M3AN

Did the wheels get balanced when the new tyres went on? Also, do the reverse test if you can find the space, that will help eliminate a whole bunch of variables. If you're using assym tyres you can also swap the fronts left to right to eliminate balance or a damaged rim. Edit: assym tyres at the front will drag the car left or right depending on tread pattern because one tyre is always running "backwards". That also needs to be factored in. Doesn't matter at the rear.

With toe out front and rear you will have lower straight line stability... the car will want to move off that straight. To confirm drift you'd probably want 0* toe front and rear and a dead flat surface. What happens when you reverse with the steering wheel strait, does it drift? Typically for a "sporty" setup you'd have a small amount of toe out at the front to aid turn in (whilst reducing directional stability) and some toe in at the rear to compensate for the drift induced by the front end.

Yep, they'd fit but there would be no harm (and better circumference match) by going to 255's at the rear... any 'imbalance' that introduced would be right foot controlled. To be honest, if I'm getting on-the-limit understeer in my daily I'm probably driving it too hard. ? Would definitely like to drive yours and would of course reciprocate.

Yes, I take tyre reviews with a grain of salt. I typically use them for the "what not to get" bit rather than the "this is the best" bit. Having said that, tyrereviews.co.uk seem legit and have a good YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEvB1bmKjPWZ3V1wSdBnXPQ). I did learn not to buy Nanking NS20's unless you like dying. ? And yes, the Pirellis are the bargain quality tyre of choice I would say. They're not for every application but are cheap, feel safe and last forever. Currently running 225/255 because I've whipped the wheels off the M3. The offset is slightly off but they look great in the arches. This is more tyre than I need in the 130 but it's an optimal combo (circumference wise). The 17's it rolled in on (and for which I still have good rubber) wore a 205/225 combo and whilst the front was sharp it's not enough tyre. I wondered if bumping it to 215/245 would be enough given the tyres will be better quality and I'll be upping the front camber (M3 arms and pin mod). Given the LSD, and the extra camber, 215/245 might be better than 225/255 is my current thinking... but then the options are more limited. And as I say, four Hankook S1's in 225/255 for $991 is hard to look past if they're not terrible.

Aftermarket exhaust?

A 225/255 set of Hankook Ventus S1 Evos for $991 is looking real sharp and they review well. Anyone have any specific experience with the S1's?

There's nothing wrong with the Pirellis but I don't consider them a sport tyre, my 328 could spin them up with a slippy gearbox, and they're loud. But I want something more sticky for the 130. Wheels are 7.5 and 8.5 but I'm not a particular fan of a square setup on a RWD, that's my least preferred option. I've got the M3 wheels on it at the moment which are 225/255, they're great but the steering feels vague compared to the 205's they replaced up front. I think the 215/245 combo might be the best option but that limits choice further. For the 130 I probably wouldn't let the tread pattern sway me one way the other. I can mix and match with Goodyear or Pirelli, perhaps others, but only at the top end which is too rich for my blood. Could pick up a fitted set of Toyos directionals for $1000 but I don't actually need them now, just researching.

Sub $6k: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2642578083.htm Faulty iDrive screen but the price is crazy really.

12+ months later... Any updated thoughts, same subject? Toyo Proxes T1R directionals seem cost competitive, I've never used them, any experience? Considering what 18" tyres to eventually pop on the 130. I don't need Michelin or even Goodyear F1 quality but I want to give it something better than the Pirelli Dragon Sports I put on the 328. I'm considering either 215/40/18 + 245/35/18 or 225/40/18 + 255/35/18 or 235/40/18 square, undecided at the moment but tending towards the first option.

Beige but good options, no reserve... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2642244016.htm

130i, I've been convinced. Just enough power to be fun, just enough utility to be practical and basic enough that it won't cost you a bomb to maintain.

Last word much Jon? ?

Yes, I think this was the very first one I looked at in Oct/Nov last year. Was boxed in, gave the guy my number and he never got back to me. I think it was $15k at the time which I wasn't going to pay anyway. There was something else about it that was wrong I think, I just can't recall what.

I picked up a wood trim set from Zebra for $10... missing one RHS door handle trim, but still, ten bucks. If I hadn't wrapped it in Alcantara I'd swap it with yours. Hadn't realised you were looking for it.

Yep, I'm on the same page with you there ^ and yes, if you've not got the backing of a dealer and aren't installing crap parts you're being squeezed. It's the "proper" indies that will suffer.

Somewhere in the NZ supply chain someone is making a killing on genuine parts, the service counter cost is criminal. I assume that the dealers take a reasonable cut of that margin, which would somewhat offset any low margin labour considerations. It's difficult to look at a BMW dealer and think "low margin" when we can compare the extortionate price of parts locally to the exact same part from the US or Europe.

Surely that's offset by the margin on genuine parts though? For the dealership network that is, not the indies.

@HalfJobHarry, your engagement and enthusiasm is welcome but I think your estimates are optimistic. You're using "best case scenario" numbers and that's not realistic for an operating business, "best case" rarely materialises. If you're doing a one-off, love it and run it thing then sure, a couple of hours might do it. But if you're visiting a pro you need to factor in space, opportunity cost, setup, consumables, labour, pack down and clean, breakage and loss, etc, etc. I do however think that NZ prices are higher than they should be on the trade/used/parts/recycled market.

SHOW US MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????

Interesting, there's 2 x E87's at Zebra Onahunga if you're close, might be worth the $2 entry to see if they had bottles intact? Also consider pattern parts from China, if certain components are not prone to failure then it may be worth getting new. It might be easier (and cheaper?) to start your DIY journey with photos rather than videos.

Please do... I wasn't aware it was a common problem but if it is I'm likely to be a candidate.

Shame on you! Now tell us more! ??

To be fair, if you're not picky about the brand of muffler, only the fit and sound, then I'm sure there are a couple of exhaust shops in Thames that could sort you out, it would be well less than 2 hours work. Call around, check out your options, worst case Hamilton. Just tell them you want something no louder than stock.

The point you seemed to have missed Jon is that I didn't break any rules. This is an obvious case of administrative overreach, perhaps your time would be better spent on solving that problem? Your various replies seem utterly tone-deaf (hence my facepalm emoji). You could start by undoing the damage caused when I was inappropriately banned by restoring all my threads. Then we could have a chat about respect.

Best price I've seen for a 130i so far... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2636240744.htm Looks to be a unique spec too, BMW Individual programme perhaps?