gjm

Just seen an E36 5-speed manual swap kit, just a S5D 320Z so nothing really fancy, listed at $4000. Yup - just the manual bits. Not the whole car...

This. Facebook is great for soundbites and instant stuff, but finding anything older can be impossible. Forums are great for that. And F11s are nice cars.

Application for black/silver was in before November. What is interesting is that payment was taken at the time but it took two weeks for me to be told the plates weren't mine and as such they couldn't fulfil my order (yet). Given the plates were applied to the vehicle 20 years and 4 or 5 owners ago, I wonder who is deemed to own them now? (I don't recall how long I've owned it.)

I'd hope 20 years would cover it! I've gone to Licensys who (apparently) can help resolve this.

Some months ago I bought a diesel-engine 'bus'... Well, an SUV. Similar size to a small bus, perhaps. Given the impending end of silver of black plates, and the colour of the bus being dark blue, I thought I'd treat myself (and the bus) to a little vanity update. So - go to the website, and order the plates. Today, I received an email saying "We have reviewed your order and during our checks we noticed that you don't hold the entitlement to the Plate" and "Plate ownership is separate to vehicle ownership, even though you may have the plates on your vehicle, this doesn’t mean you automatically own the plates." The plates have been on the vehicle for over 20 years, and through the hands of five owners. After a little investigation I find that the vehicle was first registered on 14/07/2004, and the plate change took place a day later on the 15th. As such, I suspect someone bought a personalised plate, applied that to the vehicle when buying it new, but didn't retain it when selling the vehicle on. I thought that in that circumstance the ownership of the plate would transfer with the vehicle. Seems quite bizarre!

Suspect not: "BM World in ChCh..." suggests location. if you want something special (like this) sometimes you have to travel.

I think it could be a bit high on price but perhaps not as much as you might think. It's NZ new. Which is in it's favour. The TM listing says it is a 1987 car and imported, but a VIN decode suggests it is actually NZ new and an April 1986 car. (Hmm. VIN decode.. mdecoder tells me I've exceeded my daily limit despite my using 3 completely different networks and not have checked anything in weeks; bimmer.work just goes around in circles.) More interestingly and very relevantly, it looks like this is NOT a 535i. It is a M535i. Which is another ball game. As such, it's rarer than might have been thought and I strongly suggest making the effort to get there and look at it. (I know - Chch to New Plymouth isn't easy.)

30% off Castrol Edge (up to 20L) at Repco.

Where are you and what car/problem(s) do you have?

LCAs & CABs were done twice while with me. Once because they needed to be done, and once because I thought they needed to be done (but they didn't). Trans fluid & filter was an annual service thing. Normally soon after Christmas when the weather was good and I had a bit of time off work. I'd planned for a set of Konis, probably the reds instead of yellows. B4s will work well too. Keen to hear how you get on with the turbo!

Folk can't afford to pay someone else to make their beds.

'Spotted' doesn't seem quite right. If I'd not seen it, I shouldn't be driving. A 2024 750E Xdrive PHEV 4WD. It's HUGE!

E30 Garage are manufacturing as close as possible to original spec. The manufacture a complete E30 M3 kit in better quality steel than BMW used, and to the same thickness to ensure as good a fit as possible. Their parts are used in E30 M3 restorations worldwide, and could be used to create a M3-a-like from any E30 coupe. They'll make any E30 M3 panel part, from front spoilers and wings to C-pillar and roof. Some parts, like the C-pillars, are only to order. They bought all remaining M3 panel stock that was available through BMW in Germany, which does kinda give them a bit of a monopoly on those parts.

Talk to Andy - @_ethrty-Andy_. I've forwarded this to him.

Prices are all over the place. Just seen a nice-looking (photos only) grey 4-door 1989 318i converted at some point to manual, seats look good. $6k Also seen a 318 advertised at $21k.

If the opportunity arises, check the bootlid under the third brake light. I don't know what they did for the NZ new cars but we replaced the boot lid on the Baur because the light was fitted so badly, with leaks and zero prep causing rusting across 60% of the underside.

The conversations we were having didn't come to anything. The server was relocated. Thanks James! James (unsure if the same James, which itself is embarrassing for me) and Josh are hosting and doing website administration. Andrew (one of the original owners) is the domain registrant.

I'd go with the roller rockers, but I have a bit of a 'thing' for them. To be fair, it is probably simpler to rebuild the top end than it is to replace pistons, rods or crank. And the top end can always be done later.

'cos there's only pads on 2 wheels...? But yes.