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I bought a mobile table / bench to dump all my sanders and reno gear on so I could just move it from room to room. Always measure twice .....FFS!! it's 50mm wider than the doorways. So the shed gets another bench

Did another track day. This time mates came with me. As you can see, it was a bit wet on Saturday, so times weren't great. I drove around on my ACS wheels with lots of trend, and surprisingly didn't have many traction issues, which gave me some good confidence in the car. Came back on Sunday, and for the first time saw another E30 there at the same time as me. The weather fined up in the afternoon, and managed a 1:59 by the end of it, which wasn't too bad. Managed to burn some of the paint off the rims due to the heat. And then managed to get some H&R springs and install those. The car actually sits higher than with the Eibachs though, as I also replaced the front strut mounts at the same time. I clearly didn't bother to clean the car after the track day and before installing the new springs. I must say, I can see why everyone likes the H&R springs. They're firm enough to keep the car fairly level around corners, but not too harsh driving around town. I might swap to Koni's later on to get the damper adjustability, but until then happy with the Bilsteins.

Gosh, it's been a while since I've updated this. Not that much has really happened in a while to the E30 anyway I sold the Blue Ti I sold the E36 328i I installed some coilovers briefly thinking they'd give me better performance on the track. Drove around town. Hated them. Pulled them out the following day. They did sit nicely though. Lost a few door trim pieces (but have ordered some replacements) Did another track day, different wheels this time I can't recall why, but my times were great, but within the ballpark. No coolant puddles though, which was a bonus Then did a Motorkhana up in Pukekohe, which was great fun. And then got another set of wheels And then got my ACS wheels straightened and repainted. Stripped: After: There is quite a bit of dips in the paint, but that mostly seems to be due to them being powder coated previously

Lots of work but I am not really sure what the result is supposed to be. Just looks like a lot of stuck on parts that have been stuck on well. Personally I'd much rather see an OEM style V8 E30 swap, maybe with mods to make it like an M3.

Yeah the car itself is identical but the adblue system is horrible design and when it goes tits up, it's a shocker. Deleting it is the best way, not exactly legal anymore however

Got it back today finally - feels like a new car, as one would hope after the $5K plus bill. Tyres and alignment tomorrow 4 x Control arm bushes / 2 x front electronic adjustable shocks / spring pads and bump stops / Big old oil leak in rear of engine from cam chain cover / coil pack connectors / Brake fluid / Diff fluid / service. Oil leak and bushes (surprisingly) were covered through warranty so the shop went through replacing anything and everything they could while they were in there 👍 At least I have better leverage on the wife when the time comes to sink some coin into my BMW 🤣

The spec and asking price is a good indication of whether its minimal rust or a major rust bucket. I don’t think there is any E30 that is rust free unless we are talking about some 25k+ price tag.

No, facelift slicktop so ‘lower risk’ - apparently ‘no known rust’ for what that’s worth…

Fair enough, it certainly looks very tidy and will be a very nice modern car. I think you would have a better idea on preference after test driving both the x1 and the x3. for the similar or less money than the x1 you could get a very nice x3 35i with low kms but it will be an older year car like 2012~ There are some nice x3's for sale at the moment for 20-22k..

I am sometimes risk averse but after a couple of wines bought my E30, but I had seen it in the flesh and driven it. Also drove that red M Tech2 that went for $62k before settling in to bid with a wine in hand, then being greatly blown out of the water, made for entertainment at least. Reckon there’s enough Forum members around the country to go have a look for you, assume it is out of Auckland otherwise you’d be able to have a Level 3 “picnic” and view while socially distancing. I am not mechanically minded, but the experts here tell me they’re easy to work on if you are, so does it come down then to the “price v rust”? equation as if the body is sound and it’s cheap enough, does the mechanical stuff matter AS much? I can sell you a lovely 4 door 😉 but suspect you’re after a manual and a coupe, which I am now too. @Olaf and @_ethrty-Andy_ and @Ghost Chip what does your experience advise @Sammo?

Great service. Contacted Gavin by email, and contactless pick-up available from his store.

Fancy new LVV tag that is! Mine's a boring metal plate. Probably why cert costs have gone up so much.

First WoF in my ownership today; held breath for the whole thing, flew threw 😰. First time I had a look underneath properly and found source of occasional oil drip (loose oil filter / sump plug seal). No rust, breathing out!

@E28E30I believe it was. Here's a very old thread of it for sale back in 2011: Note the panels are all the same shade of red, all the factory options are still there. Classic wee car.

I've found a satisfying pastime. Go on Google reviews and find car parking companies who have incorrectly given you a ticket, then taken 3 months to tell you 'they aren't taking the matter further' without hint of an apology after you've written a letter, filled out their dispute forms, scanned bank statements, signed your privacy away, etc... 1 star.

Worked til 11 last night. Modifying exhaust to quiten and completing...again 6am till 8am to go for re inspection...

You may need to drill them out, some are spot welded in place and you can knock them out, others are moulded as part of the top mount and need drilling (mine did). Essentially that's the difference between a 1 minute job and a 5 minute job on each side, assuming you have a good drill and bit.

I would add I was cross shopping with an f30 wagon. They look cooler, but I struggled to find a good spec. Anyway, I assume you're not using this as a 'sports car' - it's a family/utility car. I think the X3 is actually more fun. It's still awesome to drive 7/10th, and the SUV height is novel and more fun I reckon. (Can't beat 'em, join 'em?). I keep asking Mrs what the fantasy upgrade is (Maccan, Ionic 5, Merc, SQ5 etc...) And she's just like 'new x3'. Which is not really that different. (unless CarPlay is an essential - which can be retrofitted). X3 35i is more (and can be) a mini X3 M more than the 335i /M3 in my opinion.

Best bang for buck for my E91, along side 8.5- 9.5 front/ rear wheels was the E92M3 TRW front torsion strut/ lower control arm upgrade. Once aligned, night and day difference to steering feel and corner turn in.

Sanded down the guide coat. Cut into some metal so 1 more primer run, sanded to 400 so I can seal this panel off with some black. Will be sanding to 600 on it before putting the actual color on. Just wanted a coat on to visualize and seal it off while I give it a bit of a clean up and disassemble. It's looking sharp.

Too soon? 😂

I definitely would like it more with black or grey/silver wheels over the gold/bronze. Also the taillights are ugly to me..

g240 is from a 320i , they used l-jetronic , so no crank sensor mounts/holes on bellhousing only 1985/1987 325i used that type but was a g 260 box ,

Awesome cars, rate them highly. the 35i N55 model is awesome, doesnt use as much petrol as you think. 10-11km/L from my experience. Usual N55 engine issue - charge pipe. But otherwise all good. keep up oil change intervals and should be fine. definitely get the Msport varient and stick with the pre LCI for best value cuz like nick said, the premium of $10-15k for the facelift is not worth it imo. I too would definitely buy again if I was in the market for a sporty suv.

I thought the post that has just been deleted was hilarious. Much want...

m20 early type old shifter mech

I got the 30d - been bulletproof. Family has N55 version. Sounds great, sucks gas. Both are grunty, but I think I prefer the diesel. The LCI (and LCI wheels) are nicer, but the premium is not worth it IMO. Would buy again....

I was keen on a 135i E82 and at the time I owned a 335i E92. My thoughts are that the E82 was more lively but also skittish in the comparison, unless you were on very smooth roads the E82 moved around noticeably more. I found the E82 had less ability to get the power down and was more tail happy, this may not be an issue in a 130i as there is a lot less power and torque to deal with. The E92 was more predictable and easier to drive fast. The E82 was fun but required more input and concentration. Steering wise there wasn't a noticeable difference with turn in being very similar, both had very positive turn in. My test area was Whiteman's Valley in Wellington and the Rimutaka's and in my experience NZ B roads, the fun ones to drive, are often not smooth and you do need some ability to deal with an irregular surface, as such I prefer 18's over 19s as a bit of sidewall (No run Flats) helps here.

Having owned multiple E91 325i and E87 130i all msport varients, I would say that the E91 definitely feels like a much heavier car with firmer/heavier steering. Non msport varients without the sports suspension usually makes the car feel a bit like a boat on corners under any kind of load but would say on normal roads its comfortable enough, especially if running 16/17" wheels. The 130's steering/suspension is definitely way more "hyper active and darty" as Jacko mentions above. A bit jumpy but I would put that down to the chassis and increased power.

Looked up the vin for your 130, its standard hydraulic steering not EPS or active, there is no Msport rack, in fact its very likely has the exact same rack as your E91 p/n 32106777464 Tyres / Alignment / bad spring/damper rates etc? I have a 330 and 130, and they are different cars. 130 is way more hyper active and darty, 330i feels more planted and sure footed.130 will leave the 330 for dead on corners and in a straight line.

140mm between top holes means its a m20 or m40 (120mm is m10 and m30 size) but m40 and m20 leanover at different angles you got better pics ? ,side view part number on ali shifter part

Personally, I really like the apparent quality of the workmanship in this build. And that timeless combination of 'small car, big engine' is quite enticing to me. Normally love flared guards too, but I do think on this car they have gone a little too far. I'm sad to admit that, for me anyway, the colour is simply too loud. I'm told it's a genuine BMW colour and that part atleast is fine. Everybody likes to be the centre of attention and be noticed, but this car kind of says "LOOK AT ME!!'' And for that reason -- I'm out.

They've changed it to $16k now, wild pricing

My house is next to entrance to a walkway, Level 4 results in a literal traffic jam of cars trying to find a park to go for a walk with 300 other people... its insane. Its like watching ants following each other. Lets hope vaccination rates improve, otherwise our hospitals are going to explode.

Im in Manurewa and in lockdown 1 I could go for a 10 minute walk near the botanic gardens without seeing a single car on the road and at night it was dead quiet. In the last days of this level 4 i would see over 150 cars driving past on this same walk and there is some pretty clear parties and gatherings. Im not at all surprised to see the continued spread in south auckland with my anecdotal experience.

Morons who don't seem to realise there is still a pandemic (just cos we're in L2) and go to the Blood & Cancer centre in a hospital and proceed to take their masks off whilst sitting in a waiting room with others (many of whom are very ill and at high risk, like me) talking sh*t - which I can assure can still be done whilst wearing a mask lol... and this was family members, not the person who was there for his chemo. Arrogant, insular, inconsiderate, morons. And I'm being very kind.

Ok so I may be new to BMW’s but I’m not new to the joys of European car ownership. I’ve enjoyed cars from all continents, including the US, Australia and Asia but the Euros are the ones that were the hardest ones to part with. Shout out to the DTM fans! And for the enduro fans, that’s my old twins. Go Corvette Racing!