Michael.

Mmmm one could collect every BMW M model from the 80s to today for that sort of sum haha.

Yeah I agree Grant - 9/10 Id take a Japanese import over an NZ one. I suppose the main argument against Japanese imports is that they do short trips and sit in lots of traffic so the engines are more worn than the rest of the car would be. Ive always found that to be a generalization, sure some of the cars there are driven like that, such is the case in NZ but many are driven good distances - Japan is quite a big place! Interestingly, it recently occurred to me that my Boss for the past 5 years has been driving his V8 VW to work only 1km away, so in the mornings its never warmed up properly... can't be good for it - probably explains why its a bit noisy at idle with only 99,000ks on the clock!!

Yeah fair call. On your touring is the diffuser section removable or a fixed part of the bumper? Curious as at the moment on my E36 bumper I am having the diffuser part that can be removed modified by the panel shop guys to make way for the twin exhaust outlets

Great choice! I was flabbergasted at someone I know that thought they were the ugliest touring ever made, followed by the E36 touring. Crazy, crazy! I'd much prefer a 540i Touring than the Sedan given the opportunity. Good luck with your search!

Cant go wrong with an E46 Touring! Although, just my opinion but I would work at getting the exhaust tips to sit 1-2" higher, more in the black cut out so they sit level with the bottom of the bumper, then they would look more at home. Although I guess your limited with the space for how high they can sit with the tyre well being there.

haha yup

I had a quick squiz today while collecting some parts, it's pretty impossible to fault!

Yeah, I had wondered about them being Jamex, but they always seem to have the brand name on the spring. I found some one in USA that was selling a set of "UUC" Branded springs and had this picture http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh90/jgriska/IMG_4958.jpg Which has the right rear spring number, 75471 / 346.... but whats interesting is mine quote front and rear instead of 346. I've also found another http://pix.nauticaltech.com/E36_Parts/CRW_2391.jpg these are supposed to be UUC springs too, the numbers are the same, but printed in a larger text and have some additional numbering. However the spring cut marks on the rear springs look identical to the ones I have... made in the same factory I guess?

So I have sourced a set of used red springs for a 1996+ E36 M3 EVO. They have part numbers printed on them, front 75470 and rear 75471.... as to what manufacture they are I am not so sure... there are no markings. The only other number is a date on the rear springs 01.03.07 I've done some searching on the internet but found nothing conclusive... on some forums they thought they could be Dinan, H&R, Eibach, UUC, unless they are some random Chinese imitation job... Any ideas what make these are? Cheers, Mike

It is no wonder Japanese cars can be so popular over a 'cheap' German car when they fail like this. How does Mercedes let that happen... it really sends signals that the accountants dabbled much further than they should have! (but we all know this )

For 15-17k I would look no further than a 2001+ 530i... they offer more than sufficient performance, making them a BMW worth owning! You could afford a 540i in that price range too, but Id say the 6 cylinder would be adequate for your needs (and be cheaper on fuel / running / maintenance costs)

A car I've always liked too, but would never consider buying... I buy a car based on how easy it is to get parts / identify things. Is there a RealOEM parts database for Mercedes? I've looked in the past and never found anything.

This is true, but most of the time those are poorly maintained cars - if they all had regular oil changes and maintenance they wouldn't be any where near as smokey. I guess it comes down to cheap people driving cheap cars into the ground.

I wonder if the Greenies will get such things changed in the coming years.. arguing that older cars are more polluting to the environment so should be more expensive to registered blah blah blah... of course thats crap and hopefully logic will prevail.. In truth it's better to keep an older car running that was built to last 30, 40 or 50 years ago rather than buying a 5 year lifetime replacement plastic eco box.

Oh yeah I love the 1UZ, but for HP/NM Value an LS motor would probably be easier, in saying that they arent too cheap to buy compared to a 1UZ from what I have seen. 1380/1100! I thought Dale Buckleys 1UZ V8 TT Supra was huge at 800 or 900hp, thats certainly something else. Heck, 10.5k RPM from a VK... that would be music!

Haha, word. In hindsight I should have just bought one of those LSX V8 Vorshlag E36 kits.

Very nice bit of progress there. So they are still tossing up between the 1uz and M62? How interesting

Certainly one of the better Ti models I've seen. Good job.

Ideal then. Although I would wonder if there are any quality issues with such a 'cheaper' range of Merc models....

That's the wife version! Get the SLK55... the sound alone is worth 10 V6 versions IMO.

Brand new set, only selling as I have upgraded to M3 brakes so don't have the need for this kit. Trade Me $50 for any Bimmersport member that PMs me. Cheers

I saw your car today. It certainly stands out.

I see pelican parts sells OEM stuff.

God those are awful. I'd rather have a Honda.

I've heard that many times... but never seen any actual official information stating so..