Olaf

it is! though unsure if we can import diesels from abroad with less-than EURO3 or EURO4 emissions ratings?

which filler are you using, Stu?

Damned fine work at a sustained pace! never mind the run, you can wet-sand that back with 1000grit when it's hardned up (or knock off the high-spots while it's soft, with a razor-blade). It'll be a great workhorse, well done, keep it up!

at least you know it's not far away, and is running like a swiss watch!

one of my facebook mates is in a constant battle of wits with one he's dubbed Flawed Tragic ?, though it seems it doesn't want to grow up and leave home (still under warranty, thankfully)... where 'home' is the dealership.

Caddy is a top idea. And then, this (because VW Lego):

Nikon D4S+AF Nikkor 70-200 2.8FL/E @adro... in bloody challenging lighting. Bavarian Flytrap - Nikon D4+AF Nikkor 24-70 f2.8, B+W Kassemann Pol Filter Nikon D3+AF Nikkor 70-200 2.8FL/E PS: none of these are my cars, though the photography is mine.

The only car I've regretted selling - and it was because a) I wasn't finished with it, and b) I couldn't afford to take it with me: 1989 e30 325i Touring, manual, sunroof, Alpinweiss. In the UK. In 2001. I did a whole heap of remedial maintenance on it. Trips to Euro Car Parts for plugs, OEM HT lead set, all the filters (incl a K&N - silly boy), belts, oil change, hours spent under the hood with WD40 and rags cleaning it all up... changed out the 80's spec Blaupunkt cheapy for a decent colour-matched 1997-spec Pioneer CD unit from my previous car. Cooks Ferry Engineering were engaged to do fuel lines, shifter bushings, Pagid slotted rotors and fast-road pads, diff gearbox and cooling system flushes and refills, brake fluid, engine and gearbox mounts, tie rod ends and LCA bushes. I replaced all the wiper blades, adjusted the antenna and lubed the sunroof, tidied the body and interior... and I tracked-down an odd fault with fuel pump and DME relays (respectively). I planned suspension upgrades with Konis and springs I hadn't decided on, and was looking for decent rims (baskets). I did a few trips around the country in it, went to a BMW Driver's Club meet at Castle Coombe, and then it was time to pack up in UK and return to Niu Zild, as the contracting market had flatlined in UK... and pretty much everywhere else for that matter. Don't hate on those dugly wheels. They were next on the list for replacement! Image from the day I sold it. I'd love to have brought it home to NZ with me. I sold it for GBP2350, from memory. All the other cars were sold for a reason. Although it was difficult (at the time) to let go of my A2 Golf GTi 16v after 2.5 years and ~25000mi, looking back I have no regrets, and viewed logically bringing a left hand drive hot-hatch into NZ in the late 90's made no sense whatsoever.

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