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More observations; The rear plate and puddle lights (door handles) are LED's, I don't think they came like that (in 2008 anyway). Angel eyes have been upgraded to (very bright) white LED's also, looks heaps better than stock. Interior LED lighting set is on the way from eBay so everything matches. The stubby aerial is actually aftermarket and has a carbon fibre tube... looks naff up close, will replace with stock. A few hundred km's over the last few days and I'm still smitten, everyone should own one of these at least once. Some comments on the Avin once I've recovered from NYE...

Agreed! Should do a thread @hunter ?

As requested by some of you a stand alone projectthread for my E39 530i - this will stop me spamming the WDYDTYC thread lol Backstory - April 2019 I decided to look fo an E39, 530i to replace my mint E46 320i, the E46 had served me very well for 9 years, i had modded it to the end of my wishlist and after a BME Club trip to Tokaanu with a 3 year and 5week old, my theory about needing a bigger sedan with the arrival of Bodhi, was proven correct. upon my return home - the search began. After looking at a few as "do ups" i decided as mint as i could get for 7k ish was the way to go. I wont go too deep into the unicorn i let go the previous year, as it still burns me - and was recently sold again - a mint individual grey 530i, nz New, with color matched interior stitiching. After some further searching and a well timed post on the BMW Car Club NZ Facebook page a local example was coming up for sale, a couple of views, a test drive and it was mine. it was mint enough for the 6k price tag including a full service history, with a few things needed doing to fit my desire for a "Project " Since picking the car up in April i have done (all in the WDYDTYC thread) some optional other maintenance / replacement of worn parts - brakes rotors and pads -recon ABS pump & booster - GROM Bluetooth adapter - refurbished parcel shelf and installed child seat anchors -new rear suspension links, top hats, spring pads etc to even the rise height out -panel beating to the drivers side frot shock tower (under bonnet) to straighten it out -new "Pork chops" to replace smashed ones incl dnew hardwas for the centre undertray also ( this cobined with other wrok makes me think the car was nose dived at some stage or repeately abused leaving an angled driveway - new arm rest inserts and handle - Bavsound speaker upgrade (awesome) - tinted windows -Replaced front and rear windows gaskets - made hard in the front by a misalinged windscreen and lots of glue used by whomeeer did that job - spark plug change -gear box flush - oil change and all filters, cabin etc... - new camshaft intake angle sensor - 2nd hand mint drivers side auto dimm mirror - paint correction at Auto Niche, Hamilton - claybar and degrease wheels - replaced center caps in wheels Future works - 2003 sterring wheel with multifunction and paddle shift ( in the garage just need ot sort install) - refurb the style 42s - new passenager mirror or great 2nd hand one - fix rip in drivers seat side bolster ( on the look out for material from good condition m psort rear seat) - new windscreen cowel - newA pillar trims (middle clipswere borken whe nwindscreen replaced, i beleive) Any further updates will be sposted here in due corse Cheers the old E46 The new to me E39

Third time lucky.... After adventures with my E81( 2 door) 130i and my parts car E87 130i, I've now bought a Manual E87 M-Sport 130i! So far I've given it a thorough clean and a good drive around the Wellington hills, very happy with my purchase. Both photos from the sale listing. Its a Jap import that's been in the country since 2015, and I've got a folder full of extensive service history since then including major bits replaced like DISA valves, valvetronic, and waterpump. Car has been converted to NZ Navigation and is a high spec example from factory with black leather seats/silver trim/Idrive/Heated seats etc. Exterior is in exceptional condition bumper aside, interior is also quite nice. It has several mods: Ohlins Adjustable Suspension Works Emotion D9R 18" wheels BMW Performance rear spoiler Tints all round BMW roof racks Rear Wiper Delete Exhaust flap removed "eyebrows" As part of the purchase it had the PCV and relevant pipes replaced and MAF sensor changed after being picked up as a fault in a pre-purchase check. Outstanding issues with it include headliner sagging in the rear and front bumper damage from being backed into near the license plate. Will be fixing headlining shortly. I have had a go at cleaning paint marks off the front bumper somewhat successfully and the actual damage isn't obvious or structural. Will likely get it fixed but not a rush job. Otherwise car is in fantastic nick and drives beautifully. I'm planning to remove the eyebrows and BMW Roof racks asap, will need to find some roof rack covers for the roof. I also have a SuperSprint exhaust backbox to fit on. Think I'll replace the kidneys if/when I get the front bumper fixed as they're painted black. Big decision for me will be about the wheels, didn't originally like them but they're growing on me. They're quite special being 5x120 and relatively rare. I do like the 18" M-sport factory wheels which I have on my 4 door. Have been really enjoying the drive compared to my suspension modded E81, and stock E87 130i. Both which will be for sale now or shortly. Manual makes a big difference in the drive and feels like a bit more power is available. Adjustable suspension is a tremendous ride. So a very happy camper who finally got his manual 130i

Check out the documented history folder. Been very well loved too.

Not a bad result Soaked in kero for a few hours - loosened up big bits with screw driver / pick - brake cleaner and scotch brite to get the final bits off Found a new use for my paint gun spraying in there to blow out the liquid, i look like i've been stuck in a chimney for weeks now

Bumping...... Xmas is over so if Santa didn’t bring you anything you wanted, how about treating yourself to this?

Good morning all, I found this forum looking for a reputable BMW mechanic in the Wellington area. I was pleased to find out that Page European come highly recommend because I used them just last week to replace a slit coolant hose on my 2011 X3 28i N52B30. As this is my first BMW, I have been watching some YouTube videos and doing all sorts of research on my model. The last video I watched was about “9 parts that will fail on a 100k+ mile BMW n52” ... and that’s why I decided to start looking for a reputable mechanic before I’m in a rush. I love my “old but new to me” X3 and want it to last me a long time. So I’m happy to service it at a dealership but I also know that not all dealerships are reputable. Sometimes the independent guys are actually better as well as more affordable. Looking forward to my journey with BMW and relying on this forum for additional advice ... questions on RaceChip vs Dyno to follow ??? hahaha Have a great New Year as we all head into 2020

Keep in kind with excessive carbon build up you may have poor valve sealing so be prepared to do an oil change after and let it crank a bit before firing. Direct injection is a total pain in the arse.

it is a nice example! More info on individual details here: https://bimmercat.com/bmw/en/vin/decoder/ET82727/en Yes it is Atlantis Metallic And with M3 door mirrors, plus door handles & sills in body colour - along with instruments with chrome surrounds... And fine wood trim - birch anthracite - now wrapped in a carbon finish by the looks of things.

Ordered some Re003s for the car today, managed to get onto a deal which was nice. 235/40/18s, the rears were dead on the car when purchased which I factored into the offer/purchase price to cover a new set. Also jacked up some touch up paint for the wheels, ordered a Bluetooth receiver for the stereo and sorted out a tool for the roof racks. Will take some photos of the car in a couple weeks when it's all tidied up.

@hunter I think your E39 needs its own thread...

Replaced the mo money mo problems busted liquid crystal drivers side electric auto dimming mirror with a ridiculously good one from @BozzaFC Still on the hunt for an equally good second hand one for passenger side too. Learnt They are interchangeable but it means the wires have to go around the other way on the back and the locking tab switch moves from bottom to top if charging sides.

Bloody vultures.

Rose Cars will just relist +10k

if i am buying something on trademe i ussually auto bid I just put in my maximum and let it be....

Welcome, Lance. I firmly recommend Jon at Auto38, in Newtown.

Frivolous for sure... but hey, it's the festive season... And yes, I'm sure 99% of people will ask if I "won" it...

Hi all, I'm Nigel & have a 2002 E46 M3 cabrio with supercharger, upgraded suspension & interior. I've had this since 2016 and it's my second BM after a 735iL a few years ago. Super happy with it, but am looking to have it converted from SMG to manual. Does anyone know a good workshop in the Auckland area who have done this before? Cheers!!

I wonder if the newer 135i paddles are a direct swap with yours.. I'll be upgrading to f80 paddles shortly so might be an option for you?

lol this thing is fun, even the auto box is a delight in sport mode. The car is way quicker than I imagined it would be and it has hydraulic rather than electric power steering, bonus. The seats and suspension probably feel better than my M3. ? I played with all the settings that mapped across from my '08 coupe manual and have set it up how I like. Tilt might need some inspection on the driver's seat, it clicks but then does nothing but the current position is okay for now. It has privacy glass too. I'm impressed that the radio preset buttons are capacitive touch buttons as well as proper buttons, that's cool. Not enough pockets and no coin storage, that's a bummer. I could use the cup holder for coins but it's not ideal and there seems to be no OEM solution. I washed it by hand today and exposed all the imperfections and there are many. Looks great from a few metres out but not so good on close inspection. I knew this going in though and I'm not at all concerned with what I see. I'll probably pay for a good cut and polish in due course and see where we go from there. More pics... These must go... These can stay... 100% happy so far.

And if you do want coupe cards I have a bunch without inserts. None perfect but most are serviceable.