balancerider

Needs @promo’s expertise (assuming it hasn’t had it already)

@Olaf that boot seal is a satisfying job. i need to get to that on Dad's E91 at some point. excited to see this re-engined

Janky AV installations are just the worst. hopefully this is going to be worth it in the end though. wrt your water leak, there wasn't a wiring grommet for towbar electrics was there - have seen water come in through those...

or ask @promo

Please do this - it's my pet peeve with jap imports.

game over. manual though!

Hope @Driftit isn't commuting anywhere far with 80k of range and a wrecked battery in a 6 year old car...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/313378803 Pricing is wildly optimistic but at 35k I'd probably be interested...

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3133258404 Can't imagine this'll hang around. Leather recaros must be pretty rare

This - would steer clear of anything N53 powered. Coils / plugs / NOX sensors all consumables...

Worth it for the blue velour seat covers alone! No cruise control on that one @qube but it's a fairly easy retrofit. On Michelins all round which suggests it's been looked after.

I'd say yes provided the service history is decent. Drive nicely too.

Welcome @jharry - the price gap between your E91 and an F31 320d will pay for a lot of maintenance / fuel (would guess you'll get 6-7ish for your current car). The N52 in your car is a sound engine - esp once electric water pump has been replaced. You could replace the suspension on yours for $1500ish and will drive like a new one. OTOH the F3x generation is probably a bit safer and the 320d will be very good on fuel (maybe 5.5-6L/100k combined running). The f3x Gran Turismo model looks gash (IMO) so I'd definitely keep your E91 if that were the alternative, the Gran Coupe on the other hand looks OK but possibly out of budget.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320d/listing/3117655158 This would be my choice in that budget range. Check the oil service history - long life service (2 yr interval) kills the timing chain on these. Slightly higher and you'll be into cheap F31 320d's - same engine in a slightly bigger car (the E91 will be the same size as your Caldina) with a better (ZF 8 speed) gearbox than the 6 speed auto in the E91 http://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320d/listing/3108322109

I think it was $250ish with both balls and a storage bag.