gjm

It looks likely that I have work, and is seems to be the case, it's really not as close to home as would be ideal. Oh well... Driving about 180km a day Quick thoughts on the merits of a 2004 E46 vs 2005 E90, both 330D ?

The 333i... "Potentially the only one in NZ." I know someone who has two of these, and there are certainly others. But very rare indeed. Baurs, M3s, and Tourings are also rare, but relatively common by comparison.

Norisring DTM, 1989.

Sadly, to be certain - yes. I may have an answer - I'll PM you.

Yup. Ours has a VDO-branded cluster, and a Motometer speedo unit. Someone had done something with it before, and actually superglued the gears to the spindles. That made life 'interesting' but it's sorted now. Pulling the cluster isn't a huge job. Apparently it can be done with the steering wheel in place, but I'd take it out.

Let me check what I have here - I know I have at least two sets of gears. And if I don't have what you need, I'll forward details of a reliable NZ source. The only way to be sure what you need is to remove the cluster from your car. VDO clusters do have 'VDO' on the front, but (as was the case with our car) people will replace a non-working cluster with anything they can find. So a VDO-badged cluster may have a Motometer speedo in it. And there is no way to tell without pulling the cluster and checking.

That was the impression I got, too. I doubt stripping some parts from it and then chucking it on TradeMe was the anticipation (although it was obviously always a possibility). And the description - "Was planning on turning it into a crazy track car but with too many projects on the go it's best to see if anyone wants to score a bargain..." Pure fabrication. Picked it up on Saturday, had it on TM a day later. As for effort - I tried, but by the time I had arranged a car trailer, they had gone. Not saying the seller is a bad guy, but a little more honesty about the acquisition and sale wouldn't go amiss. From the questions it seems others have already rumbled his game.

And... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/4439708980 Grab it for free, and sell it.

I've worked in Auckland and Wellington, and found it can take an hour (sometimes more) to get into work. This is only a little more than that although I'd be driving, not riding a train or similar. And it's likely to be 3-4 days a week, not 5, so there are compensations. Virtually zero corners of significance for 90% of the trip, but a 306D is certainly the 'right' price. I used to drive a 405SRDT - great car.

1989 325 NZ new coupe - $10k https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/4403812754

There will be N46s with big mileages on them. Bloke I used to work with bought a E90 320i new, still has it, and aside from regular servicing, has never had an issue. That said, the N46 is certainly not one of BMWs better engines. (Understatement.) To the OP - quit with the 'fanboy' trolling. It really doesn't help. And if you want a BMW specialist in Hamilton (other than SD) try Greg Hantz. I've always found him to be very helpful and knowledgeable.

Why do such a huge proportion of cars have black interiors? Hoping to be starting a new job soon. It's going to mean a long-ish 200km round-trip commute , so something economical, comfortable, and perhaps a little interesting is being researched. (The 500SE fits 2 out of 3, but really is not suitable!) I'm balancing service costs and RUCs for diesels against likely better economy. But almost everything I have seen which looks vaguely interesting has a black, anthracite, dark grey or similar interior. I don't want white, but something a little less dark would be nice! (Disappointed that I missed a Mercedes CLK320 CDi with tan leather,,,)

Monaco, 1979. Clay Regazzoni leading Niki Lauda.

That was my experience with the one I had in the UK. Nice car, certainly, but somehow not as engaging to drive, and the expectation of useful boot space was only that - an expectation. You could get a bit more in it than the boot of a coupe or 4-door, but not as much as you'd expect. Now, if BMW had done a 2-door wagon version, like the 2002, that might have been better! (Even with no more space inside. )

I used to buy through a parts wholesaler in Germany. Because they shipped so much stuff all over the world - they'd have a BIG truck collecting at least once a day, so equivalent of a 40' container of parcels every day - they got a great rate from the couriers. Then the couriers decided they didn't need to offer the special rate and shipping more than quadrupled overnight. That was before Covid. It meant the wholesaler had to re-plan their business model, and they started focusing on 'local' (Europe) sales which worked within the EU. (So the UK got left out. Not that it was an issue for us in NZ.) Feedback is that they actually dropped that courier completely,

Whichever of them is Delphin Grau. Obviously.

Do. Not. Get. Me Started. (Sur)real Estate Agents have surpassed the [can't write the word I want to here ] that lawyers are supposedly known for. There seems to be a preponderance of ill-educated, slimy, self-entitled tossers around masquerading as people pretending to sell houses and property. PBN, POA, tender... All are pathetic excuses for not doing the job they are paid far to well for. Try offering any amount for a house and you're always told "the vendor has indicated that they'll not accept less than $ludicrous..." SO WHY DIDN'T YOU PUT THAT ON THE LISTING AND SAVE ME THE BOTHER OF HAVING TO TALK TO YOU?!?!?!?!? There are some good ones around but the days where an agen represented a vendor and worked to find a buyer, or would take a buyer's requirements and find a house, are loooong gone. It's a self-regulated industry. And when you do finally get a house that a sensible offer is accepted on, the agent wants you - the buyer - to pay a hefty sum into a 'holding account' while contracts are sorted, titles are issued - whatever. I have never seen this done anywhere else. Who gets the interest off that money? Certainly not the seller, or the buyer.

Apologies for the lack of model specificity... Does anyone know if the BMW-appropriate OBD2 to USB diagnostic lead is the same as a Lexus one?

Listed the Baur at $12k, no reserve. Not one single nibble. Lots of watching - no bids, no questions. OK - it's not a manual, and it is less usual. But it is in excellent condition, rust-free, straight six, and pretty much every option that was available. Fingers crossed I get work soon, in which case we'll keep it.

Hmm. About 150000km on a W126 S-class Mercedes. Rides like a magic carpet - smooth as silk .

That's a lot of engine. I'm a few $ short but I'd talk to Atlas. They do a kit to convert diesels to run on 90% hydrogen.