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I decided to empty out my spastic car collection about a month ago, getting rid of my S8, S6 and GTB E-Tune. All three cars were interesting but the S8 was the only one I really liked, largely due to how insanely engineered it was, and of course the V10 thunder it produced. All three were automatics so were quite plain to drive. Since I have my E34 540i which is also automatic, the others had to go (insurance was also an absolute fortune, $6K a year for the three I sold which is rather unsustainable lol). My initial plan was to somewhat detox from the high power, yet largely mundane automatic sedans and get something quite the opposite that would complement my 540i. What I really wanted was a manual Z3, especially after coming across the photos of my Grandfather's manual 2.2 Z3 he had in the early 2000s. I was thinking; manual, light, roof down, straight six, hmmm that sounds like a-lot of fun. In the depths of Facebook marketplace I found a rougher manual 2.0L Z3 for sale about 15 minutes from my house. The car looked like it had solid bones and was just suffering from some cosmetic flaws like clear coat peel on the boot-lid, missing interior trim, typical Z3 split seats etc which are easily rectifiable. Went and looked at it and was pretty put off not only by its condition in person, but also the way it drove. To be fair, I think that car specifically was just a bit of an underpowered dog that really, really needed some decent mechanical work done. Even the alignment was horrific, and was one of many things the owner hadn't "bothered" to sort. Feeling a bit disappointed I returned to trademe. I randomly decided to do a random search of a minimum 3.5L engine capacity and a manual transmission. I scroll through the various clapped Commodores when I stumble across a W8 Passat. I roll my eyes, here's another clown who has listed their W8 Passat Auto as a manual. (It's important to note: when I was younger I was fanatical about the W8 Passats. I have no idea why. I would always have a look at them for sale every few months but had only ever seen one manual one) I open the listing expecting to see people grilling the seller in the comments for listing it incorrectly. The first comment read something along the lines of "Can I please come view, I have an Automatic one, have been looking for a manual". I immediately go look at the photos. I scroll through the 3 photos of the car and see it is in-fact the super rare 6 speed manual. That's very cool I thought. I texted the seller to ask some questions and for some more photos. I got a response but never got sent any photos. I then couldn't find it on trademe so just assumed someone else had snagged it. Fast forward 3 weeks and I get a random text one morning asking if I'm still interested in the Passat. I replied and the seller sent me a walk around video of the car. He then filmed a short video of him driving it. As soon as I heard the W8 rumble I was very, very interested. I texted him heaps of questions (as W8s are not quite known for their reliability) and after a couple days made him a sight un-seen offer I thought was fair. We made a deal and I flew down to Wellington yesterday to go get it. The day started out a little less than ideal. About 2 minutes into the test drive I go to put the car in neutral from 2nd gear as we pull up to some lights and it shifted funny. I then go to release the clutch and the clutch is still sitting on the floor. Oh sh#$. We push the car to the side of the road where we see it dripping some fluids. Without a clutch we weren't going far. The owner and I decided the best thing to do would be to try drive the car to his workshop as it seemed some kind of line or hose had popped off. We push the car down the street in neutral and then jam it in second and set off to Lower Hutt. We get the car on a hoist and indeed a hose connected to the clutch master cylinder had disconnected thanks to a clip that had somehow wiggled its way back. The seller got everything connected up and then we bled the clutch so we could do test drive attempt 2. Car did well on the test drive, and although my confidence wasn't particularly high, I knew I probably wouldn't find another car like it for the price, so I bought it anyway. I then began the journey home trying to make as few shifts as possible incase a similar thing happened again. I cruised mostly in 5th as I could go through towns and on the open road in the same gear. Everything was going smoothly until I realised I hadn't been listening to the GPS and was in Whanganui. I started driving State Highway 4 out of Whanganui which I found to be an amazing road that was nice and twisty! It's just not that enjoyable when you have no phone service and you are petrified you are going to have no clutch because of all the gear changes you are making to go around the hairpins! The car however continued to do really well and eventually I made it home. Was really impressed by how comfy and quiet it was at higher speeds, despite the car having some decent exhaust work done to it. The steering has a good weight to it and the car handles nicely. Not sure how many people will be interested in it but thought I would do a little write up and post a few photos. Its a car many people forget but I think its quite cool. Factory recaros, factory BBS wheels, unique engine and a 6 speed manual! From what I can find out online, I think my car may be 1 of 4 W8 Manuals left in NZ. It needs a really decent detail which I will hopefully start in the next few days. Only posting a few photos as the car is looking a bit grubby at the moment.

14 March 2022. 186844kms Today's the fifth anniversary of acquiring the 545i. Yesterday I gave it a thorough wash and dry, and took it up into the hills for some for-sale shots. Remaining tasks: underbonnet detailing, interior clean and detail.

I've Owned this car April 21 and its never has a wash, to be fair for most of that time its been sitting outside on axels stands under a car cover or in the garage with no engine / drive train. Anyway.. yesterday was a pretty good day in CHC so took the opportunity to give the exterior a bit of a tidy up. It still has a long way to go.. a few dings and scrapes but definitely a lot better than it was. My goal is to have this car in the panel & paint shop to fix up its imperfections and full respray in the next 2/3 months / over winter. After the giving her a good old wash, I remembered that last time I drove her the steering was way off, so as I was feeling motivated it was time for a backyard wheel alignment. I was never going to get this perfect but at least now at a glance the front wheels appear to point in the same direction. One day (probably after panel & paint) she'll get a proper wheel alignment but for now my best effort will have to do After all that took her down the end of the street (very gingerly) for the 1st test drive since installing the manual gearbox and m20b25, the car felt great.. cant wait until its all legal and road worthy and take her for a proper drive! Very quick photoshoot while I was out

I saw a V10 TDI Phaeton a while ago for 7.5K. So tempting… also so much to go wrong but yolo I guess 🤣

Sadly my wife never warmed to the 530i, probably a bit big for her so its up for sale. Those in the know will realise its Kyu's fathers car. It has 173k on the clock and is pretty tidy apart from a few scuff and chips. The interior is super tidy and everything seems to work well. The reversing camera was replaced but it has not been hooked up yet. Since we have owned it its only done about 3k. I replaced the battery and most importantly I replaced the water pump and thermostat. It has factory Bluetooth, sunroof (drains replaced), new Xenon bulbs. Pretty nicely specced from the factory. Tires are good, continentals up front. Any questions ask away, has been owned by 2 Bimmersport people and certainly cared for plus its a Touring so extra nice . Asking $8k

@Sammo It is nice having both, I spend a lot of time in the garage staring at the 2 I have 3 BMW's at the moment but my end goal is to sell one of the e30's and the e92 335i and buy an M3.

Damn, a Tech 1 and a Tech 2 #goals

Brembo the world.

Economy was pretty average. My 540i I have had as low as 9.8L/100km which I thought was pretty decent considering its done almost 400,000km. I was hoping to get under 10L/100km but the lowest I got was 10.5L/100km according to the car. The car has a few quirks and features being an early 2000s VAG product. One of its nice features is the fuel gauge doesn't work so the fear of running out of petrol was also on my mind 😂 I didn't fill it up completely in Wellington as I was hoping to score some cheaper 95, but it was around $3.40 the whole way up so I didn't get a chance to work the fuel economy out myself as I was hanging out for some cheap fuel the whole way up but I didn't find any. Been driving it round today and the economy has jumped up to 15.5L/100km, and its probably going to get worse because I'm addicted to how it sounds lol

This is the key for the 30d/35d engines. They aren't amazingly frugal if you compare to something like the 1.4TSI in the VW Golf, but you can cane them in big cars and still see single figure L/100k figures, if you did that to a V8 you might be looking at double the consumption

3 rare Z3's in N.Z. Palmetto (green) 2.8L, 1 of 2 Palmetto Z3's known in N.Z. Siena (red) 3.0L, 1 of 4 Siena Z3's known in N.Z. Mora Edition (purple) 2.0L, 1 of 1 Mora editions in N.Z.

Really cool engines though. Sound like a cross between a V8 and a raspy VR6.

I looked at a dark coloured one (black?) years ago, think you’re right, 1/4. Got scared off by the reputation, can’t remember the list of potential problems, but it wasn’t short or cheap. But as above, you only live once, enjoy.

Yep, @Jacko's is a pretty smart example, having driven it myself it's real tight and doesn't feel or sound untoward in any way, easily a comfortable daily. I can also vouch for Super Pro, that's what I've used in the M3. With even my horsepower (~280) an LSD makes a huge difference, with your (potential) horsepower I'd say an LSD is essential, it will turn your car into another experience altogether. I have to be pretty silly with my right foot to induce any oversteer with a proper diff, whereas even gradual right turns from a red light in the modestly damp leans on the electronics without a LSD, and that's just robbing you of power. Expensive sure, but worth every penny. As for the spring rates, give the guys at Raceline (Autolign) at call for some advice, they're some of the best in the business and know their stuff. 14k front seems like a lot to me for a RWD 1er with near 50:50 weight distribution, I don't have any unreasonable (nose) dive, even under extreme braking, with 8k but I'm no expert.

My whole 130 is polybushed (superpro is what id recommend, they actually fit...)... I did it in my carport, build thread with pics on here. I dont mind the NVH at all. Its not a small job to do and seems less bandaidy than inserts. It sounds like your bushes are totally f**ked in saying that, so inserts probably not a good idea.

Haha i did the same thing driving a E34 540i back from Christchurch. It wasn't that fun either with many k's of 30kph limited unsealed roads, traffic lights and 12am in the morning.

BMW NZ… an odd-shaped 3?

I like it!

@Sammo once the e46 gets back into my hands it may get a little suspension refresh - it's been about 9 years since I did Meyle HD LCAs, all the bushes etc and Sachs OE shocks. I then went to the fatter ARBs and the Style 194s staggered. Makes it pretty flat. I may go for Konis and Msport springs. Orientblau, too - the best non-///M colour in e46landia, IMHO! PS - should expand on my 'thanks' icon above. Very nice of you to say, mate. Arrived there more by serendipity than a grand plan. I just enjoy the e46 Touring too much, despite it being just an M54B25.

Dropping the subframe isn't that much work, same basic process on most BMW's. If you installing poly bushings you likely could heat up and knock or use a puller to remove the old ones out and press the new ones in by hand. Bushing can be done with or without dropping the frame.

Interesting, the swaying could of course be shot bushes and if that's the case inserts won't do much, I'd give them a visual inspection first and shove a screwdriver or other lever in them and give it a wiggle around. My suspension is a JDM custom setup by Orange Wolf with Eibach springs (F: 8kg, R: 10kg), it's high quality and the ride is sublime. Inserts are an easy DIY. Put a jack under the diff, loosen off the bolts but keep them all engaged and then, one-by-one, remove a bolt, lower the jack enough, install inserts, jack back up, insert bolt (keep it loose), move to next bolt, repeat x4. You may need a pry bar to lever the subframe down a little at each corner, it stiffens up as you go around so by the time you get the last one it could be tight. Do the front two, then the rear two IIRC for easiest access. Took me well under an hour (~40 mins) including getting the car up and down. I have Nolathane inserts but I think Super Pro are a smidgen cheaper and just as good.

I put insets in my E87 with coilovers, to be honest I didn't notice much difference but then my suspension is pretty well sorted and designed for the vehicle. Many of the UK owners swear by them though and they're a lot less expensive than a full bushing kit and trivial to install whereas new bushings is a subframe out job so much more involved. For the sake of ~$120 I'd go for the inserts, if they don't work you'll know soon enough and you could sell them as nearly new when you installed new bushings. But I'm not sure you should be using bushings to compensate for unsuitable springs, can you exchange them?

Saw that on TM, it was even on my watchlist but even with my car history im not that brave/foolish. IIRC it had receipts for some major work done?

That's very unique and really cool. Reminds me of a baby phaeton, especially with that engine. Stupidly really want a high spec phaeton...

Damn @Olaf you have my sensible dream garage - F25 / E46 runabout and a Lachs E30 2 door 👌

You only live once

The sales patter in the listing is very familiar, so I think it’s the same seller. Showing that it’s met reserve at $7.5k which could be a good buy. Looking at the photos it might not need much to get it through a WoF.

Wow Kees @Kees that’s looking good, thank you for the story too, good read I have done that highway the other way, also picking up a new-to-me car in Auckland and driving it back to Wellington. I missed the turnoff to the central plateau and ended up doing that long way too! Ha know the feeling. How was economy, not bad?

Looks fantastic! Still love the aesthetic of the E60. Churton Park hills again?

Spotted an iX (black on black on black) heading south on SH1 this morning. Didn't look quite as awful as the photos of the white ones I've seen...I guess people say black is slimming🤪

More badges please 🙂

I solved my problem with fuel prices... I bought this: Makes our 2.0 and 3.2 Tourans look positively frugal! Even with their consumption combined🤣

It's an F25 so hopefully wouldn't see me incur the spoon-up-bum wrath of Mr Doogle... I do like the idea of that. I'm trying to persuade my boss that he wants to part ways with his X5 3.0D, but he quite fairly says - what would he get to replace it that won't cost $Big? Edit: Ah. Slight fiduciary issue in the purchasing department where a 3.0D X3 is concerned...

Few more little things ticked off the list. serpentine belt tensioner pulley replaced. Old one looked a bit wobbly and since the other one had gone dry figured might be worth doing it preventatively. Replaced the o ring in the power steering reservoir and it’s been dry for over a week now. New tailgate struts. Little thing but now the boot Swings open. What a luxury. Before it was going 3/4 so wasn’t awful but one of those things that makes your car feel old. I have been driving it pretty softly with these expensive gas prices but it has enough torque that it plods around quite effortlessly.

Cant wait until the 118i Alpina Edition comes out....

The spare tyre cover also falls through when you put a toolbox in the boot to do remote servicing on a rally. Quite poor.

My mate spotted my old coupe up in the North Island. I rather wish he hadn't... What the actual f**k are those wheels!?

That's a stunning E46

M3 and 530i on my buggy walk this arvo 🤤

@adro that's great good to know about brake test, I've recently rebuilt my calipers and installed braided lines that comply to NZ standards. I might have to take it out and do a brake test myself, hopefully I should be OK.. I'm pretty happy with my brakes and how they perform. Defiantly understand re the WoF anxiety.. I've always wondered why no questions have ever been asked.. maybe just got lucky. @Olaf I have another e30 (318) that I've repowered with m20b25 so will need to go through cert with that car at some stage (next year after paint and panel). Re the purple tag swap.. I should invest in a Barina linkage, from what I've read my current setup (guibo delete) may not be fit for purpose. I had seen the UK kit but yes, it was very expensive for what it is. For my lines I approached a mobile hydraulic van (ENZED) guy in a car park, he was having his lunch.. told him what I needed done. He was at my house the next day and did the job for $200 cash all up - I was pretty happy with that. Rather than the local bakery, I'd be going to the local pub for a stiff drink to calm my nerves 😁 So from here I'm going to look around at what certifiers we have here in Christchurch, hopefully I can find one that has experience with older BMW's. This leads to my next question, anyone know a CHC certifier that they have used for there e30? Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Date: 11 Mar 2022 Distance: 263504 kms 1. Knobbing Gift time. I’ve scored an m-tech gear knob and shift badge, to match the wheel and provide a nicer tactile experience. FWIW, the ///M badge was nearly 20% cheaper so I bought it. Feels great, looks good too. Now for some Elephant Leather Preservative. 2. Driving, errands. Took it for another drive, remembered to run the heater hot, and exercise the heater tap while warm. Counter-intuitive on a hot autumn day, but essential to keep coolant flowing in a car that's had very light use for the last year.

It's heading that way... and it's loved every km...

E9 3.0 CS going south on SH1 this morning. 👌🏽 Was running late for work so couldn’t get a plate, otherwise I would’ve followed you until we parted ways.

Pretty cool time lapse of the old V12 going together on BMW Classic insta today..

Suspect the 'BMW743' plate might be available shortly 🙃