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Another perfect Saturday, another early morning drive. This time went over the Awhitu Peninsula - through Waiuku to Karioitahi beach, then up and accross to Grahams Beach / Big Bay and Glenbrook. Stunning area, especially with the morning low fog today. Roads not as good as last weekend (from City to Waiuku is pretty boring) but once there its beautiful. To do list: Need to replace my drivers window seal - 51321904782 (bloody expensive) and sort my drivers seatbelt reciever before the next WOF. Also have a rattle from the exhaust that I'm hoping is just a hanger / mounting issue.

My 4.4i is a great drive but has indeed been a money pit. 😐

No no nooo don't do that on alcantara, do not get it wet, it'll dry to a crispy finish and will never be the same. You need to be real gentle with it, heaps of detailing videos on the topic on YouTube. Basically just spray conservative amounts of APC on a brush, agitate and wipe off with a microfible cloth. Pretty much as with suede. Real easy to ruin.

34 RHD M5's worldwide with the M-tex interior...

Date: 22 Mar 2025 Distance: 217,700 kms 1. Fresh Rubber on the rear. As described above, two RE003 245/70R17 fitted to the rear. Care taken by my tyre professional, carefully wire brushing the beading surface inside the rim on both edges, to remove rubber buildup and enhance beading seal. New valve stem and valve core. fitted and dynamically balanced. Didn't do an alignment as the wear on the rear tyres is really nicely flat and even. Nothing like the feel of fresh rubber on your car. 2. Wiper Blades front & rear Replaced wiper blades front & rear. Much better. 3. Monitoring Left sitting for nearly a week, wet wet day, it started on 3 or 4 cylinders. Really not happy. Cycled off, restart... up to four. Then a couple more cycles, up to six, with a really faint misfire. I'll scan the codes soon, find out what it's complaiuning about. I'm guessing moisture tracking on dirt somewhere? Needs a bloody good wash. Totally loving the steering wheel, it's so connected. The car steers well, is planted. Need to get on with that stereo build.

I was going to keep quiet, but I can't. I love alcantara too, much better than leather. Also love green and caramel (my M5 🙂 ) but I like the tan too. Though, it is a bit on the light side on this car.

Nice to see the old girl looking good again with some paint and polish. I don't miss it, always had issues.

Haven't updated this in a while. So a while back the car got stuck in 1st gear which prompted me to have to take it off the road until I healed up. I got it towed to the shop and ended up swapping the gearbox with a UK 325is one, clutch, slave, diff and other bits and bobs. Also took part in the Brit and Euro Classic 2025 and shot a wee music video at my workshop with some DJs that I know. Pics will explain all better.

So, he spent $50k on a $10k car. That's a bad investment unless you keep it and really enjoy it. Also, (rant coming) it's a classic car. Don't put adjustable suspension on, it's not a race car! Stock springs(airbags) and B6 shocks, there's nothing better for NZ roads. Big stereo, ok, but you can't get the money back. $7k for seats! You can't get that back. 19" wheels, I don't get it. 17" nice, 18"- a stretch.... really, there's no need for 19" (but that's just me) ok, I'm done. I'd love to have it but not anywhere near the asking price. I think I'll buy that M5 for $26k on FB and spend $5k on it, which I will get back (eventually)

8-10k sounds about the right for a decent one, they are maintenance money pits. Top one sold recently so someone is flipping it after fixing it. "It's the main thing that really causes concern with this model..."

Curious , Who are the nz agents? Have a set of B8’s for an e31 - was recommended option (not a CSI but has factory m-sport springs apparently) when I bought them. But on other forums, owners say they are a harsh ride and get them revalved to a more comfort setting. Don’t want to put them the ride is horrible - factory ride is quite nice! And yeah, I’m at that stage in life! lol

Fear of flying??

Pretty decent mileage in a year. 5.5k of RUC’s, 11k of diesel, at least one set of tyres and 40k of depreciation.

One of these is not like the other... 🎶

Jeebus.