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I can sell you a 540 touring that will tow it beautifully!

It's like he's always stuck in 2nd gear...

It'll work great in front of an E30 won't it....

Just began moving in.

Not sure what the discussion point is, but the gentleman in question is definitely thoughtful.

Hi I was a member back in the early 2000s to around 2006 when I sold my old Avus blue 95 M3 to a guy on the Nth Shore. Well around 2 yrs ago I knew I needed to purchase another M3 (e36 / e46), so finally 2 weeks ago after being told an E46 M3 on autotrader was sold that day an E36 appeared on the site, no mucking around and a pre purchase at Dunedin BMW that was ok but not enough to scare me off as some in the past, I brought another E36 M3. This time a 93 , same colour and about the same kms I sold my last one at 10yrs ago The Car 1. 1993 Avus Blue 3.0l, 154000kms 2. Service history with BMW to 83000kms, from 83k until now Midas 3. Full Milltek exhaust system - original was in the back of the car, with some ceramic pads and new front lights So arrived Thurday last week and in the shop Monday for a few bits and pieces 1. New front rotors and pads 2. New rear shock mounts and bump stops 3. A/C Re-gas 4. Wheel refurb 5. New rear brake pads - had a horrible rattle rear left like I was towing a trailer and only happened on the chip seal roads, turned out it was missing clips on the rear pads To do 1. Water pump - anyone know where I can get a water pump that wont set me back $725?, no mention of this on pre purchase, just mention that there was some dry water marks 2. Leather resto 3. Re fix door cards 4. Apparently some play in steering rack 5. Rear main seal might be leaking - also wasn't mentioned on pre purchase, this one kind of annoys me , don't know how this was missed Paul

Also is manual, so give that to MissM

Jeeze that's my concern right there, people doing inspections that have no clue what they are looking for or even at. Thanks for all the replies though and if any others want to chime in the more info the better.

They are required to be WOF certified, which means they have to be A-Grade certified or equivalent (and with multiple years experience). Most of them are ex mechanics. VTNZ locations are all different though, some are actually decent. Regardless, BM Workshop or the likes would be the best bet.

Vtnz inspectors are just that, inspectors .They are not mechanics and they don't have to be. . Last wof o got on my falcon they made me remove a factory fitted safety feature and replace it. They don't know what they are looking at.

Auto clinic panmure should be fine Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

VTNZ passed my old E36 that had badly flogged lower arm bushes and front balljoints. They also passed my Prelude which had its front crossmember lower than 100mm and no cert. I dont have much faith in their inspections.

Sparg auto tune is who you are wanting to go see.

DIY Alpina B3 flash saved myself a lot of beer money

^ I hate wheel and tyre abuse but they're lovely rims, pity they won't fit the car if they have proper tyres on them. Other than that the car looks sweet.

all cars should be held to the same standards, as outlined in the VIRM (vehicle inspection requirements manual), age is irrelevant. A brand specific specialist is still best practice imo, they know of the common faults to pick up on and make sure your car is actually safe (unlike VTNZ which sometimes just fails miserably at everything).

<groan...>

surely 'actually about cars' would be missing the point? #; ) We should have an official Bimmersport Woollarding thread. Images in the Woollarding tradition, only. In fact I think I'll start one! EDIT: whey hey - I did!

Olympia motors. Cant find their facebook page now though.

Bit of a tidy up this morning. Still a mess but much better than it was.

Just take your car to a place can do coding for the next service and get them to do it at the same time. It takes a few minutes for someone that already had the gear and software set up so that'll probably be the cheapest way. Personally I spent hours and hours learning to do BMW coding, setting up the software and struggling with a laptop that had ~15 mins battery life to get mine enabled. Only worth doing if you're as crazy obsessive as me

seam to remember there where new m20 heads being sold on trade me a while back , not a bmw part

Nice looking Bimmer. Welcome to the forums.

Howdy guys and girls. 6 years of enduring public transport, I've finally bought a replacement car. Always admired the brand and it's so good to finally be an owner. Incredible car, damn good on gas considering the engine size and the distance I travel every day. Currently costing my $50 p/w as opposed to $80 taking the bus from Wattle Downs to Parnell every day. I am light footed and coast where I can, so maybe my nananess is helping. Hoping to attend meet ups and make some new mates. Don't know a lot about the workings of cars so I'll be relying heavily on your advice. Not sure what I want to do with the car as of yet. I haven't really got any spare cash to spend although I have been eyeing up Plasti Dip to colour (as a cheap alternative to powder coating) my wheels and grill in black. Love the wheels, so not really interested in replacing right now. We'll see I guess. Any horror stories with Plasti Dip?

Ive got a spare set of motometer ones

Sounds like you're after a genuine bar, or at least an aftermarket euro bar. Looks like the original bar was made by Oris, http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/search/selectCar/E38/Lim/BMW+728i/ECE/03/03_1016/ Westfalia also make similar bars.

awesome. if voda ran monitoring on their cable network they could do the same. ooops, and then I woke up! great service Allan. what sort of speeds do you get over your wireless connection?

The question is .. can I be f**ked firing up my graphics PC and uploading the old file again ...

Having driven the car now for a few days I will says it's a bit firmer and the small irregularities are noticeable but not unbearable. In the corners what is most noticeable is that there is less need to re adjust the steering once the outside tyre loads up. In the past you would pick the line, try and hit the apex but you would then need to make a quick correction or two as the rear moved. It now holds the line much better and requires far less input; it almost feels like there is a bit of rear steer that pushes you round the corner. I assume this is because there is less toe angle change but I am not an expert here. Ron? Anyway the upshot is that it more predictable and feels a lot more stable in the corner and has lost that skittish feeling that inevitably ended up with tyre squeal and the ASC light flashing. I think I am now seeing what E46 chassis can deliver and I can now understand why it is so highly regarded. I better start saving my pennies for an M3 so I can get the full monty. Next up is new front control arms and a brake overhaul.

Here is a photo of my M535i

Leave it, its festive. Mid winter xmas isnt far away

This one: 25 11 7 527 252. $100 for Bimmersport members

i find it funny that its a supposedly a common fault, i have no doubt it is, but in over 25 E30s passed through my ownership now not one has had a dead odo!