Leaderboard

I'm emigrating / coming home to NZ next year with my E30 M3 Convertible. I've had it 14 years now and can't wait to explore the country in it. I'd been keen on any advice and recommendations for compliance places near Auckland. While it is 99% rust free (they've never 100% clear) I have had a few spots repaired over the years. They've all been repaired well but you can tell it has been repaired and in reading the compliance manual I think those spots will probably get marked for further investigation and possibly require certification. Is there any benefit to have it classified as either an 'immigrant's' vehicle or a 'special interest' vehicle?

These bits out, so diff can go of to Kayne to do bearings and have a look at the backlash in quaife before Christmas.. (be rude not to get the resonator cut out at the same time as exhausts out)

Mrs spotted this today

Damnit, now I can't post this meme anymore 🤣

Don't worry, you're among VASK friends, just ask @Sammo, he's a fan. His wife's Audi was an instant hit. The E87 and F20's are a completely different platform, not just a 'facelift' type thing and pretty-much all of the engines changed at this time, including the loss of the glorious straight 6 NA N52 engine from the 130i. The F2x is vastly more modern but the E8x doesn't feel particularly old. The F2x was the last of the BMW rear wheel drives in this class of car (sadly). The F2x 8 speed auto is one of the best in the world. What to look out for really depends on your budget and the model/engine you're looking it, any hints there? For example, I'd say that you're shouldn't pay a premium for an equivalent 2011 E87 over, for example, a 2008 model because almost nothing changed. The difference between a 2011 E87 and a 2011 F20 is night and day.

... a bit bored at work today, made the kidneys slightly smaller and moved the number plate, I reckon it looks better , like I say, quiet day at work today ...

Painted wheels gloss black

Some interesting vehicles up or sale including this e36 m3 vert https://auctions.webbs.co.nz/m/lot-details/index/catalog/286/lot/55138/1994-BMW-M3-E36-Convertible?url=%2Fm%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F286 The infamous white e36 m3 was also up for grabs but has been withdrawn

got a driveshaft

Stunning, Macao blue is a special colour!

I'm assuming it was a 330ci auto prior. I'd be more inclined to try track down a unmodified "factory" driveshaft, and then not require the hoops. Due to only requirement for the hoops is due to your driveshaft being modified. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/infosheets/LVVTA_Info_07-2016_Drive-shaft_Safety-loop_Requirements.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjc58nL5sXtAhV0IbcAHSjmD0EQFjAAegQIAxAC&usg=AOvVaw292hljGfPsbMtkkM0ZeVUf Otherwise I would recommend something custom, as the general ones require holes in the floor pan, which while easy, isn't as tidy as a tunnel mounted one.

Meh, it is his car and his money so he can do want he wants. Not my cup of tea though

Not a big budget on this one as it's a replacement for our second car which has become impractical now. So we're looking in the 12.5-15k range. The car its replacing we've had from new and have only done 45k km's in 6 years, that's the sort of usage the new car will be getting if that's something to factor in. We've probably limited the search to cars with less km's, as you do, but if the service history is up to date are they still a good buy near or after 100,000km's? Thanks for that great run down @qube we have checked out the base, urban and sport versions. The urban was "eye catching" to say the least, especially with the very shiny white interior trim! Some of those you listed I hadn't seen, probably due to have our search criteria on km's pretty low so maybe I'll up it. Once mechanical warranty runs out it's definitely something I'll be looking into @Sammo!

Yep OEM double slats are M-car only. Not my thing but they're reasonably subtle (as @qube says way better than the gopping tricolour grilles on X-series cars)

Soooo...2250-3000 port cam tune or Uh...around 1500 for panel & paint Or...1500-2000 to install E60 M5 diff...or ..ITBs injectors and tune...2000-3000 maybes... Or....1500 for some wider muddha wheels & tyres... or...or..nah...thanks homs...all these would be first

Well that sucks. At least whoever did the manual swap used a zf trans, as they are much better than the getrag 220's some use. Aaron Prattley makes some real nice chassis mounted shifters for reasonable money

"328 CI" parked in Hastings. Nice wheels!

Hey, I've got no problem with VAG 😎 My GTI was perfect

To answer your question, A 116i is a great choice IF you get the F20 shape. Think of the F20 like "MK6 golf" and the E87 as the "MK5 golf" but the difference is even greater. If you are looking for the F20 116i, you will find some as early as 2011, and you will notice that there are some 2011 E87 116i. i.e. the crossover period. Avoid the E87 shape 116/118/120. It is a disastrous engine that leaks and will have a lot of problems. Just dont even consider it. It should be pretty obvious to differentiate the F20 shape and the E87 after you look at a few, the newer one is a bit rounder, has much better interior and functions. Also, pay attention to the different "trim levels" amongst the F20. There is the base model, then urban model, then the sport model, then in 2013 there was a special "edition 30" for nz new, and finally the m sport. (if there is no rectangle badge on the front fender, its base/urban, if the badge says sport its sport, if it says edition 30 its edition 30 and the msport has a completely different front and rear bumper design all together and m badges or no badges) I would suggest to go for anything sport or higher if budget allows. The differences are subtle but substantial at the same time. urban line: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/116i/listing/2872163665 base model: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/116i/listing/2896822895 sport model: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/116i/listing/2791186818 edition 30: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/116i/listing/2780289604 m sport: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/116i/listing/2872066190

Cant afford an m car so settle for double slat grills at least its better than the tri colour grills imo haha

looking good. i just think double slat grilles on non M cars are trying a bit hard. kinda like m badges...

I see what you did there...🤡

Keen on exhaust. Part out?

I've performed the process described next to Figure 12. No problem. At last... Something going right. 'Slowly lift..." You're kidding, right? I've got the entire back of the car lifting on the suspension while I try to lift the fuel pump out of the tank. This is supposed to be a 30 minute job. Been 3 hours, so far. Update: Right. Finally persuaded the pump out of the tank. Have to be so careful doing that - there's a float which has to be persuaded out of the tank by rotating and maneuvering the pump. It would be so easy to damage that when 'lifting' the pump out of the tank. Next - new pump. Which is supplied with two more of those bloody clips that I don't have a tool for. And my jubilee clip collection is in a large tin, somewhere in a 20' container. This is why people don't work on cars at home any more!

Ah yes the one with the LTW stickers. A replica of an inferior model.. I never understood that. Brent has a US engine you could swap in to make it closer to a real LTW.

"Provided a resolution". GARDX are paying you off? Auckland City BMW are buying the car back from you? They're transferring the warranty, and in six months they'll skin you for a re-application? Come on man, don't be so cryptic.

Put my ST XA coilovers on today... went well - really stoked, so much flatter and more responsive through corners and WAY happier changing direction, no rubbing and rides pretty good too - firm but well damped (in middle of adjustable damping range at the moment). Might do a little more fine tuning in the next week then its alignment and cert time. Is about 325-330mmmm hub to arch all-round which is a good balance between looks and (relative) practicality I think. Was thinking of rolling rear gaurds and getting a 10mm spacer on there for a little more thicc before cert but given its not rubbing may just leave it. Bonus pic - new Piano black trims installed - loving them.

997.2 C4S PDK

Got it back from panel beater - http://panel.co.nz/ who have swapped a door off a wrecker onto it, without cleaning said door, and then plastered the wrong colour paint on... The big gouge in the lower sill of car hasnt even been fixed, which was the scariest part of the damage The door isnt aligned properly The paint blending job has put fish eyes into what was undamaged panels Inside is full of dust from sanding Its not even the right colour and metallic flick is uneven.... So it'll be going back to get fixed, I've never seen so many nibs and fisheyes on a single panel before.. appalling workmanship. I find it amazing so many players in the auto industry are absolute hacks, I could have done a better job than this myself in the shed.