Olaf

You’re a youthful gent for sure, Stu... but that young? ?

I reckon the Kenwood works pretty well with the ‘battle stations’ amber lighting of the e30 dashboard.

Their motivation for buying an e30 isn't important to me; though what price the market is standing, is of interest. Mine's not for sale, isn't an investment, it's driven regularly, and is fun. I have no plans to sell. However, if some CUB walked up and offered me a keen and serious price well above market - at a level that stops objections - I'd have to consider it, wouldn't I. Does that make me a degenerate? No, I'm an enthusiast.

I had trouble understanding your post. Do you mean that clean cars are achieving more than their asking, or significantly less? Are you suggesting cars sell slowly on trademe, and faster via other channels? But at what price? It's all very interesting, but where's the figures/clear evidence to support whatever your claim is?

If you really want an e30, you’re not better off with an e36 anything. Though undeniably, the e36 and e46 are objectively better-engineered, safer, stiffer and more sophisticated cars. ?

A couple of 318i Coupes on ™ asking between $12 and 14k and they’re nothing special other than tidy. Not iS, at least one is Auto. yes folks, that’s where the market is heading.

How many kms has it done @qube? Catching sight of brake rotors in a couple of your pics are they getting lippy? I'm unsure about the 6cyl, the V8 uses hyrid rotors with alloy hats that none of the 'OE' or OEM featured (so I went Genuine BMW). If the factory part on 6cyl uses conventional rotors, alternate choices are straightforward. I can recommend Hawk HPS pads for the e60. HTH.

Back to school for you. I'm not interested in post count and referred only to the three posts questioning parentage of the car such as "guessing no service history", "sounds like a substantial shunt then", " it must have been bad for the insurer to not fix it"; if these imaginative guesses meet your personal standard for "excellently raised points", you're probably more at home on Facebook. No points for Gryffindor.

You're awfully keen to talk it down; three posts on the first page questioning it's parentage based purely on assumptions. @Blackie is taking a factual, unemotional look at it.

Seriously, BMW dealership charged $1,500 for pad replacement? one end or both? And definitely not including rotors and fluids? General inspection I or II excluded? What does a Service Plan provide, if it doesn't cover those basics? Wow.

if you're going to do the serpentine belt, does it drive the AC, or separate belt (as on N62). If so, do that too. N62 is sans-tensioner, so if your N5x is similar, you'll want the belt tool as well. Should be considering Auto service. Auto trans pan/filter, and mechatronic sleeve. As yours is LCI, should have the good pan bolts so no need to replace. Possibly your fuel filler cap? Check the big O-ring for cracks. Download the latest So you bought an e60? Valeo e60 Wiper Blades cabin filters query hood support struts HTH

if you're doing engine mounts I suggest trans mounts as well. I did both on mine; transformative. It's not a cheap chassis for parts cost in maintenance, though it is so very rewarding. I wonder is the Touring 50/50 weight distribution as well?

this is the e60/e61 magic. You can drive WLG-AKL non-stop and arrive feeling relaxed. Brilliant cars, love mine to bits.

Talk to Jon at Auto38 in Newtown.

@Willy Sea would you consider ACS Type II?

@martyyn I'd recommend Fibrenew, Welly franchisee is club member Andrew Thomas, well regarded and exceptional work. My e60 steering wheel is like new, @TermiPeteNZ had X5 seat bolster repairs... let him know you're a club member. https://www.fibrenew.co.nz/wellington/photos/11-leather-redyeing-repair/ Atop that, he's a top bloke too!

@Eagle damned straight $170.09 for 20 litres is good buying, I used to get the plastic 20l for $160. $8.50/litre game on I've got three cars to do oil changes on. https://www.repco.co.nz/en/oils-fluids/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil/penrite-hpr-5-5w-40-engine-oil-enviro-box-20l-hpr05020box/p/A1296347

@BLACK DORIS and as soon as it's roadworthy, get in touch. I'm getting an article together for BMW DIXI magazine, need a Wellington-based e30 Touring to complete the lineup. Writing and photography Mid-Nov to early December 2020 for the Summer Issue (published late Jan).

@Autoglym. well it's the right colour.

It does not look like a cared-for car. "no history but serviced regularly". Tui advert right there. A well-maintained e46 is a joy; a neglected one can definitely be brought up to scratch for $$$; you just got to make sure there's some meat in it for you after the spending's done. It's at the right mileage for the auto to sh*t the bed, it'll be ready for control arms and bushes, endlinks and ARB bushes; a PCV system, shocks, brakes, cooling system. And not far off of an A/C compressor and VANOS seals. It'll be leaking oil around valve cover gasket and oil filter housing, will need a sump gasket soon (if not already), and if the PCV system has been ignored, could be up for a brake booster too. It'll probably need some coils, definitely spark plugs. And a windscreen cowl. Hopefully it's had regular oil changes and isn't slugged-up. Not a car to take a risk on, you'd want a very thorough PPI from a BMW dealer or specialist. Missing some of the e46 telltales with a general mechanic or PPI shop could cost you a grand an item. Proceed with caution. It may be good and all this stuff's already been done, but most folks spending tons on workshop bills will keep receipts. FSH and tons of history makes better sense with these. HTH.

it's the reason you're selling your Mini.

You guys can take the piss all you like. The banks have been trying to gain control of the money supply for 30 years. You should be very afraid. Keep cash rolling. PS - look up Mondex.

I’ve noted ASB have removed all but two ATMs in central Wellington. Bastards!

@Autoglym