lbo99

Thanks for your comment Dave! I totally agree with what you said. Had been thinking about HELLBM as they’re quite known of doing S54 stuff. I think I kinda know Aaron from our local bmw fb page (if we’re thinking of the same guy). He is the guy who have a red e36 track car and does most of the car stuff with his dad aye. I think he sells shifters for e36 and e46.

Couldn’t agree more but since I’ve already got most stuff sorted. Might as well just finish all of them. Most of us (bmw guys) bought our car in the first place knowing that it’s not worth it but still did anyways because we simply just like our bmws.

Forgot to say 1.1k includes a pair of new engine mounts as well, but it’s still pretty expensive imo. I don’t really feel like spending more money on my daily but I guess I’ll just fix all these so that that the car will be good to go for a few more years (hopefully). Really want to to upgrade to a 330ci and make it a very nice daily, just can’t really find a nice example atm and my 318ci kept giving me problems ??‍♂️

Been having massive oil leak from my daily for awhile. Brought my car to a local mechanic that build Honda and Bmw race cars last week and was told that the sump gasket was leaking. Spent 1.1k to fixed it along with a new oil and filter change (I provided the oil). Found out the car is still leaking the night i took it back from them. Thought it was just the gasket running in but it leaks like crazy the day after some spirited driving. Brought it back today, took them nearly two hours to check. Not minding that they wasted some of my petrol keeping the engine on for like 40 minutes. End result they told me that the rear main seal is causing the leak, will be a $800 job. They told me it wasn’t leaking when they checked the car while replacing the sump gasket earlier. Am I just unlucky or what should I do about it.... Sorry fellows, this sounds like a rant tread?

Thank you for your suggestion. I asked chch bmw at the start of the year and got quoted 4.7k just for labour to rebuild the vanos and change the rod bearings. This is providing that I provide all the parts by myself. Apparently I was told that there will be no warranty since I wanted to use the stuff from Beisan (the hubs, seals, chain guides etc) and rod bearings from VAC Motorsport, which is aftermarket not oem. That doesn’t sound very convincing for me but I really want to make sure that the right people do that job for me. It’s CHRISTCHURCH so there isn’t much option out there for me. Might just bring the car up north to get them done properly. Should start saving up and hopefully get it done by next year ?

Update I ended up picking up the KAP Industries one instead of the VAC due to shipping problems. Glad that I picked up the KAP Industries one and is very happy with it. Cheers Paul

Good day, I'm just wondering what people is doing out there regarding their vanos rebuild? Will I be better off buying individual beisan parts and then let chch bmw to rebuild it for me or should I just buy a rebuilt vanos unit from bimmerworld or drvanos and install it. Car is currently approaching the 200k mark, thinking it should be time to rebuild the vanos. Feel free to post your comments, cheers :)

Thinking of replacing the engine and transmission mounts of my car as they are all quite worn. Has anyone here happened to replace theirs before? I'm actually thinking to replace mine with the UUC ones instead of the OEM as they provide a lifetime warranty. Feel free to let me know your opinions, cheers UUC Engine Mounts + Transmission mount - http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/engine-mounts--transmission-mounts-package---oe-replacement-rubber-for-e36-e46-z3-z4-p1895.aspx

Wow!! That's a sick build ?? Looking forwards more updates !!

I'm actually thinking of running a VAC one as well. According to M3AN the E46 OEM mount doesn't have strap that's required for motorsport use? By any chance do you have any photos of the OEM mount? (on and off the passenger seats) Cheers

Hi for the trackday goers out there, I’m just wondering what kind of fire extinguisher mount you guys use in your E46. Diy, if so could you kindly tell me how? Oem or some other aftermarket alternatives. Cheers

Feels like I will need to drive my car all the way up to Auckland in the future if i want to do a proper csl convert on my car haha ?

I just calculated the cost of buying the stage 1 and 2 kit, it's NZD 880 shipped (excluding tax). Just wondering around how much did it cost you for labour to do all that. Cheers!

Sure thing! I'll pop in a few weeks to collect some of my parts, we can talk about it if you're free

Ye that's what I thought. According to my knowledge, the S54 should use the Castrol 10W-60 oil. I've also read on other forums that people in the states use liqui moly 10W-60 (buildjournal). FYI the mechanic I went to was DCH motorsport in Christchurch, I only asked for a quote so nothing has been done to the car yet.

Experience clunk on my 2003.5 E46 M3 when i shift hard or when i let off the throttle on low revs. I later found out that one of my transmission mount is out, hence thinking of replacing my transmission and engine mounts together. I'm currently thinking of the UUC black package as replacements of my worn out ones (link attached). After doing some research, i found out that the clunk might also be caused by a worn driveshaft center mount. Should i replace it with a oe part of should i go for an aftermarket replacement that's better (oe part link attached). I'm not gonna worry about the bushings at the rear of the car at the moment as I will be replacing them when i reinforce my subframe later next year. I'm still doing my research on what bushing i should use, fixed my mind on installing CMP Auto Engineering Stage 1 underside reinforcement plate. Last question, my mechanic suggest me to use ELF 5W-50 race oil or should I just stick with Castrol 10W-60. Mind that my car will be driven on road most of the time but will be on track occasionally. UUC Engine Mounts + Transmission mount - http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/engine-mounts--transmission-mounts-package---oe-replacement-rubber-for-e36-e46-z3-z4-p1895.aspx Driveshaft Center Mount - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/driveshaft-center-mount/26122282495/ CMP Stage 1 Reinforcement Plate - http://cmpautoengineering.com/product/cmp-ae-bmw-e46-3-series-subframe-mount-reinforcement-plates/

Hi Tom, love your engine bay! Just wondering what work is required to have a working CSL carbon intake. I had a look at karbonius and thinking of getting one from them. Will the intake be a plug and play thing or is there other parts and software required? Cheers

Thanks for your suggestion but I prefer the looks of the Z3?

Saw photos of your cars somewhere on Facebook before, very clean and interesting colours! I’m currently thinking of getting a facelift 3.0 or at least a 6 cylinder model to replace my daily....

S50 or S54??

Feel free to drop a pic of your car and describe it, thinking of getting a Z3 but just waiting for the right one....

Hi I asked dch automotive today and they told me installing subframe reinforcement plates and changing the rear subframe bushing to powerflex will cost me around 1.5k. They also told me that installing a vanos repair kit will cost me around 6-800 dollars. So it'll cost me around 2.5k for the necessary fixes (assuming bmw still covers the rod bearing issue). I'll ask christchurch bmw tomorrow and check whether the car has gone through the rod bearing and airbag recall. Any good places that I can send the car in for a pre purchase inspection? The current owner service the car at page european which I know is a good mechanic but i'm also thinking about sending it to winger bmw.

I’m actually very curious if the car has been in a crash before as the front turn signal lamps doesn’t match.?

I talked to this guy and the lowest he’ll go is 32k. I was actually going to buy this same car back in September this year but it got sold before I gathered my funds. I think it was sold around 28k at that time. I’m still thinking if I should accept his offer. I’m afraid to miss the chance to own this car twice as the same time.....

I have a friend that owns a dealership and we worked out the cost of importing an e46 m3 from Japan into NZ and the cost is actually quite expensive and the process is not easy as well. I'm actually thinking of buying this particular car that is currently for sale on trade me. Any thoughts or personal opinion towards this car? https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1859840160.htm