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You can have the old ones for your collection...:)

I usually just collect them on a shelf... it's much easier!

Second M3 finished. This one was a bit easier, firstly it's a 1:18th scale so the model is larger, and second it is a pre-built die cast model. All I had to do was to stick the "JPS" logos on (as these are not on the original due to the ban on cigarette adveritsing - and it doesn't look right without). However, as I had taken some time to build up the courage to put the stickers on, the glue had gone a bit funny between the stickers and the backing paper - so there was a bit of fiddling about that had to be done!

First time BMW owner! 3 weeks ago I bought @str8_6's 2001 530i and have since fallen in love with her! Nicknamed 'Jane', she is a facelift, NZ new, very tidy car that has spent most of her life garaged. She is in Oxford Green Metallic, with the standard black leather interior and wood trim. At 137,500kms, I have already done over 1,000kms in her and can honestly say I have enjoyed every moment of it! I have never needed any more power on a passing lane, and she is silky smooth at idle. Oh, and don't get me started on that beautiful 6-pot purr! Although I am normally a hardcore manual supporter, I have switched over to the dark side simply because it is almost torturous to drive a manual through Wellington and Wellington's traffic. I am currently a first-year student at Victoria University and am a diehard car guy. My grandmother got me into cars with her 1998 R170 SLK230 Kompressor (the car in my profile pic - and yes that's me on the bonnet!), I loved that car and still do; she actually still uses it as her daily and has done over 200,000kms in it. I recently got a new job out in Petone which finally justified my intense desire to buy a new car! Previously, I had a 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 6-speed which was my first car. I loved that car with a passion; I spent a substantial amount of money doing preventative maintenance on it (not myself, although I would like to be able to start working on my cars in the future) by replacing the water pump, cambelt, radiator and a couple CV boots. Unfortunately, after owning it for only 3 months it was written off - not by me though! It was parked outside my high school one morning when a gentleman drove past towing a car trailer which didn't have the safety chain attached. Just as he drove past my car, the trailer bounced off the hook and ploughed straight into my baby. Fair to say I was devastated (and to this day haven't fully gotten over it). It was only a few weeks prior to that that I had sunk many dollars in securing the longevity of my pride and joy. Luckily, we both had insurance and I was paid out for it. *Photos attached* This tragedy occurred in September of last year, and ever since I have been longing for a replacement, but have never been able to justify it/find the right replacement. And then Jane came along. I have always been a BMW enthusiast, with my mother owning an E36 when I was growing up and an E90 now, and am very glad to finally have one that I can call my own. I keep her in a parking garage in Wellington's CBD, and use her 3-4 days each week to drive to and from Petone (although that hasn't stopped me taking her out most days just to go for a cruise!) and occasionally to drive back home to Whanganui (2.5 hrs). Unfortunately, after only owning the car for 2 days, my radiator sprung a crack while I was visiting home in Whanganui. I got this replaced by our family mechanic easily enough, but it was nonetheless a pain! In terms of future plans for the car, I have bought some euro style licence plate surrounds which I am yet to put on (couldn't justify spending $299 on the real deal - maybe one day), I am considering putting a tasteful tint on the windows to preserve the leather and parcel shelf which is surprisingly un-faded, and am currently looking into installing an aux-cord into the stock stereo setup. I am leaning towards a Grom unit which plugs into the back of the stereo since the stereo will be pre 09/2002, but am open to recommendations. My only requirement is that the stock head unit remains - I'm big on OEM. Obviously, I'm a first-year uni student so don't have heaps of money to burn (and the parents won't pay for it ;)) so affordable recommendations of any kind will be much appreciated. This is turning into a bit of an essay so I'll finish it up here. I've joined the BMW Car Club and will be attending the Cars and Coffee meet this weekend. I really look forward to meeting more of you guys and gaining insight into BMW ownership and any pointers on working on my car myself (this is hard, however, since I am in a hall of residence and don't necessarily have the capacity to do much work myself). This is such an exciting community and I am thrilled to be a part of it! Cheers, Boston.

Hi folks, new to the forum and to owning a BMW. Just purchased a 335i Wagon Japanese import and so far I'm impressed. No real questions at the moment, Just trying to get my head around all the things. Probably will want to look at smartphone bluetooth or USB connectivity for both phone, music and maps as the first thing so any pointers gratefully received.

Update time! Spent a bit of time the other day trimming & fitting the rear interior (carpets, seat base & panels). Starting to look normal again..! Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr I butchered the rear cards to make them fit past the cage, no other way unfortunately. Off to the trim repairer next to get this fixed up (it's a bit beyond my abilities). Boot carpet & trims fitted: Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Also the steering wheel turned up so I fitted it. Looks good, and all the buttons work a-ok! Test fit (ignore the airbag gap this is now sorted): Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr This was the problem: Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Glued the velvet side trims with ADOS contact adhesive, this has been annoying me for ages: Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr My Storm gearknob turned up too. It's so damn heavy!! Looks good in the darker finish imo, should suit the car. Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr I've also bought a whole lot of safety stuff in the past few weeks: Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr Also ordered these from Allports, waiting shipment later this week: Passed homologation and got my logbook: Untitled by Christian Taylor, on Flickr

fitted a Powerflex suspension arm bush in the front of the M5, will do the other one tomorrow night which should go a lot quicker than the first! The rubber bushes were totally flogged and the ball joints are getting a bit loose so i will have to put a pair of new arms on my list for Santa.

Hi all. Just bought a '08 135i ex-japan, and it's my first euro. It's done 50,000km. Traded from a K20 Euro R. I'm excited to finally have a well documented, well supported (at least by the consumer) vehicle with lots of information and DIY's available. I did lots of reading and took the punt on the N54, my reasoning being that I'm going to keep it stock. What I can't find is how we deal with the HPFP issue in NZ. The dealer must have had it warmed up for my test drive as after that and the long drive home from Auckland - you guessed it - it cranks for about 2-3sec before starting when cold and then idles rough until warm. Without bogging down my intro post, should I leave it until it codes? It won't lean-out or hurt itself in some way? I have 3 years of mechanical warranty but I have yet to read the policy so it could be useless. I'm aware that it could just be injectors, too, but I'd be keen to just drive it for a week and see if it settles down. Look forward to talking with you ? Stevo.

Welcome aboard!

Thank you for the tags @TermiPeteNZ, I will try to get there this Saturday and will definitely come to the Palliser run. That's a great idea to get it checked independently. The place that's checking my current problems in masterton (this thread) is quite good. I might get them to do just that while they have it. As for the NAV, I asked for them not to do it and I pushed that point with them. I ended up paying half as a compromise.

yea you wanna try pushing a x5 4.6is for about a 1 km , 315wide rear tyres , they just don't roll

I had previously used Darren Mckillop from Auto-Car-Tel ltd. Going back a few years now but was extremely happy with the valuation. He understood modified/improved cars really well

Welcome Stephen and congrats on the 135i! MBIs/warranties are great but pre-existing conditions won't typically be covered so it will be best to get the dealer to sort it - including getting an independent check done by somebody who knows what they're doing. Be aware that for a lot of nav system changes from Japanese spec to NZ (say for E60) it is a mix of hardware and software. Not sure what it is for a 135i. Somebody like Eurosurgeon would know. Have tagged you on to a couple of local events.

I was keen on an isf for a while and then I sat in one. I didn't need to drive it, blergh.

Barely able to find a decent manual E30 for $6k these days, let alone a convertible!

That's a fine kooking 5-er! Welcome. I have always maintained that the E39 is one of BMW's most iconic designs. Compared to MB and Audi models of the same generation the E39 has aged so beautifully.

bump!!! anyone after a m3 engine etc

Can't stress this enough as dealing with something similar. Recently purchased a new car for the Mrs and hadn't sorted any type of insurance in the week after buying the car, she was hit by a young dude with 3rd party. Great, his insurance will cover ours, well not unless he pays his excess which he is refusing to do so do to 'lack of money which I doubt...