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Meanwhile...

Definitely consider the CANTCU route if you're intending to use the vehicle as a road car / daily.

Some of you may remember a "cheap" 540iS popping up on Marketplace in circa 2021. It was this car, with awful paint fade. Listing: https://www.facebook.com/share/14bXNXGGjh/ Everyone was after this car, including me, so I know it sold for a fair bit more than the asking price. This guy bought it and had it repainted along with the wheels being refurbed. I'm not sure how much mechanical work was done. I have seen the car in person and met the owner. From memory (don't quote me on this though) he told me the paint job was to the tune of about $20K. It is a nice, professional job overall, but I noted small amounts of overspray on door handles gaskets etc, and there was some orange peel as well (which made me think it either cost less, or he got ripped off). The paint is definitely far better than the paint on the majority of NZ's E34 fleet - this is just me being extremely picky because I was told it cost so much. The car does (on the exterior at least) present very well. In terms of price, it's a nice car but its certainly a ridiculous figure. The Avus blue one had no takers at $26K, and there was a 420G manual converted auto 540i with sports seats, LSD and throwing stars on trademe for $12K with no takers. They are good cars but $45K is deep into proper M Car territory.... Could be the lighting, but orange peel next to license plate and above tail light?

who can place the silliest question?😎

Got a toot, wave and a 👌 from a Jaguar driver who pulled alongside me on the motorway when I was taking the Alpina for breakfast today, feel good moment!

I feel like the demand for them has fallen off a little and they have narrowed more to a niche market for those who like the BMW classics. They're too pricey and old now. All the younger kids are jumping onto the E8X and E9X chassis. Even some long time E30 owners I've noticed have decided to sell on and move on to something else. Probably the difference between those of us who grew up with E30's on the roads and you could pick one up for a dime, play around and learn some mechanical skills because they are a great car to learn on. That's somewhat moved on a little now as they've become expensive and there are more modern options flooding the market with high HP and a modern chassis, with a small element of tinkering to them (Bolt ons, wheels etc).

Been slack on here again recently. Has been a busy time. Finally had my graduation after completing my practical work hours, so I am officially a mechanical engineer now, Ive become a New Zealand citizen and Ive signed a contract to start a new job in the new year. Not a whole lot has changed with the car to be honest. Ive had the car back on the dyno at work just to check the tune again to make sure all is still well, changed oil, the usual stuff. Car is happy and running well. Ive installed a RTD motorsport chassis mounted short shifter. Ive made some changes to the radio delete plate and cut a hole in it to install an OBDII scan gauge. This is a much better solution than MHD monitoring as its permanently installed in the car, doesnt require charging, turns on and off with ignition, and has been set up with Audible alarms should oil or coolant temp exceed set thresholds. Wrapped to plate in some alcantara/suede to eliminate glare, quite happy with how it turned out. Now need to make something similar as a shift surround for the new shifter. Also bought and sold a few cars in the meantime, traded the 123d hatch for a v6 tdi touareg, sold the touareg, bought another v6 tdi touareg but this time a facelift one in much better shape with all the options (minus a sunroof, dont trust those) and full dealership service history. Fantastic car and in my opinion the perfect daily driver. Incredible comfortable, spacious, smooth and quiet with sufficient power and surprsingly good fuel economy. Plus it can tow 3.5tonnes.

my image, M535i shark attack on south coast of Wellington, Nikon D810 with Nikkor 16-25 f4 VR, B+W Kassemann pol filter