paulo

I've only driven one e46 M3 Convertible - to be fair, it was not a great example, but it was quite rattly around the front screen (scuttle shake), and noticeably slower than the M3 coupe. I'm not sure if the lack of go was due to the additional weight that the convertibles are burdened with, or if it was specific to this car. It was quite disappointing. The 3 or 4 e46 M3 Coupes that I have driven have been excellent by comparison. I agree that BMW should never been allowed to make a M3 'vert - much like Porsche shouldn't have been allowed to make a convertible 911!

Hi there - I'm in ChCh and am keen to purchase for my e36 or e46 - I have PM'd you Cheers Paul

Hi Ray, Those red seats in the grey car sure do look mint! Is it a low KM car, or do you think the seats have been recovered at some stage? Would you be interested in a trade-in deal with some fairly tidy M3 black nappa seats and door cards? Also, what country is the car imported from? Cheers Paul

Hi there - I also recommend the "factory" Westfalia tow bar - it bolts onto the chassis unlike some after-market types that get bolted to the bootwell. I bought it brand new from the BMW dealer for a very good price several years ago (was a cancelled order) - I liked it so much that I removed I sold my old e60, and transferred it onto my new e60! I can also confirm that the Sedan and Touring bars are the same item. For wiring, I used one of these modules: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/parts-other-makes/electrics/listing-2174753524.htm?rsqid=10769303910648f09ba4aa398421c351-010 The wiring module is fairly straightforward to fit if you have some basic circuit testing tools. It's actually the exact same box that most tow-bar fitters in ChCh use when wiring up Euro cars with fussy LED indicators and park lights etc. Cheers, Paul

Hi - I bought one for my e46 M3 from KAP Industries in Australia: https://kap.industries/product/bmw-e46/ Took about 10 days to arrive - fitted perfectly, and is nice and sturdy. Much better than the temporary one that I "fabricated" out of a $5 piece of aluminium bar from Mitre 10! Cheers Paul

...there's another nice example just listed on TradeMe here: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1990011603.htm?rsqid=f0500b853db94e1c990e6f7e7cd34bb6 Looks to be fairly well sorted. UK Import. I think it's a fair asking price for what it is...

... and also the M-diff and half-shafts, worth up to $2500 alone to the right buyer (on a good day!). Not to mention the M3 specific cosmetic items such as door mirrors, aluminium bonnet with power bulge, seats with electrically operated bear-hugging side-bolsters, rear-view mirror, and factory flared guards (currently "protected" with a generous coating of fibreglass)

...maybe check with the guy selling this Z3 race car to see if he still has the A/C compressor off the installed S50B32: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/specialist-cars/competition-cars/auction-1919409650.htm?rsqid=790896a0458640248a0267e52bc6f57f Regards Paul

The re-shelled Dakar 318is had a 3.2 Evo motor and 6-speed box fitted. I remember seeing it at Turners for around $10k a few years back, then popped up again for around $15k. Seemed like a lot at the time for a non genuine M3, but these days...probably not. Here's the Bimmersport thread to that one: http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/43360-m3-e36-evo-for-sale/?tab=comments#comment-475966

Hi Tom, I'm definitely keen to buy these for $600 and will pick up - Have PM'd you. Many thanks Paul

Hi there, I am in need of a front left guard for an e46 M3. Genuine steel guard, not fibreglass or composite please. Colour not important (but Steel Grey would be a bonus!) - must be straight with minimum paint prep required. Many thanks Paul

Hi Guys, Thanks for all of the pointers. The best price the dealer could do for front and rears was about $1600, which is not too bad compared to $1400 for ones shipped from USA, by the time freight and duty is added up. The standard OEM USA ones tend to be solid (but ventilated) discs, only a few suppliers carry what they call "euro spec" discs which are slotted and ventilated with a 2-piece setup / alloy hub. I might end up going for some locally available Stoptech numbers for around $1000. Freight is only $30 ex Auckland, vs $200 - $300 ex USA. Cheers Paul

Hi there, Just checking to see if anyone knows of a NZ Based supplier of OEM / Genuine brake rotors for e46 M3 at a reasonable price? Or anyone that happens to have a pair or a full set of new / near new rotors? I need the fronts and rears. I've looked at purchasing ex USA, but the freight is a killer, even using the likes of NZ Post YouShop (weight would be about 35kg) Cheers Paul

Hi Brent, Just out of interest - what's the digital display thing in the lunch-box container in the engine bay? Also, you mention that you have new lower foam set for e36 sport seats - I'd be interested in more details on that - ie is it a pair? and price? - PM me if you like. Regards Paul

Hi there, I am after a factory 6-speed air intake in good condition. Needs to be the non-SMG type without the hydraulic oil reservoir. I have a broken hose connector point on my one, and I am not keen on getting it repaired. Not wanting to spend too much, as I will probably be going for a carbon air-box before too long... Cheers Paul

Ahh, it has been snapped up fairly quickly. Was losted for a fair price, I think. The last one of similar spec that I saw for sale on TradeMe sold for about $32k - $34k from memory. A nice , genuine NZ new factory 6-speed manual Phoenix Yellow with just less than 100,000km.

This one here looks like it ticks most of your boxes: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1496118660.htm Not NZ New, but in my experience UK imports are fairly honest. They go through a rigorous inspection process around potential rust issues as part of the compliance process .

At $24,150 it's sitting within 15% of the reserve price - I'm guessing it has a $25k reserve. Hopefully someone here will snap it up for that...

I had a look at this M5 the other day and can confirm that the Turners photos definitely do not do this car justice. It is probably one of the best examples that you could find in NZ. Great overall condition, not super-mint, but obviously very well cared for and totally original as far as I can see. The idea of a grey interior with Violet exterior sounds not so great on paper, but in the flesh I think that it actually works. It has seude side bolsters (a little rubbed up on the drivers seat, but nowhere near wearing through) and "M-rain" grey fabric inserts. Gear knob would need replacing to tidy it up, and the steering wheel is a little shiny, but otherwise looking very clean and way better than any e34 interior that I have seen recently. If I owned it, the first thing I would do would be to change the chrome detailing around the side windows to Shadowline black. And probably delete the lower silver grey trim to body colour. And put some proper tyres on it (has some Bridgestone "Sporty Style" Japanese import numbers on it) I have attached a few slightly better photos.

This Manual M3 is in Chch: https://www.trademe.co.nz/1399720566 I know Phoenix Yellow is not quite the grey / black colour you are after, but I don't think you could get much better than this particular example. NZ New, low Kms, good history, and low ownership. I've seen and driven it and can confirm that it is in very good order. I've driven 5 previously, and this would have to be the best of the lot. And remember, Phoenix Yellow is just one vinyl wrap away from becoming the colour of your choice!

Hi Adrian, i have one - Sedan type with 2004 manufacture date. I don't know if it is the folding type - I suspect not, as it only has a single ribbon cable with 3 pins on the connector. Very good condition - colour looks like "SteelGrau" / Steel Gray. It was from a Motorsport version, so it has the High Gloss Shadowline finish to the triangular mounting plate (gloss black paint finish) Cheers Paul

Hi there, I have one - In Christchurch - not actively for sale, but may consider selling for the right offer - above your maximum price however... 1997 328i Motorsport Coupe Factory 5-speed manual (ZF box as used in M3) NZ New 178,xxx km Very tidy inside and out Full black leather Motorsport interior, leather door cards, some wear on driver's seat, black headlining is mint, non smoker vehicle from new, no sunroof! 3-spoke Motorsport steering wheel, genuine M3 door mirrors, rare CD43 head unit. I have owned for about 4 years, (168,000Km) - previous owner for about 10 years, plenty of history and receipts. I think it has had 3 to 4 owners in total (excluding dealers - the previous owner bought it as a certified used BMW from Shelly BMW in Wellington). It spends 95% of its time in the garage, hence the thought of selling. The plan was to have this as a "keeper", however I have recently purchased an e46 M3 project that is demanding garage space. A bit of a dilemma for me, as I suspect that these e36 328i Motorsport Coupes will go the same way price-wise as good M-tech II e30 325i Coupes. I replaced the engine at approx 168,000 with the same type of engine from a NZ New 2.8L 1997 Z3 with a genuine 75,000km (documented). New genuine Sachs clutch kit at same time, along with genuine BEHR Radiator, Contitech belts etc. Well maintained, plenty of other Genuine BMW parts fitted over the years. Runs perfectly, an absolute pleasure to drive. New Toyo Proxies 225/45x16s fitted to reconditioned and straightened genuine AC Schnitzer type 1 alloys (16 x 8) New front brake hoses just fitted and fresh brake fluid, new WOF issued on 22/12/16 Front bumper needs plastic welding and repaint to sharpen up appearance (had a minor incident with a wheelie bin!) Bonnet has plenty of stone chips that have been touched up. I have 2 x new genuine Hella fog lights and a new M3 lower grille insert to fit once bumper refinished. A re-spray of the bonnet would make this car perfect. Driver's door central locking actuator starting to play up, otherwise everything else works 100% Apologies for the poor photos - please PM me if you are interested. Regards, Paul

Thanks Hans - have you narrowed down your search to any particular suppliers in the UK?

Hi there, Does anyone know of a damaged e46 M3 with good running gear that might be for sale? I need engine, 6-speed gearbox, driveshaft, engine bay parts and front loom, so I figure that a complete car will be a more economical way to go. I have an otherwise complete e46 M3 that was a factory 6-speed manual that I need to put these bits into in order to make it a runner. It looks like the cheapest option is to bring in a lightly damaged car from Japan, (possibly LHD?) but before I go down that path I thought i'd see if there was anything available in NZ. Would prefer manual to SMG in order to minimise further cost / complexities. Many thanks Paul

I see that this one has just been listed. Looks like a great example : http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1149743104.htm