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Bimmersport is up again lol.

For Sale: 1995 E34 540i/6 six speed manual (1 of 16 imported) $12,000 ONO (Also listed elsewhere) Location: Wellington, NZ Note: This is being sold as a restoration project on an as-is-where-is basis and is priced accordingly. Will not be answering questions like 'what does it need'. Keen for the car to go to an enthusiast. Due to level of interest, there will be limited viewing dates: Wellington 3-4 August 9am-5pm by advance appointment only. by advance appointment only. Offers considered following this. The sale included numerous parts including a number of spare panels. If you are genuinely interested PM me for a list. No response will be made to requests for individual parts. Any parts not taken at sale will be sold separately. Will be sold with min. 6 Months reg & current WOF New Zealand New Vin number: BKxxxxx M60/2 engine Diamantschwartz Metallic (303) 1 of 2 540i/6 of this colour imported Black Bison Leather sports interior ASC+T Alarm Blackout trim Sunroof Dimming rear-view mirror Walnut trim Auto A/C M Sport suspension HiFi Loudspeaker system BMW Business head unit & CD changer Trip computer EXTRAS INSTALLED IN CAR: Genuine BMW EW34 rare electric rear blind, including original loom and switch in original seat centre console. Fine working condition. Genuine BMW E34 cruise control, including stalk, control unit, cable & actuator all in fine working condition. Genuine BMW boot floor lipped tray Genuine full original boot lid toolkit Genuine Engine bay lighting Genuine rechargeable glovebox torch Genuine original Business Sound System including head unit, CD changer with code (supplied separately- installed head unit NFS). Bilstein Sport suspension This is a very reluctant sale, I have owned the car for 18 years (130,000km~320,000km), and has had oil & filter changes every 10,000km with Fuchs oil. 95% of the mileage is open-road running 700km round trips and the engine is still as swift and powerful as the day I bought it. Anyone who knows or has driven this model knows these are not a standard E34. The combination of the quad cam V8, 6 speed manual transmission and sports suspension make it a go-cart in comparison. Selling as a project on an as-is basis. Needs a new owner with the energy and time to restore her. Unfortunately, I find myself 18 years on, no closer to having either. The car comes with heaps of new and used spare parts I have been collecting for 18 years with the intent or restoration. Not interested in selling individually, as parts have been collected specifically for this purpose with the car is really where they need to go. While the interior including the Recaros is in good condition with the original carpet unworn (matted all the time I’ve owned it), the exterior has needed work since I bought it. The driver’s door lower edge has some rust, and there are a few spots around the car that could be easily addressed during a full review. The spots on the roof and A-pillars are professionally neutralised stone chips in anticipation of future restoration. The clear coat has gone on the genuine BMW/BBS deep dish wheels. The A/C pump has failed and been disconnected. This is not guaranteed as a complete list of items that need attention. PM me for a parts list. Contact for viewing

3 series compound. Not a single sun roof, as god intended

I wanted to buy something more suitable, than a convertible E36, for our growing family. I started looking at E46, E90, E91, E39, E60, E61, E53, E83 but it became obvious I had an itch to scratch with the X5. After viewing potentially every E53 for sale in and around Auckland, I managed to pick this up for a sharp price. Thank you @Palazzo for the heads up. New Zealand New, Facelift X5 in Black Sapphire Metallic; even with 381,825KM on the clock, this was the most well presented and best driving example in my budget. M57D30TÜ (cast iron block, large-beam forged rods, forged crank, single Garrett turbo etc) with the 6-Speed ZF Transmission, Brucie Bonus of a factory Swirl Flap-less Intake Manifold. Well spec'd with: Sports Package, Black 'Dakota' Leather Upholstery, 19" Style 132 Wheels, Panoramic Glass Roof, Xenon Lights...), the works. Picked the car up on a Sunday and my wife went into labour on the Wednesday, so I dropped it off to the brother @BMTHUG at Apex Automotive on the way to the hospital for an inspection and a bit of a birthday: Serviced the Engine, Transmission, Differential, Transfer Case; everything flushed, new gaskets, fluids and filters. Fresh WoF to boot. Cleaned up quite nicely too once we got home from the hospital. I can live with the minor cosmetic things I'd usually fix, the reason for purchasing this in the first place was to have something the dog and two young kids can enjoy, there is literally no use crying over spilled milk at this stage! Provided they're not total dicks, I like to name a car after the previous owner. < Boris and Rüdi > sitting pretty.

I'd imagine it's this ?

Been a while since I had a proper fang in the E30 so great to get out today with a buddy and was great fun to switch cars for a while - with a polar opposite build - Supercharged M42 with 4.4 LSD / lightweight flywheel and Z3 rack - certainly made mine feel a bit lazy and luxury orientated haha. Must say mine looked pretty good in the rear view mirror 🤌🏽

New car day.

240,200km Just returned from a school holiday trip down to Nelson. Ticked over 240k on the way and averaged around 10L/100km although it's not exactly a huge amount of km's from Wellington to Nelson but a nice open road drive with some hills and some twisties. Had terrible weather on the way down but lovely on the way home.

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.

And usually 5 of them are with the NZ couriers lol

Hahahah I thought I'd be clever but someone already beat me to it. Inevitable https://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=nnl573

Thanks to @darren_mk I finally got a set of Startec lights to complete the aesthetic I was going for. So stoked with how they look on the car. The difference is night and day. Also had my little helper help me wash the car due to my injury and then she washed hers haha

Got my ITB's for my stroker build. Pretty excited 😊

Did some late night Italian tuning - quick run out to Arrowtown and back. Got absolutely DUSTED on the Dalefield back roads by an Alfa GTV. The 1.6 was well above 7K and spitting flames as it rocketed past me 😁 God they're an achingly gorgeous car. 1299691.jpg

Not mine. But the wife's. Just rebuilt the gearbox and got it up to scratch for her.

Have aquired an e30. Not a coupe but a tidy prefacelift sedan. Also have an m52b28, front sump, and a getrag 220 box. Any tips tricks/advice for the m52s are appreciated.

1952 Ferrari 212, only 5000miles on it

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

Bled clutch and brakes, fitted d shaft, heat shield and exhaust. Once you jump in and out a few times...it's quite awrrite. Another feeling altogether sitting in this car. It's like the Ls was meant for a race spek like this.. 3.9 ratio diff in this one, with thicker shafts...last one was 3.15...so ...😳

My e31 history - owned a 4.4l Steptronic and own 4l Manual 840ci's (and test driven 1 early 850i). Here's a green apple to red apple comparison: e31: 96 840ci - 4l, 6-spd, 'msport' suspension (think package is standard shocks and shorter springs) and wheels, and big bore exhaust (only known mod). Travelled 120kms. Monaro: '02 V2 - 5.7l, 6-spd, standard suspension and wheels, and big bore exhaust (only known mod). Traveled (when I had it) 175km. I found the e31 was/is a way better car all round. Power/torque: There wasn't that much difference, to me anyway (disclaimer: I ain't no racing driver lol). Both have 'more than enough for me' torque across the rev range. They can get up ad boogie, especially in the crucial 80-100 range. If you want a fun or performance then manual is a must. if you want to cruise then the auto is fine - but steptronic wins in that department (also have an auto HSV) as it is best suited to the GT nature of the e31 IMO. The old 4spd auto in the v12 did the job well but was nothing spectacular. Handling/suspension: This is where there is night and day between the two (both were more than likely on original suspension). The e31 is more refined, smooth and balanced. No issues around town, even better on the motorway and handles the twisties just fine (going at pace but not driving at the limit). Agree that this is where you notice the weight. But it doesn't detract from the experience. On the other hand, the Monaro felt the opposite as a package and had a more harsher ride/feel. Fine around town, motorway is fine - but you do start to feel the bumps and jarring. Through the twisties was the worst - it would often understeer when going at pace into a corner and other times it was like it wanted to fight against you. I found it a bit dangerous. I replaced some bushes (maybe shocks too but can't remember) which improved things but not by much. I've said that when a Commodore grows up it wants to be a BMW haha. And would I get another Monaro - Hell Yeah!! As a side note, I have full front suspension (real challenging to find rear suspension components) and shocks for all corners to go into the e31, so will be interesting if this changes things - but is fine enough for me at the mo. e31 driving summary: It is a GT car and it doesn't hide from that. But don't believe the original reviews or those that say it is slow - it never was a performance car although it looks like it. It does all duties, shopping, cruising and long distance. If you do want 'performance', then its the manual hands down - good luck finding one! - or a CSI - and good luck finding one of those cheap! But the auto is fine too - would recommend the steptronic. Then there's the feeling of driving a pretty special car, there's just something about this era of BMW, and the e31 takes it up a level. By todays standard, it has a 'small car' feel about it interior wise. but it is a friggen awesome place to be in! I also have an e60 M5. They don't compare drive and comfort wise... but when I drive them back to back, the smile is just that much bigger after the 840ci 😊 Oh, and lastly, I've taken both to the summer cars and coffee event hosted by the local car museum. No one looked twice (or once!) at the M5. Its the complete opposite with the 840ci - quite embarrassing waiting in line to park with people walking past or coming up saying - "what is that!, F#$%*&g awesome bro! Holy Sh!t I've only seen one on the internet" haha. Sorry for long post but hope this helps someone 😉

Today marks 3 years of ownership of the M5, it also marks the day that the mechanical warranty runs out - no doubt it will turn into a pumpkin at midnight. Over the past three years I have replaced: - Clutch / flywheel - Heater control valve - A/C condenser - 10x Spark plugs - 1 coil pack - Module that controls the airbag compressor - Oil cooler - SMG reservoir filler cap - Lower control arm bushes - 4 x tires And as is fit for the anniversary it's at BMWorkshop having the annual service. Would I buy it again after the last three years, yes no question. It's a high maintenance item, but it's cheaper than a therapist and without leaning too heavily on the YOLO mentality it's pointless being the richest man in the graveyard. The first picture ever taken after signing the papers, perfectly framed up by my wife............ And the first night at the Clearwater Resort being the family wagon

I have the new 2025 release of the evo AU/NZ maps of any one needs it.. ( map only. - you will need lifetime FSC. ) PM me.

That was a good send off for the old girl; 1600km and 4 nights living out of her from Auckland to New Plymouth, Wanganui, Wellington, Coromandel and back to Auckland. After ten years in NZ, I fly out to the UK today, been a pleasure Bimmersporters!

Chipping away at re-assembly while waiting for parts. An old coil must’ve been arc’ing on cyl 6 as the Mg has blown out turned in to dust. Had to clean alot of crap out of the spark plug well. Cleaned up the corrosion out of all 6 holes then brushed 2 coats of epoxy enamel to give it a seal. Giving some high heat jb-weld a jam on the blown out damage.. Vanos oil strainers had no sludge but a couple of small bits of swarf on them. Gave everything in the engine bay a good clean to help with future traces of oil and coolant leaks. 😄

The major engine work is now done. 4 lifters were squishy so replaced all 12. This was a thunder c&nt to remove (blind plug for locking the flywheel at tdc. The end you pull on snapped off so I spent about 4 hours stabbing and hitting it with a punch and bfh until it slid most of the way in to the flywheel. Then use the locking mandrel with a prybar to lever it all the way through. It got stuck to the flywheel so was able to remove it via the starter motor hole. The exhaust cam bearing and ledge journals had seen better days. Got the cam polished and lightly sanded the scoring on the caps. The state they were in: After a polish and sanding followed by a quick clean up: Engine timed up and now waiting for a few little gaskets and bits to arrive for the intake manifold. The large Disa is cooked so taking a gamble with a new one from aliexpress.

Meanwhile...

Yeah man. It sounds amazing. The only things in the exhaust that aren't stainless are the colby hotdog resonators. My old mans stroker is ready to go. 1.5 mm oversized valves, shrick 284 cam. Heavy duty rockers, titanium valve springs, new rocker arms the works. Oh and the ITBs haha. I am itching to finish mine

Thanks Graham, i am doing a return trip WLG/AKL/WLG next week. Will have car transporter trailer with me too, and could fit a car on both ways (just using it for a few engines and panels etc at this stage) I dont come on the forum much any more, but feel to message me on (oh too sevin, 3079322) Koha appreciated, especially if i'm heading all over the place to pick stuff up!

Hi everyone!! Have just bought my first BMW.. it's a 2009 M3 which I'm loving! I've come from owning a Audi A3 and a Golf over the last few years and definitely loving the M3 more! Hope to learn more about the car and the community!

Any use cases not covered here?

Been a minute... very busy time. Engine is back in the car, everything is connected back up. Cut and welded the chargepipe and throttle body for a wiggins style clamp, bonnet latch got zinc coated and a few other bits and pieces tidied up. Downpipes are back in also, very painful job, o2 sensors back in and new exhaust is almost finished. Full stainless 3inch exhaust from the downpipes back, with a single adrenalin r louvre baffle resonator. All thats left now is the oil cooler setup, parts are on the way, fresh aeroflow oil coolers and all teflon line and fittings. Also will be putting in a check valve and a tee to allow for an accusump to be fitted at a later stage. Parts should arrive soon and then it will be ready to be fired up and dyno tuned. Will try and keep this updated more often.

Win!

Loving the content James is making since leaving Donut - quirky, weirdly informative, a tad cringe at times but always funny and entertaining. Find myself craving an X3M40i all of a sudden.

lol, i love the sport alcantara interior on the E39. If i got another it would have to either have it already, or i'd swap it in. So much nicer than leather.

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)

I've had dreams of putting a 4.6is motor into an E38 740i short wheelbase and 6 speed manual conversion. 740shortysporty.

Hi All: Newbie here, just got a 2013 F11 523D Japan Import car, today just use bimmercode to change to NZ radio, thanks for this forum to keep all useful message.

Never been happy with the way this car shifted gears but after perservering with different gearbox oils and knobs I am pleased to say I am now happy. Turns out the final piece to the puzzle was a gen ZHP weighted knob, I am sure I probably have worn bushings in there but it's much much better. Would not have thought a knob would make such a difference. Also if anyone is considering Wipertech blades I can report I am happy with mine.

Update: I love this car.

these two tell you everything you need to know about the PO.

I got my brake lines, supplied locally via https://nz.helperformance.com/ ... if you're in need of tasty braided lines I recommend 👍 Last week also got the misc items from Spareto (front caliper pin kit, basic pads and M3 parking brake shoes). Have yet to pull the trigger on the custom brackets and hats due to cost ... hopefully will order on pay day 😬 Then only need to arrange the remaining cross over pipe for rear caliper I stuffed up.

Drove the compact, shredded the drive belt. Luckily not far from home, so let it sit for 10-15mins to cool down, drove it 2 mins up the last part of three mile hill, then coasted it pretty much all the way home with only needing two quick bursts of power then shut it off again. didnt have a spare belt, so fitted the rear strut brace instead.

Would like to buy Michelins. But the Merc eats them way too quick when towing. So I just run Hankook's. I like Hyper as I didn't have to deal with a human trying to convince me into buying Farroads for my E55 at the local tyre shop for a good price of $350 per tyre...

I still hold onto the only reason E30's, S13's, R32's etc were good was because they were cheap. Sorry to those that missed those 20 odd years.

I rolled a facelift ZE1, the cops said I'd turned over a new Leaf.

Money pit is a pretty subjective term. All old cars are money pits if you start to change old parts to refresh\restore them to a near new driving experience and condition. Doing the bare minimum for servicing and WOF requirements may or may not be depending on the condition of car, how its been used, service history and luck. No real information or photos so hard to say much. Japanese imports of this era arent as good as NZ new equivalent (possibly Jatco transmission(jerky gear change issues), IR remote instead of RF, maybe extra emissions gear, no euro trims, little to no service history etc M52 engines are fairly solid and cheapish to repair but usually lots of aged plastics and rubber that can fail. ZF's transmissions last if they have been serviced at some point. Tired suspension is big cost on these but you can things like random electrical failures like ABS modules which can get expensive to fix. Interiors are usually failing to varying degrees, A\C buttons, dash pixels, headlining, rubber seals, wear of seats etc. For a daily driver i dont see the point unless you want to carry passengers in comfort. Be better off with E46 6 cylinder, much cheaper to run\fix and generally less to go wrong. Even a E39 5 series which still has decent space but lighter and more examples to choose from. If you do end up locking something in then get a pre-purchase check by someone who is familiar with the model before you hand over money.

On the car stereo front the amplifier manufacturer Mobridge did a remote session into my amp. I’d asked if it was possible to code the Mobridge amp ( and dsp products ) to use four of the Idrive 6 B&W menu items.The Mobridge Amp has four dsp profiles that can be used , but on BMW F series B&O and Harman Kardon only uses two. The diagnostic on the amp is great. I just needed to press each of the Idrive sound profile options and the engineer was able to see what the Idrive sends to trigger the DSP settings. Within a few working days Mobridge was able to code the extra sound profiles and send back new Amplifier software to test. So I now have four DSP slots which are controlled by the BMW idrive 6 B&W menus. So I’ve done the following Profile 1 , Drivers seat position with appropriate time alignment running an Audio Frog / Harman house curve. Would call this an audiophile style tune with the front audio stage stilling above the bonnet with good width. ( I’m not and audiophile though , have been curved of that level of obsession 😀 ) Profile 2 , All seat tune , time alignment so bass is still forward of front passengers , centred at ear hight between driver and passenger front set. Profile 3 , like Profile 1 , but more bass between 15 -80 hz Profile 4 , at this stage , speakers only level matched, no time alignment or eq. Used as reference for evolution of system. But will probably use it for further map development of Profile 1 BMW B&W menu for context.

Nice model for the Spring '24 Lifestyle collection from BMW!

Always looking tidy @Sammo