gjm

Funny how early leaders drop by the wayside and recent finds become leading contenders. 2005 Mercedes CLK320 2006 Mercedes E280 2007 BMW 320d (M47 engine) All about the same price ($500 between them), mileage, good history, NZ new... The BMW looks to be the sensible choice but is the furthest away. The CLK is the prettiest, but higher (not too high) mileage and needs some paint tidying. The E280 is.. Well, an E-class Mercedes. Great car for longer journeys.

I was extremely unsure of where the market might be in reference to these so was careful to post what I'd seen, with no value-related comment!

Just seen an ex-PFL M20B25 (engine only) offered for sale. Seller says unknown history and recommends new gaskets, water pump, tensioner, etc, etc. $2750.

Apex Automotive in Porana Rd, Wairau Valley. Not immediately local but SJ is a proper time-served mechanic, great guy, long time personal owner of BMWs, and a member here.

7/16" = 11.1mm.

Just now...? Any British car from the 70s or earlier is likely to need imperial kit.

Most of the US, and most Americans, are fine. Some total whack-jobs get the headlines and sadly there are enough of those to colour any views of the rest.

E30s were a $500 car and people would haggle over that ! The E21 seems to have become forgotten along the way. The E30 is generally a better car with better parts availability, but has become too expensive for the grass roots enthusiast to buy.

Damnit. That's put the price up!

The 520 is quite nice but a little more than I was planning to spend. The 120 is higher mileage than would be ideal - I'll add at least 50000 a year. And the E39 530D? Oh. Look... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/530d/listing/4456543195

Is this Christians car?

Too many, often vocal, Kiwis have no idea just how good it is here.

Yup. Live in a quieter environment. Oz does have its downsides. If it moves, it can probably kill you. In fact, some of the vegetation that doesn't move won't do you any favours.

I was lucky - I've had Covid once. Some folk I know have had it 2 or 3 times. I was laid flat, sleeping, for one day. Every day after that I felt noticeably better, back to whatever passes for normal after 5 days. As Jon said - seems to be on a return. And seems to be worse for those who are getting it this time.

Unbelievable that would be quoted by a manufacturer (although Ford US did specify a 50000km service interval for a very lazy V8 ute). Getting up there with 'sealed for life' and lifetime fluid in gearboxes.

N57 timing chain issue?

Disappointing. I've not looked at the E63/64 beyond "that's pretty!" before so finding one for less than expected was quite exciting.

OK - so the original post is looking increasingly like a balanced list of pros and cons. Nothing specifically wrong with either, but no clear winner. @balancerider - I commuted an E46 320d for a few years, in all conditions. That had the standard E46 lights and while xenons are certainly better (and preferale), I'd be OK with the halogens. Miss M came up with an alternative that I would never have considered. An E64 645Ci convertible. Like all cars (it seems) not without it's issues but if cared for seems capable of some big mileage. The N62B48 is likely a better engine, but I'd never expected to find a decent 645 in budget. Very tempting. I even find myself thinking "drive it for 12 months, sell it, get something else."

The E46 I've found is (according to Carjam) NZ new, first registered in NZ in late January 2004 but has an August 2002 build date. Hmm. Low mileage though. (I can change that. ) It has the usual M57 engine. The E90 is ex-SA, first registered in NZ late February 2020 (originally registered in SA November 2005. This has the more powerful M57S engine. Higher but by no means silly mileage, and (as might be expected) slightly higher price. Still under $7k. Both look good in pics (both are in Auckland), both are automatics, both are well-specced, both have good history and long current ownership, neither have any Motorsport options. My feeling is that the E46 is the better bet for my purposes, is simpler to work on and will be cheaper to keep on the road. The E90 may have a removable towbar but that's not a deciding factor; the E46 has through-loading which may be useful. No idea if either would be more economical at a constant 100km/h; Carjam suggests they would be the same, another site suggests perhaps a 0.1 l per 100km difference. If we get that far, perhaps have a chat with Pramod to optimise what is there.

I didn't see it.

It looks likely that I have work, and is seems to be the case, it's really not as close to home as would be ideal. Oh well... Driving about 180km a day Quick thoughts on the merits of a 2004 E46 vs 2005 E90, both 330D ?

The 333i... "Potentially the only one in NZ." I know someone who has two of these, and there are certainly others. But very rare indeed. Baurs, M3s, and Tourings are also rare, but relatively common by comparison.

Norisring DTM, 1989.

Sadly, to be certain - yes. I may have an answer - I'll PM you.