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Major fail, timing chain guide failure, deep gulp and now empty pockets. At least picked it up prior to total engine melt down, so that's the third major issue addressed, now transmission rebuilt, cooling renewed and now last major timing chain to sort. Pretty much tickets all the major fails for an E38, oh maybe front suspension might fall apart yet. Ah character.....

You need to get the water pump, thermostat, bolt set, genuine coolant and any other associated faulty components. After installation the system must be vented (bled) correctly or the pump will fail again.... $1800 - $2000 job

Some of your commutes are so easy. I have to travel about 30 metres in a straight line. Because of the shape of the road I have to travel about 20 times that distance to get there. I haven't timed it yet or checked fuel consumption as I am too busy during the commute thinking about what I have to do for the day.

^^ you can lead the horse to water, but you can't make him think. Drew, you'd do well to take Glenn's advice. This is his day job; he provides expert advice here for the benefit of the Bimmersport community.

Hi everyone This will be my third BMW after having an E30 318ci back in 2007, then an E39 528i, and now I've just got my hands on an M Sport E46 330i. Loving the car and am looking forward to bringing back to pristine condition. Cheers

It's not recommended to change the pump without the new thermostat and you MUST use 3 bottles of genuine coolant and vent the system correctly without the battery voltage reducing below 13v. The thermostat has a mapped cooling sensor built into it

got sick of the 5.2km 10 minute commute from my old house, so brought one a bit closer, 2km and 3 minutes away. would be quicker if i didn't have about a dozen speed bumps, shift up to third and leave it there the whole way. but a quiet day is 120km on the road once clocked in, can be up to 5-600km or more so once i clock out i need the shortest distance to travel possible between my desk at work and the beer fridge at home.

i know a fella that could lend you a BIG wagon if required

10 seconds from the bedroom to the home office, 15 seconds if I stop to pat the dog.

Hey all, Mark here. Currently in South Africa, but immigrating to NZ next month. Really looking forward to making NZ my families new home! Such a amazing country. I have always dreamed of building a e30 since I was a little kid. My father-in-law had a minter of a '89 e30 320i that just sat in his garage, tried to buy it from him for my first car but he was a d1ck and wouldn't let me. Anyway, decided that this year is my year to build my e30. But, before I do that I was hoping you all can help me. I have the option of bringing some parts over from SA that could work out alot cheaper. I am wanting a set of BBS RS and a set of widened steelies as well as coilovers. Can anyone shed some light on the costs of these in NZ? Oh and how does WOF and Rego work there? Cheers for now, Mark86

Hello everyone! I'm Adam, and the owner of a e30 325i , nice gold colour and with a m50b25 non-vanos dropped in nice to meet you all! Adam

Welcome - pics please :-)

all made out of crap plastic with about 30% crushed recycled glass , all the plastics in the cooling system will fail over time better to change now before they crack and you cook your very expensive engine

not sure where in wellington you are, if lower hutt try Richard (owner) at Bruce Thompson Motorbodies in seaview he does all my work.

rattles for quite some time before it snaps from the chain flapping about

yes, I've downscaled my requirements for this car from my customary wagon to just a saloon (sedan). it's only for 2 years or so, so I'll get by with the e46 where (smallish) wagon is required.

There's enough scavenging and oil pumps in it already... why isn't the boot pump included as standard??? Maybe it was the 'tard that installed the towbar - perhaps you should have got the one that cost more than most of my cars ;-)

No interior pics yet, the insides a mess, but once I sort out my new seats and harnesses etc and get the paperwork done I'll grab some. It's a 6 point rollcage with no side intrusions. In the mean time, new (very old wheels I've had sitting around for years) are on, as are the new lights all around. Still needs a good clean and polish before the weekends show.

sound as a pound, old son.

^^^^ I have just ordered one of the adapter plates. Let's just say it was far from the easiest international transaction I have undertaken. If I was paid on a frustration level I would be rich.

Hey everyone, Just a status update - the mechanic gave me a quote of $620 for the replacement. However, because I've got mechanical insurance, that's only $500 for me. Given the mechanical insurance, it makes sense to go with them - that way the insurance company can't say "you did it wrong" if something different breaks. They can also get it replaced this week which is nice given I start a new job in Masterton next week (and I live in the Hutt). Anyway, many thanks for the help here - especially to @_ethrty-Andy_! Tim

you know I dont miss 5 series life

70 odd km's each way, average travel time in the mornings seems to be about 1:20 and evenings can vary wildly from same as mornings to 3 hours. We'd be looking at moving closer to AKL but can't find anything under $1M in a half decent school zone that's even remotely comparable to what we have here! Pretty easy decision really and if I was overly concerned about climate change or get too frustrated with driving I could always do the train...

These days, I work to live. There was a time when extra hours at work, working weekends and so on were normal, and what I expected, but you soon realise no-one compliments you for doing it, and no-one goes to their retirement wishing they had worked more hours. It's trying to ensure that quality of life when not at work that is causing the problem. We simply can't do it without living further away. At least, not the sort of life we want (which I appreciate may well differ to what many other people would be looking for).

Welcome. I really like what you've done to the 130i. And that colour is awesome!

2min about 1.2ks or a 14min walk use to do the sth ak to ak city 30-60min loving the short trip have to go via clevedon for a coffee before work just so I can drive the M3 on the back roads

Thanks Peter, much appreciated. Looking forward to the next meeting. :-)

It doesnt appear to make any difference.

I spent today connecting up the Power steer lines, fuel lines, refitted the radiator and hoses. Also mounted the remote oil filter and started to make some of the oil lines. Car is back on its wheels as I'm taking to a mates workshop tomorrow to start making up the oil tank.

Not a Touring. Lol. Like I could afford to buy one, let alone run it, anyway!

Sorry about the delay - here's another pic or two from a recent Welly bimmer meetup.

The Japanese Market BMWs are not made in Japan, as is a common misconception down here. They're made for the Japanese market, in the other manufacturing plants such as Munich, Regensburg, Dingolfing, etc. depending on model. As an example, my '02 e46 Touring is Japanese market, and was made in Regensburg. It's as much an issue with deferred maintenance (or in the case of e36's - the GM transmission rather than the ZF of other markets) that earns the used Japanese market imports a bad rep... and after 15 years here, they're either neglected (continuing the Kiwi tradition of deferred neglect/no maintenance) or resolved (through remedial maintenance) by careful owners. /rant

had my lower drivers seat side bolster foam and cover replaced at Waikato Motor Trimmers, great turn around time and good quality job.

I drive a 20 year old BMW everyday (a loved import), nothing beats it. I'd prefer the manual one in the hutt but.

If this was in Wellington I suspect I'd be quickly selling my Euro... looks reasonably well looked after and at a decent price - of course it's also an old car and will require ongoing $$$$ but for that money you probably couldn't go far wrong... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1241425943.htm

towed a boat with the X5

Had the pleasure of following this M5 through the Karangahake Gorge today with our windows down. Wow.

Oh I didnt take photos so I drawed one