Olaf

the damage is done. I'm picturing a Dickensian waif chimney sweep character, doffing cap after alighting from your boot saying "job's a good un, fank you guv'nor".

very cool. What did he think about being reunited with it so many years later?

blimey. you paid a small family friend to enter through that hole, didn't you? I hope you paid them handsomely!

Do Not - scorn this lady.

there's a couple of 325Ti's around my way as well, one silver, one blue.

probably your shocks are getting old and you've parking building down ramps, or judder bars. Or it's sacked, and you;ve turned it into a German motor-scraper**. It's mostly superficial, if you feel bad about it you can have it spruced up.

You really want to chance it? you can buy them new from Bridgestone - currently a decent sale on, may include the RFTs? Or change over to quality non-RFTs and enjoy transformed ride and handling for less money... just carry a compressor and can of SLIME (or equivalent) in the boot. A mate who recently sold his 123D ///M did just that and never looked back. Good luck with your search

NIgel Latta? Nigel F35king Whining Latta? nuff said. There's no doubt an 80's Falcodore ain't that safe. Hell my 1997 Volvo 855-T5 with Four Airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, and SIPS probably doesn't measure up to a 2016 Ford Focus. However, being rear-ended by a Falcodore doing 60ks, I'd prefer my offspring strapped in in the middle row of my volvo, than in the back seat of a focus. You cannae change the laws of physics (laws of physics, Captain). Now, before we all get too serious, here's some comic relief. What does it take to kill a Volvo 850? (yes it has a small hoop in it).

it certainly does! No argument there. What I'm thinking about, is do they show the rear-ended across 50% of vehice's width at 50/80/110kph scenarios? That's what I've seen (that scares me) - rear-enders on the open road of NZ highways.

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I'm comparing a modern 5 star rated small hatchback with a twenty+ year old 'designed in the 80's' vehicle. (edit) with little in the way of 'active safety'. Yes, of course. In the recent small Japanese and Korean instances I've seen, the crumple zones acted in such a way that there was no space left for a living occupant. Think rear hatch - whole left rear passenger space - compacted into the front passenger's seat. Only Harry Potter or Scotty at the controls of the transport beam could escape that vehicle/accident unscathed.

looks smart, and that beading betrays that someone's lavishing the love on it, despite your claims of riding it hard and stabling it wet. looking forward to an update.

Answers in order: 1. Yes 2. Agreed 3. Hell no! I'd already gotten a taste for BMW as the e30 was first released; I still remember getting a short drive in a (UK import) 323i in early '83... and when I saw a head-on accident in Wellington CBD between an e30 and a HiAce courier van that left the courier van a steaming smoking write-off, and the doors still opened and closed on the e30, I was impressed. I had an A32 Maxima for a while, I'd not have wanted to hit anything in that! More recently on some of the family weekend trips I've taken in the last year, we've driven past accidents with the meatwagon still in attendance, often a compact Japanese or Korean hatchback where there's no longer a back seat area. I look at my wife and say "that's why we're spending more than we'd like servicing these euros. I'd never forgive myself if we'd made a conscious decision to drive something small, light, and built to a (small) budget, and one of the family was seriously injured in an accident.

Scary Reading? how about: "Odometer32,163 KM Showing" it's not like she's pregnant, guv. "ohhhh, you're 23 weeks darling and barely showing!" I dunno, these auctioneers will do anything for a laff.

hey, just remember they're a BMW underneath, and handle pretty well for a front-tugger.

so what's the *real* story? We need catching up, mate. A bunch of somewhat specific questions: The wheels look awesome (I'm biased), particularly that colour in low light against the red. Are they Lewis' old ones? What ratio is your LSD? Are you out of the 3k rpm at 100kph zone, yet? How's she running overall? Getting plent of use? Your new donor car - whats it going to be donating? What's up with the red one that you need to fix? ... Or are you coming out on the welly roadtrip to Ngawi in March? cheers

sure looks tidy. GLWS.

it doesn't mention that in the advert - or am I missing something? If you do manage to win that vehicle, please, please, don't mod it. It looks really really clean and original, hopefully someone will maintain it sympathetically.

must keep an eye out for this one.

more seriously though, the thread that explains drilling two large holes with a holesaw in the rear seat firewall and using long extensions, seems the best way to go. http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/67104-help-boot-stuck/

yes, I was denied the opportunity to drive it back when it was unsealed.

looks like the LCI diesels are alloy-blocked. Well, those that are suffixed TU2. from good ol wiki: "The block and the crankcase of the first M57 engines and the TÜ (Technische Überarbeitung = revision) engines are made of cast iron, TÜ2 engines are made of aluminium instead."

I drove the crown range in my e46 back in october, nice flowing road. and some great scenery to boot. ++recommended.

PS: I'd have no issue with the M57D25 variant. PPS: as with most e60 (except the M5 or other smg-equipped of course), prudent service of the 6HP26 or 6HP19 trans is recommended.

yes indeed, I'm looking at the same option. Though need a new contract! I've driven a couple of the earlier 530D's, they're comfortable mile-munchers. the heavy lump in front changes the balance a little over benzine powered e60, though still a lovely BMW drive. They certainly pick up when the loud pedal is encouraged. Sadly diesel doesnt seem to be covered in the "so you've bought yourself an e60" pdf. As Dan mentioned, swirl flaps potentially disastrous - easy and inexpensive delete. LCI seem to be harder to find, I understand the improved iDrive is favoured, and lower risk of flappage issues. Options commonly found in NZ include the lighting package, active headlights, active steering, spare wheel, leather interior. Filters seem more expensive than petrol. Service intervals seem good. So overall, the same e60 areas of concern (water leaks flooding electronics etc - see the "so you've bought yourself an e60" pdf), and as with any BMW, evidence of regular maintenance. Needs good long runs to avoid soot buildups and DPF problems. There's been a nice e60 530D for sale in CHC for a while, has Dynamic Drive as well (I think similar to the M5)... wonder if that's a maintenace liability with age, or just a seriously cool option to feature in a mile-munching distance car?