I have just been to price up a new set of rubber all round for the 93 M3, tyre guy at Cooper Tyres did some quick calcs and said I will be fine to run 245/45/17s all round instead of the normal 235/40/17s saving around 20% on the purchase price?. 

Has anyone else done this with thier 3.0 M3 with non staggered Style 22s and if so did ti work?

Cheers

Paul

At the moment I've got 3 cars - that's way too many. One coupe (my 135i) and two three door hatchbacks. So if I need to take more than 2 people it becomes a real hassle.

So I need a bit more carrying capacity but only occasionally. I'd say that 90% of the time it's just me driving - 9% of the of the time it's me and the mrs, and 1% of the time I actually need to carry passengers / cargo (e.g. Camping etc). So far it's made sense to only have "fun" two door cars.

My budget for such a vehicle would be an absolute maximum of 10k (since it is the "secondary" car that won't be used much).

There are plenty of X5s on tradeMe in this bracket - some of them 3L, others 4.4L. I don't care too much about economy since it won't be driven very frequently.

Is buying a car of such vintage and miles a "bad idea"? Everything I've read says so!

According to my mechanic I’ll need new rear brakes in about 4-5000kms. Since I will be in the UK for a week or so in early ‘19 I want to pick them up there (epically the discs) and bring them back with me. 

Anyone know a good place in the UK to source items like this? 

Also any recommendation on brands? I was thinking of going with Brembo, Pagid or something like that. 

On a side note a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit a brake disc manufacturer in China. They were making parts for a range of brands including some well known ones. Apparently another common thing is for the factory to supply a sort of partially finished product to some big brands for final finishing. In a lot of ways that makes me lean more towards BMW branded or Pagid as I believe they completely control their own supply chain... 

Thanks the any advice. 

Is there anything I should be looking out for on these cars? any known problems etc 

Thanks heaps ..

Slim chance but you never know! Last year I bought a Z4 M coupe. Unfortunately the previous owner lost the service book - the good news is I've been able to retrace it's steps calling around the dealers who will kindly re-stamp a new book, however it would be great to get the detailed service information. In order to get this I need authorisation from the owner at the time. 

Does anyone from the South Island happen to know the original owner of this car? Despite being a 2006 model, It was purchased new in 2009 from Christchurch BMW. These cars weren't overly popular back then and given a Financial Crisis that hit during this time, it sat in the dealership for 3 years! 

Previous number plates it's worn included:
- EZN464
- PR0PLR
- FKR682
- ZED4M
- FYG123

And photo of the car today:

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Alex

I currently have my F20 M135i for everything and also a E36 318ti for runabout if I feel like it.

If I were to change to the M3 that would mean bye bye to the F20 and probably means I will rely on the 318i for most of the work daily drive and M3 will be for weekends and long trips.

Not too worried about maintenance costs etc but thinking is it worth to sacrifice the comfort and overall much newer platform of the F20 solely for a "better" weekend driver?

The F20 is awesome and it is suitable for everything and fits my lifestyle quite well as it is. 

Someone please tell me I should stop looking before I move on to BMW #28 or whatever it is..

Ideas? I know it's a longshot, pretty unconventional situation. Other solution is just have a shop do all the work but the cost kills it, that and I like doing work myself. No such thing as a bad skill

A few years ago some friends of mine rented a workshop/warehouse in Whakatane - about 6 of them worked on their cars there, of course the rent was so cheap I think it only cost them about $65 a week each incl commercial insurance. Looked at that as an option but the going rates seem like it would be expensive in Auckland.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/los-angeles-auto-show/a25349977/new-bmw-m3-m4-manual-transmissions-awd/

Now i know the more i spend the better im going to get but budget is limited with everything else i need to do.....i'm looking at spending 3-4k.

Have been looking around and have come across quite a few e46 318/320/325/330 ranging from 165-230km's ....now the decision is which way do i go?

people who have had experience with high km e46's, i would love to hear your experiences. 

Im between a rock and a hard place as fuel consumption is a consideration as i already have a gas guzzler and will be mainly for commuting around auckland, but have heard some people say they get good economy from the larger engines

Cheers Guys for your input

Is it me or is the M2 depreciating quite quickly? I've seen quite a few on trademe for around the 75k mark. 

Genuine question as I'm interested in purchasing one in the near future and deciding when it would be the best time to get one. 

Thanks.

Will be M spotting while i am road tripping

Currently e60 m5 and even m6 are getting pretty dirt cheap. I'm after an s85 (for a future project) and trying to find the most economical way.

So is there much demand for m5 or m6 parts in the second hand market. I'm considering buying a cheapish m5 and pulling the engine for myself and then just selling everything else. Not too worried about length of time but will I likely have any demand for parts? I was thinking between brakes, interior, diff, wheels and other misc panels you could almost make back half of a 20k M5. 

Would appreciate any input? better off to do with a m5 as lots of those compared to m6 and therefore demand should be more for second hand parts? 

Regards,

Frodo

we are looking at getting a hatchback for the household. My wife largely takes public transport to work and as a result the X5 is our only car. She’s keen for a car to use a couple of days a week for any meetings and after work activities. On the other days I may take it to the office rather than running the 4.8 in traffic (although I average 13.3L/100km on my motorway commute which I think is pretty good).

in terms of vehicles I’m looking at about 2007-2009 and sub 100kms. I naturally lean towards the 130i as a better drive but I’m sure the 118i and 120i’s are probably more sensible. But I worry about the reputation of BMW’s four-pot engines from the period. 

Thoughts and comments from the group? What should we look out for?

Thanks guys!

Isetta (1)

Chris00. 1958 Isetta 300 Resto project.

2002 (1)

2002 1971 2002, Manual, Inka Rally Car

E9 (1)

wazza.csi E9 1972 3.0 CSI

E10 (1)

wazza.csi 1970 2002 LHD In Uruguay

E12 (2)

Hotwire 1978 E12 520i auto Kashmir Metallic

Dirtydoogle, 1973 E12 520, V8 project. Manual, LSD.

E21 (1)

OP6 1978 E21 323 manual Chamonix( Creamy White)

E23 (1)

silver fox 1985 E23 745 M88 diamantschwarz

E24 (1)

Jamez - 1979 Alpina B7 Turbo, Blue

E28 (5)

silver fox 1985 E28 M535i Alpinewhite

silver fox 1987 E28 535 Race car Alpinewhite

_Mark_ 1983 E28 528i Platenungrun metallic

Brent HARTGE535i. M535i 86 M88 engine 3.65L h/c pistons ,polaris silver

_Matt_ 1985 E28 528i Manual, Mspec zinnoberrot red.

E30 (101)

Quailboy 1989 E30 318i Touring, manual, black/green Forrest 1985 E30 325i Coupe, Manual, Platanengrun Metallic Brookfromhamilton 1988 318i Coupe, Manual, Alpine white Mark247 1988 325i m50 powered Coupe, Manual, Diamantschwarz HT. 1986 325i Manual, Alpine white deane30 1988 E30 320i, auto, Mineralblau BMW335i 1985 323i coupe manual. 1rotty 1990 325AC Schnitzer,Manual,Dolphin Gray Diesel Dex, 1990 E30 318i, automatic, Laser Blue E30 325i Rag-Top, 1987 E30 325i Vert, Manual, Lachssilber. E30 325i Rag-Top, 1986 E30 320i Coupe Maual, Red / White / Blue (Race Car) _BRS_, 1990 E30 320i Sedan, Manual, Alpinweiss *Faw_20* 1986 E3O 323i M/S, BlackNbluepearl Sammy J 1990 e30 340i SE Nz new manual, lascherblau blue Hybrid 1986 e30 m325i/s50b32, Manual, Polaris Silver Pjay 1988 E30 325i manual diamantschwarz Indecorous 1990 E30 325i, manual, Colour TBA (race car) huff3r 1987 E30 320i, manual, Lachsilber/Black Roof (Race Car) M3 Cab 1989 M325i M3 Cab 1989 E30 M3 Hotwire 1988 E30 320i manual Silver (Race car) antil33t 1991 E30 320i Auto, Granitsilber driftit 1991 E30 325i Manual, Alpine White Driftit 1985 E30 320i Manual, White Blue and Red #42 E30 Series Boost Junky, 1988 E30 M50B25 Turbo Manual, diamantschwarz mrad01 1990 E30 325i/4 SE Manual Blue westy 1985 E30 318i Manual, Silver rich 1984 e30 320i black and red #101 bmw race series _Mark_ 1987 E30 SA325i/4 Manual Diamantschwarz metallic Incary 1987 NZ New M325i Lachssilber Metallic. Incary 1987 S85 swapped 318i Hellarot paulie - 1988 318i auto silver (for now) Shady, 1988 318i, Auto Sedan, Matt Black, (Project) Jed 1990 318is Brillantrot antony 1990 E30 320iA/4 MTech ll, [2.7ltr Manual], Diamantschwarz metallic Blackie - 1989 E30 325i Sedan, Manual, Cosmosschwarz Hartage. 1987 e30 325i Cabbie 5 Speed Wineberry Red Hartage. 1990 e30 325i 4 Door 5 Speed Brilliant Red mtech1_e30 - 1987 e30 318i Coupe, Auto, Alpinweiss HELLBM. 1989 E30 325i Motorsport, Diamantschwarz ,2.7 powered HELLBM. 1990 E30 325i Motorsport, Silver HELLBM. 1989 E30 325i M tech Cab, manual HELLBM. 1989 E30 320 Touring, Hell Red ( likely racecar no. 2) HELLBM. 1990 E30 325 Touring Silver HELLBM. 1992 E30 318 Touring (race car) bmpower. 1986 E30 M325i Coupe Manual - Diamantswarz bmpower. 1986 E30 325i Sedan Manual - Burgundrot crazyarab. 1989 E30 ///M325i Tech II in Lachssilber Metallic. Random Guy. 1987 E30 320i Coupe, Manual in Lachssilber Metallic. Chris00. 1985 E30 323i Manual Baltic blau Chris00. 1987 E30 320i Race Car Inka Orange McDuck. 1989 E30 325i Cabrio, Automatic, Diamantschwarz-Metallic Sascha. 1989 E30 325i manual in zinnoberrot André3000. 1990 E30 325i m30 turbo Alpineweiss Ari Gold. 1990 E30 325iS Evo 1, Alpina 2.7, Aluminium doors / guards / bonnet keen. 1989 E30 318 MS BM. 1987 E30 Tech 1 Project, Silver BLACK DORIS. 1987 E30 SA 325i Auto, Metallic Blue RAPIDO. 1989 E30 tech II 325i (k25 RD engine) lachssilber Gaz. 1988 E30 325 coupe in Luxorbeige Wolley. 1986 E30 325 sedan, auto, greenish Wolley. 1987 E30 coupe, white, 4g63t project Matty104 1989 SA E30 325i Manual, Royal Blue Metallic QuickSilver (Alex) 1989 PF/L 327i Mtech1/Hartge in Lachsilber bravo 1991 E30 325i supercharged Diamantschwarz M325is. 1987 E30 325i Motorsport, Diamantschwarz Naughty BMW 1985 320i E30 SR20DET manuel, blue Apex. 1989 320i Touring dark-silver-metallic. Rob. 1988 E30 316i/4 manual zinnoberrott Charles28. E30 320i 4dr automatic Granitsilber Charles28. E30 325i 4dr Manual Alpinwieb II Brocky-boy. Bmw e30 1989 320i, four door sedan, Automatic , lachssilber metalic iSO. 87 E30 320i alpine white auto sedan Brockie123. 88 e30 manual 320i full BBS bodykit atlantis blue tcbaurpower, 86 E30 325i TC Baur, Manual, Purple with Blue Pearl, Mtech I Body Kit. guranga. 1991 e30 320i grey with mtech2 kit antil33t. 1991 E30 320+5i Auto, Granitsilber boydus M325i. 1988 E30 M325i Lachssilber Metallic ethrty320. '90 E30 M320i Manual stagecrew. E30 1988 White 325iM Tech11 kit, rally car project... dandannz 1986 E30 325i coupe, manual, m52b28 conversion, arktisblau-metallic navin - '89 E30 325i manual sedan TheSasination - E30 1990 facelift coupe - atlantisblau Kaz - 1990 e30 SA 325i, Alpine White Raerae 89' E30, 318 manual black houndstooth E30 chippies E30 M325i sterlingsilber Whterice - 1990 e30 325i coupe 5 speed, Calypsorot Metallic Whterice - 1990 e30 325i coupe APT 87' Tech 1 M325i APT 89' Tech 2 327i kevinator9 - E30 1985 318i Coupe White e30 power e30 318i E30Conman 89 NZ 325i'vert 5sp, Luxor Beige Ramon 1989 E30 320i auto gunmetal colour PoS Ramon 1988 E30 (was a 320i) coupe VG30DeTT Orient Blue Metallic Sam93 1990 E30 320i, Manual, White BLACK DORIS 1988 325i Manual Touring Zinnoberrot Red NickE30 1987 e30 325 4dr Zinnoberrot red manual Jamez 1989 325i Tech2 cabrio Jamez 1986 333i S50 Race Car

E31 (2)

SSBMW 1998 840CI Sport, Hell red, Black leather, M62 4.4 V8, 6-Speed manual

April 1990 850iA, Calypso Red

E32 (1)

silver fox 1987 E32 735 cirrusblau

E34 (18)

BMW335i 1989 535i manuals X2

danj 1994 E34 540iA SE, Fiord Grey

BMRMAD E34 530i dakkar yellow automatic

Greg. 1993 E34 530-something blue?

Brent HARTGE535i. e34 90 535i 5spd alpina b10 goodies blue

Creaver - STOK3D. E34 540i, automatic, NZ New, Calypsorot Metallic

-Alias- 1996 E34 540iA SE - Cosmos Schwarz

melowpuf. 1990 E34 525i Manual Cirrusblau Metallic

melowpuf. 1989 E34 525i Manual Cirrusblau Metallic

melowpuf. 1992 E34 525i Auto Lachsilber Metallic

RBE34 1988 E34 520i 5 Speed Manual veinroot red. Project.

Scott. Diamondswartz E34 535iS hodray 1995 E34 540 6Spd Manual

antil33t - E34 525i Touring Alpineweiß

_Ethrty-Andy_ - E34 Touring, AC Schnitzer Rims and bodykit

wazza.csi 1995 E34 540I Touring

Brent HARTGE535i E34 530i 93 4.4L m62 V8 5spd manual calipso red

E36 (39)

Braeden, 1996 323i, Auto, Hellrot NasTnaS 1993 E36 M3 Coupe, Dakkar Yellow, Manual ///Michael, 1999 E36 328i coupe, Manual, Avus Blau -ISLE69- 1998 E36 328i NZ New Manual Coupe, Boston Green OP6 1993 E36 325 manual Cosmos Black M3 Cab 1998 M3 EVO Cab Nick021 1999 e36 323i coupe, manual, Stahlblau pjay 1995, E36 328i manual, Hellrot Red *Glenn* 1997 E36 Mspec Compact M52B28 Manual/LSD Arktissilber paulie 1996 318i.s manual red with camo design Roshen: 1997 E36 318Ti MSpec, Red/Black, Manual, LSD. JFry - 1997 E36 320i, MSpec, Avus Blue Docile. 1995 E36 320i black coupe Greg. 1995 E36 M3 Coupe- Dakar Yellow MLM. 1992 e36 318is Coupe, Manual, Hellrot Red 318Touring. 1996 E36 318ti Auto Montreal Blue M-Spec. 1996 e36 Mspec 323i Sedan, MontrealBlau - Metallic bmpower. 1996 E36 323i Msport Coupe Auto - Hellrot Red Wom. 1996 E36 323i Msport Coupe Manual - Hellrot Yongxi. 1993 E36 318is Motorsport, Manual, Diamantschwarz BVM8W. 1996 E36 M spec coupe cosmos schwarz manual 1uzfe. sp8s. 1997 E36 Mspec Compact EVLBMW. 1997 E36 328i Imported Coupe, Boston Green 3 SERIES. 1995 E36 318is, Manual, Madeira Violet COSMOS. 1996 E36 Mspec 323 coupe Cosmosschwarz melowpuf. 1994 E36 325TDS Manual Graugrun Metallic alex. 1994 E36 M3 Avus Blue fuzyfrog. 93 E36 325I Manual Coupe Alpine weiss. Racing Dynamics Kit and Goodies DrphTa. 1996 e36 m3 Evolution - Estoril Blue metallic Shorty. E36 98 328i Coupe, Tehcnoviolet, Motorsport, 5spd Manual swordfish E36 95 M3 Euro Diamond Schwartz with a lot of mods. Jock, 1998 M3 Evo Dakar Yellow 5amchris E36 328 1997 Auto 5amchris E36 M3 Evo 1996 KWS 1996 E36 323i Motorsport coupe in Hellrot Brent HARTGE535i E36 328i 96 motorsport kit. cosmos black 5spd vaders headers Brent HARTGE535i E36 328i 95 touring mtec kit montreal blue. euroriffic E36 95 328i SE manual sedan cosmos schwartz metallic euroriffic E36 96 318i Mtech manual touring alpine weiss E38 (5) 1rotty 1996 e38 740,Calypso Red Zenetti 1996 E38 740i Zenetti 1996 E38 735i Docile. 1995 E38 740i black kulgan, 95 e38 740i. E39 (24) HT. 1999 528i Auto, Blue 1rotty 1997 e39 540,Cosmos Black Trevor540, 1998 e39 540i Ac Schnitzer, Biarritzbla Hotwire 1999 E39 525i auto Titansilber driftit 1998 E39 540i Auto, Black 2002, 2000 E39 539 Auto, Polaris HELLBM. 1998 E39 540i Touring M Spec (NZ new) HELLBM. 2001 E39 540i Motorsport (NZ new) kiwiland. 2001 E39 530I HiLine Orient Blue DarkWolf. 1998 E39 540i, Auto, Fjordgrau Metallic Khairul. 1996 E39 520i Auto, Green MS BM. 1998 E39 525i Auto, Dark Blue madracer. ???? E39 540i auto metallic grey mtk540. 1999 E39 540, cosmos black Mike. 2000 E39 540i Motorsport, Titansilber Hybrid. 2001 E39 540iA SE Motorsport (NZ New), Titansilber Metallic (354) westy. 2001 E39 540iAT SE NZ New Titansilber Tristan 2001 E39 530i Motorsport Alpine White andy_e39 1998 540i Auto - Titansilber Arma, 2001 520i Auto Gunmetal-Green jeffbebe 1996 528i Auto - Schwarz-metallic KwS - E39 525i Motorsport Titanium Silver M5V8 2002 - E39 M5 Black tmase 2002 E39 530i MSport Sedan Titansilber

E46 (15)

HELLBM. 2001 e46 330i, Auto, Titansilber

my_e36 2004 E46 330Ci SMG, Titanium Silver

westy 2001 E46 330i Mspec Auto, Imola red

Simke - 2000 E46 328Ci, Auto, Schwarz II

Hartage. 2000 e46 328i 4 Door 5 Speed Hell Red keen. 2000 e46 318

stagecrew. E46 2001 (facelift)325M Spec Touring titanium silver

ACUZED. 2001 E46 330i auto blue Scott_e30 - 1999 E46 318i Manual

aespablo - 2002 E46 318ci silver Tony S '99 Black 330Ci Msport

Esixtythree 2006 BMW M6 SMG

Silverstone II Shorty - 1998 E46 318i, sedan, auto, silver

android 1995 2.8 e36 4 door ,standard , auto, black

E30 325i Rag-Top E46 2004 M-Sport 330d Touring Manual Orientblau

E60 (2)

318Touring. 2003 E60 530i Auto Amethyst Grey Rvt.

E60 M5 Beast SMG Black

E63 (1)

Esixtythree 2006 BMW M6 SMG

E87 (1)

kiwi535 120D 6 spd manual QUARZBLAU METALLIC (A18)

E92 (1)

mrad01 M3 6MT

E93 (1)

houndstooth - convertible

Any suggestions, would be great, as it is a special car, really needs someone familiar with older BMWs

Thanks

Barry

Then came the 507kw V10 E60.. but the 6 speed manual was gone.. but wait it seems it wasn't quite gone, in fact it was an option on North american cars about 1,300 were produced.

That 507 hp V10 hooked up to true 6 speed manual gearbox, to die for isn't it ?. I mean the SMG gearbox was what ruined the E60 M5 ?, i wonder could you import one from the states, even though the car was available here it wasnt in manual form, yea you have to keep it 4 years but manual V10.. worht it ? lots of fun value.

Any one been brave  enough to do the above.

HD

Just wondering if anyone has any info on BMW NZ sales of new E46 M3's by year. Not sure if the info is in the public domain (I haven't found any info in my search so far), but would be keen to know how many E46 M3's were sold new in NZ each year they were for sale here, etc.

Cheers,

Matt

Both of my diamond key batteries have died so it's time for a replacement. While I'm changing this I'm keen to replace the housing given both are bashed up after 15 years of use. 

Does anyone have experience in doing this? There's a ton of kits available on Ebay but any advice on which seller / site to choose from would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Alex