Neal

I looked at doing something similar and started a thread on this subject about October or November. I've been living in the UK for the past year. Here's my observations. I looked to import two different types of cars 1, TVR Chimera 2, BMW E30 M3 2.3 Both are far cheaper in the UK than NZ with a larger choice of cars ranging from total restoration required , to Concourse Garage queen , to seriously perharped track or Race car. With NZ Laws the TVR was never going to be road registerable , so it was out. (2016 for 20 years) The M3's on the otherhand are generally lhd here with a one or two "Birds" RHD conversions coming up in the last year Prices have been as follows M3 E30 , requiring a tidy up and some rust work 3,500 -5,500 pounds asking price (not many) M3 E30 1990's , in good condition 5,500 - 6,500 pounds (Lots) M3 E30 Lower miles (80,000) and immculate 6,500 - 11,000 pounds (Not Many) M3 E30 Converitables 8,000 -11,000 (few) M3 E30 Sports EvoII ? 2.5 (only seen two for sale) 16,000 and 24,000 pounds. M3 E30 Race cars 15,000 - 30,000 I started looking too late for M3's to qualify for 3 months lhd ship back rule but to be honset I never really worked out if the car could be road registered. I was after one that I could drive to track days and use in car club events. Shipping a vechile back to NZ wasn't going to be a problem as we get a container to transport our gear back in. But after seeing Martyns photos of the hassles he had with shipping his car I decided that a container isn't the way to go regardless. (Martyn, spoke to a person in the container trade who reckons defective container seals and lack of moister removal stuff , like damp aid) I think I'd rather have a car brought over on a car transport ship as a result. A mates 930 turbo was also badly damaged when they dragged it out of the container in NZ (Someone didn't release the handbrake) M3's will start coming up as 20 y/o later this year , (I think October was the launch for some reason ). Hopefully this will open an easier way for them to be imported. I'd still like to own one for the odd bit of Motorsport , but on the other hand NZ has the new 318/320 series about to kick off. Let us all know if you manage to import and road register one , we'd all be interested. A few places to look http://www.autotrader.co.uk ( Use 10 year plus search as many older M3's not listed as E30) http://www.pistonheads.co.uk http://www.imc-online.co.uk/ (BMW M3 and Aplina S/H car sales) http://www.fastroadandtrack.co.uk Cheers Neal

If your head unit is the same then start bidding on this one and just connect the changer. (Your car maybe already wired for a boot changer , normally the cables will be sitting behing the left side boot cover /carpet. You'll just need to connect the stacker cables and locate a couple of holes to screw the CD changer brackets to. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C.../p-17473117.htm. The later model BMW headunits can be converted to work with various products such as none OEM boot changers and IPODS so that could be a good option. Personally , the e36 have a standard size stereo slot so you can go better than the factory head unit / changer combo. The audio sticky on this site is an excellent start. I ended up changing out the head unit , and put in a 4 channel amp, 2 channels to run new front component speakers , and the other two to run a sub, leaving the factory rear speakers for a bit of rear fill. The head unit had high pass and low pass crossovers built in as well as subwoofer control. The system has far better clarity than the factory and plenty of omph if the music takes you.

Ah yes , that's the one.

Wasn't an AA instructor in Auckland doing these last year , had the pleasure of having his ass busted on national TV.

Hybrid , A couple of questions around the Stereo upgrade around your E46 Did the Icelink / IPod replace your CD changer or is it capable of running them in tandem ? Also , does the Icelink provide power for the Ipod. How close is SQ compared to CD through the unit. (MP3 Sampling rates a given) Does the factory unit have any kind of pre-outs for running additional amps for front speakers and sub. What are your plans here ? I've been thinking about this for a replacement BMW for the wife, going down the Ipod route as well.

Excellent driving skills in the 3 rd video , the back end of the car stuck like glue.

That's what family are for , I'll sell you mine for 40k if you like.

I can understand why then (e39) , mind you , I also like the Z4 styling

A couple I looked at had both leaked oil around the CAM covers , and one had CV issues , but I suspect the CV issues one had done about 200,000 ks more than was on the clock.

Did you decide to test drive anything from the new ranges ?. Anything catch your eye ?.

Test drove on of those very early 1800 versions , engine still had those wire lock tabs that you see on some prodie racing vechiles, straight from some Japan series . Was impressed by the sky high rev limit...... Almost as good as a modded e30 m3. Had a ride comfit that would rattle your fillings out. Best sub 2.0 performance car I've driven. Anyway , why aren't you driving a bimmer ? (or do you ?). Also while we're at it that CBR 250 RRRRRR needs to go ... Ducati is the way .....

Looks nice ! , Must sound good with pod filter and extractors , can't be many E30 Type 1 Alloys around either. Nice Bimmer

Ha Ha, I understand your user profile name now .... I didn't think anyone here would be old enough to play "bass" in jazz music.... only starting to get into Jazz now! (Slow learner!) Still, glad the survey wasn't done in a couple of months time, would be in the over the hill 40 plus group .... hmmm, where's that X5 Boucher .... How many cup holders did you say..... 18 airbags was it ....Diesel option will be fine ....

Get a Vanos :mosh: , or find a Type R that hasn't spend it's life bouncing off the Rev limiter. Tui billboard Trademe, for sale , H*nda Type R vtec , never been thrashed..... Yeah Right !

See a number of CSL's here in London, one's often parked on the road outside the apartment (if it were mine it’ll be locked in a garage !). I think I'm seeing more M3 convertibles and CSL’s than the standard M3's. Good to see that they are also been driven by younger people. Nice cars! Second had prices have come down with low mileage CSL's going for as low as 75k NZ (30k pounds). So if people are in the market for a second-hand one, look seriously at having a holiday in the UK and save yourself $35- 50k nz. Not sure if the e46 M3 CS is out in NZ yet, but BMW have released a half-way model between the two. These look great with plenty of colour choice. Have seen a couple recently.

Go Hamilton, Auckland and Wellington have failed due to over "PC" polices and not wanting to upset the mall rat's weekend shopping. Hopefully Hamilton can get it through. Looks like sis's place will be walking distance from the track. Wellington street race was excellent , you could get within a few meters of the track. The Aussie V8's sound awesome wound up. Hopefully it'll be a full race meeting with the new 318/320 series as one of the support races. :thumb:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/64754.htm As featured in PS2 game , and featured in recent BMW performance mag Yours for only $225,000 NZ plus GST Anyone up for it ?.

Probably just as well , the e21 M20's had a habbit of cracking heads if abused.

Only time my E30 M20 did this (twice) was when the thermostat was stuck open. Otherwise the rest of the time the temp gauge would sit on halfway and wouldn't noticeably move. I'd say keep looking. Check out your viscous fan operation while you’re at it.

From memory it was available via the BMW aftermarket parts sales broucher from the 80's. I have one floating around somewhere.

Dynamo , the laundry clothes cleaner , get it from the supermarket. Don't have a pic of BMW wheels after sorry ,but here's a pic of the motorcyle rim which normally gets covered in brake dust, road grime and chain lube.

Sorry to hijack the thread Homy. 3pedals, Thanks for the advice , lol on the tyres. *sic Driveway suits as it keeps the gangsta's with lowered Honda's out. Bmwsparkle Hot mixing along with 30k + of re-engineering could work , But I suspect the garage / house would fill with water

1 part liquid dynamo to 4 parts warm water. Put into spray bottle. Leave on wheels for a few minutes, wash off with soft cloth / car brush. I use this to clean up the motorcycle and works better on wheels/rims than any wheel cleaner I've tried including BMW's own brand. Give it a try , I was suprised how well it worked.

Excellent thanks, Cars done 170k now so could do with spruce up. Any sugestions for the front end ? (other than matched shocks) I'd like to drop the ride height , but the driveway at our NZ house stops this. It's only go mm's to spare as it is now.

3pedals Did your E36 have the standard or mtech suspension ? (sorry , don't know if yours was coupe) Would you recommend koni's for replacement of BMW mtech shocks for E36 ?. If so which series of shock ?, Koni SA's as well ?. I've got to replace the rear shock mounts so might as well replace the shocks. Thanks Neal