M3AN

Yeah, I don't know the provenance of my cooling system either. This will be a quick fix but I think I'll start working out the parts list for a full overhaul come next summer. Although I'll keep the radiator, it still looks mint on both faces and around the joints.

So finally, after a long weekend on Waiheke, the crap weather, and recovering from covid, I finally got a chance to search for my two week old coolant leak in the 130i and fortunately it's an easy enough fix. Of course without the poor BMW design and engineering it wouldn't have failed in the first place...

Two weeks or so ago I pulled out of my garage and left a small pool of coolant, kept an eye on vitals as I drove the short trip to work. Left another small pool in my parking spot at work and got a low coolant warning as I pulled into the driveway at home. For various reasons I've not driven, or been able to work on the car since then. Pulled bits and pieces off today to have a look and was initially pleased to find it was only the upper radiator hose, but then I saw that BMW have made it far more complicated as a single part than it needs to be. 🙄 I read they're a crap design from various forum posts here and elsewhere. At least they're readily available in NZ.

Tidy late model auto for $7500, how much would a manual conversion be on one of these? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3626069662

Fluid then pump, if the pump failed first it's improbable that it could have pushed fluid through the rack and back up to the reservoir. Unfortunately this probably means you'll need a replacement rack (simply because a used replacement will cost less than a rebuild). It is strange, I wonder if the cooler tube is damaged, or somehow misaligned out of the airflow? Or the fluid was old/bad. Glad you had a good day though, and very glad this happened at the end of the day!

Have you considered poly inserts for the stock subframe bushings? They are significantly less expensive than either of the options you've posted and might get you what you want. For example: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/Subframe-Bushings/Powerflex-Rear-Subframe-Inserts-BMW-E90-E92-E93-gas-E80-E82.html https://superpro.com.au/find/superpro-subframe-bush-kit-for-a-superpro-suspension-parts-and-poly-bushings-for-bmw-1-2003-2013-e81-e82-e87-e88-/productnr-SPF3944K/cid-999500350/vid- Edit, more: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-suspension-subframe-kdt918 On special: https://www.nolathane.com.au/product_detail.php?part_number=49203 IIRC mine were about NZ$120.

Heaps of wrecks and front halves on Trademe, was looking this morning. Only catch is they may want you buy the whole seats. I suppose something with the seat airbags triggered, which would make the seats trash, would be the best candidate. If I see anything I'll let you know. Do base models from Japan come with heated seats, do you know? Surprisingly the lamppost impression one @BM WORLD has, has intact seats.

Isn't that less than they cost new? Unless I was particularly looking for a quick sale I'd consider that very cheap. GLWS.

Exactly my experience, the shape has grown on me. Lord help the resale values of the F40, even a mother couldn't love that thing.

No space for lifts or workshop in the Mercury building, what were they used for in Mount Wellington? Do you have any external branding rights or will it be a low key HQ? I was invited to tour the Mount Wellington building in the very late 80's or very early 90's, just approaching the crescent carpark with all the BMW's reversed in was cool. Sushi and coffee is good downstairs at Mercury, inflation has hit the coffee, but not the sushi yet.

This is Continental Cars BMW, everything I've purchased from them has been new, boxed, and with warranty. G20 3er - $300 G02 X4 - $250 F39 X2 - $195 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/search?member_listing=7606675 This is a PSA, I have no association with the sellers.

For that money you could get one of the best sorted 130's out there and have more range of enjoyment, and less chance of death. Base manual LCI 130i in good condition, low km's plus: LSD Coilovers if you know what you're doing otherwise mint aftermarket shocks and springs w/camber plates M3 front and rear arms and sway bars All new bushes (w/inserts if required) M135i/140i front brakes (rears are optional I've found but E8x 135 rears, painted to match are less faff) Stainless exhaust, or BMWP backbox (if you can find one - probably not) 280hp tune You might even be able to squeeze an intake (GruppeM, Simota, BMWP, etc) Edit: Plus cert of course If I ever get tired of mine, I think I will part it out rather than sell it, I'll get back more than I paid for it.

I'm glad you've got that outcome but be wary, you shouldn't have been dealing with the insurance company, they're paying Novus to do the job correctly. So, to ensure it doesn't get worse, be sure to let Novus know that they should take it to the dealer and you only want it back when it's fixed or certified by BMW as working as expected. If Novus are left in any doubt it's their job to call up the insurer and sort it out, not yours. As for a dealer loaner also if it's going to be in there for more than a day.

Vortex generator, awesome! Just like VTEC, only better. Vroom, vroom.

Was presented with a coolant leak in the 130 today... pulled out of the garage this morning and there was a small pool on the floor, jumped in it this evening for the (short) trip home and got a dash warning and left another small pool in my parking spot at work. Didn't get much beyond 100*C on the ~9km trip home but it's a problem that will need addressing. Long weekend on Waiheke this one so no time to look at it until next weekend so I'll have to carry around some demineralised water or premix G48 for the time being. To be fair, it's the only mechanical problem I've had with it in 2.5 years and ~10k kms so I can't complain. And well, BMW cooling systems, it was hardly unexpected. 🙄 Better than blowing the bottom out of the radiator at the top of the harbour bridge, 20km from home, in the old 328 I suppose...

Top shopping for classy seats, well done. I'm sure installation and compliance will be more of a PITA than you've imagined but the end result will be mega and well worth it. Ace. 👍

That's quite astonishing given it only takes a few mm of incorrect toe to make a car practically undrivable. Good result though.

Couldn't agree more, if there's nothing seriously wrong that's a steal.

The principle of parsimony (Occam's razor) suggests you check that the arch liner itself is properly positioned and secured before getting too deep into the mechanical side of things.

Yeah, it's a stupid price. I'm guessing halogens also being NZ new. 🤮

Optimism defined: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3595961461 No questions allowed but don't worry, he's a decent bloke... 🙄

I think it's a steal for 7 or 8, the buy now price seems reasonable, one could probably walk away with it for 9 or a bit less. But yes, a lot of how much you need to spend to bring it up to spec depends on the mechanical condition.

$9500 buy now for a manual, bid from $6500... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3597703336 Needs a good tidy and not sure what's up with those exhaust tips but you're really buying the engine and gearbox combo right?

Paid for and collected. Thanks for the easy transaction Josh, nice to meet you. 👍

Unless your insurance company is going to cover it I wouldn't worry about meth contamination, it's not really a thing except for in exceptional circumstances, and you can be pretty confident they weren't cooking the stuff in there. https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/27-09-2017/the-great-meth-testing-scam https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/104287037/rental-meth-panic-over