Olaf

Aye, those first couple or five or more years are a tough time - no spare finances - though ultimately rewarding. The Ti will find its way - maybe the BMW universe will smile on you benevelently for your work keeping others alive! Our kids have become adult flatmates - not something we intended - and they still amaze me. Even M54B25 these things go very well - look for thread by @TIM325i (The Incredible Machine) he took a standard 316Ti or 318Ti and worked out all the parts to retrofit and make it a 325Ti Msport, it was very well-sorted and went very nicely.

how're you getting on with this? I know you've had Barbara to keep on developing, and your Tractor too...

Welcome back Cameron @#E91FUN looks like a tidy e63, well done. Best workshop is Jon Begley (Auto 38) now in Marton. In Wellington talk to Peter at All European Service. Get it into absolute peak order in all areas before you start with the modifications. All of the trouble spots the S85 is known for need to be resolved to ensure you get a great driving and ownership experience. To be fair the downsides of modifying an already expensive and potentially troublesome drivetrain - that will not suffer neglect - , are a low sell price when you're ready to quit it - folks just don't want to take the risk. PS - it's your car, so you do you!

Ahhh, memories. Back in 1990 I needed a stereo for my Datsun wagon. Paul Money Car Stereo advertised in the Herald, I think I bought with a couple of phone calls, a fax and a cheque, and they sent to Wellington. Purchasing is so much easier these days with the web! I chose a Sanyo compact digital radio cassette that fit into the dasboard (twin spindles - volume and tuning) and something like 25 watts per channel, along with two way Alpine 6 inch speakers that were destined for the front doors. When it all arrived they'd sent me Alpine 6x9" 3-ways, so the plan changed and they went into the tailgate on a 10mm particle board baffle that I knocked-up. I ran decent power and earth cables to the unit, it sounded really good for what it was. I couldn't find anything to fit my constraints (the dashboard moulding) in Wellington (other than low-fi models), and nobody down here was doing the stack it high, sell it cheap model like Paul Money did.

IM'd you, thanks

Stay in touch Josh, tell us what BMW you pick up when you get settled... will you be within the ULEZ in Londinium and moonlighting taking out cameras, or somewhere more civilised? All different adventures in UK. Might as well get something fun that you want to bring back with you when it's time to return... look into those 'bringing it back as part of your household' rules to check out. As you'll probably remember... the winters aren't *that* bad - it's those three months that turns many UK residents bloody miserable that's the challenge.

Pretty sure I was served an excellent Negroni in here... just can't remember where, and the lighting was easier on the eyes...

Bon Voyage! Are you returning, or does Blighty have the shackles on you? Did you find a buyer for your e53?

Still missing it from time to time - a great all-rounder. e60 545i. my pic, Nikon D4 with Nikkor 70-200 2.8 FL/E + B+W Kassemann pol. Click on the image to open it - it's worth it.

Heya @Mad_Max Geordie, I'd like to give the rear light assy's a warm dry home as spares for mine, very happy to bung you cost of a couple of slabs and freight, assuming you can spare the time. I'm still in Wellington. cheers Olaf

Welcome. Enjoy, a real M car that'll be well-spicy.

BMW will not reward you for continuing neglect! they need care and maintenance. If you prefer a cheaper car that will stand abuse, find a Camry, they'll take 30 years with just occasional care.

I remember looking at e91s in Auckland back when I bought my e46 Touring in 2012 - the dealer said it was a coding change only to get the radio from Japanese to NZ/Europe bands. HTH edit - sorry that was non-CCC and iDrive so not much help to you.

one of the images I put on TradeMe in late January 2024

Great to see you're back on the road Alan, nice work! Mine's still languishing in nice dry storage... hopefully this year...