balancerider

= MON (motor octane number)

VIN suggests it's a E28 535i auto - UK import at 2 yrs old and looks like it was originally a press car (Option 903). Would take the options list with a grain of salt as I'm fairly sure it wasn't built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Cloth interior and no sports seats. Pretty impressive WOF history - only one fail! wbadc820600660464-bimmer.work.pdf

@KwS Great attention to detail - and a very readable style! Subscribed...

320d is a good choice. This one https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320d/listing/3381217013 has been in NZ since 10k km and has all round parking sensors / towbar / pan roof. Remap possible but not really necessary, the N47 engine is great around town and F31 definitely rides better than E91 even on optional 19's There is a reasonable amount of internet publicity on timing chain issues on the prefacelift F31 320d but if oil is changed more regularly than 2 yrs / 32000k stock interval I suspect it's unlikely. Otherwise reliability seems sound, potentially some issues with electronics, I had the LED indicator in my wing mirror die at 2 years old.

Except that their ICE equivalent (the XM) is just as bad, if not worse, suggesting that BMW designers have lost the plot. It's not a good sign when the hope is they stay in business to supply parts for the old cars that were actually good.

I would say they've done some things right (non-M 3 series, 5 series) but this is not one of them...

This. But 'he knows what he's got'...🤣

@E30 325i Rag-Top arguably the high torque / comfy suspension Alpina is a better fit for NZ's 'interesting' road conditions as realistically most people probably aren't tracking their new M cars anyway (certainly wouldn't want to pay for the tires / brakes in anything > M4) In addition it's a bit more low key and doesn't have the hideous grille of the upcoming M3 touring. And they make a V8 wagon. The conoisseurs choice (or so I'll keep telling myself)...

Further confirmation of my long held belief that sunroofs are the devil's work.

@Palazzo @E28E30 hopefully their Wellington arm might do the same. I think Coombes Johnston in Hamilton do something similar too. lack of competition here on the dealer front really shows.

Bespoke gearbox map and suspension tune aside - the answer is yes. Built on standard F3x production line. Quite tempted to see if I can flash my adaptive suspension with the Alpina map and find some springs. EFA: there're a few more differences - front subframe, uprated cooling system, bigger brakes (although same as the upgraded m-sport ones), stronger driveshaft and Akrapovic exhaust (which seems a bit of a waste on a diesel) D3_BITURBO_F3x_LCI_Englisch.pdf

not NZ new - not built to NZ spec 😤 I do like an Alpina but this is just mental nice colour though. I'd pay an extra 15k over what my 335d sold for. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3395302155

As an update - managed to get reasonably priced freight via Backload4u.co.nz ~ 50% of other quotes. Probably worth a look in future...

Spotted @Driftit this morning mid-deluge in Featherston (I think)

@promo is your man.

E93 M3 Silverstone cabbie with aftermarket 'zorst (sounded epic) and top down in Karori

Not a BMW but the OG fast wagon so thought someone might appreciate it (just looked, performance is extraordinary for a mid-90's 1600kg wagon, 4.8s 0-100 🤯)

At least you’ve avoided the most troublesome number of cylinders in a BMW @TermiPeteNZ? The Audi is trying to tell you something… 😂

probably depends how long you want to run it for but the value proposition ain't great IMO given the chain is rear-mounted (i.e. engine out) - maybe worthwhile if you're aiming for 350k km and you can do it quickly yourself. I believe shops in the UK charge 1200-1500 GBP for it.

How is your 530d going @aja540i? Started to work on cosmetics yet?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/528i/listing/3372154663?bof=Hx28o5DI He's actually restoring one of these atm. Quite like the saddle brown interior - shame it doesn't have sports seats... wbadh62040bz01805-bimmer.work.pdf

No sadly not with a significant functionality deficit

Hi team - have a not very big but quite heavy item (60x45x45cm / 42kg) to send Wellington-Kerikeri - any suggestions? Mainfreight quote is $380 (!!!!!) 🤯

Delphingrau? Great colour