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Hmm, couple of different ways you could go with this one……. The E39 chassis is a great platform, if you are prepared to deal with the usual E39 bits and bobs, this is coming from a past 530i touring, + current 540i m/sport owner. You could go the tricked up i6 or the relatively standard v8 option. Loads of performance options for the i6, however to wring more power out of the M62tu can be expensive, but your starting from a higher hp / torque level. I currently have a 1999 540i m/sport that I’m about to do the 6speed 420g conversion on (build post coming soon) + a few intake and software upgrades on. This will be more than enough enjoyment for me as a Sunday cruiser. as far as handling, I don’t think you would notice too much difference between a 530 v 540 on day-to-day driving, unless you like to drive on the raged edge day-to-day. Im too old for that sort of carry on, but the torque from the m62 is pretty intoxicating! As I’m sure the hp from a turbo i6 would be! If your after max power for minimal effort, go the 540👍 current project:

Buy a msport 530i and swap the manual bits into it. Not quite as fast as a 540i but way more reliable, better handling and you can use most of the parts from your 528i (540i mostly limited to interior, exterior and rear suspension parts from 528i). The average auto 540i is too much of a ticking timing bomb with timing chain guides, unreliable transmissions as well as the usual E39 issues. So unless its been owned by someone like @hqstu or someone who has thrown lots money at it, id probably avoid it.

https://www.wheelsmartrepaircentre.com/ These guys are great. Repaired my F80 wheel a few months back.

I’ve owned my 130i for almost a year and never knew about this thread until someone mentioned it to me in my fb post. I’ve just listed my 2007 130i on trademe. I won’t explain everything again cause it’s in the description of the listing. I will say here that the car is very tidy in my opinion and I’m only selling due to wanting a manual 130i. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-4682252838.htm

I'd be shocked if the first bill was only 4 figures.

For $35k, I’d want my silver car to be silver, the gear knob to be put on properly and the model badge on the right side. For starters.

Fair point, there was a few years gap between ownership of the 6cyl and v8, so a little difficult to make a comparison. As mentioned, the v8 would be my pick if the bulk of your driving is open road stuff and/or if it’s a “Sunday driver” car. This is what I use mine as and I think it suits the application well. Stick with the 6cyl if it’s a daily driver IMO.

Owned both in manual and auto form and you certainly feel the added weight of the V8, plus steering rack vs box makes a big difference in feel, hard not to notice that. The auto 540i is probably near 200kg heavier than a manual 6 cyl depending on options. 540i is great on the open road when you need passing power but mostly wasted if you doing typical Auckland driving. A M54 in good running condition with working vanos has great torque for a old 3L.

2 white tourings in one day 👀 Pricing on the 318 might be a tad optimistic. Both look juicy tho. 1989 325i Touring 1988 318i Touring

Got the Simple Green and then the Aerospace 303 out to clean up the plastics I'll not see for another 180xxx km. Back on the ground for a couple of days before my airfreight arrives 👀

Never. Wasn't getting enough people on fb market place asking if it's still available so I dropped asking to $7200

Not cheap - realistic

If there's a market for it then all power to them I guess. Personally, I find it hard to "support local" knowing that there was zero value added to the original product by the entity taking your money when you can get the exact thing from elsewhere for 1/3 of the price. I'd rather support businesses that, you know, do something.

Interesting, didn't see that as an option on there when searching by part number. Oh well. I've ordered a Hella unit, will see how it goes. Not too fussed with replacement as I've figured out a way to get to it from underneath without having to take the intake out so not that much of a hassle. Before ordering it I called up BM Parts to see what they stock locally, got offered the same Hella unit for $420+GST. From Spareto it's €76+30 shipping so all up $480 vs $190. Bonkers how we're getting shafted over here left & right

$20k, damn, almost had a flutter last minute with the E30 resto fund 😬

What BDS is doing is interesting, 300bhp, faceballs reel thing - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1417224932251571

CDV delete and new trans fluid today, easy job aside from rounding off the stupid plastic bleed screw a little..grrr What a difference !! Clutch action is just 100 times better, shifts butter smooth, what were BMW thinking with this. Interesting that my car was owned by an enthusiast without deleting it, crazy

100% this, just trying to re-iterate the myths about imports to make his car look better. Imports got a bad name when the less scrupulous dealers used to wind them back to get more $$s and then they had issues. Not a problem with a recent M car that would have all the servicing data in the iDrive. There are not a huge number of recent imports of newish cars, due to exhange rates and increased transport costs, so not massive numbers around now as there might have been in the past. Just look out for the Aussie imports that were hail damaged, other than that treat each car on its own condition and specs.