Olaf

interesting that in the UK they describe you as the "registered keeper" of the vehicle, and note on the V5 that it doesn't constitute legal ownership or title of the vehicle. I'm sure there's underpinning laws in UK that support this approach... such as your details being on the rego so if you do a train robbery they'll know you as Ronald Biggs Esq of Essex, rather than "The Dodgy, Blaggit and Cosh Finance Company, Leytonstone", and if Jim Graftit successfully changes rego details on his company VAG (just rolls of the tongue, doesn't it?) A4 and says "it's mine now, chum" the lease company with legally retrieve their carriage in no time flat and Mr Graftit Esq quickly becomes prisoner 76981542 at HMP Belmarsh on a fraud conviction thank you very much son.

which tyres did you get, Dave?

you got it in one. I'd like to try a Motorsport (on non-RFTs), to compare with a well-sorted standard 545/550i. Mine's riding very comfortably, with enough precision to be fun. I'm wondering how much more precision the Motorsport setup makes, and what the cost is in comfort terms.

Sounds like an absolute blast. At least if you nod off to sleep in your lay-z-boy you're unlikely to wake up and find yourself passing vehicles at over the ton. ? Whats the first image of - I understand they're exhaust parts - more detail please?

bummer. nobody hurt, I trust. So does this provide an instant late pass to take the 535iS on the forthcoming roadie, then?

maaaaaan, that's looking really, really sharp, Brent. should sell with ease. Those rims look fantastic on it.

Saw this tidy e60 550i on TradeMe, it has almost all the desireable fruit you'd want (specifically Dynamic Drive, Active Steering, HUD, Rear Blind, Adaptive Headlights, bluetooth, cruise control), and is the LCI model, 120k kms. Oh, and looks like the Logic 7 stereo too, and NZ maps. Style 246 18" rims - cool. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1315400256.htm under $15k. Tasty. the only thing it's lacking is a different shade on the monochrome/greyscale range of white to black to join the e60 gang!

according to the NZTA website, you have an obligation when selling a vehicle "You must let us know immediately when you’ve sold a vehicle." Further, "If you don’t let us know you’ve sold a vehicle, you could get a fine of up to $1000 as an individual and $5000 if you’re a company. If you sell a vehicle to a motor vehicle trader, they may complete some or all of the notification process on your behalf. However, you should always confirm that the trader has completed this process, for peace of mind." and when buying a vehicle "The quickest and easiest way to let us know that you’ve bought a vehicle is online. Otherwise you can complete the Notice by person acquiring motor vehicle form (MR13B) at an agent". If you don't advise NZTA of your acquisition, you could be up for a fine of $1000 as an individual or $5000 for a company, have to pay outstanding rego or RUCs, and be liable for speed camera fines and fines for not displaying a current WoF or licence label). In short, don't rely on the dealer to do anything beyond take your money!

^^ I appreciate where you're coming from, however, you're overlooking the point of leaking intelligence that allows complete strangers to link a car or registration with your person, which is a large number of steps to the left of the anonymity of a number plate on a car and no clue to whom it belongs.

welcome! that's a pretty tidy looking e30! If you've got AA membership, consider paying the extra for 'AA PLUS', it'll get you and your car all the way back to Wellington, and to your workshop of choice... in the event of a breakdown. Enjoy the journey down, it's a beaut time of the year to be driving down from Auckland. Nice way to be getting to know your new car, if you're not in a hurry. PS - do subscribe to the the Wellington meets threads, we've collectively been organising a good number of meets and road trips lately, be good to have you along.

I'm sure the fleas of a thousand camels will take up permanent residence around the sellers scrotum, given time. What was that line in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Vogon Captain Jeltz on consigning Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect to the airlock, to die in the vacuum of space: "somehow, death's too good for them"

+1, yes it's the odd exception where I've not munged out the rego. I also like the posting of trip photos in the trip room, at least only logged-in members get access. Thankfully there are some checks and balances, 10 points for NZTA having some business rules/processes in place, and for NZP following up. Seems odd that one can actually change ownership without notifications from both parties (the notification of purchase, and the notification of disposal).

I ordered a new set of coils, preventative maintenance and all. and a couple of other little bits. Perhaps I'll get these in before 27 May.

Is that a little south of National Park on the way to Raetihi, Lee? Car's looking good. I see you've cultivated a styling tache and taken to wearing exotic hats. ?

eventually they get to where they entertain each other, or argue about who has the chore of passing Dad spanners/rags/oil filters and learning about torque wrenches (whether they like it or not). Good luck for the birth!

health and safety costs all bundled in, one would guess.

I can't un-see that. Good on him for a novel approach to sales.

Yes!

10 >rant on: 20 this savage southerly sh*tstorm slamming wellington this evening can F*#k right off! 30 repeat 20; 40 /rant 50 end

you can get boot struts re-gassed here in niu zild. it'll all get better mate. as you fit those new bits, lavish it with some lurrrrv.

keen pricing, and wow a quick sale. nice work!

Good point. I *think* mine's okay - page euro checked it out at my request recently and said they're okay - I'd love someone who's driven both to try mine.

I think we'll agree to disagree there. E46: "Auto sedan, well looked after. I've had it for over 2 years, and replaced: -Radiator, -Thermostat -New shocks all round -Front lower control arms -Oil filter housing gasket -AC leak fixed and regassed -Transmission fluid and filter replaced. Basically everything that needs replacing in a 200,000km+ E46" Summary: has had plenty of reasonable maintenance, by account. e30: "The guy selling it seems genuine, however he has mentioned there is a whine coming from the gearbox at 80km and above. The driveshaft has been re-balanced. Possible diff whine?? "My first and definitely not last bmw that i will own, i love this car but i need to redirect my money and efforts into building a house right now...! Brand neew battery, new oil and filter, new gearbox oil, Rebuilt and rebalanced driveshaft cost $500, new odometer gears, fresh WOF and 6months rego, New fog lights and bulbs. Open to offers...im not out to rip anyonw off, i just dont want to loose to much on the sale." Summary: likely drivetrain thrashage, evidenced by a rebuilt driveshaft (?!!) and the diff's whining... it's had an oil change, a battery, and bulbs to get a WoF. Is any car likely to be a money pit? Yes - other than a toyota corolla. Is this e46 likely to be more of a money pit than this e30? No, clearly not. What it's going to be used for? Forgive me, I assumed reliable transport was the first order of the day!

on paper? no mate, it's had more than a decade's subsequent development experience from BMW engineers - and their partners - rolled into it. Everything they'd learned from the e21, e30, e36 is in there! They didn't make a worse car. They made one with more grip. More comfort. Better brakes. Better steering. It's heavier, not because they couldn't be arsed making it lighter, but because they needed to make it stronger - and at the price-point couldn't afford to put in more alloy than they already had. They gave it more horsepower, and 24 valves, and more torque, and all the advancements of fuel injection and emmissions and transmission and traction control. Most significantly: although you can't throw the e46 around like an old crisp packet, you arrive in Turangi feeling better for crossing the desert road in an e46 because it's more precise, and because you're worrying less about the previous owner's bodges, and are further away from exceeding the performance envelope of the vehicle. You know that if that eejit coming the other way gets it wrong and you have a 'coming together' you'll be better off in the e46 when the laws of physics have argued it out, than in the e30. The e46 fails on the basics of the Lotus approach (add lightness), and some of the "fun" of the e30 has been engineered out in favour of betterment. There are still some very good examples out there, but their price is climbing well into vaunted classic territory. By all means, buy an e30 emotionally; but accept that the scene tax has inflated their value and appeal somewhat beyond their current capability.

oh, I get it. I've owned an e30, I've driven many. I understand them and get what they are. However in terms of making a rational purchase of a sub-$3k car where the downside is potentially double the purchase price, we're not talking about someone with a $10k project budget where the start is $2500 and there's plenty for whatever shows up. I get the sense that $2500 is where it's at... so buy the best car you can. A 6 cyl e46 is a much better car than a 4cyl e30 with both cars at $3k. By all means, take the hair-shirt approach, if fashion's more important.