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So after dailying the V8 and the V12, sanity of some form had to eventually occur. This has taken the form of a Rex i3, whether that’s sane or not, time will tell. 130ks between charge with the on board generator in case I have to run off somewhere. Was looking at everything from diesel to hybrid and at the end of the day decided to go full BEV. As I’ve got the 750 and 740 and the boss has a E550, this was always going to be a 50 - 90k a day city car so BEV ended up the best choice for us. I grin wildly gunning it so not sure I’ll get anywhere near 130ks ? The thing is like a premium go cart, can’t wait to get some ks under the belt and how this BEV journey goes.

It's brilliant. Such skinny wheels and uglier than any other BMW to date, also featuring odd coloured body panels... Good choice I reckon ? it's one of those cars that makes me laugh whenever I see one, like a Multipla or Vel Satis.

Try E30 M3 tax, that’s a whole nother level. The number of people that try and sell “genuine E30 M3 this, that or the other” for mega bucks and then get pissed when I point out it’s the same part as on every other E30 and can you can still buy them new for a fraction of the price!

Spotted a set of Lemforder subframe bushings on trademe for $50 and thought i couldn't afford not to install them. Don't usually bother with pullers but for $120 i thought id give this ebay one a go. I removed some burrs, gave the old ones a cold chizel to seat the puller, then added some heat, very easy removal with the install needed very little pressure with the old dish soap. Old bushings weren't bad but the rubber on the new ones was firmer, it seems has translated into a tighter rear end under quick steering input.

Thought i better attend to the last real pieces of preventative engine work. New coolant pipes under the manifold. They were the original ones which had done 290,000km, picture shows how they fail, they have 2 o-rings which helps and the rest of the pipe was fine. A chunk of plastic must of broke off one pipe, and when i flushed the system it made it's way into the heater valve which jammed one side open, unfortunately took a little nick out of the non replaceable housing seal but it still appears to work ok. BMW plastic truly is the a gift that keeps on giving. Re-did the vanos seals as it felt like they weren't performing like they used to and was getting low rpm surging in first gear. Along with an adaption reset and its much more responsive with extra torque, and easier to drive with less clutch required. Rebuilt the alternator with new bearings,slip ring and brushes for $50 in parts. The original brushes were on their on tip toes. A time consuming fiddly job but worth it compared to unknown 2nd hand one or worse, a dubious Chinese special that would cost hundreds.

They are what we used on all Euros unless they were still under new vehicle warranty

and a couple more 'glamour shots' At The Sound Shell, Napier. BMWCCNZ Show & Shine

Hey Team Small update for the M3 Long story short car was damaged from transport company during shipping awhile back, took abit to get them to admit it was their fault and to cover for some of the damage. So there was two option, throw money at the crack and possibly recrack again or fork out more to get the car taken back to factory. I decided to take back to factory as id hate to have money spent on a repair to have it crack again. Picked up car today from panel beaters but during inspection i noticed a big crack in the windscreen, as was like FML just got repair done now i have another issue, the shop said it was there when i dropped it off. So couldnt really do much but happy to have her back and looking nice with fresh paint job. Also had a friend go over to the U.S for a holiday whilst there i got this goodie sent to her hotel that she was staying at, Garagistic solid mount shifter for the m3. also did a while ago, removing as much carbon build up from the heads and pistons of the m60/m62 motor that will be going into the wagon. Thanks