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So im on the move.........whoop whoop!!!!! So now to be on the look out for a place to live in the coming months, looking forward to meeting a few of you local wellingtonians

Start: 152,294kms. After prevaricating, considering the market and options, TermiPete's 545i became available. The domino effect of upgrading! I'd thought about X5's, missed out on a 535d Motorsport Touring by 2 days, and thought about 550is. So I bought this. It's my SS Commodore. Just in a sharply tailored german suit, rather than a Drizabone. And it has a roundel where the lion would be. And it's cool. Pete has lavished a bit of attention on this vehicle since acquiring it in Oct 2015. Now its my turn. I've already ordered hardware for shock replacement (bump stops, boots, strut bearings, bolts etc)... now deciding which shocks to get. Sachs standard (OEM) Bilstein: Touring (B4), HD (B6), Sport (B8) Koni Yellows After doing the shocks on three of my last four cars, the last two I've stuck with factory IEM spec Sachs (my Volvo 855-T5 and BMW e46 Touring). I'm not planning on changing the springs on this 545i and don't want to radically transform or make it too hard. It has Standrard suspension, it's on 18" conventional tyres (no need for RFT's here as it has a spare), and has Dynamic Drive option (the active computer controlled anti-roll bars) and having driven a near-identical car without DD, I'm sold on it. Koni Yellows I'm sure would be lovely, but they're a little more pricey. Bilstein: tempted to go HD (B6 Yellow), they're said to be made to work with stock springs but are up to 20% stiffer. I think this would be similar to the addition of KYB Excel+ gas shocks to my old A32 Maxima. Firmed it up and helped it hugely with roadholding and ride. Alternately B4 Tourings are said to be 10% stiffer than stock. Sachs: The OEM shocks are equivalent to 31316766993 (Front left) and 31316766994 (Front right), and 33526766995 rear. They'll no doubt "just work". Would I be crazy to go Bilstein HD B6? And as soon as the shocks are done, it's time for new boots (and panties). Photos soon.

That's the "but darling, I am trying to sell it, I've got it on TradeMe and everything..." approach to car sales if ever i have seen it!

Time to sell,move on to so mething else. Completely standard 1996 EVO M3 sedan 3.2 litre 6 speed manual Byranz Metallic, the only known BMW in NZ in this colour. Standard wheels, interior etc 194000 km Been very well maintained by myself and previous owners. 20K or a deal with a 2002tii or something similar.

Changed out the intake filter, intake boot, valve cover to TB hose and rubber shifter boot. More to come this weekend

well done , know the previous owner and its been well cared for :-) Can also look at other car options for the wife without fear of buying a car out from under you.

That's a bit 'o data! Stacks up very well doesn't it

Olaf just checked my last order. Payment by bank transfer. I just emailed on of the sales reps with what I was after and he got the pricing and payment details together. Roughly a couple of days for transfers due to time zones. Shipping of four tyres was $325 USD and order fully tracked.

Today is shock ordering day. Sachs OEM I think. Koni Yellows are eliminated as they're for lowering springs. Bilsteins? Hmm, probably not. And a few more hardware items. I go full out - new spring seats, bump stops, boots, washers... all fasteners. BMW specify single use fasteners, I'm not about to second-guess them. RealOEM is your friend here. EDIT: I'm stronly considering Bilstein HD (B6) now. they're built for A: stock springs or B: lowering springs, (choose your application), and provide improved handling with apparrently no significant deficit in ride quality. Here's the marketing guff: "Bilstein B6 Performance dampers are a performance upgrade to OE dampers designed to be paired with the OE factory spring. These dampers offer application specific valve settings with a monotube design to bring out the best handling performance of a vehicle. Each damper is rigorously tested for quality that meets or exceeds OE standards. B6 Performance dampers will provide improved safety and handling performance with the added benefit of world-famous Bilstein quality."

"release your inner bogan". This is how we say "unleash the hounds of hell" in Wellington. And to quote the bloke at the dealership (just quietly), "and it's a BMW V8, they go forever". (Conveniently ignoring M62 timing issues methinks) still, very charming words

LOL that's definitely not supposed to happen, let's hope that's it

you're golden. our neighbour a few doors down has just sold for $845k on a GV of $630k. Welly market is very bouyant now.

congrats on your new job, Jeremy! when will you be down here? We've a road trip to Ngawi at the end of this month - Sunday 26th - you might want to join...

Check the wiring from the sensors. My 328 would not start one day and after a week of phaffing about I contacted brent at bmworld. He suggested looking at the wiring on the crank sensor. He was spot on. I checked the cam sensor wiring as well and ditto, all the insulation was just crumbling at my finger tips, causing a short between the wires.

Maybe best to log it on a dyno? An hours worth of time on one could be a lot cheaper than a court hearing...

I only checked in with BMW NZ re airbag recalls - and it was all clear This is still my favourite pic of the 545i:

Hi Guys, this is my M5. I've owned a long list of mainly E34's but this is the best one, even the original floor mats are still secured with unbroken plastic lugs. It is essentially a 1 onr from new, the original onr purchased it brand new in HK & bought it here in 1995. He sadly passed away and the president of the BMW club appraised it & passed it on to the dealer principal at Claytons & he sold it it to me. Anything else of interest about the car?? With regards the movie Ronin, the car used was a manual 525i(M50 engine). Listen to the exhaust tone as it slides around,deep M50 tone & it has the std white needle dash. rgds Mr E34. edit: forgot to add it came with the original turbines & throwing stars(personally not fond of either)

That really is a beaut. I don't think E39s get any better than that without stepping into an M5. Really hope that goes to a forum member - especially a Welly one ? GLWS!

I had mine done on the X5 (by TidyCar) and it was a huge improvement - $150 but no clear coat - they didn't think clearcoating was a good plan for some reason. Anyway, as of today I'm the proud owner of an E60 M5 - Silverstone II with black leather and Alu trim. Epic and ridiculous vehicles. Time to sell my 545i!

Have a 1985 M635csi for sale? Asking $42,000. Some photos attached.