M3AN

Great, needs to be left extended at all times, preferably with a boat trailer or caravan attached so we don't need to see that protuberance.

Someone in the chain is making significant margins on original parts sold into the NZ market if we can import them ourselves for less than we can buy them here. Fact. A 10mm screw that is used just as much on a 1996 car as it is on a 2019 car does not, and should not, cost $4 when I can buy 10 original BMW ones for $4 and $2.50 postage from offshore. If it's prohibitively expensive to manage parts locally for NZ then BMW should have invested in regional infrastructure decades ago. We're paying the price for that lack of foresight. I accept that there is no incentive for them to fix the problem, that doesn't make it less problematic for customers, and that lack of incentive is absolutely margin-based. FFS, if BMW NZ did a deal with FCP Euro we'd get parts through the official NZ dealer network cheaper than we do today. A number of NZ independents do this and are able to offer competitive prices. I understand BMW NZ can't do that, it's an example for illustrative purposes. We're getting ripped off, everybody knows that, including you Jon.

That's a smart looking car, and practical to boot, welcome!

My lord, that rear bumper/diffuser setup looks even worse than the G87 M2, they've taken the worst of that car, and given it some type of "tongue", WTF? No car has screamed out for a (large) tow-bar more than this one. Order only in black! And the front kidneys are just a soft mess that doesn't look good with the headlights or the lower intakes (both of which do look much better than the G87). A sad slide into their new design language (they call it "neue klasse"), this seems to try and straddle both, failing at each. Does this mean the G8x M3/4 are the only cars that will ever get the buck teeth grills?

Nice decision you have ahead of you with regards to the M3, do keep us posted. And welcome!

The flip up one? You can have mine for postage (fully working and faultless screen when removed) if whoever buys the car doesn't want it. You could expedite of course if you buy the car. 😉

Yeah, accepted, these are important factors, and often critical to business continuity. I suppose my position is that I meticulously research parts and would never expect a warranty on installation of such, I didn't make that clear and many customers probably don't have those same expectations which makes it tough/impossible for shops to accept that risk. I do want to stress that my opinion is that it's a shop's choice, and no customer should be upset with that. It's just sad that the official parts network make this discussion even necessary, how about just not being obscenely greedy? It's a literal kick in the balls to their customers and supporters, and they smile whilst doing it.

Really interesting question and responses, most of which I agree with. Things have changed over the years! Bellars used to allow customer supplied parts (early/mid 2000's), I know because I did that a lot with the M3. It doesn't surprise me that many no longer support this. As above, if you have a good relationship with a not-too-big shop, they will often accept customer supplied parts... there are a few members here with shops that will. Main reasons for not supporting this are discussed above in this thread but, let's be honest, the bottom line is they make no margin off customer supplied parts and, for better or worse, that's their choice. I have had recent success requesting work at a shop and indicating (with links) what I could land the parts for and advising them, that if they could match that price, I'd get them to order the parts directly (basically from FCP or Spareto). The shop set up a trade account with the vendors, got the parts cheaper than I could and made a little margin, I had to wait a few weeks for the booking (for the parts to arrive - also a challenge with the NZ BMW network because they keep very little in country), but I paid the same as I would have buying the parts directly, the shop made a little margin and was happy with the (genuine or OEM) parts, and we all walked away happy with less money lining BMW NZ's greedy pockets. This problem wouldn't exist of course if dealers didn't want to put a 100% margin (or more), on parts. This is not a problem unique to NZ but BMW NZ really takes the piss.

That is good.

I fundamentally disagree, if you have 'have' to use TM, then you're opting to play by their rules, or reduce your potential market. Most people listing like this are trying to avoid public disclosure, divide and conquer, it's totally suspicious and the principle reason there are a ton of people like me that just won't consider it. It's like people saying "as is, where is" hoping that potential victims don't understand the legal implications of such a statement. Anything less than 100% transparency, as is the case here, is caveat emptor and even Caesar himself would say to walk away. I'm also not sure why somebody would consider it logical that this approach would mean less tyre kickers relatively speaking - there will be less interest for sure, but most likely the same proportion of time wasters.

I stop reading classifieds or auction that say "I won't respond on site" or equivalent. Advertise a car for $40k on a specific platform and then claiming you won't engage on that platform is asinine.

🤔? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008679396331.html

I hope the parts you want are not the wheels!

I'm now accepting offers on Trademe for this one, Bimmersporters should still contact me here first to express interest.

There's some general disappointment amongst G87 fans with this CS, >US$100k, no different bonnet, not even in CF, no CF front lip etc, no yellow DRL's etc. Basically an incremental upgrade at enormous cost, very unlike the F87 CS.

You're also looking specifically for a halogen headlamp, and that will unfortunately rule out most Japanese imports as a donor. Might need to call around a bunch of wreckers to see if they'll ship one if they have one, have your VIN ready when you call.

Epic cars, it's an interesting proposition. A garage queen with low miles will hold value but, if you're going to drive it, like this one is intended, then you surely have to consider an OG M2 for ~$20k less, or a M2C for similar money (or less) right? And as driver's cars that's going to be a tight, and probably subjective, call. None came up (that I could afford) whilst looking for my M2C so unfortunately I didn't have the option. Had this been available I would have 100% considered it. But also, I agree with @Neil McCauley, these are not rare, the e46 CSL is my benchmark for "obtainable" "rare", BMW's. I can't see the 1M reaching those levels.

Welcome Zawiyar, those e61 wagons are just so practical, nice choice!

Okay, perhaps as expected no specific interest on Trademe. I'll now consider offers from Bimmersporters (+friends and family, as long as they quote your user name here), I'll adjust the Trademe classified to entertain offers in a week or so, those that see it here get a head start. Contact me here or by cell (first post). 👍 Edit: I mean offers based on my original listing price here, if you can't remember that, send me a message.

I've seen some positive talk on UK forums about this, not sure how long it lasts though? https://bilthamber.com/product/dynax-ub/ Never used it myself.

Had them in the blue one I accidentally bought, and I've seen them on another import also, indeed they're great on the road, much better than the stock motorsport suspension. I would not think they'd provide much control or comfort under track conditions but I've not tried them in those circumstances. Those and mine were practically night and day.

Martin's terracotta one? That is an LCI, so comes with the gauge.

For those rocking manuals this guy from Oz is making some DSSR's that look pretty good quality and he's happy to ship. https://www.babybmw.net/threads/130i-billet-dssrs.158650/

I installed a new diffuser today that hides most of the "cow udder" effect of the M2C exhaust. Probably should have removed the bumper because I broke the stock one during removal (very surprised at how brittle it was!). Not too much of a concern, it's an inexpensive part and I quite like the new one. This is just a plastic one from China, fit is good and tight, installation was easy enough, the plastic is arguably more durable than the stock one. Hopefully it doesn't melt! 😭 Old: New:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/5308928309 🤨