gjm

(Another) Diamant-Schwarz.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/4289575679 1988 E30 M3 - listed at $125k. However, TM description says: "Damaged import check This vehicle was imported into New Zealand with obvious damage or deterioration. This alert will not appear if the vehicle had superficial dents to some of its body panels." Which doesn't mean it is a bad car - lots of M3s were raced, significantly crashed, rebuilt, and sell for BIG money. Just something to be aware of.

I have some pics of the car in question, and it is for sale. This was entirely an attempt to ensure that if it were to be described as a M325i in any advertising, that the car would in fact be a M325i. It has a black headlining. I'm not the seller of the car, but have been sent some pics. I'm waiting for contact details for the seller before listing it - depending on what the seller wants to do, contact may be via me, or may be direct to the current owner. However, until that is sorted, I'll sit tight. It's not a fabulous, minty-fresh, unmolested example as some changes have been made over the years, but pricing will reflect that.

Looks like a decent deal. Just wish I had something that they'd fit!

Very pretty. Very high price. (And - for me! - the rims are too big, for this money I'd definitely be looking for the real thing and not replicas, and the stretched tyres... 🤢 )

Thanks Brent. Beyond my experience - I'd hoped someone who knew more would be able to help!

OK - I have pics and details. The rim looks to have come from an E46 - part number is 1095264. I found specific mention of this part number being supplied with a 1999 328i, but it looks like a general supply for the E46 and E36 Z3. Tyre is a Continental, size 125/90-16. This will be about 1" smaller in overall diameter than your 225/50-17 (it'd be perfect match for temporarily replacing a 205/55-17) so it's a touch large for a stock E46 replacement. Use it on a non-drive axle and obey the speed 80km/h restriction. The tyre is not cracked. The whole thing needs a clean. Biggest concern is whether it would actually fit over the brake calipers. I've no idea about that.

I have a new, unused 'narrow' space saver here. Full size tyre so not one that you have to inflate before use. I'll try to get out to the garage to get more details this evening.

If you're still bored, could you do the same for MTech 1 cars? I think these were only built in 1986 and 1987.

Not sure they'll be able to help as if the M325i was a NZ-only (dealer-prepared) car they are unlikely to have any relevant info. (Let's not get mixed up with the 325i Sport!)

Code 333 is for 'Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres.' It doesn't denote a 'M325i' - as I understood (I could well be wrong!) the M325i was not a BMW factory car. It was a NZ dealer special created from selected parts, in response to the M3 not being sold here. As such, no amount of factory-original VIN decoding is likely to help. However, the car I'm helping with has: S333 Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres S339 Shadow-Line S704 M Sports Suspension S708 M Sports Steering Wheel Leather It also has the other options associated with a M325i, including: S481 Sports Seat S209 Differential Lock 25% Most telling (for me) though is a VIN decode 'feature' which appears common to all M325i cars: S333 Light Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 105 With Mixed Tyres S288 BMW Light Alloy Wheel, Cross Spoke 29 S311 Light-Alloy Wheels Star-Spoke Style 69 Brilliant Note that the M-Tech bodykit is not mentioned in the VIN decode as (again, as I have understood) this was dealer-fitted in NZ as a part of the M325i spec. It could also have been ordered from te factory but was typically not a feature of the M325i cars. The black headliner is an interesting one. 👍 I'll check on that.

Lovely car. How would we go about proving, indisputably, that a given example is a genuine M325i ? (In the absence of original paperwork.) The spec can be extrapolated from the VIN, but 'just' having the bodykit, M-Sport parts, suspension, 15" BBS rims and so on does not necessarily a M325i make. Documentation from dealers is scant, at best, assuming it still exists. Being able to categorically say a given car is a M325i is probably only important at sale time as they do command a premium over other well-specified E30s.

The Government plans to begin charging for free data, including accurate stolen vehicle status, in October 2023 as part of the planned "Fees review". I appreciate the need to save/acquire money, but surely this is a service, and not a chargeable opportunity? Carjam has a petition running to try to get this decision reversed: https://petitions.parliament.nz/8c2c524b-aab2-46c1-aec4-08db97b83688

Sold for $13000 in 2019. Been relisted a few times since. And it's back. For $95000, down from $100k (apparently). https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2017320233

If you're going to get one, get it in the right colour. This is the right colour.

Credit: RS65 photos.

I've seen pics of the 'trailer' parked up, but never on the road.

Just seen a 1990 318i auto 4-door being advertised locally to me. Some paint peel, no WoF, but does have live rego (currently on exemption). Seller advises it "drives but will need a good going over." Asking price of $3750 almost seems reasonable - I've seen rolling shells advertised for more.

About half the asking. Maybe. The M635CSi is a lovely car. Great? Depends on your perspective. I had a Dolphin Grey highline spec model in the UK - paid £3.5k. Did remedial and titivating work but got wind of how much the upcoming suspension and brake work was likely to cost, and got out early. Almost felt bad for selling it at a little over £5k, making about £200 profit on my ownership experience. Big plans for a Dinan conversion, but no. They're beautiful. Lovely to drive. (Don't, mess with the wheels - original works.) But like so many lovely things, cost good money to keep them lovely. And parking them in a garage doesn't work - they fail through no use.

Beware of N-series engines. The N42/N46 aren't widely regarded as reliable regardless of servicing, and the N47 is not as reliable as the older M47. 6-pot petrol N-series engines may be better, but perhaps not as economically suitable for Ubering.

This does seem the case. Unsure if it is a NZ thing, but discretion has applied in every country I've lived in. The closest I came to that being applied was when being stopped for 120+ on a motorbike (same story - two lanes, no other traffic anywhere, perfect conditions, 2km visibility, etc) and the policeman acknowledged the speed, but gave me a ticket for 109. Not defending speeding but getting stopped for driving too fast does sometimes seem to be purely a spiteful activity with no victim, or even possibility of a victim being involved. It's made worse by the traffic cop asking "Do you know how fast you were going?" and "Is there a reason why you are travelling so fast, sir?" Like there is a reason which would avoid being penalised! (Or is there...?)

Many NZ insurance policies no longer include windscreen cover. Or if they do, it's with a big excess.