Olaf

.... now, if we could just get Digby (Paape, from the Porsche club) driving a BMW

I'd like to hear more, Pete. Can you get a hold of the club's charter and articles of incorporation? @Barryn you've also solid background in club governance

Given the known trouble points of the e46, I'd prefer not to think that it was an exercise in planned obsolescence. My opinion is that it's more a case of introducing new materials and techniques that were previously unproven. Time has shown that they're now proven (to have a shorter, finite, life). To adopt a contrary view would be somewhat cynical. the e60 is certainly significantly more complex. There's more risk with modern highly-complex cars for long-term ownership. Thankfully there are ways to mitigate these costs in the form of preventative maintenance, and MBI. Surely we're not as naive as to expect that a car in the order of 5-13 years old that has depreciated to less than 10% of its original cost, has no downside? ?

Repco can vary widely between branches. Buy 20 litres of Penrite, Repco Upper Hutt insist on charging $7 for the plastic tap. Buy 20 litres of Penrite from Repco Porirua - no worries mate, we'll throw in a tap. Misplace first tap - revisit Repco Upper Hutt - now they're (plucking out of their heads) ,nah mate, no freebies $11.50. "Thanks awfully squire, I thought you were taking the piss at $7, no chance of selling me any more at that price". shame we don't have Halfords here.

jeez, I dunno. I'm such a man of the world, yet I've never encountered some of these things. nearest I've come to financing a car is a personal loan in my early 20's. Since then I've always paid cash for cars. sort of like like Frankie Oatway, only without the east end boxer bluster or shaved head

Congrats on your new purchase, they're a pretty eye-catching small car, and come in some pretty cool colours too. Have to ask: WTF is 'gap insurance'? I'd be livid if any sales droid was atttempting to ream me with pricing. I trust you sorted them out quick smart.

chipped, manual, and 1er are all significant differences to the pudding I drove!

in which case you'd find a better accountant, then.

@drtimwright hey Tim what about this? http://www.manukaunissan.co.nz/car/BMW/5 series/999460820 $22k, F10 528i...

Lee, you used to be sensible and laid-back, concentrating on AWD turbo'd Subarus, and laying down sweet beads of weld on that MOPAR. What happened? Now you're collecting roundel badges and are about to be offered the BMW franchise for New Plymouth! It's a wild transformation man. You wear it well.

I drove an e90 320D - and it was somewhat constipated. had a big rubber band that needed a lot of winding up. Getting back in to the e46 325i, my whole family said "oh this is so much better". I've not tried a 330D, I'm sure that'd be a lot better.

(if it's a company car) do have a talk with your accountant; in your accountant's view it'll be a mathematical discussion around how much you spend, and how long you keep it.

Provided with a choice between their spouses looking at models of the super variety, and Rod Stewart's pastime, 98% of wives interviewed chose supermodels. "a model railway, yesterday... or possibly some time in the 1950's"

it's still languising for sale, $13,995... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1315400256.htm

so the reserve was a very reasonable $950, with the winning bid $1,842.

or, alternately... some model recommendations:

yes, you'll be surprised how fast your young children grow up and need more space. I guess the first consideration is "do I want/need 4 wheel drive for the conditions on the hill in winter?" If not, a larger/newer 3er is probably sufficient... or a 5er. If you do need 4 wheel drive, you're probably in X3 or X5 territory at that budget range. You're spoilt for choice on power plants; I suspect something like an e90 330i ///M would provide plenty of fun for the daily run, without some of the delicate features/headaches of 335i ownership. It's big enough for your kids in the back for 5 years yet (if you keep your vehicles long-term). They're cheap enough that you can keep the e36 as a pampered summer fun car, and alternate transport when your main car is in for servicing. e60 530d? Let it burble over the hill in torque-monster mode. e60 545i? Have fun on your commute, just tell yourself it's all a business expense as your accountant wisely advised you when your company purchased the car for your use. You can find F10's a bit above your $20k limit. X5 V8? plenty to choose from under $20k. MBI near-compulsory. With your commute, the 3.0 petrol model would see you at the automotive guidance counsellor voicing your concerns that she's going out boozing at lunchtimes, such is her thirst. Diesels more scarce at $20k. As said in the recent threads about X5's, you need some coin set aside for maintenance. X3? Hit with the ugly stick, but probably very well suited to your intended use! Hope that helps!

totally quote worthy. I just check the dipstick whenever I fill up, and never look behind me for fear of clouds. I find the following somewhat instructional:

at least you didn't say 1960's BMC product!

so this week I got the tank fairly empty (23kms range remaining, according to the 'puter), and being it was "10c day" at Caltex (AA Smartfuel), I duly took the panzerwagen to the pumps and she immediately skolled $120 worth of 95 without pausing for breath or burping. By the time I got to the motorway, I discovered that the minor differences I observed with my other cars between 95 and BP's 'Ultimate 98', are very pronounced with this 545i. It was like taking my chef's knife (a JA Henkels 8" kochmesser I've had for 30 years) after a session on the oilstone and steel, and then deliberately bluntening it. Right ho, a diet of nothing but 98 for this one, then.

It worked for me! However, I thought you'd been more of a happy and willing curator, as I am.

Hi Tim, you still commuting over the hill each day?

yep, that one's reserved. I read the maintenance archive in detail.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1336121199.htm Interesting, really. ex japan, imported 2011 with 80k kms on the clock. it's an ///Msport (P337 M Sport package, S481 Sports Seats, 704 M sports suspension, S710 M Leather wheel, S715 M aero, S775 Anthracite headlining)... but are those 19" X5 rims? Anyway, it's cheap, if the shillers don't spruik and over-boost the price. 175k kms, 2005, currently under $5k.

I've fixed that for ya There's your hint, Paul. those black speckles over the rear hatch area are what an expert provider of independent BMW service (and generous supporter of this forum) has indicated is a likely issue. There are plenty of these for sale, do take your time. Consensus indicates that MBI from Vero's 'Autosure' policy (you want the 'Extreme' policy) is the one to go for. You'll need to keep servicing up-to-date to retain it's cover. Let us know how you go, we're keen to read of your impressions. I'm picking you'll be seduced by the torque and grunt. Hopefully Auckland's motorways are empty enough that you can floor it in Drive for a long pull from second, and hold third until it changes up to fourth... I love the way you don't *feel* the gearchange, only hear the revs drop. It's addictive.