Michael.

Ahh classic, what a blast from the past!

Immaculate interior and engine bay too What a car, what an example... All credit to your care Peter!

Sounds like fun. Then again I'm not sure you would need to do much to one of the best stock sports cars on the market though! That said, can I buy your stock rear muffler when you don't need it anymore?

Awesome, nice to see one in good condition and actually a CSi model!

Concluded I really need some decent tyres...

Very nice indeed! They are a handsome looking machine.

+1 on what James said, are you not using axle stands Matt?

Damn that front bumper really sharpens up the front end of the E46.

That is looking awesome. Good work.

Awesome work

I love how clean your cars underside is. I imagine you avoid wet weather driving? Haha. Have you changed anything inside the exhaust?

Cool Jeevan. The fun begins!

Wow, great buying. So much car for the money! There is a nice green 540i touring in One Tree Hill / Onehunga I see most days driving along Campbell Rd. I wonder if the owner is on the forum?

Cool man, that looks good!

Thanks guys, pretty stoked to get that stuff out of the way. Now to get a Wof, Reg, valuation and full insurance.. Tell me about it haha, can't believe it took two years to get it this far since dropping the motor in, with day to day life these projects really drag out! Not that it's a bad thing as it's been a fun/painful long term toy to play with. The plate is getting made as we speak, like you mentioned I discussed the wheel setup options with the cert guy, he said it has to have whats on the car certified because it was too easy for people to chop and change. He didn't totally agree with it but has to abide with the requirement quoting the wheel specs. So this means the plate will quote 7.5x17 front and 8.5x17 rear OE, which is okay as I will eventually use a set of M3 17" staggered wheels later on which are the same. Suspension is just quoted M3 disk and caliper at the front, OE rear + Lowering springs with measurements from the wheel center to guard.

Cool comparison Ray. Both great looking cars in their own right. But somehow I like the Z3 M Coupe more.. it's just easier on the eye.

Is it me, or does this design look like to borrowed styling cues from the new Mazda 6....

Thanks Phil. For less than 300hp it really gets up and goes, sounds the business too. Meanwhile it passed certification today, pleased to finally have all that sorted out!

I would have loved my cap gun if it did this back in the day.

Very nice, don't believe I've ever seen such an Alpina model!

Very nice buy Phil. Interior looks like it's in VERY good condition! I had a 540i a few years ago, wonderful machine, practical, comfortable with definitive classic BMW styling, 0-100 in 6.5 seconds. Can't ask for much more! I like your passion too, always makes a difference!!

Thanks guys, I went to Grey Lynn Tyre Worx on Saturday, spoke to David, he was a good guy. They did a good job it seems, precise adjustments L & R within a close range of each other. I just needed an alignment print out for the certification process.

Most interesting. What's the plan?

Finished the small changes needed for the re-certification for the 1UZ E36. Going back to the cert guy on Friday next week. Looks like the build is complete! (aside from rebuild the rear suspension with M3 parts at some point) Haha, ain't that the truth.

Nasty situation Matt! No doubt reinforces how important good insulation is on such cables. Not to mention, fusible links.