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OK works done and I can get back to the trip story. After getting settled at the overnight accommodation I emptied out the wagon and spent the next few hours cleaning the interior making sure that my daughter had not left any surprises behind. Knowing that we would be spending a couple of hours from 5am sitting in the line waiting for the ferry I made sure that the DVD's we had hunted down would play in the CIC unit - you would not believe how hard it was to find a place on the way that sold DVD's. As a BMW newb I found it both frustrating and ultimately rewarding in a "I beat your crazy German logic" once I managed to get the DVD's playing - I had forgotten just how long it took for most DVD units from that era to load / boot. But the relief of not having to deal with the "how much longer?" line from our daughter was almost worth the cost of the M5 (man math is great). Finally we got onboard and parked behind a sheep truck, something that totally bit me when I forgot that the moonroof was cracked and let the delightful smell invade the interior. Other than the brutal smell (and we have sheep so it's not some city boy complaining) we had bigger problems as the ride leveling system threw a code when we arrived in Wellington. So first major mechanical failure, compressor looks to be on the way out - or at least sounds it. After getting off the ferry and hunting through the online resources I concluded that we could proceed without issue as I could get air into the bags and the error was very intermittent. After spending a few hours in lovely Johnsonville at the mall carpark so I could take a meeting we spent what seemed like forever just getting out of Wellington. By now I was worried about getting home at a reasonable hour, which was great when I missed the turn towards Taupo and ended up miles off course, so well after sunset and on a road that I knew quite well between Whanganui and National Park I really started to push it. A few things immediately became apparent, the turn in for something of this size is fantastic, 6 - 8,000 rpm is like having a turbo come on boost and the sound of the rotors whistling makes it sound like a blower in action. The pad knockoff is pretty intense once things are up to temp, the Dunlops on the rear of the wagon are a 275/40/19 which makes for a tall sidewall which probably helped iron out a few of the bumps. I have never run Dunlops on anything, but these are pretty sticky in the wet which was great given the horrid conditions we were progressing through. At first glance it would appear that the S85 becomes more efficient when you are on it, the engine was certainly much happier and smoother after having been flexed on the way to National Park. On the final stretch out of the gorge I got stuck behind a couple of delightful individuals who I had earlier seen at a gas station, they looked like stand up (fall down) pot smokers who were slowly driving off with a trail of smoke and bumpers barely hanging on. After answering the age old question of why does anyone need 500hp to pass a Honda Civic, we stopped off at National Park and had in my opinion a well deserved steak. Then it was off for a final push to Auckland, as my wife had flown down we had to go all the way to airport to pick up her SUV and then back south again. That turned out to be great as the motorway was closed in both directions so we were diverted for what seemed like forever. I think I turned her off around 2am at home. So final thoughts, on this purchase: - Initially it felt very much like this was someone elses car that I was babysitting, but after some hard miles on it and building the confidence to use it I feel much more like it's mine. - I didn't buy this on impulse, I had been hunting for a few years for an E60 and had spent just as long researching how this was going to financially cripple me, that said I have built a career that allows me to have some toys in my life and I have chosen this path. I could have gone for a 911 Turbo, but that is a very selfish car when you have a family. - I am a firm believer in the "buy once cry once" mentality - and I have the T shirt to prove it many times over. So I paid a premium over an E60 - but then this is an E61 with all the boxes ticked. - There are lots of things that I could have bought instead, but as others have put it "they are not an E61 M5". - The car has been well maintained by its previous owners from the limited documentation that I have, although I do have the service records - but a stamp and signature in a book doesn't always tell the whole story. - I think that cars like this are a rare breed, and people who can afford to buy and maintain them should. These cars are dinosaurs, they are the last of an era of big displacement high rpm powerplants with unique drivelines. While many will argue that the E60 / E61 is not a classic or future classic I would like to have that conversation in 10 years when there are even less of them and we are all daily driving hydrogen bombs. I'm not anti the future of fuel efficient ecomentalist cars but I guarantee that I plant more trees on my property in an average summer than all of the current policy makers combined, so if I want to put some CO2 back in the form of V10 noise and a happy smile then I will. - I love the SMG, I think it makes for a unique drive where I have to think about what I'm doing with the throttle. Anyone that drives these and thinks that the SMG is the worst thing ever is totally entitled to that opinion. I was worried for all of 10 minutes that the SMG was going to be a pig, as dumb as it sounds I learned very quickly to drive it based on experiences with a horrid Ford gearbox that they put into the later gen Fiesta Zetec. While they are worlds apart in power, they can both be very stupid boxes until you work the throttle timing, and I know this is nothing new for most but this is my experience. - Last thing is that it works as an amazing family therapy tool, wife complains - press M, daughter moans - press M, need to get away from inlaws house fast - press M. As a family cruiser that you can do a holiday in the E61 has already proven itself, I didn't expect to make it home with a car that has been in hibernation for some time without some issues and they will get sorted out in the coming weeks. Cheers.

Took the 130 out last few days, as it wasn't raining, and totally forgot I hadn't put the cover back on airbox.. Can confirm, It sounds f**ken tits with no lid The howl in middle of rev range is addictive.

Regretfully, my e46 330i is now for sale. I have owned it since late January 2021. The vehicle does need work. I do not currently have the time or resources to restore it as I'd intended when I bought it, hence the reason for the sale. Located in Wellington. Details: NZ New M Sport 181,xxx kms (will increase) 4 owners excluding dealers Black Sapphire Metallic Automatic Pros: New Bridgestone RE003s on the rear at 173,419 km (and alignment) Cooling system renewal @ 176,xxx km (I can create a full list of components if desired - includes radiator, expansion tank, waterpump, fan, etc) New PCV valve kit @ 176,xxx km WOF until August 2022 and Registration til January 2022 New front brake discs and pads @ 181,xxx km Service just done at 181,790 km using Penrite HPR5 I have receipts for all of my work, and bits and pieces from previous owners. Cons: LF & RR wheels bent (although not picked up during WOF) Has stalled 2 times in my ownership (only), throws code for camshaft position sensor inlet Needs new power steering pulley Guibo/prop shaft donut starting to perish Air con blower motor slow - works perfectly but is a little noisy (unsure of root cause) Handbrake could be tightened a bit Main idler and tensioner bearings noisy Air intake top hose should be replaced Power steering and brake fluid dark Front seat belts slow to retract Needs new wheel bearing, though not urgently (left rear) Speakers should be replaced Right front window could do with a new regulator Cosmetic Issues: Needs new cup holder Missing fog light surrounds Sagging headliner (I would do pillars at the same time) Faded rear tray carpet Bit of a gouge in the interior of driver door Panels and paint are in above average condition considering age and mileage. There is a scratch on the outside and some stone chipping. I imagine a professional cut and polish would have it looking superb. While the cons does read like a long list, most of the issues are relatively simple and inexpensive fixes. All of the known issues have been listed above. You won't find any deceit here. Based on current values, and pros and cons of this example, I am asking for $5,500 firm. Between 80 and 90% of my mileage has been highway driving. I have run her exclusively on BP 98. Genuine BMW blue coolant used. Comprehensive renewal of the cooling system done. Questions welcome.

Hello there, I would like to know which work shop is recommend maintenance E46 M3 in Auckland My car may need to reinforcements the subframe. Cheers

I just like to check the subframe and if possible need reinforcement for this part

Depends what you want done. Had my RACP done with the complete topmount CMP subframe kit at @HELLBM recently and super happy, underside plates done there too but a few years ago. Might be a few shops around the place that do underside plates but Ray's guys have done a decent chunk of the M3's running around NZ and I think Sam is getting sick of doing them! Can't speak for where to go for other maintenance as I do everything else myself.

It MUST be registered (coded) to charge correctly

@m325i @M3_Power @Harper

We live in the countryside so getting anywhere is a bit of a drive, my wife and I agree that if we are going to be travelling in a car for hours at a time we want to enjoy what ever it is.

Hi are the seats tear or mark free and for a non airbag Car ? Definitely leather and not leather look ? Are you able to fit these with door cards to existing Z3 for my son to do color swap with existing tan color seats/door cards.

So the first night of having the car I noticed a vibration that I initially put down to needing the wheels balanced or possibly the tires being out of round as the car had stood for quite some time. First thing Saturday I got this checked over by Mag and Turbo, the tires while not in amazing condition from standing for months balanced up but did take a fair amount of weight. This unfortunately did not solve the vibration which was always present at motorway speeds, I pretty much had RSI in my wrist after the drive up just from that non stop vibration. The wagon will be heading in to BM Workshop to find out what is at the root of that issue. Other than the vibration the trip between Christchurch and Picton was uneventful ..... yeah right. About 20 minutes south of Kaikoura our 5 year old said she needed to go to the bathroom, so I asked her if she could wait just a little longer - silence..... followed by tears and breakfast now sitting in her lap. Luckily this all evacuated onto a blanket and not the interior. There was no where to stop that was not a blind corner, so I found a spot that was slightly less than a blind corner and did a road side cleanup effort. And for the shortest of times it wasn't hammering down with rain, but still got plenty wet and well frozen by the end of that little moment. Had lunch in Kaikoura and then headed to Picton, I had 5:30 meeting that I had to be on and everything was looking good until about 10 minutes out from Picton in very heavy rain junior played back lunch this time into a plastic container that I had picked up after the Kaikoura incident "just in case". So this time in the middle of a massive down pour my wife bailed out and sorted out our daughter while I let people know that I may be late due to some "issues". Anyway some more pic below: First night in Christchurch. Out at some country eatery in Christchurch. And before anyone says the car sickness came from the way I was driving, it came from my daughter gluing her eyeballs to nav map and reading everything back to us non stop - never looking out the window. Once that was gone from view she was back to normal, it just took a couple of events to work out what was happening.

Stab in the dark but is there anyone out there with a 2002 that wants to swap for an e21 323i manual ?

no it wasnt coded in... ive tested it running and when the lights etc come on the battery is charging at 18v so im thinking it voltage reg?

Thanks, Jon. How is your project coming along Will we see you out racing this season