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What about this? I've seen it and she's pretty tidy and drives nice. Interior is decent despite kms - soft plastics have scratched a bit around the centre console (typical E46) and a couple of slight oil weepages under the hood but noting to worry about. I didn't get underneath it. I didn't commit as my large dog will only be able to go in the back with the seats folded down. Me not realising how small the cargo space is in the E46. (If anyone has an E39 530i Motorsport Touring they want to sell PM). The wheels give a harsh ride, they're not my cuppa and not a deal breaker but (for me) more hassle and outlay trying to find OEM rims and new tyres. Good example of a 330i Touring though. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2632449206

The rise in asking/sales prices for this is relative to other hero models from the same era (including E34&E39 M5s and E30 m325i). Look at the asking prices of any turbo charged Jap car, 993 and 996 Porsche or 1990s HSVs in good original condition. $40k or so for this M3 doesn’t seem unrealistic after all.

I don't think it is just the N47s. Also in my consideration were some (what appear to be) good value F10 5 series and F30 3 series at around $20k. The F10s can be had for as low as $15k. Happy to be corrected but it appears any reasonably economical BMW engine post M57/M47 and N52 all have timing chain dramas. Another one I forgot to mention is the last of the W203 C Class around 2005-2006 with the 3.0 V6 diesel OM642 - 160kw and 500nm torque in a small sedan. Facelifted model at the end of its run so they are a decent thing to sit inside and look at (subjective).

I do 1000-1200km/week. I have a Citroen C5 HDi. Gets 5.5l/100km on a good day and 6l on a bad one. Cheap to run, about $65-70 per 1000km @ $1.15/litre. Peugeot 406 HDi similar car without Citroens hydro suspension, which gives the best ride quality I’ve experienced. I went through the same dilemma as you. Considered spending big $$$ (Run out 1 series at the start of the year for around $42k). I was about to buy a low km V6 VF Holden Calais Wagon for $24k but job uncertainty made me hold onto my money. These are decent on fuel - will return 7-7.5 driven sensibly. I decided to run this Citroen into the ground. If it goes for another year or two, bonus. In your price range I also considered, E39 530i E46 330i E36 318i manual. Mercedes W210 E320. BF Ford Fairmont Ghia or XR6 with the ZF6 speed. FG2 XT Falcon. The Mondeo range is good value for money. But if serious do some research on the powershift gear boxes. ohh, the Citroen’s speedo doesn’t work for some reason.

This was the second or third time re listed after the seller declared it won’t be re listed again.

That is true but the M112 and 113 engines are pretty much bullet proof and the 5 speeds aren’t too bad either. Despite the myths, with those engine choices they are a pretty solid car. Dull compared to an M3 (price and desirability reflects that), but would likely be a cheaper car to run over all. As for $10k and not BMW. DC2 or DC5 integra type R. Ford Focus XR5, VW Golf Mk4 R32. Or what about a B5 S4 Audi? Kinda cool, probably for nostalgic reasons to us millenials.

Nice. I have a Porsche Cayenne Turbo of the same era with a failed timing chain. Its not cost effective to fix, so I'm parting it out. I believe the Q7, Cayenne and Touraeg share a lot of parts. If you need any parts the three models share, drop me a line. I often used a Q7 V6 diesel rental through Hertz when holidaying in Australia. Great long distance runners. Typical Aussie highways at 110kmh will see 6.2l/100km and I'd usually average mid 7s the whole time. Awesome economy for what the car is.

There has also been a few Land Rover Defenders and Discos listed for sale from Central Otago tour operators.

I often hire through Hertz, mainly because they have some decent stuff with unlimited km - Mustang, Audi SQ5, Q7, Golf GTi. I was suppose to be in Perth in the first week of the lockdown and had booked an Audi Q7. It was cheaper to book it outside of my Hertz Gold membership and do it unregistered through one of their specials. Although I did see last week Hertz is on the brink of folding.

Well at least it's not LS ? Nice project, is that yours sitting next to it too? Have you had any dealings with Mike B. from NW Auckland? A lot of knowledge and contacts for parts. I'm pretty sure the Charger is still the most successful touring car in NZ. I have this VG, in the process of stripping down engine. 245 and 30 thou over. Managed to find a Hemi 6 4bbl manifold so will go Holley Sniper EFI (at this stage). And re gear from 3.23 to 3.7.

If you are specifically after one of them, it would be a good one to go for. Not many were optioned with low range, and I’m pretty sure they also come with a rear diff lock too.

Hey mate, where are you located?

F650 would be a good option especial if you're wanting to do a bit of adventure touring. Depending what you want it for, try an older 4 cylinder 250. Such as CBR250RR, ZXR. Damn fun bikes but they need to be thrashed. I wouldn't get too carried away as far as purchase pricing goes for a bike to gain your licences. Get by with the minimum as chances are when you get your full you'll probably look to upgrade say a f 650 to a 850 or 1200 etc. Or 250 sports bike to a 600 or 1000.

Be interesting to see what the police force go with. With the demise of the Aussie designed and built Holden I’m surprised VW haven’t been successful in supplying more vehicles. Although I think the Govt resigned with Holden for 5 years in 2016. VW pretty much have the market covered. Decent performance orientated Golfs and Passats or Touareg could substitute Commodore for highway patrol. Base model Passat could take over from Commodore. Good range of vans and Ute option as well.

Hah, well I’m always open to different opinions. Budget will dictate the older F30. Diesel is not viable thanks to RUC. Currently have one that returns 5.5l/100 and it’s cheaper to run the other half’s 1.8 Corolla that returns 6l/100km. If I can find an old XM Citroen, 740 Volvo or W123 Benz in diesel I’ll buy one in a heart beat and not worry about RUC.

Thought that might be the case. I was hopeful the batteries may aid in the stop start open road driving that is common around the provinces (like say SH1B Cambridge to Taupiri with many stop signs). Being an aid in getting the car back up to the speed limit, reducing the work and fuel burn of the petrol engine. It seems on one charge batteries will last for 20km.

Has anyone had experience with these? Rated at 2.1l/100km combined. Normal 330 with the same 2.0 turbo petrol is rated to 5.5l/100km. What are these petrol engines, and other general 3 series components like for reliability/longevity? I guess its too early to tell how the battery/motor side of thing will stack up in the long run? Do the fuel figures of both models hold up in the real world? They look like good value for money. I guess this is what happens when the market shifts to horrible small SUVs and Utes that are used for duties a normal sedan/hatch can carry out 99% of the time. Currently doing around 1000km a week of mostly open road driving around the Waikato/BOP.

Yeah, I’ve had several. highest mileage was an AU XR6 Ute at over 650,000km when I sold it. All original but first gear synchro wasn’t too flash. I know where this Ute is and am gonna try and buy it back in a couple of weeks. next was an AU Fairlane at 570 ish k then a whole lot between 530k down to 80k. no major dramas. The odd wheel bearing, tie road end etc as expected. Easy to work on, parts are cheap asf, great long distance cruisers and they just go forever. As with most cars that have aged by time or mileage they aren’t without their faults but compared to anything Euro from the last 15-20 years they’re a walk in the park.

Before the rise of the Toyota Hybrid, thousands and thousands of Aus and kiwi taxi operators kept going back to the Falcon for decades. 12 years on and there are still BF wagons getting around in Aussie as cabs. Enough said.

It’s not really my argument. Just stating a main reason why dealers can list for a higher price than a private seller. Offering cheap and easy finance opens up more potential buyers.

The average joe doesn’t have $20-30k to drop on a car. Let alone something that is more a weekend car/hobby/something that is going go to require on going R&M like an aging M3. Some might be able to via business or adding into the mortgage, but I’d say most don’t. So enter the dealers where they can offer cheap and easy finance. Easier for people who can’t afford it, to afford it. I thought the four door M3 was a good price (going off the ad and pics). There was ample time for an enthusiast to purchase that car, as it had been on the market for a while... snooze you loose I guess.

Yeah I will be, but not until Friday 31st of this month. If OP can hold onto them until then...

Yeah, the typical Harley rider has put me off ever owning one. Not that I can see the point. I also have a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1200S and along with the half of the BMW range, the KTM 1290 Adventure, Honda ST1300 etc, you’d struggle to find better all round bikes, especially suited to NZ roads/conditions or even eating up miles down the yank interstates at 80-100mph all day. You could do 1200 km around NZ in one day on any of them and want to get back on and do it all again. Good luck doing the same on a Harley. It would be like choosing to do a lap of the north island in a new M5 or an HQ Holden 202 with no exhaust and a lot of chrome.

Hah. It was one of those dohc Porsche developed powered one. a quick google search says they are good for a flat 12.

A few years ago a mate and I went to an all bike day at meremere organised by a bike club. It was pretty much an all Harley day, full of small cock syndrome insecure Harley riders walking around with an attitude as if they were ready to king hit someone. Perhaps they were butt hurt that of the few jap bikes there, an R6 was quicker than the fastest Harley. I ran a 10.7 on my Duc, my mate ran a 10.6 on his ZX10, the R6 was high 11s and from memory the quickest Harley was low 12s.