SmithyInWelly

And if anyone wants to shift their slush box (no pun intended) to pick this up; let me know - I'm after a decent dd.

Good spot re the exhaust… the wheels and headlights already raised questions for me! Thought about the cheapest one that’s in the Tron but it seems a bit hard with the seller, and that one here in the Hutt looks munted.

And on a similar note, if anyone knows anything about the Kiwi new one in Waiuku - hit me up 👍 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/4241116501

Funny - I'm soon to buy a cheap runaround for $5-6k and saw a few 130i's had popped up around Wgtn... but there's no such thing as a free (or cheap) lunch; and certainly not when it comes to BMW's - nor other Euro's.

'08 NZ new, 46000km, good condition, recent service... looking for around $11/12k - located in Lower Hutt. (also selling my 2022 Honda Monkey on the off chance anyone is interested, less than 500km).

No sports mode on this one... but having driven another couple that did have it I'm not overly bothered. It sounds quite ok for this old fella lol I'm pretty keen to keep it stock - aside from the reliability stuff (ie: catch can), with the k's as low as they are and the spec; I quite like it being a bit understated.

Cheers Kyu - that's great to know... and yeah - some pics...

I am now the proud owner of an '08 R56... with an N14 😜 But in it's defence - it's Kiwi new, with very very very low kms and a good service/ownership history. Now to get it serviced; get some decent rubber on it, probably a walnut blast and an oil catch catch can, and do something about the horrendous factory audio with a 3.5mm aux in that makes music played via my iPhone sound like it's being listened to under water. But bluddy hell, it ain't half fun to drive! And yes Greg - I was originally thinking along the lines of a 130; but I've done the 3ltr Beemer thing (330i the M135i) and wanting three pedals pushed the price up beyond what I wanted to spend, not to mention there being bugger all on the market at the moment.

So after all the research and advice... who can guess what I now own?

Someone should buy this... so much pace and a fair bit of practicality for the price, had a ball with mine.

Cheers John and yes, it looks good. I'm pretty keen on a roof so will wait a little longer before I go the roofed route.

Must be manual - ideally with a sunroof, and preferably N18 (would consider N14 if it's been well maintained). Not interested in a project car, nor a garage queen - simply looking for a fun daily driver. I'm in Wellington but happy to travel for the right car.

Thanks for that 👍 It certainly seems worthwhile to hold out for an N18... the downside (for me) is it's harder to find the spec I want. I wasn't born with the patience gene lol.

Yes - R56... and before y'all tell me why an R53 is better - I've recently driven both and it's not for me. My left side is a bit munted following surgeries (and I'm a bit buggered from chemo), and as I do want a manual; whilst the '53 is more analogue, the '56 is that bit easier/lighter to drive - and for me, that matters. It's purely a fun second car that won't be driven a lot (just sold my previous car that had done approx 2.5kms in the last six months), just a fun little box for me to run around town and occasionally a bit further. I'm looking to spend around the $10k mark... and have no need for a bigger mini (Countryman's and the like) so keen to stick to the basic two door hatch (not the butt ugly "coupe" lol). I've seen a little bit about the benefits of an N18 vs the N14, which of course seems logical enough but that's pushing the budget and a 14 is more realistic... though as I'll have to outsource any maintenance maybe it's worth spending that bit more? Anyway; any real-world recommendations appreciated... and if you know of a good one that's available (preferably with a sunroof), give me a shout.

Yip, it was at O'Reilly's - saw it when I had my car serviced. Such a lot of car for the cabbage.