New member here, Christchurch based, first ever BMW and a realization of a dream of sorts. Been on the lookout for a good honest straight-6 3-series for a while and ended up snapping up this tidy 2003 (2002/05 produced) 325ci, full leather M Sport. Have been in love with it since, but definitely needs a decent amount of love to get up to standard. Came with comprehensive service history up to about 4 years ago, but didn't get any records from the previous owner, who'd had it for 3-4 years and having now spent some time under the hood, I see that a lot of preventative maintenance is long overdue, which I will be trying to address in the coming weeks and months.

This is the first car that I've owned that I'm in the position to keep long term, and being an unapologetic perfectionist that I am, I really want to take as good a care of it as possible, with close to no expenses spared. I haven't done any major mechanical work on cars up to this point, but am generally good with tools and with the increasing amount of resources widely available on places such as this board and YouTube, I reckon the E46 is a perfect platform to learn, and I'm really keen to start going deeper down the rabbit hole.

So far I've replaced the valve cover gasket and both front headlights and indicators, with the old ones being absolutely molested in order to facilitate some cheap sh*t LED "angel eyes", which is a whole catastrophic story for another day.

I yesterday received my 3 big packages from FCP Euro with close to $2k worth of maintenance parts and am also waiting on a VANOS rebuild kit to arrive in order to get properly stuck in.

The immediate plan:

• Cooling system refresh (expansion tank, auto trans thermostat, all radiator hoses)
• Oil filter housing gasket
• Replace auxiliary and clutch fan with electric fan (as seen on the manual models)
• Replace all belts, pulleys, tensioners and water pump
• Rebuild VANOS with new seals, bearing washers, gaskets and give it a good clean (was a bit shocked by the state of it whilst changing the valve cover gasket, but didn't want to take it apart without having the necessary parts on hand)

Further down the line:

• Replace CCV/PCV system
• DISA valve
• Trans flush
• Replace rear vent window railing gaskets as the current ones have completely crumbled
• Whatever other issues will inevitably crop up in the process

Lower priority objectives:

• Get some kind of AUX solution sorted (current CD player is not AUX compatible but don't quite feel like abandoning the original look yet, waiting on a compatible head unit to become available, although patience is wearing thin with the current FM transmitter approach)
• Re-glue the A, C and possibly B pillars
• Figure out how and why one of the headlights got out of alignment and doesn't sit flush with the fender, might need a decent panel beater as I can't quite see what's bent out of shape
• Doing up the paintwork - see how far a decent cut & polish would get me
• Other aesthetic stuff like getting the banged up front fender resprayed, black out grilles and replace faded hood emblem
• Get a set of 18" wheels on to fill the fenders a little better, not a huge fan of the current style 68's

That's about it for now. Wasn't sure whether to post it here or in the Projects section, but seeing as I'm mostly going to be addressing maintenance items and not any serious mods or rebuilds, I thought I'd just say hello and have the thread moved later on if need be.

But anyway, happy to be part of the Bimmer fam, looking forward to getting stuck in and learning from folks on here! Will try not to repeat problems addressed in older topics, but would definitely welcome all tips, advice, warnings, cautions and criticisms

Cheers

Can someone please explain the ranking & gear change order on this community?

Maybe @TermiPeteNZ, can you help me out please? 

Thank you inadvance, Jon 

Hope all of you are having a great day so far!

My name is Marco and as the title states am I a new member and new to BMW. Took delivery of my BMW 130i yesterday.

Always loved these cars especially the deep purring sound, to be honest  the main reason I bought it .

Would like to expand my knowledge on these cars and BMW in general as I come from a Mazdaspeed (MPS) background.

Hope to meet some of you soon.

Will add some pics soon, car was too dirty to do photo's any justice.

Here is a sneak peak!

I have imported a 1973 E9 coupe. Mechanically the running gear looks ok. The engine is a M30B34 and the compression on cylinder 6 is about 8.5 bar and the rest are around 12.5.  When I took the rocker cover off it looked new inside. no sign of water in the oil so I am taking the engine out and going to take the head off. Any ideas on what the issue is? The car stood for about 6 years before I bought it. I'm hoping it's  Just the rings. I can't figure out if the engine is a high compression European one or a low compression USA one , given the compression test what would your guess be? Once the head off I'll know for sure. The car has triple 45 Webers, a 265 Getrag box and a limited slip diff. The suspension seems to have slightly lower springs, Bilstien shocks,   large anti roll bars front and rear. 

Apart from any engine issues I am after some E9 parts, does anyone have any or even an old e9 decomposing in the garden. Let me know . I am also after a period style black leather steering wheel.

Also guidance on rebuilding the power steering pump and steering box (The box seems to have little play in it but I want to make sure it is fluid tight.

Where can I get a gasket for the back case of the gearbox. It appears to be leaking from the bolts that hold it on. I could use liquid gasket, but would prefer the real gasket.

I would also like some RHD headers as well if anyone has some ideas. I tried Motorsport down under but they have not responded to my emails. Are they still in business?

Thanks for letting me join the group.

Cheers

Mark

I first bought a 320i from Turners in Porirua - Wellington a few weeks ago but after having to replace the oil twice in that time I figured something was wrong. I was offered another car and I went with the 525i that they happened to have. So far am I pretty happy but have found a few issues I need to work through. First of all the radio and Sat Nav are set to Japan Freq, after doing a bunch of reading in here I know fixing the Nav requires a hardware change so will just flag that but I'm going to keep looking into fixing the radio. Turners are going to install a band extender sometime next week, not the best solution but it will do for now. The other issue is the right side speakers in the front and back are super quiet and buzz a bit, I did not pick up on this until I got home, hopefully that is something turners can look into aswell. 

To be blunt, I know ZERO about cars, I have only ever owned Corolla's and Civics to get to work and back. But after buying a BMW I have become a little obsessed and also hypertensive to every noise and bump in the road and have been stalking in here and learning a lot. I'm based in Wellington and would love any tips and advice on good upkeep and trusted and reasonable priced services in Wellington to help me maintain my car.

Cheers

Scotty

Purchased yesterday my 2nd BMW.  2003 325ci.  Milliy's a keeper!

Be great if a Canterbury or South Island club can be restarted with regular meets and runs for like minded BMW drivers and their families.

Thank you for letting me join.  Happy driving everyone.

Jon

It's definitely the nicest sedan I've driven, it's a truly impressive car. Very happy to have joined the BMW club!

1. Description said “BMW 120i with M kit” does that mean I have the “look” of an M model? Without the perks of an M model? 
2. Am I able to change my standard steering wheel to a multifunction steering wheel? 
 

Cheers
 

I recently bought a low mileage (61K) 2007 335i Cabriolet hardtop & am loving the car. Crisp performance & handling, combined with top-down motoring (helps me keep my speed down but still have fun)

It's the 6 speed auto, but I'm enjoying the paddleshift, so not missing having a 3rd pedal at this point. 

It was a Singapore import, & has been in the country for a couple of years, but is missing owners manuals, & I want to upgrade the nav to NZ maps & add Bluetooth streaming.

Does anyone have manuals for these cars, or can you suggest where to buy?

Any suggestions on adding the Bluetooth phone connectivity & updating the nav for NZ? 

TIA

Phil

Cars I've got are:

320i E46 M54B22 Sedan/Saloon 2000

No issues with this one except engine light comes on and off but no known mechanical issues.

In the process of fitting new CCV hoses and also changing to a new engine oil level sensor.

530i E39 M54B30 Sedan/Saloon 2001

This one had a lot of issues but getting things done.

One big thing I'm currently doing is the conversion of the remote key. changing from the infrared remote control to the radio frequent remote control. I had a post to the other page following someone's DIY on e46 one which I'm trying to do on my e39.

Nice to meet you all BMW lovers!

cheers

Also I'm looking for any e23 body kits/ valances and boot spoilers

Cheers.

No pics of the e30 yet I wont be picking it up till next weekend.

20190727_172013.heic 20190716_124828.heic 20190720_153634.heic 20190713_214554.heic 20190713_214559.heic

Cheers

I joined the BMW owners' yesterday with a very good condition 2014 116i. She is my first BMW (previously I was a member of the OTHER German car club). I am really loving the ride.

I do not know much about the technical mechanical aspect of cars, so I am looking forward to lurking here and learning more.

2005 E63 650i with an SMG - I know this may be contentious but it really is a hell of a lot of fun to drive (once you get the knack to it) and actually makes it more than just a comfortable barge cruiser. 

1996 E36 M3 Evo with alloy doors - this is/was my dream car. It has everything I wanted in an M3 and the colour is truly wicked in the sun.

I'm definitely interested in seeing if there is much of a euro scene here in Taranaki, or anywhere!

Sorry for the amateur photos! (And the weeds..)

Cheers,

Connor

The car is a car to be driven and enjoyed not a show car but also deserves to be beautiful :).

I would like to lower the car a little to reduce the wheel arch gap and stiffen up a little. Could be say 20 - 35mm.

I generally like a firm buttoned down ride but i am also concious that our roads are usually pretty rough and compromise is necessary.

The car will be a street car used for just the occassional track laps at Hampton for fun and my driving pleasure but will not be raced per se.

Options I am aware of;

1) Considered coilovers but most recommendations I received were, if not racing, stay with conventional struts / shocks

2) Billi B8s with H&R sport springs - lowers @ 30mm I think. Will this create negative camber issues and will the ride be firm but still acceptable for cruising? 

3) Billi B6s with ... springs. Not sure whether B6 is compatible with lower springs and if so what effect is?

I would welcome feedback from anyone with experience on the above or other alternatives.

Thanks guys

Greg

BMW newbie here, picked up this one 2 weeks ago. Manufactured 2009. Got the CIC iDrive in it, N54 engine.

I want to replace the radio with a single DIN mechless Bluetooth head unit, I'm pretty clueless on how, can anyone recommend what I need to do or who I could take it to, to get it done?

Thanks

pretty keen to get some Alpina or minilite wheels on her...ideally Alpina

I've also got a 1975 R75/6 but thats a whole other thing.... so I guess I love the classics.

its currently inNelson but should be up here in Akld next month after having a stint at Cartel Works  http://cartel.works/

Can anyone shed light on this please ?