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kratosnz

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Posts posted by kratosnz

  2. Posted · Report reply

    That could explain the harsh gear change, VJ (from page european) said he hadn't driven too many SMGs, and found the same thing in the M3s that he had tested. But that doesn't explain the clutch shudder.

    I have also attached the service history. I don't know if this is good or bad. Seems to be major services only.

    Apoogies that it is upside down for some of the pages, u can right click and rotate .. but it wont let me save it the correct way up.

    Service_History.pdf

  4. Posted · Edited by -Mat- · Report reply

    I would love a manual anyway, so if i had to fork out a few thousand to get it converted I could live with that, but I would want to incorporate it into the price

    Arrr ... thought id fund my white whale haha. So hard to come by that estoril blue.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    They can, which is the idea of them. Although I've heard/read (not from my own experience mind you) that they aren't exactly great in automatic mode, especially around town, a bit rough and awkward... and this is not just limited to the SMG models, other car makers with similar electronic/Hydraulic Manuals suffer from less than ideal function at low speeds in the city.

    Ultimately you should test drive some different models to get the best comparison, and of course remember not one car is the same as another so test drive a couple of SMG, autos or manuals to get the best insight. I test drive 6 E36s before buying mine and the difference between them all was vast.

    Ideally I would like a manual, to be honest I misunderstood what SMG was and thought this was pretty much a manual. I really like the look of the car and it is estoril blue which is like my ideal color.

    Apart from the fact that it is that type of gearbox... Based on the report above do u think its an ok buy

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Michael

    Cheers for your comment. This will be my first BMW .. so excuse my ignorance.

    The description on the auction said "it can be driven in either Automatic or Manual mode" and i note there is a gear stick haha. I assumed you could drive it as a normal manual, or switch to the paddle/automatic mode .... Is this wrong?

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Guys

    I have been looking at a 330i in Estoril blue (was listed on trademe but has now expired).

    It is manual/SMG with about 150kms.

    I have just had a pre-purchase check done at page european in Wellington. The results are as follow:

    CARRIED OUT CHECK FOR PURCHASE.

    NOTED***POLLEN FILTER DIRTY

    OIL LEVEL SENSOR FAULT

    AIR BELLOW CRACKED

    LEFT FOG LAMP BRACKET BROKEN

    KEY REMOTE N/W

    SLIGHT CLUTCH SHUDDER

    TRANS FLUID LEAK FROM RESIVIOR.( SMALL LEAK )

    TYRE TREAD FRONT 7 mm REAR 6mm

    ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. ENGINE QUITE AND NO ABNORMAL NOISES HERD.

    SLIGHT CLUTCH SHUDDER ON TAKE OFF. CLUTCH HARSH IN SPORTS MODE BU

    NO SLIPPEAGE. CHECKED FOR FAULT CODES. NO CODES LOGGED IN ENGINE,

    TRANS, ABS,SRS,ZKE CONTROL UNITS. MINOR ENGINE OIL LEAK FROM ROCK

    COVER GASKET. SUSPENSION JOINTS ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.

    Is there anything there that is a major, or could be an indicator of a bigger problem? Would you buy the car based on this.

    Currently we were talking $15,500 prior to the inspection. Is there anything in there that you would say I should get him to fix first, or ask for something off the original agreed price?

    Any help/opinions at all would be great

  11. Posted · Edited by -Mat- · Report reply

    Hi Guys

    Am looking at a car in Masterton, I guess Wellington is the closest place to get an inspection done.

    Who would you recommend, and is there anything in particular I should ask them to look at.

    I am looking at a 2003 330i manual Motorsport.

    Unfortunately the day I had planned to get the car checked out Jeff Gray is booked up. Is anywhere else suitable to get a pre purchase inspection?

    I note that a few people on here have said good things about Page European.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Changing the oil, brake pads etc is regular maintenance only. Ask the guy about the items you have noticed that bug you. The file you put up looks pretty standard it depends on the guy doing the inspection and how hard he wants to look on your behalf. As mentioned get it scanned and it will tell you what has been going on in the electronic's side of the vehicle. If you are that keen ask the owner if it could be taken to Dunedin for a check over at your expense just a thought plus a chance for you to have a drive and get a feel for it.

    Sorry - forgot to mention he said he has had it serviced twice since he bought it. If they do a diagnostic test - is that what you mean by getting it scanned? (sorry complete noob).

    I'm actually in Tauranga, so veiwing is kind of a bastard.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    The guy has changed the coolant, and oil, as well as break pads. He got new mags and tyres last year. Said he got the curbing fixed on the left rear, but not painted (but you can hardly tell).

    Still not too sure about the GWD Russell thing to get it checked out. They sent me through their inspection sheet (attached PDF) ... is it kind of basic?? I asked if they also did diagnostic testing.

    Multi_point_inspection_sheet.pdf

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Also GWD got back to me and said

    "Yes we can do a pre-purchase check for you. We are the Invercargill servicing agent for Cooke Howlison Ltd in Dunedin who sell and service BMW’s.

    Please let me know when you wish for us to look at it, any day next week would be fine. All I would need is a registration number to make the booking."

    Not really sure if that means they are BMW certified or not.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I got his report from VTNZ when he purchased the vehicle.

    Comments

    - This vehicle is in good overall condition for its age and mileage.

    - The vehicle has been found to be mechanically and structurally sound.

    FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE LOW.

    SLIGHT BUCKLE IN LEFT FRONT WHEEL.

    SLIGHT CURB DAMAGE FRONT WHEELS.

    DRIVE SHAFT COUPLINGS HARD TO SEE WITH COVERS APPEAR TO BE OK.

    REAR BUMPER ON LEFT SIDE DOES NOT LINE UP.

    PAINT MISSING REAR BUMPER RIGHT SIDE

    Under Bonnet

    Cam Belt: NA

    Corrosion Inhibitor: RECOMMEND NEW COOLANT

    Oil Condition: RECOMMEND OIL CHANGE

    Oil Leaks: ENGINE OIL LEAK RIGHT SIDE

    Underbody

    Fluid Leaks: ENGINE OIL LEAKS SLIGHT

    There is a few small dents/scratches on the doors, and a scratch in the bonnet.

    Should I be worried about the oil leak, does the rear bumper not lining up indicate it has been in an accident?

    Given this information would you recommend going ahead with getting a BMW check, or do you think that I should keep looking for something else?

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Having a bit of trouble finding somewhere to take it in Invercargill ... my google skills are failing me!

    The owner said GWD Russells are BMW approved servicers, or Autoc specialise in European cars.

    GWD Russell website - http://www.gwdrussellsholden.co.nz/index.html

    AUtotec website - http://www.autotectuning.co.nz/

    Can't see anything on either of them about being BMW certified.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    The TV & NAV will need more than just a disc

    Definitely get it checked out properly

    I should still be able to use it as a radio/cd player anyway aye? Not too worried about the Nav/TV side of it. Although it would be good to know what it would require to get it sorted.

    Is there anything in particular to look out for with the 330? For example I have been told with the 4 cylander 318s there is often cooling problems.

    Also does anyone know of a good BMW certified mechanic in Invercargill, where I could get him to take it?

  19. Posted · Edited by -Mat- · Report reply

    Hey guys

    Talked to the guy. With the black 330i above. ( http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=554234925 )

    He has receipts for all work done since he bought the car a year ago, but not full service history.

    He didn't know where the car was imported from, but I looked up the plate and its a Japan import.

    Would you say to stay clear cos of the lack of service history? Or if i get it checked out at a BMW specialist will it be ok?

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Yea I will definitely take some 318is for a drive and see how they feel to me. The 318i seem to be easier to find nicely optioned ones. I have been looking at Brunch's one which looks immaculate, and very nice!

    I have had a few cars in the past including a 2 litre turbo, but I am currently driving a modest Toyota corolla wagon 1.6litre, so anything will be an upgrade. (The car was great for Uni, but I have had a professional job for a few years now, and am more than ready to upgrade).

    I do quite like the look of this 330i that Qube linked above:

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-554155472.htm

    Is the KMs being that high (145,000)an issue though?

  24. Posted · Report reply

    @brunch

    I saw how you said ur biased towards 318, can you explain?

    I can see you have 2 currently and you had 325,330...

    What makes you biased towards 318?

    I ask because I really want a e46 touring but all of them are 318 or 320 nothing like a 330 touring.

    He wants me to buy his 318i :) hence the bias.

    Don't apologise for the long post man, thats exactly the kind of info I'm after, the more opinions/experience I can get the better, as I really am completely new to bimmers.

    $130 for 450-700 still seems reasonable.

    My driving will probably be town driving most weeks, with trips to hamilton maybe every second weekend

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Hey guys

    Cheers for your help! At this stage im only looking at 4 door. I've had 2 door cars in the past and I just prefer the practicality of 4 doors.

    Yea color is not a deal-breaker, i definitely prefer the facelift model though.

    Is there a big diff between the 320i and 318i ? I am just looking on wikipedia and it says

    318i - 105kW - 141bhp - 0-100 in 9.3 seconds

    320i - 125kW - 168bhp - 0-100 in 8.2 seconds

    Found it interesting, the energywise.govt.nz site actually showed you would get more fuel economy on the 320i (marginally). Although it would only let you put in 2004 for the 318i and 2005 for the 320i

    Are the 330s quite alot hungrier than the 318/320s?

    Seems very hard to find manuals

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