gjm

I have too much time on my hands, so I've been honing my grumpy old git persona. What is it about so many (typically) younger people that means they have to swear ALL THE TIME ? It seems everything is tagged with sh!t, f*ck, c*nt... And rarely in the "good c*nt" way. We're pretty grown up on here but look at Facebook, Instagram, or other social media sites, and you could be forgiven for thinking everyone is about 14 and trying to prove what a tough guy they are.

Do a little research on the StopTech kit. I've seen very mixed reviews which (to me) says "look a little more closely than you might at something from the main dealer." I am not suggesting anything untoward !

Bex thought about going to ACL, but had no interest in the other acts, so she was all over this when she saw Tash was having a gig of her own.

Anyone know of any tyre places open tomorrow morning (Sunday) between Te Kauwhata and Albany? I appear to have a leaking valve on the near side rear wheel.

According to BMW it is a 325i, and according to BMW there is no such thing as a M325i. However... Because the E30 M3 wasn't sold by BMW in NZ (issues with LHD compliance), the BMW importer in the late 80s brought in 325i models, and raided the options bin to create and sell around 100 examples of something they called the M325i. This got the stock M20B25 engine, Motorsport suspension, Motorsport steering wheel, M-Tech2 body kit, 15-inch BBS rims and 225/50 tyres, and a LSD.

Exactly that situation with good-branded (but not original BMW) parts that would fit a BMW. The fact is that most people do not know how to look for something which is entirely suitable for their car, but might not come from the motor manufacturer. Could easily come from the supplier to the motor manufacturer, or even be of better quality than the item originally supplied. It's only those of us who are 'enthusiastic' that will know and be horrified by the prices.

Seems a bit odd. However, early and late (M10/M40) radiators are very different. So the ad saying 316i/318i could easily be correct although perhaps not providing all the information. BMW p/n suggest E36 rads are different again, but it's quite possible they'll fit, in the later E30s at least.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1566968692 OK - it's unlikely to sell for that, but no reserve and $1 start gives someone a chance to pick up what could be a good car for very little money.

Nice car, but easily $5k over priced. Still, a buyer could pay $20k and feel they got a great deal. It's not a M325i though - it's a 325i with M Sports suspension, M Sports steering wheel, Mtech bodykit , and shadowline exterior trim (from the factory). KMs are fairly high, especially for the price, but they should all be NZ KMs. Definitely worth checking for paint and bodywork repairs/changes. Probably will be desirable in years to come, especially given E30 M3 asking prices are going a bit stratospheric.

I'd love to, but this.

It's the one I txted you about a short while ago - p/n 16117165590. I've had to wait for some money to come in to be able to get on with it. (The link says it is the RME version, but they're all the same (in this application). Absolutely.

Prices in NZ (again...) Pricing up a fuel pump. Genuine BMW: $7xx + GST. OK, associated BMW 'tax' and so on, immediate availability. Search online and find a selection of suitable offerings from Bosch, Pierburg, Magnetti Marelli... Depending on where you look, Bosch up to £150, Pierburg up to £100, and MM from £50. I've never had a problem with MM kit and the price is attractive, but let's see what I can find in NZ. Armed with more than 100 alternative part numbers - this pump is used on literally hundreds of vehicles and available from perhaps a dozen manufacturers - I start calling 'round. I've given up. Pretty much everyone is more expensive than BMW. The Bosch part I eventually found for £95 plus shipping (about £40 for 5-day delivery from the UK, so a total of less than $300, delivered) I also found (identical part) in NZ for $850+GST. 10% discount for trade. I know there are costs attached to getting stuff to NZ, and holding stock (I'd happily wait while one was brought in, if necessary) but this is ridiculous. Easily 3x the price of the exact same item sourced overseas. I'll be waiting a few days, but my conscience is clear. I tried to buy locally, but NZ has priced itself out of the market.

Pic for those that like them or don't know what an ECU looks like.

Originally bought for Mrs M's 320i coupe when we were back in the UK, so more than 5 years ago. Never fitted or used. @charles28 was getting one (see thread linked below) - I've not dug further to see what results he got, but when I bought it from E30Zone, there were good reports. OK - not going to turn a 320i (or 520i) into S54 killer, but it does enhance what you've got. (Be sure to service your car correctly, and use good fuel.) Price was ~$75 back then; how does $50 sound for a sensible improvement? See here for previous thread:

OK... Update. But don't get excited. Had an interview in the Auckland CBD for contract. (I swore I'd not do a contract, or work in the Auckland CBD, but beggars cannae be choosers.) Interview went well. Feedback was "I'm sure I could work well with Graham. He obviously has a lot of experience that would be useful." Then today... Nope. Decided to explore some other candidates. OK. That happens. But some feedback is always useful. Sadly on this occasion, the feedback is not useful... "He lives so far away." (They've employed people who fly up from Queenstown, work Mon-Fri, then fly back.) "I'm worried he might get bored." Eh? "There's one or two people he might not get on with." Out of 150... After over 20 years doing this sort of thing, I sincerely doubt it'd be a problem. Oh well. That one is a bust. I've other applications I'm waiting to hear on, from New Plymouth to Gisborne, Havelock and Whakatane, and north to Auckland.

Listening to this in prep for daughter's trip to go and see her play.

The row of lights - green, amber, red - advises when BMW thinks a routine service is required; we fastidious owners don't wait for the service indicator and rely on generally shorter intervals. Using the car is normally sufficient to re-charge the batteries, keeping the service indicator lights working. If (when) the batteries fail, the service indicator lights don't illuminate. Not such an issue, but it can mean the tacho and other gauges also stop working or become erratic.

Call Paul at MillAnd. He may not have stock, but he'll be much, much cheaper (and probably faster) than it sounds BMW would be.

I had a M635CSi many years ago - they were rated as 'future classic' and considered desirable even then. Prices for them have climbed, but not in the same way as the M5s or similar. The M635CSi is/was a complex and expensive beast, even when compared to the M5. Z8s have just taken off for the stratosphere, price wise. I recall seeing them with 6-figure price tags at Essen 10 years ago. Of them all, I'd take a Z4. Any Z4. Yes, an M would be nice, but not necessary for a great and fun driving experience.

Jon at Auto38 (in Masterton) sells rebuilt odos. I have a few here that I plan to sort (the not working aspect is very common) but haven't got around to sorting yet.

(Apologies if you did this!) Did you ensure you got the correct gears? There are two types of odo - Motometer, and VDO. The fascia of the dash isn't sufficient as it is possible (and not uncommon) to replace the entire odo unit with a working one, so a Motometer odo could be found in a VDO-labelled dash. And vice versa.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but a lot of people use Facebook. I suggest this might be a good place to collate those specifically-BMW groups that can be useful... (Not the Euro pages, for example). E30 Owners NZ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/e30ownersnz/?ref=br_rs E30 Car Club NZ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/935587709854090/?ref=br_rs E30 Classifieds NZ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1293538293995670/?ref=br_rs

I admin this one - it's the E30 Classifieds NZ group.

I'm sure they're lovely inside, and probably good to drive. I just can't get over the hideous looks, and the memory of an owner who had one 'because it's really expensive and no-one else can afford it.' Seriously. Prize cock, that guy...

Not this one? 612hp, 1000Nm torque... Not sure I'd want to work on it at home.