Olaf

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

I had to google the Bushmaster (surely the Aussies could have chosen a name less likely to cause confusion): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmaster_Protected_Mobility_Vehicle Looks pretty cool. Future opportunity to buy decommissioned Kiwi Pinzgauers? PS 6l Cummins: because aircon ?

+1 - congratulations

I heard the NZ ones were spec'd with a particularly anaemic power plant; other forces have the 'climb anything with whatever payload' feature.

As an M3 is above $90k; and a good ///M325i coupe is $50-60k now... then a tidy 318iS is absolutely worth $20k. Check out the prices of tidy collectible non-garage Queen 318iS in USA where they are relatively plentiful!

DiSA: "Differential Air Intake System". DISA offers the advantages of both short and long intake pipes, which contributes to improved power, torque and fuel efficiency. I suspect I'll find most of the answers here, once I've slowly worked my way through it. https://carchat.org/articles/1394-bmw-m42-engine-technical-information-e36

@nick496 you should do these!

Fully agree. Sadly that appears to be the fate of most 5ers of any age/series; more complex car (than a 3er) with higher parts cost and needing regular care. By the time they're a sub-$20k used car, buyers leveraging costly dealership hire purchase run from "expensive" repair bills ("I told you we should've bought that Camry! Next time I'm making the car purchase decision!"). Three or four more years of neglect, they're traded-in, relegated to beater status, and in the wrecker's yard after a couple of years being thrashed by a twenty-something lad who picked it up for $1600 for something different, fed a diet of used parts.

Did you install a blanking kit in their place?

Jesus, that's Orientblau? Wow, it is filthy. Orientblau sparkles up a treat (I'm not biased), something to look forward to. Great score!