Juzzie Wuzzie

The M3 has a uniden in it which has caused me nothing but trouble. As soon as I'm back in NZ it is being replaced by the top of the line Dynatron. Why? Because the Isuzu has a Dynatron in it, and it has been nothing but perfect. I agree with your alarm cost v. car price cost / benefit approach. I guess the question is - why do you want an alarm in your car? The general feel is that it will not stop the car getting stolen (within reason) so we must consider that it is either to get cheaper insurance or to act as a keyless entry. Following CiLK's post - in NYC now, alarms are TOTALLY ignored. To stop (ok lessen the chance) of your car being stolen you need "hard" protection such as steering wheel / shifter locks. J

Most enjoyable!

Agreed. Forget Uniden (IMHO). Dynatron only.

Prefer CHC, but can do WLG. Although, anywhere is possible - for the right car.

she had one - then I took it and put a 2.8ltr engine in it, and didn't give it back. she got angry. had to buy her a wagon with a 2.7ltr engine in it. she cooled down, I got dinners and ironing done again!

I said "mom"!!!

... I'm looking to purchase a mid to late 90s 318ti (you know the one - the "compact hatch" with the short, squat back perfect for mothers) for my mom. MUST be automatic, and in good condition. As I'm in London, it is a little hard to shop in NZ for it. If anyone spots something, could you post some details / e-mail me? Not looking to spend ridiculous money as it will only be used 3-4 months of the year. Cheers, J

Well worth it. J

Not quite $10k, but approaching that.

Best of luck finding your M3. Remember, take your time, and do your research. Otherwise, you will end up disappointed. Also, before purchase, engage a specialist BMW mechanic for half a day to look over the car - just to make sure that nothing problematic is waiting for you around the corner as they are VERY expensive to fix / parts are limited. J

"What makes a m325 a m325?" $60 to buy them, and the nerve to mount "M" badges on your car! Sorry, sarcasm highlighted! J

Have rotated my driving goggle 180 degrees - you are correct!

Cannot emphasise the cost of repair enough! You will know about it the first time something goes wrong. Nothing comes in less than four figures! Just my two cents!

On a slightly different note, the next M3 I was looking at (located in Canada) was stolen in late September. So if you see / hear of any LHD black E30 M3s for sale (or parts) in suspicious circumstances, can you let me know. J

It is well protected

Unfortunately, I think a perfectionist and like to see things done right.As for pricing - ie, the "over inflated view" (to which, for the avoidance of doubt, I don't take offence) - I like to think that other people have a sensible view of what it costs to get an M3 on the road. I don't think I got much change out of $40,000 to get mine on the road, in the condition it is in. I think my comment was aimed at the fact that you are probably around the money for a good example (I will say minimum $40k to $50k) but what buyers must factor in the effort it takes to get an M3 on the road in New Zealand. For me it took over a year and included times when it looked like I wouldn't be able to get the car on the road. Not many of us would like being faced with a $35,000 track car sitting in the garage. I guess I factor in a premium for having taken a risk in doing what I did (ie, paying $25,000 for a car that I had seen two polaroid photos of). All I ask is that with "limited edition" cars, people ask themselves the question: "If I could source one from overseas (usually sight unseen), get it here, convert it, and put it on the road, how much would it cost me?". Recent overseas sales have included an Evo III for CAD$65,000. I am not sure of what local sales have gone on, but to be honest, there are very few M3s in New Zealand that I would buy (see the fact that I am a perfectionist above). There is a lot of crap around - the yellow and black CHC example springing to mind. Still, price is what most of us would argue about in any event. As we all know, the minds of the buyer and seller must meet for a sale to take place. One day, when my fourth wife is filing for divorce, I may have to sell the M3 and find out!

You must have my nuts in a vice!

conversion is poor - check out the brake handle console (not swapped) the windscreen wipers, and where is the rear spoiler? Also, steering wheel / white consol backing makes it looks like a boy racer car. Only thing that would be going for it is that it is an E30 M3 that is on the road - you can't do that for another 3 years. $45k is cheap in any respect, for a genuine M3. Two cents worth for the day!

Given the 22 or so car garage and full workshop in CHC (correct me if I'm wrong Cain) I don't think the engine is going on juice with a finance company!

Re: wipers. Had them on the 325i sport - took them off Had them on the 320i wagon - took them off What a feckin' waste of space and weight! J

my 2 cents (rounded up to 5 cents) = NOOOOOOO!!!!!

Some place in CHC will do chips for you bespoke - might be your best bet. As usual, ring Graeme Clyde at GAC in CHC.

Keep your $100 and drive with a smile on your face. Don't worry about performance - just enjoy the drive. Your're in a BMW - thousands of others aren't. J

was being figurative - paid by cash. I think $800 for the 2002 and closer, if not over $1,000 for the 325 and the M3 (the latter was a week's work). Damn nice though - M3 is Gruppe A replica (i.e. 2x2 headers). Worth every cent!

Thanks one and all - and they are grey hairs (until the hairdresser gets to them). Wish I was back in NZ at the moment - would take the M3 for a blast and celebrate in style. In stead, I'll have a laaargaar and soggy chips at the local. Time to investigate buying a sports car in light of the upcoming mid-life crisis. J