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They fitted some decent tyres, so at least they are ahead of your average 320i owner.

I think these are cool - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x5/listing/4791168661 Its been listed for a while - anyone know this one or have any background on it?

I think our neighbours had that when it was new. Sounded epic.

Exhaust should definitely fail a WOF. I'd be a little worried about what else they thought was a good idea given that exhaust...

Thanks Jon, I sent you a message. It sounds like the ones you have arent the ones im looking for. Here is a pic for refernece for anyone else that might have some hanging around..

Aside from the exhaust tips, Id say it is pretty tasteful. Those are an eyesore though and bit silly on a baby engine BMW.

With my cheap E87 130i came some codes. One of these being 2A99: Crankshaft - exhaust camshaft reference. This is nearly always the Vanos solenoid sticking or just being worn out. In my case it was a bit of both. Original solenoids most likely, even at 210,000kms. Very poor oil maintenance. I tried cleaning the factory ones a few times but eventually it would throw a code. The code always followed the one that was originally installed in the exhaust side. So I picked up 2 sets of cheap solenoids from spareto.com A Hella branded one @ 48.76eur each https://spareto.com/products/hella-control-valve-camshaft-adjustment/6nw-358-188-011 A Gates branded one @ 34.90eur each https://spareto.com/products/gates-control-valve-camshaft-adjustment/vvs177 The Gates one came in a generic white box with a small Gates sticker on it which put me off a bit. The Hella one came in a Hella colored yellow box that looked suspiciously cheap. Attempting to install the Hella one went wrong immediately. Due to the way it has been crimped it was slightly oversized. I removed the excess. It was still tight fitting. First drive had me turning back very quickly. A high pitched scream from the valve or Vanos (Lots of people refer to it as a Whistle, mine was a scream). Similar to a belt that was seriously slipping at higher RPM. This is actually a common fault for a failing Solenoid. Any load on the engine and there is no noise. Idle throttle and you will hear it. I had not opened the the Gates one yet but was surprised to find it resembled the BMW one far closer than the Hella one. The Hella one looked as well as it performed. sh*t. The Gates one has been in there for a few months now. Zero issues. Fitting was great. I am now curious as to how long the Gates ones will last. Apparently these are the factory ones without the BMW part number on them. https://spareto.com/products/pierburg-control-valve-camshaft-adjustment/7-06117-01-0 Conclusion: The Light company makes sh*t engine parts. The Belt company makes better ones. I will update when the Gates ones die. Some pictures.

Ouchy - 21" tyres for the X3 M40i - not cheap ... put on new WiperTech wipers - seem very good so far. Just chased up Zane re my E53 with the troubled transmission - been out there for some time. 🤔 Have rego on hold... Also (finally) done all the rest of the coils on the M5. Had very few bites on the F30 335i - not a wonderful time to be selling cars in Welly methinks.

You'll probably find the fuel line was replaced with none teflon coated lines. This is normally ok on the outside of the car, however if the line is close to some sort of inlet it can smell of fuel. I have the problem myself in the e30. But mines caused by a surge tank in the boot with fuel lines. If its this problem, the fuel isnt actually leaking so to speak, its just vapour permeating through the lines.

Was set at dollar reserve, went for that, and then quickly onto the fballs buy sell groups for $12.5k and sold again. And now here.