Olaf

@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!

Date: 23 Sep 2020 Distance: Perth, WA, to Wellington Niu Zild, via Seedney. 1. More M42 prep So this happened. Found in WA, bought via the book of faces, and slowly made it's way here in the time of Covid. Yes, I believe that that looks like David Jones wrapping inside the Australia Post Parcel Box? Oh yes! e30 318iS loom. Result! ?? Right then, that's into storage. Along with the high-temperature TESA loom tape that I bought to freshen this up. M42 DISA QUESTION: does anyone know if any extra wiring is required for the M42 e36 ECU to run the e36 M42 DISA with this e30 M42 iS loom? I’d really like to have the benefit of DISA. Next Steps: Centre console - clock (have parts) Driver's window - fix in regulator to address wind whistle Address non-functioning remote door mirrors Rear Parcel Shelf, Noise deadening, Premium Rear Speakers (have parts) Fog light rebuild and install (have parts) Horns install (have parts) Wheel alignment (last done 259342kms) - it's over a year, and I think it's settled a little. 15" Basketweaves and tyres - need wheels and tyres ... plenty to keep me entertained in the mean time!

@Sammo thank you sir! Yes, an M42B18 swap is scheduled for second quarter next year, to give it more torque, and +35hp. It'll get certed too. I'm currently doing research, acquiring some of the basic parts (like I've already got the fluid engine mounts from an e30 iS, and the iS-specific RH mount, another M40 sump, engine support, dipstick), am getting ready to strip it down, then buy the parts and do a careful rebuild (whatever it needs), including rings and bearings, all the gaskets, any cooling system hoses and a new water pump, possibly timing gears and chain - certainly tensioner and probably guides), maybe oil pump... and also ensure it's cosmetically sorted. It'll get a Stromung iS exhaust, and coil-on-plug conversion, and some other bits. At that point, it should have earned the iS badge. But the Cert is a very important aspect for me, got to keep it kosher, despite it all being 'factory'. Edit: To answer your question, I'm certainly enjoying it as it is as 'the momentum car' that it currently is. The power, when it comes, won't be at the expense of balance, or transforming it into a Q-ship. I have performance in my other car(s); with this one, I'm taking 'the road less travelled' ??

Wow this car is taking big strides. I had the pleasure of test-driving it yesterday. It's transformed since I was with Barry for the original test drive. It's now got my old 13.5mm rear ARB with genuine BMW ARB bushes (~5 months wear on them - like new!), and Barry put new Lemforder dogbones on. ...and Rear outer brake hoses... And as Barry has noted, new transmission and motor mounts, LCA bushes, ARB bushes, endlinks, rotors, pads, brake hoses, and a new LH brake hard line. It's very smooth, gobs more torque at takeoff than my M40B16, it's very willing, and there's no rattle at all from the rebuilt M42B18. It's got much better composure now than when I first rode in it, with body roll significantly reduced and managed. It's smooth through the mid-corner bumps, though still feels like a lively dancer as you punt it down the road. It's really getting sorted! And that Zinnoberrot paint is looking really smart. Can't wait to see the next steps in the journey.

Two for the price of one, mate!! ?

First world problems! Aren’t we lucky we have relative freedoms ?

was about to suggest the same. not much is coming out of BMW Germany in less than 4 weeks

Got rental car contribution in policy? Get to nominate your own panel beater? A month is good, think yourself lucky you’re not in Wellington!!