E30 325i Rag-Top

How do you tell the difference? I have at least one off a 325i?

Oh, so that's the reason that there are sales people in dealerships then. Silly me, I thought it was to work with customers to help them get the right vehicle for their needs and explain the pros and cons of each model and option. Not to mention explain the technolgy involved and what it does in real life. Thankfully cars are not simple consumer commodities. If you seriously think that all the options, combinations and rules for ordering a new BMW could be handled by a simple web-portal then you are a mile off. I would estimate at least 95% of people would not end up getting what they wanted when it was delivered, and that would be down to ordering it incorrectly. So who would they then turn to to put it right??

Of course you are saving on NZ RRP, because you're not buying the same thing. This is a couple of year old used import, not a 2012 new car!On that note it may be worth comparing the spec on this used car against an NZ new, some big ticket items come standard on the NZ new that are not on all imports. Not sure from the photo, but this does look to have the lower-spec leather (and in a horrible colour to boot). You won't be able to get a dealer to match the price of this car, but with a generous trade on your 535d and some discount you should get close enough. Failing that - the ex-demo NZ new vehicles are a very good bet.

it's more down to the silly shape of the spaces, as the car park is round, the parks are not straight but wedge shaped. Been parking there for months and still cant get it right first time.And that's not how the Bosses park !

Yup, I have one, well two in fact, one at each end of the car ! Was a limited edition that the team organised a couple of years back, now sold out I believe. You might get lucky and find someone on here that want to sell theirs, or have a spare set.

I think BMW have enough sub-brands already, MINI, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, M GmbH, M Performance, i, don't think any more are required. I guess it's called progress.. if you want lowest emissions and best fuel consumption then you need the lowest mechanical resistance from the drivetrain which = front wheel drive unfortuantely. Definately does not mean the end of RWD driver's cars, just FWD on this Hybrid version is all.

I have a 325i Auto radiator from a Pre-Facelift, I'm in Cockle Bay, Pm if interested.

Loving your idea of a "100% Stock" Facelift convertible!Nice car though, if it has been done well. Would have to remove the M3 badge from the boot - worst imaginable crime.

Probably built for a customer order, they wanted to spend the money on the colour rather than the toys. Some people have strange priorities in cars...

Are the oil gauges electrical or mechanical? All fittings included? Discount for cuddles??

Very, very capable off-road vehicles, even the old eighties versions. You nailed most of the downsides, but realistically I think you will only find 3.5ltr V8s in that vintage, and that was an engine that could suck the gas on a roller skate, let alone in a big 4x4. A friend owned one when we were at uni and moaned about the cost of fuel for it even then, when it was just over a pound a GALLON! Yes there were diesel versions around back then, but only sold in low numbers (mainly to farmers who could run them on DERV - tax free diesel) and the 2.25 ltr lump was a bit of a dog to put it mildly. If you are serious about towing with it, then diesel really should be the way to go, I believe there are quite a few common re-powers with later model diesel engines (as the original engines do tend to overheat and warp heads I think) which might be the go. 80s Rangie looks, good off road, and reasonable towing economy.

Fixed

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.