Palazzo

Would that radiator fit a '90 325? Cheers.

BMW have them, for some reason or other, I've paid between $56 and $96 each for them at different times, as the ones on the M325 keep falling off. . . . . . .

There is/was a 740 on TradeMe with $10k worth of rebuilt motor from "a known factory problem" and I've seen at least one other. I suspect on cars from Singapore/Japan. A rough idle is supposed to be one of the giveaways and I've heard a few like that around the place too. In theory it shouldn't happen here, but when you import cars from everywhere, a t least a few are bound to be here.

Big (ish), heavy, thirsty, nikasil problems. . . . Check the door handle surrounds for wear, if pitted has prob come from Sing as they get eaten away by pollution, make sure the computer works if fitted and try something simple like turning on the head lights, then stepping on the brake pedal, moisture can get in there somewhere and throws up error codes on the dash.

A good friend oif mine owned a car yard specialising in fast turboed japanese cars and told me to stay away from the 4G63 Mitsi (or whatever it is). Rods through the block are common up to Evo 5 and whilst you can get big power out of them, they will go bang. Question, why are we even discussing this on a Bimmer website? Put a Bimmer V12 in whatever you have and make us all proud.

I had a '91 facelift RS for 9.5 years and 140,000kms. Clutch was replaced at 93k as a precaution, was about 70% worn, as long as you're not an ape, they're fine as is the rest of the car. Regular oil changes are key. Steering racks leak, header tanks can fail (replacement aluminium fixes this), brakes can't stand up to hard use as they fade. Sunroofs leak and are $400 to repair, run a hose over it to check. Mine had an appetite for CV joints. Other problems with the car were all minor (split hoses etc), although look out for replacement plugs ($23-35 each) and coils ($100-135 each) which will drop fuel consumption to the mid teens (mpg). Performance? I had 4 magazine tests, ranged from 6.1, 6.5, 6.9, 7.1 for 0-100 and 14.9-15.6 for quarter mile. Don't know if I still have them as I lost interest when the car was stolen, which it will be without a top immobiliser/alarm.

You're quite correct, changing one item would make sod all difference, but this was part of an idea to upgrade quite a few different componenents. My main question was has anyone done it and how hard is it? Does it make sense to do along with other upgrades as I've read or, in the opinion of those who have done it (Gus), was it a waste of time. Cheers.

I've got the 60GB which has ample capacity. I run it through an iTrip, which ranges from excellent sound quality. through to "throw that f**king thing out the window". Annoyingly, this appears to be completely at random, works fine one trip, then useless the next, in the same car. But unless anyone can tell me how to get a hardwire hook up to my existing units, it'll do.

The convertible is the same height, maybe that thin metallic scraping noise on the way back from Coromandel wasn't a muffler. Hot exhaust and petrol, you were lucky.

Why not moan? I did. I had this in mind for an earlier project, but found the idea of paying $12k for an old V8 with "about 100kms mate" absolutely ludiicrous. Still do.

An LS1 and box was (last time I asked) $12k, a figure which you've already moaned about. Lexus V8s aren't legendary for using 3-4 litres of oil every 10,000km either. Reliability? But hey, whatever floats your (dream) boat. Oh, and remind me, which Ls1 produces 400hp out of the box? An HSV motor? The above $12k was for a stock SS motor, '99 model producing 225kw with a slushbox.

A Supra or Nissan RB25 box, almost certainly, a 328i box, almost certainly for a while.

Lexus 4l V8 with Supra g/box on TradeMe last week, $1750, plus fitting and supercharger. 420 reliable hp is easily achievable with that combo.

Looks like a bargain, if it stays at or near that price.

Hmmmn. You've just confirmed what I was thinking. As usual, hp = $.

Does anyone have any ideas for a bigger throttle body for a 325? I think I read somewhere that one off an M30 will fit? Can the M20 be bored out? Anyone done anything with individual throttle bodies? Andrew, what did you use on the intake side for your race car project? I understand that the standard TB is a limiting factor in producing power and any cam upgrades can be hamstrung by this.

Think they said 91 octane or better fuel, so should be OK, I'm still dubious about the claims, given that there is no other work undertaken.

Go for it, sounds fun. Could be my new favourite after the E34 with the Lexus V8 and stainless headers.

Conforti claims +15hp and +15lb.ft torque on a 325i. I've been contemplating getting one or two, but have no idea on which set up (ECU) I have on the two different cars.

I'd send it straight back, if that's the standard so far, what else have they missed?

So you waited until fuel prices were at their highest, then nearly ran your car out of fuel and just made $100. It could be so much worse. My last tank was $108 at 7c a litre less and I still had 15 litres left in the tank. I think only Martyyn would be feeling worse.

Pissed Ninja. Love it.

Toyota Caldina

Diesel Surf manual, cheap as and everytime you get back in the Bimmer, you'll think you're driving a supercar by comparison.

Good read, I've got the 325i article from the same mag, will try and find it.