Michael.

You just missed one that sold last week, about 26k via Turners Auctions 3.8L NZ new

PICS

hahah neverrrrrr! Not really worth anything either

Hmmm been thinking about what's been done, and what's left to go. Wheels, 17x7 ET46 Enkei New tyres 225/50R17 Michelin PS4 Front & Rear brake rotors, calipers rebuilt, TRW Dtech pads Rebuilt brake accumulator, new seals, regased Rebuilt front hydraulic struts, valved strut accumulator Front suspension bushes replaced with rubber units Suspension valve body main accumulator valved fitted, regased Suspension pump pressure gauge installed for monitoring Steering rack rebuilt, tie rods, end rods, and dust boots replaced Steering column replaced Steering rack bushes x3 Rebuilt rear hydraulic struts, valved accumulators Rebuilt suspension valve body Rebuilt Suspension pump and power steering pump Replacement main pressure line Replacement power steering return line Cleaned suspension and power steering filters Rebuilt front and rear strut accumulators (cut open, seal replaced, rewelded or threaded fitting) Driveshaft hanger bearing Driveshaft rear guibo Differential rebuilt Differential mounts x2 Engine mounts Transmission mount Rebuilt half shaft axles Rear wheel bearings Front wheel bearings Rear suspension bushes, upper and lower 3UZ-FE engine upgrade 4.3L with VVTi 6 Speeed automatic upgrade with tiptronic control New Koyo Radiator, Toyota LLC, thermostat, upper and lower hoses Alternator rectifier replacement Water pump, cam belt, idler bearings & tensioner, Oil pump seal front. 3 way fuel regulator installed, replace E46 reg/fuel filter IS350 tiptronic steering wheel Certification for engine swap Header 4-2-1 Custom exhaust system Tacho converter Speedo converter Cruise control operational Modified drive by wire throttle Immobiliser delete speed cut delete Digital dash capacitors replaced EMV screen capacitors replaced (all) Stereo control deck capacitors replaced (50) Stereo DSP capacitors replaced Stereo Recievier capacitors replaced Stereo main amp capacitors replaced Stereo subwoofer amp cpacitors replaced CD stacker capacitors replaced ABS ecu capacitors replaced Air bag ecu capacitors replaced Power steering capacitors replaced A/C unit capacitors replaced Door control capacitors replaced Remote capacitors replaced Speed control capacitors replaced Suspension ECU capacitors replaced 4 wheel steering capacitors replaced Reversing camera control capacitors replaced Hydraulic fan control capacitors replaced Mirror control capacitors replaced Headlights replaced, 3M clear applied Glass high beams installed Door card fiber glass repair Leather seat repair / replacement Carpet cleaned / mats cleaned Drivers door window regulator cleaned and greased Passenger door window regulator cleaned and greased Drivers door hinge replaced Passenger door hinge replaced Interior console trim replaced Handbrake handle replaced Air purifier installed, speaker grilles changed, parcel tray Door and rear 1/4 dents repaired Full body respray Window seals replaced Door handle seals replaced

Good job Christian, not exactly something you plan to fork out for, but at least it future proofs the engine for another 10 years+ and helps with resale value, if you part with it at some stage. Now to take it for some good open road drives!

Then you may as well just fit a section of 5" pipe, as that is all a hollow cat is, tend to sound pretty bad from examples of cars with that done which I've heard.

I prob would have left the cats in if they weren't damaged. Should put it on the dyno, likely lost some power given the exhaust on those is tuned from headers to tail pipes. Technical info on E46 M3 stock exhaus:

Nearly 7 years old, 100kms + would be considered a liability for many prospective buyers.

5k Would probably be relative. I don't really see a market for 4wd ones, might be a cool spec but doesn't mean the demand is there. I think he was originally asking for 12.5k - manual 540i money!

Mmmm E38.

Sweet. A good launch with traction will be the key, less revs is often more on that slippery strip

hahaha, your instrument cluster appears to be loose. What 1/4 times did you get?

The E34 is and will always been the last old era BMW before they switched to the newer generation style, that were noticeably different in quality, different plastics, less glass and such things. The other main difference was a lot more network based electronics too. The E34 to E39 difference is pretty significant, as is the E30 to E36, E32 to E34 etc They all have their pros and cons I think. Style wise the E34 remains the definative BMW for me, like an E30. If I bought another BMW it would probably be an E34, I loved my old one!

It's not about cloth or leather, both are nice, it's suede anyway. More complementing the design of the sport seats / interior door trims, dash, center console etc. I don't mind the steering wheel, it does the job and they have the sport grips. An E39 or E34 M5 shares the same body panels as a cooking spec 520i, so I think it's the wrong car to complain about if you don't like the fact they share parts across the range... that's the way of cars unless you buy one off Supercar models, but even a lot of those have low end model parts in them, like infotainment systems, keys, switches, lights, etc.

Mmm BMW at it's best.

Fair enough. I think the E34 interior is one of the best BMWs they had, bold, and well built, just a great place to be. Ergonomics are spot on too. I like grey interiors over black, black is pretty over rated, easily showing up all the dust and just about every car has a black interior which is boring, they tend to get hotter too, when in the sun. Worth considering the E24, E30, E31, E32 all have similar interior styles during that 80s-90s period so you must find those ugly too?

Well that's subjective. Many would agree the E34 M5 is one of the most iconic BMWs of all time, inside and out.

Huh?

Yeah much better, usually get 5-10rwkw with headers on these. Stock ones are pretty nasty.

So it was once in NZ? haha (BMW kiwi sticker)

Funny, this has been playing on my mind today haha. There was a change in e46 handles 00/09 on. I think the early type pulled up from one end only, but then the change over saw the entire handle pull up? Or was it the other way around. Quite different mechanisms. Yours pictured looks like the early type.

I don't know for sure, but the material difference wouldn't make much difference heat wise. From my experience, the Issue with stainless is you can only get thinner metals, and most common stainless (304-316) aren't that great for exhausts, they have a hardness that seems to equate to a high resonance (might be how you explain it, idk) so tend to give off more noise with the exhaust, so they can sound a bit cammy or ticky up front, especially when cold. That's why BMW double wall their stainless exhausts in some cases to cut the noise, it's also good for heat -but that's another discussion haha. The other issue with stainless headers, is the tenancy to crack, but that depends how they are made more than anything, but standard mild steels (ie boiler tube) is more forgiving for such, and quieter noise wise. A mild steel exhaust is a must for coating, due to the rust factor. Could get away with it, if you went stainless, but I'd still coat them for the thermal property reductions.

Unfortunate eh. Back when I was in love with the car I never wanted to sell it because I knew it would get mistreated. But you get over these things and I wanted the rare Soarer I have now so it kinda worked out. In hindsight I would have preferred using an E46 chassis like you are, much better platform IMO.

HPC do it for about 400 for short headers, 600 for long headers. These came from Australia pre coated, so it was quite a saving. They work perfectly, and mean no rust if done properly, never change colour. Studies show a reduction in temps, but they are marginal, you'd have to do tests with multiple temp sensors to see the differences. Ceramic is always the way to go, rather than that terrible fiber wrap stuff people put on, that just causes moisture to rust them faster. dB reading? its like 80 ish with flaps closed, 85 peak with them open.

On to it's 6th owner since I sold it haha