elias

Interesting to know about the LSDs. I’m currently putting the same driveline (m52b28 + zf 5 Speed) into an e30 sedan, which should be a good driving experience, and am looking for a suitable ratio LSD. From my understanding the z3 ones bolt straight into e30 subframes too, if you come across a spare z3 lsd let me know

Sharp sandblasting up in dairy flat. Not the cheapest but good to deal with and did a thorough job. The photo of the parts hanging up is not bare metal just for reference that is after 2 coats of epoxy primer.

Interesting re the value of those z3s. I woudlve thought anything 2.8L + zf manual would be worth good money, considering the e36 328i prices, most of which are swapped using getrag boxes, zf boxes sell for $2500 by themselves nowadays

What wheels are you running that will clear m2 brakes, are you going to be running the 380f/370r discs or the smaller 340 Msport ones? i run f80 brakes (same as m2) and found the 380/370 f/r Discs only really fit under my apex ec-7s

Does the intake actually sound any different? The airbox looks unchanged from the standard one?

I’d pick a 535/530d over a 525 any day of the week, m57s are fantastic

Got a little bit more work done recently, been busy making a plan for all the suspension stuff and figuring out which direction to go for the clutch/flywheel. Decided to keep it oem and stick with a dual mass flywheel and oem 240mm luk clutch kit. Got all the underside parts taken apart and sandblasted, in the process of getting painted at the moment. gearbox is back from kayne Barrie now with fresh detents. More or less just need to order the clutch kit now and then can put the engine and gearbox into the car. picked up a e90 325i auto front half driveshaft and a e36 medium case rear half from @Toast which so far seem to work together, will see if they end up the right length. Paid $80 for the front half instead of the $700 people charge for zf 5 Speed Front halves nowadays. will need to swap the carrier bearing over to an e30 one as well. Fuel pump is back in the car too now ready to start replacing subframe, trailing arm bushings etc now and reassembling the rear end.

Surprised no one’s pulled the engine yet. Nothing like a s85 with unknown history/condition

Will keep you in mind cheers, need to find a medium case diff first.

The f30s are great cars, and the diesel ones are really economical as far as fuel consumptions goes. One thing to be aware of is the n series engines timing chain issues, which although potentially fatal if ignored for too long I find are blown out of proportion slightly when discussed online, however good to be aware of nonetheless. It really depends on what you’re using the car for in my opinion, if you drive mostly around the 4cyl would be perfectly fine as you don’t really need much power torque. For more open road driving the extra power really becomes worthwhile. Another thing to bear in my mind is the fact that diesels don’t enjoy short trips to the shops and back, they require some open road, hot running. I’ve got a tuned 135i, which is a fast fun small coupe, and I’ve owned a 330d wagon (e91) and found that to be a great second car to have as it made adequate power to be fun and not feel too boring and sluggish when stepping out of the 135i after a weekend drive. Personally I would lean towards the 6cyl option if you can find one in the right spec/condition within your budget.

Yeah looks like a m52. Same swap I’m currently doing into my e30 but without the cage.

Yeah only real option is an authority card

Search up Brando Marlon on facebook, pretty sure he’s got a couple. Usually pretty reasonably priced too.

Bump, $350 Ono have too many e30 parts lying around, have 3.45 open diff, m20b20 intake manifold, airbox, maf, injectors, fuel rail, loom etc etc

Open diff, 3.45 ratio. $350 pick up Auckland.