KwS

Lol if the price difference between 91 and 95 is even a question you're going to hate servicing and fixing a BMW, unless of course you're prepared to get your hands dirty.

It already does and already is a fail if a cat or DPF is removed, but only as long as the vehicle was manufactured after 1990 and first registered in NZ after May 2010, unless it passes an emissions test without it fitted. So if the above M3 was first registered in NZ after 2010, it would be a WOF fail and thus illegal to remove the cats.

Wait and the market will come back. Have a look at what the manuals have been selling before in this thread, IIRC the average price was around 8-10K depending on various factors. Using the cars currently on the market as any sort of price guide is straight up stupid.

TBH if you want a manual one, spend the extra and get a manual one. 98% of the time buying a cheaper auto and converting it to manual isn't cost effective, and if you didnt want an auto in the first place, you're probably not going to be happy slushing around in one for long. Manuals do come up at good prices, but obviously the market is in a state of chaos with this whole Covid thing. Be patient and get the car you want.

I concur with Dave, ADS and a hardware serial port is required for most modules on any E36 I have had the displeasure of working with. I even had to buy a specific crappy old Dell laptop just to use EasyDIS with a hardware port. Its a pretty well documented "feature".

My prayers have been answered https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/listing-2582781740.htm

Id do a standard drain and refill, drive it for a bit and then drop the pan/filter. Helps mix the old and new fluid up to drain more old fluid, since only about half comes out in one drain.

XHP flash is an app you install on your phone/tablet and download the tune from that into the car. Pretty easy to do with the right cable. The ZF6 in my 150k 335i was horrible, even after servicing it and replacing the seals on the valvebody, it just shifted like complete trash, but it does appear to be the exception as a couple of other ZF6s i have driven (including with higher km) have been a lot better. Might have been down to the extra power being pushed through it without regular servicing, but who knows. @NZ_InFerno is probably the guy to ask once he gets his 130i sorted. He has both a manual and auto one currently, although both (the manual especially) are being a bit troublesome.

Anyone happen to know where I can buy a can of black wrinkle paint? For some reason its not classified as Essential, which is preposterous.

Ordered after the lockdown?

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+many+days+in+6+months

TBH i suspect they were removed purely because there was nowhere to screw them in when they welded in the resonators instead of the cats (E: because the sensors mount in the front of the cats, not the pipe) ? I cant imagine it would hurt having some bungs welded in and the sensors fitted. I never noticed any sluggishness when cold, and it drove the same as my M328i which was factory optioned with no cats/O2 sensors. Depending on the Ks now its probably been about 40,000km since I did that tensioner.

Swap a coil from the white one to the black one and at least have one working car in the mean time?

IIRC they only have pre cat sensors, no post cat sensors on the 3.0. I have no idea if it would make a difference, but i decided it wasnt worth the cost to try. The plugs were still there, tucked up to the side. When i scanned it with DIS i got an error for both sensors. That steering wheel is much better. The old bus wheel has nice ///M stitching, but is so un-sporty. Its a shame the near new E46 three spoke I have in the garage doesnt work on E36s

You will find that unless someone has added them, there are no O2 sensors on the car at all as the owner previous to me decatted it and removed them. Apparently there is not meant to be any issue removing them except for codes in the system. The last time the engine had a rattle at about 1700-2000rpm it was the chain tensioner. I replaced it with a S50B32 tensioner and the sound went away. Maybe check the tensioner hasnt come loose, or isnt worn out?

Between you and @adro there must be a few ruined pants on this forum... ? Gorgeous car and you now how to show it off!

If its a little low you can top up with plain/distilled water, but dont use any other coolant or it can mix and have big issues.

Is there a third, red, hoist just out of shot?

Love that ///M Fabric interior.

I'm pretty uncommon, actually.

The LHD jap imports seem to sit around for sale for ages, cant imagine they will get anywhere near 45k for it.

I guess the stance on here now is good on them for taking it and making a profit with little/no effort put in? ?

Thank you for taking the isolation seriously. If I'm isolated I'll still be driving occasionally, even if just to get out of the house, but won't be coming into contact with anyone.

How many times are you going to be told on here to replace the battery before you actually do it? It sounds like the battery has dropped a cell. just replace it.

You're not allowed to say that.