWs which is what I am doing.

I am looking at a 2007 325i Touring for the wife. Apart from the ticking lifters that some of these cars have what else goes wrong with the N52, I assume they leak like every other BMW with more the 70k on the clock?

Sometimes I just dont get why the 130 get so much discussion. I have driven a couple and sure they are nice enough and sort of quick but compared to any of the n54/n55 cars they are a lot slower especially with regard to in gear acceleration. Aussie car mag Motor tested one in thier 2006 Bang for your bucks issue. It recorded a 6.2 second 0 to 100 and a 14.4 in the quarter mile which are both quite reasonable. However it was one of the slower cars around the circuit. Beaten by a V6 Commodore, MX5, Golf GTi, Mazda 3 MPS, WRX, Legacy GT and Falcon XR6t. I wonder if people gravitate to them because the N52 is a lower maintenance engine compared the 54/55?

Hi how many kms and any service history?

All good got a full conversion including driveshaft.

Gaz you da man, I am in awe of those beauties.

They certainly are nice looking wheels.

Just checked pick a part nothing at the moment but the toolbox gloves and overalls are ready to go.

Thanks mate but I really want 32's or 24's.

Thanks for offer Dave but I really want a staggered set or maybe a set of 8's.

It depends what you want out of your car. Because it has the same suspension with some minor spring rate changes to the E90/92 series you can use that info as well. I went with Koni Yellows so I could get adjustable rebound damping and I am happy I did as I went with Tein springs that are very close in spring rate to M3 springs so stiffer than the usual H&R or Eibach options, My ride is quite firm now and I wouldn't want it any firmer. Quite often you can get a combo with springs and shocks Bilstein especially and the spring rate and the damping are supposedly matched, i noticed a bit of pogoing in my E92 so with the Konis I could add more rebound to settle it down. I have also gone with M3 control arms which up front will give you stiffer bushings and more camber. Stiffing up the rear has a downside and that is no factory LSD so getting the power down can be tricky, perhaps less so with a no turbo car. On a budget shocks are your first upgrade and the more affordable options are Koni STRT or Bilstein b4. Next up Koni Yellows and Bistein B6/B8. Factory M Sport springs are good for daily driving, touring and some sport work but stiffer lower springs can help if you are really getting after it. They will lower your car but with good shocks ride comfort will still be OK. Getting rid of run-flats helps a lot for ride. A bigger rear sway-bar is good but again without an LSD it is a limited upgrade. Also depending on the vehicle your suspension bushes may be flogged out, at 70k my rears were getting pretty loose. and the M3 rear arms gave my rear noticeably less movement. M3 front arms give noticeably more front end grip.

Just finished installing an MHD stage 1 tune on Boyties M135i. MHD tunes never cease to impress me with the performance improvement. First efforts resulted in a blown charge pipe but we fitted a CTS pipe which looked quite well made and we were rewarded with a very noticeable increase in power. For those that have done this (including myself) the torque increase is really noticeable but on Boyties car the hing that got me was how good that ZF8 speed box is. The close ratios keep it at near max power for each change and the little blue hatch just keeps accelerating. Very impressed by that gearbox.

As some of you will know I bought a really tidy E36 328i recently and I have managed to clock up a few miles in it now and have thoroughly enjoyed going back a few generations. Firstly I have to say the car is one of the tidiest E36s I have seen for a long time but under the skin what really makes it special is the service history and attention to detail that previous owners have lavished on it. This is my 5th E36 and the only one where everything works and nothing needs attention, they are no squeaks, rattles or untoward noises and it comes as a bit of a revelation as all my others need work. The car does have a Jatco but the dreaded flaring and Jatco jerk are absent, perhaps because its a 98 and has the later TCU and again because it has been serviced. The steering is the first thing you notice, compared to my E92 its slow and slower again than my old E46 330ci. The feel however is pretty good and at highway speeds its far less noticeable and pretty accurate. The engine is a sweetie, with only 142kw its a long way behind the modded N54 in my E92 but the lack of turbo lag is pleasantly noticeable in comparison. Having spent a long time behind the wheel of a 330ci I can see why the M54 rotating assembly swaps are so popular and extra 30 odd kws and more torque would really make it come alive, I guess that's why the M3 was created. Chassis wise its all pretty stock M Sport on 16's so it can be steered with the throttle when the ASC is turned off as the rear does not have an abundance of traction. The brakes are another area where the difference is noticeable, stopping power is quite good but initial feel is very soft, but I suspect some different pads and a brake bleed might improve things. Interior wise I always liked the E36 and with everything working its actually a nice place to be even though at 196cm I only just fit. My daughters like it as they think these is a bit more leg room in the back that the e92. My decision going forward revolves around leaving it as it is or doing what I see are useful modifications. If this were a NZ new car with a ZF Auto this would be a more difficult decision, that said the car was imported ex Japan by BMW NZ so leaving it as is and enjoying it as it was made is certainly an option. Firstly I am keen to manually convert it, the Jatco is a good one but a nice ZF manual would transform it I'm sure. Secondly the 16 inch wheels, while nice to look at would be retired from some style 24's or 32's if a nice set came up. A purple tag steering rack would seem to be a good investment as well. Whether I would fit an M54 rotating assembly is the hard one, very much in two minds over this one.

Best looking set of M Pars ever.

Thats a big tyre, good luck looks you will have limited choices.