E30 325i Rag-Top

Is it only me that would have reservations about buy a car from a TradeMe account that has a negative feedback rating? That really does take some doing!

Pretty sure the factory bluetooth module for an E46 (if fitted, which is again in the boot) has a connector like those.

Showing your age now Dan... "I can remember when... beer cost less than a pound a pint, and WoFs were only $20... my son"

Always a give-away that one...

I wonder if the crank journals were polished as part of that price? I know a lot of these rod bearing replacements are done from underneath with the engine still in the car and the sump off. If the bearings were that bad (in Q&A section it refers to them being in a fairly bad way when replaced) then that would suggest that the crank was probably starting to wear abnormally as well. I appreciate it is the rod bearing material that is supposed to be the sacrificial wear part, and that putting new ones in would give the bottom end a new lease of life, however, without the crank being touched the replacements wouldn't last particularly long I wouldn't have thought? I suppose it would come down to cost v longevity and if you are likely to sell the car in the near(ish) future then then the lower cost option would probably make most sense. All things being equal it would still be a better bet than a car at similar, or slightly less kms, that hadn't had the bearings replaced.

If you go on the bmw.co.nz web-site there is a section where you can enter your VIN and it will tell you if your car is subject to any of the air-bag recalls. Can be a bit easier than contacting a dealership or the call centre.

I see what you mean.

Yeah, its a bit weird. Photos in your first For Sale show up fine, but for this one and the mechanical bits and pieces they are not showing correctly, just get an "image Preview" box come up. N.b. Not gettting on your case about it, just sayin.

The CD changer is not even available ex-factory on a G05, as Gaz says above these are a retro-fit in the glove box now purchased through parts department. There is an option code to include the wiring kit to enable the CD changer to be fitted, which need to be added on the G05. Are you referring to the in-dash CD player,? That has not been included with NZ specification X5s since the G05 model was introduced either. Which configurator are you looking at? They are market specific so make sure you are looking at the right country. Is your car an NZ new vehicle or an import, as again this can change from market to market as to what is included. Can't answer your question without that information sorry.

I’ll take the rear platforms and springs if they’re still available mate? will message you on payment and posting or pick up later.

Needs engine bay dragon...

I would have thought it would be well nigh impossible to get a gash in the side of a run-flat as they are bloody solid through their design. Chopping and changing cars often I have driven on a variety of ultra-low profile high performance (Pirelli / PSS4) and similar run flat (Bridgestione, Continental) tyres a number of times, over some pretty awful road surfaces - SH2, SH27, SH5, etc. Whilst I have never done a full-on back-to-back test with different tyres on exactly the same car, I would suggest that they are comparable enough to draw some viewpoints... For road-noise, the noisiest tyres would have to be the PSS4 on the M3. Noticeably louder than the run-flats, especially on the coarse-chip stuff that apparently passes as an acceptable road-surface these days. Even with the louder exhaust and engine note the tyres were almost to the point of being a nuisance, especially on a long drive where long sections were on the coarse chip. In terms of the ride quality, very little to choose between them to be honest. Trying to make a correction between the "comfort" M setting and the "Comfort" M Sport settings, it would have to be pretty close. The fact that the wheels would be 19s or 20s with very narrow side walls would be a big reason for that, with such little effective sidewall to make a difference in the overall movement of the whole suspension system. However, I briefly drove a 3-Series on non-RFT 18s the other week and it wasn't immediately obvious to me what tyres it was running, only the mobility kit in the boot notified me of the difference. Admittedly this was only pootling around town on the daily commute and errands and no spirited drive around the back roads was involved. Handling and performance, to be honest I have run out of ability and bravery well before any of the tyres have run out of grip or started protesting too much and this is in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. Whilst I possibly don't drive as fast as some on the public roads, the tyres do get a fairly reasonable work out on the twisty bits of SH5. So overall, hmm, yes, there probably a difference between the two types. Is it as bad as people say? To my not overly sensitive arse-ometer, probably not. Like all tyres, there are some runflats that are better than others. If it were my choice of tyres, would I go for RFT, yes I would primarily due to the amount of open road and longer distance driving I do and the increased peace of mind. These factors change for all of us, so the answer probably also changes as to what is "best" for us.

There are a million and one reasons for differing rates, from overheads down, but that is a whole other discussion.

It may well vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and market to market. Ford of Europe certainly didn’t leave any meat on the bone for the dealerships when it came to recalls.

Can’t go into too many specifics, but things have changed from what you describe.

Since the lifting of the lockdown the workshop has been very busy, booked out between four to six weeks in advance. In a franchise dealership recalls are money for jam, All paid for by the factory, so far from fobbed off.

I'll dig the box out of the cupboard and get a photo, and send you a pm.

This is where it starts to get murky - as curb (or kerb depending on where you are in the world) weight and EU unladen weight are different calculations, with differences in what is included and what is not and hence different results. You'll notice that if you take the payload from the max permissable weight in the figures for the M3 it does not equal the unladen weight. The difference is down to the inclusion of a driver (now at 75kg - we have got fatter since the nineties), etc. Would be a lot simpler if a "Tare" weight were used as in heavy transport applications.

Factory curb weight for 323i coupe looks to be 1380kg. Definition of "curb" weight does not include, driver, passenger or luggage. But does include fluids in amongst which is half a tank of fuel.

I don’t think so, only PFL.

I have got a brand new old stock genuine BMW rear light cluster for one side if that’s of any use to you?

I’m no expert on this, but my understanding is that it depends very much on which options are fitted to the vehicle, and which ones you want converted over. For example, getting the iDrive display into English is pretty easy, but changing Nav system is much more complicated. Lots of people around that do this stuff every day Euro Surgeon are often recommended. They would probably give you an idea of cost and then be more accurate once you know the exact vehicle you are looking to import.

Is the cage homologated, or got all the paperwork for homologation?

Shame you are in Wellywood as I have one here in Akl, but heavy to freight. Try @FIAT 131R he normally has a few diffs kicking around the place..

@PRC I checked with the Sales Manager there and it has already been sold i’m sorry.