martyyn

Quality issues aside they are a great looking rim. Yes very different to the original Alpina of that era, but very similar to the 'softline' Alpinas that sell now.The BK171's are very soft and from what I remember not that light...is that true ? They would be fine on the UK roads (apart from running over a pothole) but over here I wouldnt give them a week ! Havent tried an e30 on 17's but it feels great on my 16's. much better than the 14' bottlecaps it was originally on....just need to sort out some shocks now

17's are replicas dont forget so I doubt there would be any in NZ unless someone brought them in themselves.

Thanks for that Will, Ill try and get over to his place tonight to have a look. The thing is that the noise is predominantly from around the back of the engine, Id even go so far to say that it was around the center console when your in the car. When I opened the window as the car was running it was almost directly beneath me.

Let me just say this.My 740 pi$$es all over the Scooby in every department and that includes speed. Whilst my wife is waiting for the turbos to kick in Im already half way down the road ! The Legacy wagons are good cars for the money and although I only slightly regret buying the gt-b I do wish Id held off for a little while longer to see what sort of e34 touring I couldve got instead. The poor state of NZ roads was also something I wasnt ready for and in the comfort stakes the Scooby loses badly. Happy to talk about it more if you want to PM me with anything specfic

Can one of you fellas give me a picture of what Im looking for. Dont forget Im very new to all this. Ill search the web too. Cheers

All, My nephews 316i (M10 ?) has started making an incredible 'flapping' noise, sort of like you get when you put a piece of paper in a fan. Very consistant in terms of repitition but I cant remember if it speeds up as the revs increase. Anyway as soon as you hit 3500 revs in second it just seems to choke....no power at all. When in third it does it at 3000 revs. Everything under the bonnet appears to be in good condition I cant see anything obvious thats loose or leaking. Any ideas whilst I have it on my driveway for the evening ?

Thats easy mate, it will be my 740 to help finance the X5

No not at all, I will certainly want something that will move along aswell. Especially if I give up the 740 for one ! I saw that and if it was in Wellington I would be going to take a look. Not sure what I think about the aluminium inside but its growing on me.

Ive got a good rear shelf if you want to come and have a look, Im in Northland What Ive noticed is that there are differences in the way the seatbelt holes sit so I dont know if its what your looking for. I dont know if its a facelift thing or not, but your welcome to come over and have a look anyway. Has holes for speakers but only the original speakers. Would probably need a re-colour too as its quite faded. Thats easy to do though, Ive just done mine black [edit] Sorry to hijack your thread Andy, but as you dont have a shelf :thumb:

I think all bmw's do this. My 7 rusts up after a couple of days of inactivity. Taking it for a drive will get rid of it. I agree it looks crap and it drew alot of complaints in the UK (making a new car look terrible) but not much you can do about it. Based on what Jochen seems to be able to do this is definately a waste !

Im pretty sure Ive seen a write up on www.e30zone.net I thought I had a direct link but I cant find it now. Register on there and do a search you should be able to find it.In fact Dont tell me I dont do nice things !

Does anyone know if the rear seat belts go from the inside to the outside ? The do on my 7 and its brilliant, but Ive only seen e34 tourings do it.

318Touring, thanks for the scanning that article. I think I may have that magazine somewhere so I will try and dig it out. Although it might have been the TBMW version. Grant, I am very tempted by the diesel. There are plenty of them about in the UK and thats why I asked the question. Having the 740 means I know plenty about the 4.4 and around the hills its brilliant. On the flat its incredible, but this isnt going to be used for drag racing. I need something taller than a wagon so we dont break our backs getting the kids in (If you dont know what I mean try standing on the side of your car with your back pressed against the inside of the roof with your head in the middle of the car!). Jazz, yes Im well aware of the dangers of 4x4's and I have openly admitted in the past that I hate the Pajero's and the Prado's of this world and would be first in line to have them banned. Unfortunately the need for something 'tall' is more important now. I will be driving as many vehicles as possible to get the best one I can find that suits us 'physically' and does not stretch my conscience too much.

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Thanks Grant, just the sort of info Im after. Im not looking for all out speed and performance, I need something that both the wife and I can get our two kids into their seats easily enough without breaking our backs anymore than they already are. After going from a e32 750il to the e38 740 Im well used to having the power available on a drive if I feel the need, but ultimately Im not doing that very often. Were in Wellington and my wife will be driving it most of the time around the Wellington hills. Surprisingly enough the 740 is no more thristy than the 2l twin turbo scooby, and if I sell both the scooby and the 740 to finance it then I wouldnt mind a 4.4, I find the torque much more beneficial when going around the hills. Im also conscious of price and certainly cant afford the 80k beasts that are about at the moment. I dont mind something a little older as long as it has all the toys. Im also looking at prices in Japan it looks like I could save a bit of cash bringing it in myself.

Ill stop editing post and start again. Ill give you 50 if you can send it down with the x5 stuff

Price ? [edit] Sorry just re-read the post [edit2] I knew it. I was sure Id read it twice to see a price but there it was after I put my reply.....I need a lie down. Ill give you 50 if you can stick it in with the X5 brochure

Didnt they also make it into the Range Rovers ? not sure about that though. Im going with an 8

Im thinking of trading the Scooby wagon for one (and shock horror maybe the 7 aswell) but other than loving the look of them I know very little. Anyone have details on facelift years, the best engines (I know lots about the 4.4 obviously but Im keen to learn about the diesels too), normal vs sport models, what sort of toys I can expect, etc. Anyone own one, or have personal experience of them ? Yes I know Ive previously had a 'negative' viewpoint on 4x4's but medical reasons mean that we need something taller than a wagon because getting kids in and out of the Scooby is not as easy as it looks when your both 6' plus, the seat belts are in the center of the rear seat and one of you has a knackered back I dont want an Odyssey and I dont want a tank like a Prado. If my 7 has to go then I want something with class to replace it.

Bearing in mind this is a public auction site (I assume all the savvy importers know better places to go) and the differences in exchange rate depending on where you go, I reckon that as Joe Bloggs off the street you could have an 01 320i with around 30-40k kms on your drive way for around 15k.Im sure dealers could do it for less and Im sure there are people on here who could give you a better indication than I can....these are just rough and conservative numbers.

Any more on this Sam, Im keen to know how you get on with an e36 head unit. I need something in the 3 and Im keen to not get any of the neon crap there is about at the moment. Why do after market people think everyone wants neons feckign lights flashing stupid pixelated dolphins across the screen !

e39 540's have the 4.4 so thats out as do any post 96 e38

Lots !When I get to work tomorrow Ill check a few websites and will be able to give you a decent idea. As an example Im looking at brining in a 2001 Merc A class with around 50k on the clock and as many toys as possible. I reckon I can land one here for around 8-9k whereas some friends have just paid 15k in NZ for one with more miles.

Something to consider with the scratches on the 323 is to get the dealer to take care of it as a condition of sale. Its not like its a small amount of money that your spending and Im sure once you spell out that its a choice of two but that the scratches are making you think again that they will organise something. They will have a deal with a local valet/body shop who could take care of it for peanuts (to the dealer). You could also get them to replace the wheels with something you like. All the dealers Ive ever been to would just swap them with another car on the lot. No skin off their nose and they make a sale. Dont be afraid to push them to get what you want.

Ohhhh meeoooow