Ugan

BMW design language back to form, thank the stars Bangle's gone, looks awesome.

Great good to know I could still potentially buy one of these one day.

Owners do you guys have any pics of current condition.

Thanks.

Hi

Does anyone know who bought the silver South African Spec 325is earlier this year of Trademe?

It was a silver non runner but the guy wanted 10K for it?

Thanks

Great Car. Factory spec e36 M3 with those wheels hard to come by now days.

The Business. Fastest car I have driven and have been driven in to date.

The first safety rule is don't stop unless you need to. The less chaos at the scene, the lower the chances of a follow-on crash. There are only two reasons to stop: to warn following traffic when a crash-scene isn't visible on approach, or to administer first-aid when someone is in urgent need and qualified to do so. You could easily make a bad situation worse if you don't have a medical background trying to assist a crash victim.

I quietly respect MB for making an AMG A Class, but not totally convinced.

Looks are subjective, as an engineering exercise -brilliant.

Priced is ludicrous but if you looking at a car like this money wont be an issue but as a "Hot hatch" seems cold and clinically. Hot hatches should be manual, I would prefer 135i M( 6cylinder whail) and previous Ford Focus RS (off beat wobble) seems the business, Golf GTi is now warm. but each to their own.

-Considering you have purchased a 540i which is essentially a rapid cross country ground coverer rather than a screaming track hack and I doubt you want to seriously spend large amounts of money making it one, IF you do buy an M3.(you still want to stay in German company).

-If your 540i is a factory spec Motorsport and not one that has been fettled with aftermarket parts to try and make it a motorsport then you will have a good base to start with.

- Spend you 3K ensuring your car is in tip top shape suspension transmission etc.

Credibility - I have taken my 06 1.8T Quattro, Airtrek Turbo(with the high suspension lol), legacy Gt and these are not track cars BUT you will be able to go way faster than you can legally go on the road in a safe and controlled environment.

My other half things im crazy to be getting up 6am (before daylight saving kicked in) on Sunday morning too go for a drive BUT its awesome, Clevedon \Brookby has some Ace back roads, I know them quite well but never get bored. Spirited drive NOT stupid. Even at this time there are cops on the road....beware.

How did you repair the parcel shelf to get the cert?

Cool the E46 steptronic is old now compared to modern units but i am no track hero so should suit me fine for now. I went out for the BMW advanced driving Level 1 which got me hooked and the DCT boxes are really cool.

Thanks for the advice guys. Thats clarifies alot up for me

My understanding is that the E46 coupe and the M/Sport 4 door use the same suspension - which is around 20mm lower than the non-M/Sport 4 door. There is no difference in the suspension, engine or transmission between the M/Sport & non-M/Sport coupes (it's only cosmetic differences between the two). Where did you see the 500 rpm difference? I guess it could be a 325 or 328 vs 330.

If I remember correctly Josh tracked his 330i 4 door with steptronic trans - he might have some comments about the auto on the track.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-556392870.htm this revs to 6500

There is a difference even between 330i's motorsport.

There is quite a few on trade me that vary.

Thanks Guys

Will stick to msport.

Hey Guys\Gals

Has anyone run their 330i coupe on the track, looking into getting one and i know they not the fastest but its a compromise between commuting to work and 4 track days a year.

looking at getting a 2004 NZ new Msport coupe steptronic.

Also whats the diffrence between a Msport 330i and 330ci as far as i can see it looks like the kit and the Msport revs out 500rpm more.

Cheers

Hi All

I recently purchased a 1995 e36 325i man nz new.

Car has high milage roughly 275000km on the clock, will pick up this weekend.

It is a stock standard example no mods and i wil keep it this way bar a set of new rims and tyres, gear lever has a slight play and engine sounds fine bar a sight rattle on cold startup, all acceptable bearing in mind year \milage.

Can anyone provide me info on the service shedule, i will complete the standard oil, plug and airfilter change?

Any other preventative maintainance that should be done?

Should i get the car plugged into a computer to check any existing fault codes etc?

Thanks/

******

Whoops jut read the sticky, thats given me smething to go by...Cheers.

Thanks.

Will have to check up on this.

Cheers.

Pull the rear seat out and have a look ... really easy to remove ... grab the front lip of the seat and pull up in a jerking motion. Then just pull forwards .. takes 2 seconds.

Hi

Does anyone have a baby capsule fitted to there E46. I have heard that this may not be possible as the anchorage point was only fitted to E46's post 2001. Any info will be helpful.

Cheers

Hi All

I am curious about engine compression loss and have read some articles about this. How many of you that have standard engines are putting out the same HP as the car had when it left the factory 5 - 10 years ago? What causes compression loss, Can it be cured and at what cost?

Any Advice Appreciated.

Ugan

The 328 looks like the nicer one (Nice interior).

Glenns right make sure its looked over by a bmw specialist

If all is good just try and haggle, 13,5 is probably a touch too much, but it is the only 328 manual on Tm so not much to compare it to.

Maybe I'd try pay 11.5 - 12

Yeah, 328i interior is pretty snazzy, not a fan of the car being lowered to that dgree will be too bouncy. Will be inspecting on Monday, if all goes well. Will make him an offer.

Cheers

Make sure you get a proper pre purchase inspection on it to. Either a dealer or an independent BMW specialist and buy a mechanical warranty as well

Hi Glenn

I will get pre purchase done, are the AA any good seriously. Do you recommend a mechanical warranty that works well when things start to go wrong?.

Thanks for your help.

Try get some pictures showing the general condition of the interior and the paint. Also a list of the options like leather/ tv/ Msport kit

I paid 17k for my e46 in a private sale but it came with 90k on the clock, Motorsport model (electric

Recaro style seats, Bodykit), Xenon lights, carbon fiber interior trim, eibach suspension, aftermarket exhaust, CF strut bar, 18" wheels, boot lip spoiler and lots of other stuff like clear indicators and tail lights

This was almost a year ago

But with the dealer you'll always be paying more, and its generally safer

Thanks Jordy.

Bth cars are bmw exclusive models just have standard leather seats, NOT sport nor electric. Both have front loading standard bmw business units. They are essentially standard cars, no toys. I am thinking of what offers to make as these vehicles are getting o to 10 and 11 years old respectively.

323i http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-205476454.htm

328i http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-218451063.htm

cheers.

Cheers.

Hi All

I am considering purchasing a e46:

1999 323i manual with 109k's on the clock nz new, has been serviced by BMW up to 90k's. the dealer is asking $14K for this vehicle.

The other vehicle i have seen is a 1998 328i manual with 170K's on the clock. this vehicle has been serviced up to 100k by bmw and the only modification has been with the suspension lowered and bigger rims fitted, he is asking 13500. Realistically how much should i be paying for these vehicles and how long will the engines run if they are properly serviced.

Any advice will be apprciated. Mind the spelling errors.

Cheers,

Ugan