gjm

Sold my 1972 Jensen Interceptor in virtually mint condition for 6k (in the UK). Rusty non-running, unregistered example now trading at $25k. Bought and sold a number of E30s (in NZ, less than 10 years ago) for well under $1k. Rusty shells go for more now. Not exclusively an E30 thing. 70s, 80s and 90s cars are very popular. Nostalgia is a strong market factor. Price is one thing. Value is another.

"How can you verify its factory manual?" Do people who claim to be that interested really not know how to check?

It's hit or miss. You can respond to a sale post saying 'PM sent' (or your preferred variation), send a PM, and you can see it never gets read.

Fantastic!

ATF-BMV is needed for many Mercedes, too.

ATF-FS is good fluid. Check it is suitable - some cars/gearboxes have explicit recommendations.

After a lot of searching I found the info I was looking for. Not on a forum, or a Facebook page, but in an official NZTA document. "It is permitted to replace a complete halogen headlamp unit with a complete HID or LED headlamp unit. If the vehicle is required to meet an approved safety standard for headlamps, only approved headlamps can be retrofitted." That's all I needed. Had no plans to use a drop-in bulb or similar - do the job properly or not at all.

Seen on Facebook. Details are sparse at present. 1990, LHD - $25k. Located in Hamilton. Imported into NZ from Japan in 2016 - originally a Japan delivery. Recorded mileage is ~100k. Can't be many in Mauritius Blue.

More VIN decode woes... Mdecoder seems to allow a single check, then wait. (Although it threw out my very first attempt yesterday.) bimmer.work counts down from 15 seconds, then starts counting down again. A number of other sites are server (or service) unavailable. I know there was some BMW clamp down type activities which meant fewer sites were available. Perhaps that has continued?

Looking to buy something that is readily available in the US, but not in NZ. No worries. eBay! $135 Shipping...? Depending on who, it's USD100-200 ! Buy price of USD135; shipping is nearly as much.

Nice-looking example, presenting very well in the photos. someone has gone to a lot of effort. Was a 320, still registered as a 320. Imported from somewhere, and the VIN doesn't readily decode (in the short time I've tried.)

If in or near Hamilton, Greg Hantz is very good.

Lovin' your work.

I'm going to dig out the genuine, original BMW 15x7 02-series rims that I have stored away...

Gorgeous. There's a yellow one that has just sold from north of Auckland - dereg, resto started. I hope the new owner does as much as you have.

LHD in Japan was seen as a kudos thing. No self-respecting gangsta would get out of a car in the middle of the road and walk around it to get to the pavement.

Doesn't this give the game away when popping out for a snooze under the guise of 'working on the car'?

I'm looking into this. First thing - the concrete will cost more than you think, and (wit prep) possibly as much as the rest of the build. Second - no-one ever said "my shed is too big." (Actually not quite true, but the person I know who said that had $zillions and just bought a second set of tools to go at the 'other' end.) Will you be using this throughout the year? If so, insulation (underfloor and elsewhere) is going to be important. Are you living rurally? If so, you may be able to get this through as a rural building, with the slight relaxation in rules that goes with that. There are many possible sources for a commercially supplied shed. Fieldays in Hamilton is just around the corner and there will be deals to be had there.