arcon

bizzare, oddball question here: the rubber trim around the windows of an E46 318, (unlike 320+, 5 & 7 series etc which have chrome trim like the pic), is it possible to get the rubber trim replaced with chrome trim identical to the other models? if so who would do it?

thanks for the replies - i owned my Singa import for a year and the rubber trim was in pretty bad condition, and the electrics were a bit dodge but mainly 'cause the previous owner had re-wired it but the car never cost much in the way of repairs (heh always a regulator and actuator with a bmw ), never had major issues with it though. i'd try a jap import this time i think, but would definitely not import without seeing it, i'd buy local. BMW POWER - what sort of problems did you have, i would hope that a 2001 would be more reliable than a '94...? thanks for the info on grading, minor exterior flaws are no big issue as they are not that expensive to fix if necessary, and at least they're easy to see on inspection. i'd get a bmw check and a mech friend to check it, but yeah impossible to predict some things like u say, i know if the transmission goes it costs many thousands to fix... btw i've seen the jap imports have weird plate holders on the back, can these be removed? i'd want to fit a kiwi plate.

just following up to this post, would anyone buy a Grade 4 import..? i've searched the archives and people have recommended at least 4.5, what sort of defects would be typical of a grade 4...? (this would be for a japan import, and i would get bmw to check it out as well).

like i said i won't be bringing one in i want one that has local stock so i can test drive. seems like a long way to go just for that.

thanks for the info but I'm in auckland (and now don't have a car lol), so i'm really looking for a local importer.

sorry for the maybe newb question but does anyone have a master-list of Auckland-based BMW importers from Japan only? I'm not really intersted in another Singapore import for my next E46 purchase. I found www.croydons.co.nz (havn't talked with them yet), with a lot of others I have to ask every listed vehicle if its Jap or Sing which is a pain, and I've found the story can change when I actually go to see the car which is pretty annoying. I'm interested in dealers that hold local stock, I would never buy from off-shore in advance without driving a car.

My 96 318is (shown in my sig) has just sold, and I'm looking to move up to something more recent. I like the shape of 3 series, nothing older than 2000, 2001 ideal for my budget. Pref 320 model, not keen on 318. Only considering four-door sedans, preferably leather but would consider cloth if the price was good. Auckland sellers only. Thanks in advance for any messages

thanks for your post - where can i buy those BBS rims from...?

feel free to e-mail it to me direct if u want paul [at] cadstudio (dot} co {d0t) nz.

i'll probably be buying a 2001 320 soon and just realised the E46 have custom shaped head-units... i already own a pretty good amp and sub, and i'll definitely want to upgrade the head unit and add some component speakers.... are there adapters around so the E46 can fit aftermarket headunits and where would i get them from...? any info appreciated.

thanks for the reply mate but as per one of my previous posts, i'm only considering local cars (I'm in Auckland). best of luck with the sale

which would u guyz choose? I quite like both these rims and will need to chose a set for my new e46 (heh when i buy it), i had 17" Schnitzer on my old 318iS, they were ok but for me i think 18s would be ideal, i'd also like more than 5 prong. i like reasonably understated rims... not to big and chromy if that makes sense.... any links to something better feel free to post 'em btw the car will probly be 2001, 4-door 320 or 325, hopefully dark colour.

thanks for the info but same as last offer really, i can't afford 30K, which is why i think i'm limited to a 320 or maybe a 325, you can get a 320 privately for just under 20K with extras.

hey thanks for your post feel free to post some links to photos. just FYI, i'm considering anything 4-door, year 2000 minimum, (probably can't afford 2002 though). if a car doesn't have leather then i still might consider it, but it will have to be a pretty good deal anyone know what it would cost to get a full-leather refurbishment done...? i have no idea.... hehe my '96 iS just sold today so i am a serious buyer

hi - thanks for the offer and a very nice looking car sadly its above what i'm looking to spend. in any case i don't buy cars that i can't see locally, i also have a preference for 4-door cars...

thanks heaps for those links i found a 325 on trademe, and quite recent at 2001 as well: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...&key=557154 however for $25K it doesn't even have leather, hehe a bit lame to be honest. having had a leather ride i would never go back.

thanks for the replies people, i will get a BMW pre-inspection... heh $$. so no-one knows how big an e46 320 cabin is compared to an e36 318...? just after posting this i went out for a drive i saw a mid 90's 320, and it was definitely slimmer than my 318is, much like the 316 (yuk) which i wouldn't want. there's a lot of NZ-new 2001 320s to choose from at a good price, a 325 is going to be a bitch just to find one, i think i've seen only 1 on trademe (if anybody knows of anyone or a website etc feel free to msg me). btw one more newb question: is a 323 the earlier version of the 325 or a different model...? would they have been around in 2000 / 2001...?

i'm looking to buy a 2001 E46, it will be a NZ-new import (my old '96 318is is likely to sell soon). i'll be getting an AA check done, and having owned a 3-series bimmer b4 i know a lot of other things to check. the main thing i'm not sure on; are there any checks i can do to certify the mileage or service history before it was in NZ...? i don't really want to take the dealer's word for it, i must have looked at 20 BMWs before buying my last one and only one of those was from a dealer, the VIR showed it to be wound-back. as for the model, i'm looking at 318i / iA, 320, 325. The only thing which really turns me off the 318 is the rubber trim around the windows which i think looks cheap, and it can't weather as well as the chrome featured on the 320+ series and Audi A4s. I'll also test drive an A4 1.8T and 2.0MU, but not having driven an Audi ever have no idea what to expect.... 4 or 6cyl doesn't bother me, i like reasonable fuel economy, but i will want at least as much power as my old 318is (which wasn't huge, but noticeably better than a 318i of the time). i also liked the sports suspension on my car. i know everyone says get a 325, however its really hard to find a 2000 / 2001 325 in New Zealand. also harder to spot a 320, i've never driven one... are they the same cabin size as a 318i...? or just a 6cyl version of the 316 with its tiny cabin...?

first post on bimmersport nz, didn't know there was a local bimmer forum till yesterday my '96 318is passenger door lock has completely died. the central locking is controlled by a Mongoose M60C alarm which works fine except for that door, i can't even push the lock up and down from the inside. The door had a brand new actuator installed 3 months ago to fix an intermittant fault like this and it seemed to help for a bit, but then progressively got worse and now its gone, have to lock it from the outside and just leave it. i'm told its not the actuator but the lock assembly is stuffed.... is this major like it sounds..?