zara

Cool, I'll try a few people around eh Once I get my EML woes (lost of power, crap loads of blue smoke) sorted first at Burger Motorworks. Previous owner has promised to pay for the EML repairs at Burger Motor Works. Anyone heard of them? They are very very cheap for what they are. Keeping on top of things seems to be the biggest trouble I guess. Maintenance and repairs I can probably cope with (well I'll have to anyway), but mechanical upgrades/mods will have to wait a long long time. Won't mind meeting up at all, just as soon as I get that stupid EML thing fixed. Perhaps we should have an Auckland meet or something. I haven't really checked out the events page yet, but something can be worked out. Perhaps like a breakfast+cruise?

If you haven't gone yet, an 850 could be interested in joining. How's 2 extra cylinders for ya eh~~? Jokes. You guys will have to wait up for me, I'll probably have a lot of trouble in the twisties.

Please don't build a newer 8 series!! I will have no bragging rights If they are going to, I think a re-visit of the old 8er is the best option. Everyone agrees that the car is gorgeous and has sexy lines. Add some 21st century stuff to it, like redesign tail-lights and head-lights (IMO no pop up but have it all one thin line across the bumper like the high beams on the 8er) The M1 and 8er are cars that should just stay as they were.

If you're still interested in how it drives, heres a short review of mine. Disclaimer: I don't know how well mechanically mine is compared to the white one. The engine should be silk smooth, mine isn't but it should be. You can feel the weight of the car EVERYWHERE. Pulling away from the lights is not quick but certainly not slow. If you're not always in a hurry she's decent quick. On the motorway though, the weight is pleasant as you feel very planted and confident. Overtaking is simple, foot down, and you're at 140 by no time. EXTREMELY comfortable, ideal for long cruises. In the corners with the suspension set on sports mode, the body roll is reduced but still significant. You will definitely feel the weight, but it's very poised and predictable. Fuel consumption. 5L V12, who cares. But perhaps the most important note is, the car doesn't hurry you along. I've got a great big loud exhaust but you still don't feel urged to speed. Sit in the car and you feel like you've arrived, I find myself not being able to do anything but cruise, which is what the car is built for. It floats on the road but with a very very weird sense of control, I suppose it feels like a good handling ship on water?? Overall a very pleasant car. Mine is far from perfect, and I racked up 500kms in the first 24 hrs of ownership, that's how much I loved it. Hamilton from Auckland feels like going to the dairy. Be careful though, 60 feels like 20, 100 feels like 60 and 160 feels like 100.... Isn't it time we have an Autobahn too?

I'm guessing "Charlie"?

Thanks for the replies guys This isn't my first car nor my only. I used to have a 2001 V35 Skyline 300GT as a daily driver, quite a good alternative to E46 320i. I also had a 1989 300ZX twin turbo which used to be my pride and joy. I am far from a "boy racer" though, I appreciated the Z for its beauty. My current daily driver is a Mazda MS-8 which I got for cheap, it's a great beater around town where the 8 can't stretch her legs My first ever car was a 1992 Nissan Serena, RWD van. It was a great car to learn driving in. It was RWD so you learnt how to handle it in the wet, it was a van so you learnt how to park a barge. I've also driven extensively Mazda RX-8 and E60 545i. So you can say I'm pretty new to Europeans. I used to take my Z to Hamilton to this guy called Glenn (coincidentally haha. Also the person who bought the Z is ALSO Glenn...jeez) for almost everything because he was, well, perhaps the best Z mechanic in NZ and almost definitely in North Island, an ex air craft engineer too. So anywhere in Auckland is pretty much OK with me. Haha, one thing I've learnt is that, be upfront about it and you might get advice to fix your problem. Be proud of it, and the problems might come back to bite you. My 8 is not anywhere near the "very good condition" mark, but nor is it a lemon. She has her faults as a 20yr old car, and it wasn't exactly owned by 1 enthusiast from new to now either. Definitely, and I'm prepared. Heck, it's $160 to fill up that 90L tank, and that's the cheapest part of running the car. Admittedly, only 1. An E38 7 series. When I say it doesn't feel as smooth, it vibrates and wobbles a bit, you can't balance a $1 coin on it hahaha. And during idle in the car, if you pay attention, you can feel the car slightly wobble a little bit. I'm suspecting it's the exhaust, which is 3' and the resonator is removed so it could be that. Cheers, I'll be in contact with the 3rd car related Glenn I know. Pictures will be up once I get a chance to take some!

Yup, I'm 18 and pretty much paid for the car on my own. I bought it cheap though, very cheap for an E31 and well, you get what you pay for. The interior is really poor, no rips but the leather looks 30yrs old. Electrics are what you expect from a 20yr old car, the steering column has a mind of its own when you play with the electric seats. The motor for moving the seat up and down works but the connection is bad and the seat doesn't move. There are various other faults with it, the V12 is not as smooth as most V12s but that could be due to the exhaust which is very loud but sounds nice. It's my weekend car (though I say that, I still have to fire it up everyday because of it's battery drainage) so I'll have time to slowly refresh her. Photos will be up as soon as I get a chance to take some.

Hello everyone. I'm Jonathan, 18 and I live in Auckland. Just bought a 1990 E31 850IA. Some might've seen in on trademe before, it was the cheapest one : To be honest I've never been a real Bimmer fan, the only models I've ever liked are E30 M3, E46 M3 and the E31. So when the chance came up of an affordable E31 that seem to have been taken care of quite nicely (service history from new, NZ new), I jumped at it. I will post pictures of it later today. First question though, any E31 specialists in NZ? I understand there were only 70 max e31's in NZ so chances are rare but worth a shot. If there is none, wheres a good BMW specialist shop? Actually I know people have had bad experience with BMWorkshop. I also know there's a guy called Glenn that has a workshop especially for Euro's somewhere on this forum? Any general advice is welcomed. I will be doing a lot of research but will ask many questions too. Any other E31 owners here?