M3AN

I'm still not sure of the root cause of problem with some of these post, this one has no image for me and I see that ^ which is obviously machine generated metadata, it's also not actual text, it's an image. The URL Graham has used is: https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/S1Jx1GdpPO6FPdJDFyk-ITso76oicgMZeh_qfGt8F6Yv1J7ukxuJDQOSmhcRhL4YiUCCYant2A_7FV5Pg1xMassFczjpVZSlbwryUA8SdXJQBAE0DlcJUpmIAhJKPS5eDcj___m8G8knb2nMEBJAugbdEt6KUXvTodPc_KGk13uQ16mWNuaaTadErGdVuL5C6CEoIXA-vmZs5QZB1CJ2jpQ_DY-e1UwLxSj2A3vzbeEB7xExbxKnTj75NClcMl6KBO579BC3uFF2z23wh9vcqO19kTRtK8Xuv_yPoO0ceZXjnCAOziRpf1Fs64vEzlOJi8_Z2hBFz-nqw9OijiL78KGaZnfgBW7hgQZKtI0fAReKfwzJ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://scontent-akl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/274191164_997611694521331_7084132615050842337_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=NdT9dn8QVL8AX8At7_e&_nc_ht=scontent-akl1-1.xx&oh=00_AT85b-RrPkNZyKMU7ETGv_bmKW3dNVM3aYfN6eSqitHMxg&oe=621616F1 ...which is a Google proxy of a Facebook image and the base URL and hash is actually: https://scontent-akl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/274191164_997611694521331_7084132615050842337_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=NdT9dn8QVL8AX8At7_e&_nc_ht=scontent-akl1-1.xx&oh=00_AT85b-RrPkNZyKMU7ETGv_bmKW3dNVM3aYfN6eSqitHMxg&oe=621616F1 ...which is embedded at the end of the Google link. Still not sure why it shows as an image for some people and that text for others. Perhaps if you're logged into FB the original link shows as an image? I don't have a FB account so can't check.

I'm not convinced... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3480943431

The Range Rover one at the bottom of the first post is the best looking one IMO but also it's not characteristically BMW so we're never going to see that in real life (unless we buy a Range Rover).

My 130 is insured with State, market value, it was convenient and not too expensive. I recall it being much of a muchness between providers when I signed up, I think I spent less time waiting on the phone with State. My M3 is insured with Swann's Classic Car policy which is agreed value and includes a number of other benefits and extensions including certain approved track or driver training days, first right of refusal if it's written off, etc. But as will all insurance the devil is in the claims process and I've not had to claim on either of these policies so can't attest to that.

Well that sucks! I'm sure I've got a bolt extractor set (or two) lying around you're welcome to try. Drop some penetrating lube around the perimeter of that hole whilst you're waiting for a solution.

Interesting to hear such feedback from two trusted members here, I'll certainly defer to their more recent experience than mine and reconsider my recommendation. Which is a pity really, it's good to have trustworthy shops and BM Workshop in my previous experience were good to me. Perhaps the got too big for their boots?

S50 = spun bearings? No, he's about a decade early. I'm not sure I should bother with the video having read that in the text.

Laughing with you, not at you. Fun read, good story telling.

Very satisfying to see you're doing it right, the new owner will be well served. There are few of these around, even fewer in good condition, and fewer yet that are owned by enthusiasts and treated with proper love. And that's the type that command top dollar, the type proper enthusiasts are prepared to pay a proper price for. Oh, and Dakar. 🥰 GLWS.

All good @Angelo - the only price to pay for our advice is to share your journey with us if you do proceed to purchase. You'll probably need more advice after you purchase than before! (In a good way). I'd have no problems recommending BM Workshop, they know their stuff and even better if they can facilitate a warranty for you. If they're local to you and you have a good experience then building a long term relationship with them will pay you back many times over. The "aero" rear spoiler on that one is a bit of a bonus, most don't come with them and they vastly improve the look of the rear end. (Makes note to self to get off arse and get mine sorted.)

Parts #7 (and possibly #8)? https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=VA92-EUR-07-2008-E90-BMW-M3&diagId=51_5740 You'd probably only get them from BMW, and the cover (#7) will need to be painted.

Holy crap you're right, there are so many listed, that's amazing. The answer to your question is yes, eventually, but not until supply dries up. And I don't think they've dipped to their bottom yet, pretty much every M car to date has crashed in value before it has started to climb again, M2's have a way down to go yet (brace yourself) before they head up again. The other big unknown is how much 'electronic' cars will actually be worth in the future. You can rely on a mechanical car continuing to work for generations, not so much for newer cars, they're going to become uneconomical to repair once unobtanium electronic modules start to fail. And we know how rubbish BMW is at electronics. I think this is an enormous cloud hanging over any car produced post 2011'ish and we've yet to see how that will impact the future market. You'll always be able to fix my e36 M3, you'll only be able to fix an M2 (for example) whilst BMW support it and they won't support it forever. Imagine the cost of replacing a LCD dash console because it's started to leak and fail? 5 figures is my guess (and there is precedence, they couldn't even get an e46 M3 rearview auto dip mirror to reliably last 10 years. smh.). When you want to sell your M2 for $25k, tap me on the shoulder. 😉 Edit: and don't forget that BMW themselves have killed residual value of M cars by rapidly releasing incremental updates that effectively eclipse the previous model, 'C', 'CS', 'Competition' etc. They basically stabbed their enthusiast patrons in the heart unless they were in the cashed-up class, which is ultimately very few of us. BMW used to sell to automotive enthusiasts, by their own admission they now target the wealthy Chinese market. Probably economically sound, but soulless nevertheless.

Hi and welcome @Angelo, I think a 130i is a good place to start a BMW journey, even if you never go further. I think you'll struggle to get the 9k one down to 8.5k, let alone 7.5k, just based on the description alone (and that the seller says price is "firm"). The prices for these things remains quite stubborn but I wouldn't pay 9k for an auto pre-LCI (pre-facelift) version. On the other hand I quite like the second one at that price and reckon you might get that for 6.5k which would leave a grand in your back pocket for maintenance. Or you might be able to put that grand into a 1-2 year mechanical warranty (check first) to ease your concerns. Every BMW leaks oil eventually, you just need to factor that in but it's not a particular 130i thing, in fact the N52 is incredibly mechanically reliable compared to some of the alternatives. A PPI is a good idea if you're not mechanically inclined and BM Workshop are unlikely to steer you wrong. Just don't be too concerned if they say it's leaking oil, as long as it's not dramatic you should be able to live with it for a while. It's important that they also plug it in, retrieve any fault codes and provide you with a print out, you can potentially use that to negotiate price further. The belly pan or sump will almost certainly leak at some point and it's a labour intensive job but I'm sure it's closer to a $1k job than it is a $2k job... although I stand to be corrected on that. These days maintenance is more important than mileage, as long as they've kept up with maintenance then you needn't worry too much about miles. In fact a 114k car probably has more stuff soon to need replacing than a 167k car, typically once a car has gone beyond about 120k then arms, bushes, brakes, suspension etc, etc have already been replaced and could last another 120k. Test drive a few, including on the open road, before you pull the trigger, in my experience some feel fantastic to drive, others awful and that's normally an indicator of the health of the suspension.

This one (auto) is sensibly priced for the miles and condition at $6950 ono... if you had the cash on hand you could probably walk away with it between $6500 and $6700. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/3463560428 The way prices are going (up) you could probably enjoy it for a year and sell it for the same or more.

I am, yes. I normally call them up and ask when a good time will be for them and then bugger off to Sylvia Park, or wander around tool shops on Carbine Road, for a couple of hours. Although red/masks/covid make that a slightly less appealing proposition at the moment.

Unless it's done extraordinary miles the springs are probably still fine, you could potentially save hundreds there. This thread is exhaustive: https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=80208 But you can probably get away with reading just the first and last few pages. Stock springs + B4 dampers + BMWP bumpstops should be a sight cheaper than a full B12 or Koni kit.

Ooft, I was at Paper Plus today, had I seen that I would have purchased for sure. Went to Welly twice for the race, rates up there with some of the best I've been to worldwide.

Oh, that's terrible news, I'm sorry to hear that, I'd be devastated. 😥 I really hope you find a path to recover the most value you can, best wishes.

I'm awfully glad that apparently nobody was injured, it's not difficult to imagine an alternative outcome. Having said that, there's more to the story than reported if insurance isn't covering it.

Ouch. Keen for the story.

Well that + taking up two parking spots, so they really have a dual purpose, blocking lanes and parking spots. I have yet to see a new X7 parked properly, don't they have automated parking? They should, the target market clearly need it.

It's a wonderful achievement and certainly worthy of praise, both the design and engineering seem really sound. And it looks great.

Well, I'm certainly not in the 'no thanks' group but I agree that 'best ever' is a big call... although, when allowing space for hyperbole, it sits closer to 'best' than 'no' on my appreciation continuum. It looks a million times better than any modern BMW and we know that the long block (once you've overcome the factory fragility) is a lifetime of satisfaction. I do think the Z8 is one of the best looking BMW's ever produced and would never fettle one if I owned it.

Yeah, I had a quick look at the diagram and part before I posted, it looks like one end clips on with a captured clip and the other end has an external o-ring, is that correct? The o-ring end seems to have external tabs, does that twist in to lock? Regardless, you need to identify exactly where it's leaking from, it's unlikely to be the pre-installed stainless clamps (but not impossible). Grab a bucket to catch the coolant and remove to check? Tap me on the shoulder when you're getting closer to the subframe, we might be able to sort something out. But to other readers of this thread, if you're more qualified that I (quite likely) don't let my tentative offer dissuade you from offering yourself!

You can't call yourself a BMW enthusiast until you've replaced a sump and subframe by yourself! 😂 I am not a BMW mechanic but don't mind getting my hands dirty, happy to help if we can come to terms. Having said that, I don't do early mornings and I'm lying low for a bit to see whether half of Auckland (NZ?) gets this f'ing covid thing in the next few days. 🙄 As for the coolant hose, was it new, where's it leaking? Have you checked the o-ring? By coolant fan I assume you mean radiator fan? If so, unless you disturbed something I can't see how that would affect it?