bravo

Hey y'all. I'm looking for a new car and I'm out of touch with what's good and what's not. I need something versatile that looks good, is reliable, has a comfortable and well-appointed interior, has ok to good performance, can handle light tow duties and costs about $20k (preferably under, but could go a little over). Nominal maximum of 100kms and 2006 or newer. So I'm considering E91's (325i or above), e83 X3's (2.5si and above), b7 and b8 A4 wagons 2.0 petrol or diesel and above, and b7 passat wagons 2.0 petrol or diesel and above (a reasonable r36 is possible at the top of my budget) Anyone here able to tell me what to look out for or avoid or had any experience with any of these? Cheers

I can remember replacing the entire arm once. Wasn't expensive although that was maybe 10-12 years ago. Ask Gavin to price the whole arm as well in case it's simpler and not too expensive. Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

Hi all I'm considering buying an e91 and there are a lot of imports with the N53 engine (325i and 330i). Wikipedia says the N53 was never sold in the Australia market due to the high sulphur content of the fuel. Our fuel is also high in sulphur. Does anyone know of any problems from imports running N53 engines on NZ fuel? Cheers

Working on that. Might not be a BMW. Or it might. No rush as I still have my daily (Hilux). I've test driven a Volkswagen and an Audi and have a BMW on the list.

SOLD End of an era - 10 years of ownership. Thanks to everyone from BS, especially CEHQ for all of the advice and good times over the years. And cheers to Gavin from Euro Italian for the great service providing parts to keep it on the road. To all the current and past e30 owners - it's been an honour rubbing shoulders with you. Keep up the love! Chur

After ten years of ownership it's time to part ways. (Although I'm finding it hard even just to type that sentence). Seriously for sale. Genuine buyers feel free to get in touch. Trademe Auction

Just not a fan of the styling. No other reason. Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

I basically keep coming back to a 330d wagon (hens teeth in nz) or a4 3.0d quattro wagon. Was a good exercise though to see what else is out there. Now I'll just bide my time until I get rid of the e30 and the ute before I go shopping. Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

The Guilia? It looks awesome, but probably out of my price range. I'm looking in the 5 years old market. That v6 sounds brilliant though! Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

I'm not really wanting a ute either. That's just what I'm coming from. I've not made any progress otherwise on a new car except the Alfa is back off the list. While we're on the subject though, I had an Amarok from new for 2 years (up until November last year) and while it didn't have the full torque of the 3.0 Hilux, it was actually a great little engine. I towed a 3 tonne trailer (max towing capacity for the Amarok) up the north side of the Brynderwyns heading south over a dozen times and it would happily pull it up there at the 80 km limit (not much in reserve though). It was great around town, and without the trailer I could get between 7 and 8 L/100km without driving particularly economically. As the vehicle was only 2 years old when I moved to the Hilux, I can't comment on long-term durability of the small capacity engine. But having put 60,000kms on it on those two years I can say it was a fantastic package and by far the best ute I've ever spent any serious time in. It performed great off-road too, it has brilliant safety features (for any car, not just a ute), it has the best interior of any ute, it was the best looking ute when it was released and still looks good despite being an old design now. I would definitely have one again. But that's just my opinion - it certainly wouldn't suit everyone and we all have our loyalties.

Hi, I'm starting to think about a new car. Initially I was thinking about a mid-sized sedan like an e90, a Mercedes c-class (w203 or 204), Audi A4 (B6 or B7), Volkwasgen Passat (B7 - don't like B6 styling), or a [gulp] v36 Nissan Skyline. But, I am considering a change at work that would mean relinquishing my Hilux, so I'm now wondering about something that can load carry to a certain extent as well. I quite like the idea of diesel, but would prefer something in the 145kw, 400Nm region (although I realise there is more choice at the 125-130kw 350Nm level and this would probably be adequate), and best possible towing capability I can. Decent styling and a quality interior are also high on the list. Basically a really good all-rounder with a comfortable and tasteful cabin. Price range is $15-20k with the higher end of that range only for the "right" vehicle. I think that prices cross-overs and small SUVs out of my range, so I'm thinking a diesel wagon. Obvious contenders are the same as my initial list except the merc (they don't make good-looking estates) and the Nissan (I'm not going to be caught dead in the v36 crossover, and besides they're all recent Jap imports with non-functioning sat nav, etc). But I also wonder about the Alfa 159 2.4 diesel wagon. I've always avoided Alfa because of their previous reputation, but can anyone shed any light on whether this has changed and whether the 159 is a good contender (particularly the 4wd model). Also, perhaps there is something in the Peugeot line-up? Or is there something else I'm not thinking of? I've test driven the Audi, BMW and Nissan in petrol sedan form, I've had an Amarok, driven numerous recent golfs and been in a 2L and r36 passat, so know what to expect from the VW's and I've driven a 320d. I need to get out and take some more drives, but anyone got any educated opinions they want to share?

Sold

Why do you have a camera installed in your car?

Welcome and well done for rescuing a near basket case. I hope it pays you back with years of trouble-free motoring. Who am I kidding? It's an e30. e30's have a habit of building one's character in a love-hate relationship kind of way. Yet for some reason I've owned one or more for over a decade.... Seriously though, it looks great and I hope you have a lot of fun with it.

Pm'd

Bump. $1,250 for bs members.

This. PM an admin or mod. Can't guarantee that they can/will do anything (depends on the circumstances), but that's your first step if you're getting no joy from the member.

E39/2S M5 Touring prototype - pretty much what you'd expect. E34/? M5 Cabrio prototype - Amazing from every angle, except perhaps the rear quarter. Love the seatbelt headrest combo. And stolen from maxbimmer (unverified): F01 7-series Future F02 7-series Longbase Future F03 7 Series Protection Future 2008- F04 8 Series Light Base Future 2009- F10 5-series Future F11 5-series Touring Future F12 6 Series Coupé Future 2010- F12C X4 Series Convertible/Coupé Future 2011- F13 6 Series Convertible Future 2011- F25 X3 Future 2011 F30 3 Series Sedan Future 2012-

Patented Velcro glove box latch. $2 value right there!

I've got a 1990 318i that's up for sale. Bought from a bimmersport member as a spare car for my girlfiend to daily about 2 years ago, it has been a cheap and reliable runner for her. She now has a new car and it's time for someone else to love the dirty e30. Plenty of minor dings and scratches just add to the character. Noisey tappets and the door key is different to the ignition key. Drivers seat has more tears in fabric than other seats - sorry but it's covered up in the pics. Otherwise no faults to mention. Has been well serviced by me and the two previous owners (both bimmersport members). Recently had rear discs and pads done, fronts have heaps of meat left. Recent oil change. 5x good tyres and 6 months warranty left on the battery. Has been lowered slightly by a previous owner, but only a small drop - see pics. WOF until end June, Reg until early July. Cheapest running e30 on trademe with a WOF and Reg. $1,500. Become the fourth bimmersport member to care for EUN. More pics and details on trademe. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=899815681

Budget?

Just re-read this. That was a fun project. Drove it on Sunday for the first time in years - still puts a huge grin on my face!

Thanks guys. Should get me going... Steve - 2 years ago I went shopping for a jetski and came back with a 100kph ski boat... This is my typical summer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2od6PyjEOVM&list=FLM9CtyVVVNc2KJGapRTkdkw&index=3 Just looking for something a little different this year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvx5EXGE2vw

Hey waterskiers and powerboat owners, I've been boating for nearly 30 years both recreationally and commercially on anything from trailer sailers to large keelers and from small ski boats, to large launches, jetboats and high-speed RHIBs. But it's all been on salt water. My boat at the moment is a mint condition Bullet 1850 I've had for a couple of years now spending most of my time doing my best to make the trip from the nearest boat ramp to a beach or island in the Hauraki Gulf or Bay of Islands as short as possible. But by now I've pretty much had my fun and it's nearly time to upgrade to something significantly bigger that I can overnight/weekend on i.e. a decent cabin boat. However, this summer, before I sell my high-speed toy I want to do some fresh-water boating on lakes and rivers in the Waikato. I thought I might head down to the 'swamps' on Labour weekend, but I don't know the area, where is good/bad, or where to get info on the rules and etiquette for where we end up. The Council website is slack and apart from info on the bridge to bridge, there's not a lot else I can find online. Ideally I'd like to explore some of the river and perhaps find a larger lake where we can do some high-speed runs in between relaxing on the riverbank/lake side. Basically I want find out what all the fuss is about off the salt. I don't really ski (although I can), so it's more about just getting onto some fresh water and having some fun in the boat and maybe mingling/mixing with other like-minded individuals. Who can tell me what's hot/not and what i need to know? Cheers,

Another 14 months and thankfully moving on from the 2010 Nissan X-Trail and back into a doublecab ute. Picked up a new Volkswagen Amarok Highline Doublecab 4x4 this morning. Pics and review to come, but suffice to say it is a whole new dimension over the BT-50. I'll try and post back after the weekend's "road trials". I should add that the X-Trail has been an amazing car, but it is what it is. It is now going to my brother and I wouldn't sell a car to family that I didn't think was good.