Matth5

BMWs official tune that you can get from the dealers. Team McMillan quoted me $2500 for it. Looking at the list of mods on your car I don't think it'll be much use to you But I saw some people have found a way to flash it for free on some N55 cars: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31885 I'm not too keen to go for Cobb or JB4 as all that extra power means extra maintenance, but the BMW flash is conservative and enhances the exhaust sound nicely.

I've heard Botany Motor Works and / or BM Workshop can do this. Wonder if the people why do this, can also flash the M Performance software? Apparently it's similar procedure, at least for N55 engines.

Will be great until the drug dealer who had it seized sees you driving in it Or you find the blood stains . And LOL at the 08 Mustang. Sure looks like it was treated as mobile machinery, will need a far bit of paint work.

LOL was hoping I corrected that before anybody saw it, dammit.

Leather, just so much easier to keep clean. Looks better too IMO.

The 18s on my E46 MSport feel perfectly comfy. The 19s on my E92 with runflats and coilovers is very different. Firmer, sharper, but harsher. You'll probably find it feels a bit sharper and harsher, but 18s are perfectly suitable for Auckland with these cars I reckon.

Entering someone's home is pretty damn serious, I'd report it. Can't let people get away with something like that.

Cost of importing aftermarket stuff probably keeps a lot of people in NZ from doing upgrades. And for a laugh try asking the local dealers for a quote on some BMW performance addons.

My Jap import 335i came with KW V2 coilovers and someone did a full fluid change on the DCT trans shortly before I bought it, engine and gearbox are flawless, brakes are good (let's say I've tested them by having some fun on backroads...). Tyres are the OEM Bridgestone runflats, they're rubbish yes but BMW puts them on the news ones so... They're not all the same

Jap Import or NZ New, makes no difference when you're getting a used car with no factory warranty. What matters is the condition of the car, always get reputable a BMW specialist to inspect it. My 335i is a Jap import, I had been hunting for over 6 months and this one had everything I wanted and more. Only annoyance is the manual and service history is Japanese but you can download English manual online (just download one for one model year above yours, as the ones online are all American, where eg a 2006 BMW is labelled as a 2007 model in the US). When I looked up the chassis code, mine was still built in a German factory too. Not that it matters, I'm sure you couldn't tell the difference - they'll use the same parts. My E46 328i is NZ new. Saw no benefit from that.

If a recall wasn't done, couldn't you just bring the car to a BMW NZ dealership to get it done?

Well if you find it too small after trying one, just go for a 335i instead They're still good fun, 335i coupe fits two people in the back comfortably as well. 1 series is a bit of a squeeze I believe. 135i is a bit faster and more aggressive handling due to it's size from what I've read although I've never actually tried one.

Turbo issues/rattling wastegates are the main expensive one I believe. Get a BMW specialist to do an inspection, and consider an aftermarket warranty if a $3000 or so repair bill sounds scary.

Private seller. I just dug it back up now to see. For every private owner, all it says is: 2013-Jul-15 owned for 2 years Individual Owner 262,673 Km as of 2013-Apr-10 Personal details protected by law. Owner Check However, there was a guy who once had the car as a security interest on the loan. His full name, number,and mailing address were listed under the "MONEY OWING AND SECURITY INTERESTS" section.

Aren't those details all hidden since a couple years back? When I purchased the report on my E46 all past owners names and addresses were hidden. Only the car dealer's details were there.

Nice to have a summary like this. Plan to give it a go on my E92. Doesn't scare me too much, I work in IT, think I can learn it easily enough. Ultimate goal is to flash the BMW Performance SW myself, it's possible on some E9x cars with N55 engines. Also daytime running lights are coded out on my car, guess last owner didn't like them, I want to re-enable them, and some other tweaks maybe. Need to get a laptop and need to hook up my car battery to my girlfriends car, apparently it's a big risk if you don't so something like that because if your battery dies while doing a flash, your DME is stuffed. Maybe I'll get around to this.

The Grom Bluetooth kit is a good option. Factory look with Bluetooth, works with steering wheel buttons for skipping tracks. That's what I put in my 328i. Was ~$140 purchased online from the US and shipped via Youshop.

Could email them and ask? When I was looking at an import still on it's way to NZ I emailed the dealer and he gave me the chassis codes so I could check the options lists...

It should be displayed right with the mileage in my opinion.

I generally find parts prices in NZ are double what they sell for in the US. I don't buy their BS about shipping and taxes. BMW performance software flash in the US for the 335i is between $600-900 USD. Team McMillan BMW quoted me $2500 for the same.

Law and morals are entirely separate though It may be legal, but doesn't mean we have to be ok with it. Could be some legit uses for them I guess, cars used off the road (farms, paddocks and general stuffing around), drifting ect. So they could be legal to use for these purposes, but illegal to use on the road. Might not be a bad thing to make them illegal to sell as well though just to help ensure they stay off the streets, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of second hand tyres of a reasonable age anyway.

That's exactly what you want in a BMW mechanic though isn't it? Especially when getting a PPI.

E46 is better http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=912829600

"I have no idea who worked on it and nor does the present owner." DIY job by the owner maybe. How can he not know who worked on his car...

If that's your budget you may as well go for an E46. Selling mine, matches your criteria other than the fact it's an E46: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=912829600