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After selling the E91 and driving the E39 for a while I felt like I needed something a bit newer again and had my sights set on a 135i coupe, looking for the perfect one to pop up. But it was always either not quite right and or a bit too expensive. Then I stumbled across this E87 130i hatchback 2010 automatic and couldn't say no to the lovely 6 cylinder engine so pulled the trigger. Picked it up completely stock and have already started the mods like new wheels (Work Japan 18x8.5), debadged and black grilles etc. Huge list of things I want to do on it but so far very happy with the car and will be replacing the E39 as my daily.

Moving over from Melbourne in October I was to start my new job at the end of Feb. I spent the whole month looking around for the 'right' car, finally I found one. The km's were a tad on the high side but for the price I couldn't turn it down. After some discussions with the previous owner and an AA check I flew down to Wellington and bought my first BMW, a 130i. I was amazed at how easy the car was to drive over long distances as I drove back that night (Although those run-flats are still giving my nightmares), I thought not having cruise control was going to be agony but alas I was stoked with it. Giz served me well, he made the 20 min commute to my new job with ease. I was having so much fun driving this little pocket rocket around and hearing that snarl of the 3.0L engine from the quad exhaust. I say 'was', because unfortunately after only 12 days of mate ship he was taken away from me. On the commute home from work, the truck following failed to notice myself and everyone else coming to a stop. I watched as the driver failed to pay attention, getting ever larger in my rear view mirror. I knew he'd never pull it up in time on the greasy road so I put my head back on the head rest and waited to be hit. Poor Giz sacrificed himself to let me walk away with only a concussion, I was devastated, I had my independence stripped away, a friend stolen too soon. I was also thankful, thankful that Giz held up so well in the crash that I was able to walk away. So it was settled, I needed to buy another Baby Beamer. So I did, today! I put the deposit down on a black 2009 manual 130i. Personally love the feel of the manual more than the Auto Giz was rocking around in. I'm sorry that I don't have any photo's yet of it and still thinking of a name, but when I take ownership later next week I'll be sure to update this post. I look forward to getting to know the community here and learning a bit more about E87's and BMW's in general. tl;dr - Flew to Wellington to buy a 130i. Had it 12 days, hit by a truck. So I bought another one.

Learn something new everyday

The 730ilD is a cruiser which is fine for what it is designed for...but it reinforces how good my E39 motorsport is thru the twisties! You are always aware that it is a large car, while the 530 often makes you think it is a small car, if that makes any sense? Since the purchase I have replaced the fog lights/surrounds, fitted aheavy duty towbar, new windscreen, new w/screen rubbers (goldplated ones courtesy of JGBMW!!), repaired the CD changer and priced to have the front end repainted.... Then it will be time for some pics....

here's the link to a very useful compendium of e60 info for considerations of maintenance or purchase, from Bimmerfest. So you just bought an e60

Gave the Ti a good clean, also polished up the lips a bit more, I need to fully sand one of them back as its badly pitted but they came up pretty well! Looks even better in person! Also wired up my economy gauge as the Ti bodys were never wired for it from factory! I know its probably useless but its kinda cool to see it working now P.S. Thats not a dent in the front guard, its a reflection, I freaked out when I saw this picture

Bunch of work & money thats all it takes I use to do this with my customers then found a cheaper motor that makes a bunch more power with little work its called a 2J ! Still pretty sure yours will go well look forward to see how long the drive line lives lol Always fun breaking stuff cause if your not, you need to try harder Post some vids when done mate looking forward to the end result should be epic !

Easy fix, replaced side indicators and corner indicators, damn rubbish plastic tabs snapped in the corners so got a set off ebay, nice to get on after a couple weeks waiting delivery

Went out for a photoshoot with a couple friends, here are some good ones

no time for pics today, will get some on the Welly Bimmersport Roadie on Sunday #8 ) If you've never clay-barred a car, you're in for a treat. Makes waxing so much easier, too!

There are quite a few in-country already, every dealership got at least one 530d model as a demonstrator. The first customer 540i models have arrived, and the 520d is not far away now. Wingers Welly demo went up to Manawatu and Hawke's Bay for their launch events as they are part of the same group which may explain why it wasn't on site when you were there. Ask for a test drive - the new tech is pretty impressive.

Finally got a WoF! Now to paint and seal so the rust won't come back.

today was BMW action day for me. e46: was in at Page European to resolve an odd rattle at around 3000rpm. Turns out it was the bushes where the airbox mounts to the inner guard. handbrake adjusted. And it's going back in next week for the diff mounts. e60: washed it. used that new SmartWash in Newtown. Seemed okay for a quick wash when you're in a hurry, probably a little better than my other fallback, the touchless carwashes they run at Caltex stations. other than that, waiting on suspension (OEM) parts...

the main point is, if you had to flip heads/tails... and one of you got to drive the '04 545i from Wellington to Auckland, and the other drove the '04 SS Commode, you'd both arrive at pretty much the same time, and feeling about as relaxed as each other. The SS is still a great trip car.

Sold the e34 v8wagon off to its new owner down south will miss the soundtrack

go oem mate.well done dont lower it,daily drivers need to be user friendly as well as friendly to user!I think you will find you have a lot more car in a 5 series than a three series.Once you get the shocks done it will be very nice.The commy may be a better car than most people expect but a 6 speed auto will make all the difference.Look at the acelleration for "overtaking"The beemer kills the commodore,and it will be the gearbox that makes the difference.

E46 M3s...,,. Getting to be common sighting in Wgtn was following M3 Toy yesterday ...in an e46 M3

I Finally got around to converting the 330i from an auto to 6 speed manual today.. - and it feels great! if anyone wants some help on the E46 conversion, happy to help. and FYI I used a M3 (S54) clutch and flywheel instead of the stupidly expensive 330 one with the built-in pilot bearing. I made an adaptor to use the 6speed type needle bearing to fit in the crank where the "normal" ball roller would go.. although this meant machining up an adaptor it was well worth it.. The cutch plate for the 6speed was also used - they are the same diameter and thickness as an M3 one so, fit in there just nicely, just the splines are different than an M3.. swapped the diff to the original spec 2.93 ratio removed the viscous fan and swapped out the aux fan etc to be as original manual config.. ----------------- this goes with the recent mods - changed out the std headlights for Bi-Xenons (huge improvement ) and upgraded to the Hi-Fi spec audio ( huge improvement too!) added TV function back, with a Tuner mod that allows digital Freeview reception and keeps the stock video module.