balancerider

paging @NZ_InFerno!

That's great thanks. Dog will be in the boot only so was thinking about something like this: https://www.hatchbag.co.uk/bmw-3-series-touring-2012-to-2019 As well as paint protective film for the rear bumper.

Wondering if anyone has experience with boot liner for BMW touring models. About to get a dog and something that can be hosed / scrubbed clean better than the carpet?

Very nice choice (I admit I might be a little biased!) - I don't understand why BMW NZ stopped bringing them in in favour of the 330d for the later generations. How do you find it on rear tires with all that torque?

How to make your M40i unique https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2593597580

I mentioned this one in another thread. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2566301665.htm?rsqid=7883cb5d050a4ebcbf5988e46f255cb4-003 If the colour works for you and the service history checks out could be a decent option

Don’t go there. 325i or 320d

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2571601087.htm I’d buy this if it was a wagon. @E30 325i Rag-Top did BMW NZ ever sell Alpinas NZ new?

The E61 will be even harder on suspension components than the E91 - they have rear air suspension which is expensive to fix too. They're a big bus so won't feel fast even with the 3.0L petrol.

A brace of BMW tourings

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2566301665.htm may be worth looking into if you don’t mind a red wagon

@SmithyInWelly agree re: price on that red one, however at a guess a poorly maintained / non-maintained N54 is an order of magnitude more expensive to keep running than the N52 in the 325?

Spec looks good for a Jap import, xenons / pan roof / front + rear PDC (rare on jap import) / full leather interior. Ride will be terrible on 19's, my E91 on 17's had a pretty harsh ride. budget for new cooling system for the N52 probably. 9k seems on the high side.

Seems ironic that the Motorsport-fettled S63 engine in the M5 is much more reliable than the donor N63 in the x50i models, from a quick look at the specs they seem to be very similar.

@E30 325i Rag-Top i think my biases lean the same way as yours (I like E30 M3's and BMW tourers) ?

Give us a quick review when you get a chance @E30 325i Rag-Top

BMW NZ has been known to make the same mistake (3.5L 335i E90 anyone?). 'Twinpowerturbo' is fairly confusing for Joe Punter. In all seriousness, the B48 seems a pretty good combo of performance / economy / reliability

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2536727621 This has slightly piqued my interest (as a second round town vehicle). Decent engine, practical, well specced, good fuel economy, space for dog in boot. The obvious flaws in the driving experience don't matter so much for round town driving, would want to check out the hail damage (pre-photos if possible). Thoughts?

You won’t get close to those fuel economy figures with open road driving. The Plug in hybrids are heavily biased to short distance driving with a battery charge. You will probably get better economy in a 320i without 300kg of electric motor and battery added

@Cale I love your pairing!

wheels / parcel shelf still available?

Price seems reasonable for what's on offer. The N53 engine in this has something of a reputation for eating injectors, and I'd be interested in any service history (suspect little to none though)

It's still on the correct Michelins with decent tread and has 2 keys so the service history may be ok?

purchased off a dealer? i'd take it back to them. CGA is your friend in this instance...

Very nice review thanks @TermiPeteNZ. I agree with a lot of your points. I've turned stop/start off in mine, the torque is just awesome (mine's a diesel) and I honestly don't think I'd need more performance. I'd have loved a 340i touring (mainly for the sound and quicker to warm up) but it wasn't worth an extra 20k!