1983 Henna Red 323i

[tg318is]

Even if the cost to export it to Sydney with me wasn't prohibitive, it doesn't have aircon!! So not a hope - I was going to take my E46 M3 with me - but that would have cost around $15,000 to export.

Either going to buy an E30 cab, an S2k or more than likely a Boxster S to play with.

Ohh hai! where abouts in Sydney are you going to be?

[kdevitt]

Ohh hai! where abouts in Sydney are you going to be?

Not sure yet! Will be staying near the CBD for the first month - Darling Harbour or Pyrmont, may get a place to live in Cremorne, but nothing is set in stone!

All is not lost regarding updates by the way! :) I'm dropping the car off to a mechanic friend tomorrow - he's going to continue doing the work, and I'll get the photos up!

[JoshWho_e21]

Beautiful work man, excellent attention to detail.

[KennyT]

Simply Amazing.

[kdevitt]

Just a quick update with progress on this (no pics I'm afraid)

Anyway - I as mentioned before, I emigrated to Australia in August, so this is being taken care of by a friend, who handily enough is a mechanic and is getting all the required work done.

Bought new brakes for it - a WMS big brake kit, which is designed to fit under the 15 inch wheels. They should be a massive improvement on the stock setup, which is probably about as efficient and throwing a parachute out the back.

Also got a new exhaust, stainless steel up the the manifold - struggled to get an exhaust with the tip style I wanted, so bought a mongoose (blueflame) system. I then bought new plain round tips - the ones on the mongoose exhaust will be chopped off and the new ones welded on.

The autobox should be on its way out any day now - as is the engine. Its fine, but totally underpowered. An M20 stroker is being put in, so it'll still look totally original but should have about 200BHP on tap. I'm holding onto the original engine so I can put it back to stock if I ever get the urge. Have bought a1990 4 door 325i as a donor car for this.

Finally - the paint. It will need to be rectified eventually - some of the runs in it are horrendous, as is the orange peel and deep sanding marks on the bonnet. Worst of all - the bumpers have apparently started peeling. Not a huge surprise...but seriously pissed off about it all the same. Will get some photos up once I have them.

[kingston]

Wait, the professional paint job is peeling? Wow, that sucks :( Gorgeous car, BTW, really gorgeous!

[kdevitt]

Wait, the professional paint job is peeling? Wow, that sucks :( Gorgeous car, BTW, really gorgeous!

Yep - its unreal. Not quite as 'professional' as I expected. I guess the upshot of it for me is that at least 10 people have contacted me through other forums who were going to get their car done with them have now decided against it!

[CorvallisBMW]

I hope they are willing to fix it without charging you anything! That's a real let-down, sorry to hear.

Where'd you move to in Oz?

[kdevitt]

I hope they are willing to fix it without charging you anything! That's a real let-down, sorry to hear.

Where'd you move to in Oz?

Unfortunately not - still considering taking them to court over it.

Moved to Sydney, Lower North Shore!

[CorvallisBMW]

Unfortunately not - still considering taking them to court over it.

Moved to Sydney, Lower North Shore!

Near Bondi? Love that place...

[kdevitt]

Near Bondi? Love that place...

No, thankfully not! Don't like Bondi myself - am in Cremorne, its near enough to Manly

[CorvallisBMW]

No, thankfully not! Don't like Bondi myself - am in Cremorne, its near enough to Manly

That's what I meant.... got my beaches mixed up

[Iain]

We should have a R3v Aussie Pub Meet in the CBD. Maybe a dinner at the Lowenbrau in the Rocks while the weather is warm?

[Steve Zissou]

this car is inspiration to us all

[kingston]

^ no doubt! I keep going back to the first pic of the front of the car with the Mtech I valence on. Droooooll!