E30 325i Rag-Top

Yup, the joys of the new car game, each new model has to be faster, lighter, cleaner, safer, more economical, more features and yet go on sale at the same, or a lower price than the out-going version!! How long do you think that can continue??Oh yeah, and the new model has to come out quicker than before, and have an LCI, and twice yearly model updates, and more colours, and more options....

Don't forget that due to inflation the relative value of money is dropping, what you need $10 to buy today was probably only $5 ten years ago (roughly, not an exact figure, but you get my drift). So in effect your $10 is worth half of what it was.

Cracks me up - barn find, yeah right!

No there isn't an M125i! However there is the M135i and yes it does have the three litre twin turbo engine (N55B30TO) in it and it may or may not be on our shores in the near future . The "M" in this instance shows that it is an "M Peformance" model, as opposed to an M-Sport version (which is what the 125i comes as in NZ). The whole model badging system is all over the place now, and there is a rhyme and reason to it, if you can work through it all. As a rule of thumb the last two numbers (which used to be the actual engine displacement in the good old days) is a guide to the power of the engine being EQUIVALENT to that engine size. So in the case of the 125i here it is a two litre engine producing power EQUIVALENT to a 2.5litre from its higher (or Ober in German which gives the "O" at the end of the engine number if you're a real statto) state of tune. Confused?? Wait until all the new series, models, engines, body shapes, electric, hybrid, etc. arrive...

Not quite Clinton, the 125i is the 2.0 ltr N20 motor with a higher level of tune, the 135i is the six pot 3.0 ltr N55 with twin turbo. But still, yes petrels have narrowed the gap thanks to the addition of the twin scroll turbos.

Have you still got the CIN card from Turners? If it states on there "M3" you might want to go and have a little chat with them about mis-representing the car.Pretty sure they still have to know their onions even when selling at auction. On the upside, this still has the potential to be a very good, fun car so don't be too down about it.

325i TickManual Tick Facelift Cross (but chrome bumpers are where its at with E30s) NZ New Cross (but in better condition than most NZ new even rust wise - always been a summer only car) Under 150km Tick FSH Tick Been in family since new Tick Pic here.. \/ \/ \/ \/

It's your car so go for the features you really want! In terms of desirability and the re-sale value the biggest factors are colour and a decent set of rims. Xenons with the angel eyes certainly make the front look better to me and personally I would look for an M-Sport. All models are available as manuals but 99.5% of the NZ new will be auto as that's the make up of the original buyers. Go for one with as many options as possible, i would look for auto wipers & lights, auto dim mirrors and Bluetooth as a minimum.

Start of an iDrive & nav retro fit?

Have a good day, buy a car!!

It's the later 204bhp engine, as it's a 2004 model and it's got the down pointing tail pipes. Chances are it's been imported in the last couple of years, and this engine with the 6-speed manual was the only version which met Euro 4 emissions (all of which I found out when I brought my wagon in 18 months ago). If you're interested in buying it ask whether the swirl flaps have been done - still an issue on this engine at this year. It does look very nice in the M-Sport with the Le-Mans blue paint and light leather. If you'd prefer a wagon I know a nice one in Orient Blau with grey leather M-Sport that could be up for sale in the near future?

Love the shot of the Merc with the traffic cone sticking out of the grille..

Each to their own, but I'm with CSET on this one, previous models looked much better. The current "sporty" models just don't work for me - the front spoilers, grilles, wheels, etc. just look too thrown on to me. The overall design doesn't work together. The only one I've driven, yes was quick, yes handled pretty well but the interior seemed very poor quality for the amount of money involved. There was a very nice looking red SLS in the MB head office this week though, much more of an integrated design.

I have a 325i diff sitting in the shed doing nothing, and I'm just around the corner from you in Cockle Bay. Sure we can sort something out if you're interested??

Very clean red E28 on BBS Bugatti seven spoke rims in Cockle Bay School car park. Pretty sure I have seen pics / mention of it on here, looked for the owner to say Hi, but no-one around.

If you want anything moulded, you will need to invest in the tooling... a half decent tool from China for an E46 grille would be about NZ$50k, and you would need a tool for each side...

That nearly got me into trouble at work... so funny... and so true!!

Interested in the 5-stud conversion, what size are the weaves that come with it Jono?

Unfortunately it doesn't, it has exactly the opposite effect, people who previously could just about scrape up the money for WoF and Rego now can't afford the insurance as well, and don't bother with any of the three (this has been found in insurance / rego / MoT blitzes in the UK).If they get caught, it's just another fine (that won't get paid) to go on top of the fine for no WoF / Rego / Driver's License / driving while disqualified, that they will get for the third time anyway. No detterent there I'm afraid.

Might be worth checking if the "Motorsports" still have the M-Sport suspension in them, it is a commonly deleted option, so although an M-Sport edition it is running on standard suspension.I know my wagon is definately on the M-Sport set up and I wouldn't describe the ride as enjoyable around town. Good on the open road though

Checking out the opposition Jamez??I hear there are few E36 V8s being built, could be one of those?

Must be, can't be too many yellow M3s with start / stop buttons added to the front ash tray??

Not sure this happens though does it? They go to court, plead poverty, wife & kids to support, etc. no real assets - Judge says: "ok pay it off at a dollar a week for the next 1.2million weeks"If people can't afford insurance, then how can they afford to pay off the cost of the damage?? Very hard to get costs back from people that have no money. NOTE: not saying that this is the case here, but I have come across this several times.

Pretty sure the 116i is a single turbo (also the TwinPower turbo is a twin scroll, rather than two seperate turbos) still puts out 100kw from 1.6ltr or 136hp in old money. Not bad in a smaller car like the one series.The 125i is a nice little pocket rocket with the 2.0ltr turbo, so it will be interesting to see what the M Performance version M135i will be like, could be close to the 1M in terms of performance.

Looks like it could easily have been so much worse in terms of people hurt, fingers crossed the two guys in hospital recover soon. All because one person decided to make a silly move... ends up looking like something from an action movie stunt. It's going to keep a few insurance companies busy for a while, no-ones going to want to foot the bill for this one.