E30 325i Rag-Top

What kind of driver manages to have a nose to tail accident on a motorway in light traffic, on a clear, dry, sunny day..? Clearly cant drive so take licence off them. A Prius was involved...

@MatthewR probably best to PM rather than reply to a ten year old post.

Don’t leave Lexus out of that race, relatively scarce here but becoming more noticeable (which is the whole point).

Back when I used to work in the automotive supply chain I was amazed that in many countries the time period a vehicle had to be supported by law was very short. 7 years from end of production was about par and even as low as five years was common. Now, not all companies work to that legal definition, but some definately do. Imagine going and asking for a part for your five and a half year old car and being told “sorry, we don’t supply that anymore, and there’s no alternative”! This has probably worked it’s way through to the design parameters for various components, with refurbishment and/or replacement out of the question. Throw-away society now.

Three x E36 M3 Compacts

@Contrails it’s been back a couple of times, no change in asking price which is why it’s still there. Three black ones coming off and going back on. The Sunday Drive one has been through quite a few owners in the last couple of years.

I don’t suppose any of you 130i owners have a couple of cam angle sensors kicking around do you? Trying to help a friend with an issue.

By Tech 1 I guess you are referring to an M325i? Market has gone a bit soft but still very sought after, and deserving of a good premium over most of the others. So much of the price depends on the condition - has it been maintained well or is everything worn out, paint still good, interior wear, etc. No rust is a good sign as is an untracked dash. Even if it is a clapped out WoF fail it would still be $15k+ if it’s a genuine NZ M325i, how far you go up from there is down to the above.

FTFY. 🧐

One has been cleaned and moved a clear area to be photographed, the other seems to be going for a “barn find” aesthetic.

E46 is still such a great looking car, design doesn’t seem to have dated at all, and a black M3 will always look good! Even when it’s a less than sunny day at Maraetai (nice drive out there) it looks awesome.

Those are such good reps (heaps better than mine) right size at 16” and the little key lock on the centre are great. Will look so good on your car.

Took the ‘vert to work for a run, and yup you guessed it.. that made it rain, sorry Aucklanders!

Not from what I can see in the parts catalogue. Only one rotor size and one calliper showing, no selectable option codes to change them either. I can’t remember when / what models got the first M Performance brakes available, off top of my head E46 seems a little too early for that. Possibly a conversion done by a previous owner?

The sales patter in the listing is very familiar, so I think it’s the same seller. Showing that it’s met reserve at $7.5k which could be a good buy. Looking at the photos it might not need much to get it through a WoF.

Got some nice options on it, 2.5ltr, manual, Tech 1 wheel, leather sports seats. But not sure about the body kit (maybe needs a few more badges..?) and those wheels are a big no for me, especially with the Linglong “no good in a..” Crosswinds on them. Pricing is relatively sane compared to many listings.

Our current Road User system is not flexible or clever enough to cope with all the varieties of vehicle types, sizes and weights. Heavy Truck & Trailer RUC is a nightmare as well. Throw RUC on EVs in there as well and it is completely broken, needs a totally new system and use modern electronic measuring and charging systems. Has anyone ever had success in claiming back the tax on their petrol because it wasn’t used on road? For a boat or jet-ski maybe? Race cars aren’t eligible unfortunately.

Depends which generation of X3, the first was not great, the F25 was pretty bloody good, the G01 is awesome. Saw an X3 M40i out drag a modded Skyline from the lights on the South Eastern last night, the Nissan nearly crashed trying to keep up.

Yup, that and the whole Clean Car Scheme - although that only focusses on first registration, by steering the first purchase that then determines the subsequent re-purchase decision.

Has the price of petrol gone up or something? I hadn’t noticed, would have thought someone might have mentioned it.

The number plate held on with cable ties (illegally) does not inspire with confidence either!

They don’t have the resources to get new vehicles tested and approved to all the various worldwide standards, not the engineering resources to meet the latest emissions targets for petrol / diesel models. This is going to affect more and more low volume manufacturers as the costs continue to spiral.

Unless you’re going to replace all of it.. core pipe, matrix, hoses, etc. I would plumb it back in to find exactly what is leaking, and where from. I thought I was staring down the barrel of pulling it all out when at the last minute I found the leak was from one of the pipes coming through the firewall (those ends sticking out corrode and don’t seal against the rubber hose). Cleaned it up with sand paper a bit of sealant for good measure and was all good. It helps that coolant is bright green so you can see it easier!