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Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, and new to BMW ownership. Just bought a 2008 130i (not sure if anyone knows this one?). Looking forward to putting some kms on it, and advise from yourselves on what to do, not to do, and who is best to do in Wellington region Murray

Same. If you get sick of the way the paddles work hit me up, you can rewire them and even change the paddles themselves if you want.

They are cheap for a reason. Along with the E65 they are a big step up in complexity and expense compared to the previous generation E39 & E38. Id wager low k examples (mainly imports) are generally worse because they are likely still using most of the original factory fitted parts, you also dont know what conditions that mileage was done under either. Mileage aside you have budget in repairs because they are all older cars now and very few people spend money on maintaining them properly due to cost etc. Service\maintenance history trumps all.

Yeah you really have to follow the procedure. Two steps. Initial fill. Then start and whilst running fill again. If left too long and shudder gets bad you may have damage to the torque converter. Mines not great but the shudder stopped.

Welcome @Murray2023 and congrats on the 130i!

Mine had been serviced and had about 4L of oil missing. It's still going with no issues. Just be weary if you get a shudder. It's probably low on fluid because it was filled incorrectly.

My mate picked one up for fairly cheap a bit over a year ago, also an early 2005 model. His first ever BMW and has been cursing it ever since. In the time he's had it, in addition to working on it himself, he's had it in at BM Workshop nearly every month for stuff he couldn't figure out and has spent multiples of what he originally paid for it in repairs. Vanos issues, some electronic airflow flap (not sure what it is on the N52, looked like an equivalent of a DISA flap from an M54) had completely fallen apart, constant check engine lights for emissions codes, airbag lights and annoying me chimes, sunroof leaking and so on. To top it off the fuel pump gave up one day and left him stranded. His did have around 120-130k km's but with age I think they'll all start having issues regardless of km's. Another mate with a 525i started having issues with the rear air suspension leaking and the compressor giving out as well. You'll definitely have a better time of it if you're hands on but replacement parts are noticeably more expensive than the older counterparts and the added complexity doesn't help either.

@Danch - you were looking for a manual 130, this is a good one IMO.

Yes that was a great day Peter 👍

While this thread's been dug back up @*Glenn* - here's a cool memory of my questionably styled Hellrot facing off against your NZ first Ti + M52B28 conversion (don't quote me on that) down Meremere. From memory, we faced off twice and had similar trap times and what a bloody good day it was. And another of you, @BM WORLD and I having a chinwag. Loved that 535i Brent! Good times.

Welcome Murray and that looks like a nice example. Don't be a stranger to the 130i thread...

Cost? Insured? Location?

Theres been four rolling sedans for sale the past 24hours, is there something going on we dont know about?!

Just noticed this '90 325i conv. auto on the Munich Legends site for NZ$70k equiv !! They're known for high asking prices but the stock is usually good quality. Mileage isn't low for a top-money collectable. Is this a wider UK price trend for good E30s ? Maybe I'll head out to the shed and give mine a polish 😊 https://munichlegends.co.uk/item/bmw-e30-325i-convertible-73340/

Christmas came early Already have a CSL airbox on my car but its the old V1 Geoff Steel box, so decided to bite the bullet and get the karbonius. The newer Geoff Steel box is okay and fine functionally but I wanted the best which seems to be karb by a long shot, snorkel piece is still on the way, won't arrive until next year. Cannot believe the quality of this thing. Everyone says they are perfect but photos don't do them justice, they are insane. Can't find a single imperfection in the weave or clear coat. Feels like it doesn't even belong on my old M3, looks like it belongs on a Ferrari with the quality of the carbon. Not a cheap exercise though... Ouch. Car got a much needed wash today too, still cleans up okay. Plans for the car next year as of now are: Brake upgrade - leaning towards 996 brakes all round, mostly cause I will enjoy the project of rebuilding them/painting them etc Diff rebuild - Racing diffs has an interesting option which replaces the clutches and has a preload bevel washer to make the diff behave more like a mechanical diff and I've never rebuilt a diff so I think it would be fun. Solid subframe bushings - I'd do this as the same time while the rear subframe is down. CMP auto engineering out of Aus have nicely made solid bushings that correct the roll center from the car being lower, at the same time would do a bit of a rear end bushing refresh, replace all ball joints and rubber. Considering getting a set of CMP's monoball RTA bushes as well. MK60 ABS conversion - This is pretty unlikely to happen since it's a big job and perhaps beyond my skillset with the amount of wiring involved but it's something I'd like to eventually tackle.