balancerider

This looks like a nice low km example - don't see too many 540i tourings around https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1929465959.htm?rsqid=73dac6a0a4f34130b8ad84fc723760cb

Random query - are BMW Alpina vehicles available to order through BMW NZ?

Coming along nicely. Any pics on the Style 24 wheels?

No photos - but an CS 2002 on the Terrace (blue / black colour?) and a white 340i Touring near Parliament.

I like this a lot. The other reason there aren't any here is because the E81 wasn't sold in Japan - only the E87 (of which there are now plenty in NZ, generally poorly specced compared to the Singapore versions).

Nice E30 325i Cabby in Island Bay this evening...

NZ currently legislates 10ppm sulfur for diesel and petrol. Australia has 150ppm for 91 and 50ppm for 95/98, not sure about their diesel. I believe our 98 Octane (not the Gull stuff with ethanol in it) is imported refined from Singapore (which has very exacting specifications.

Guess that's why we get a better range of tourings than AU? they're stuck with 520d/530i in the G31 and nothing bigger than a 330i in the F31.

Don't have firm info but the NZ/AU 40i B58 engines have a lower compression option (S858) c.f. the euro market ones (due to poorer quality fuel - mainly in Australia) - so they may continue to omit it?

1 series can’t be had with individual colours

Presumably a profit driven approach. Most people don't know / care about which wheels are driven. They can use the same platform as Mini / X1 and minimise their development costs. Agree it produces a watered down drivers car c.f. RWD straigh 6 hatch, but the Golf R certainly gets decent reviews. I would guess they can't shoehorn a straight 6 into transverse layout so it'll be an inline 4 with a big turbo.

what a muppet.

$31k doesn't seem like much - seller didn't really help himself though

was that sourced from BMW NZ or from overseas?

I've read that this is not difficult. I believe the NZ regulations require a chain attachment for any trailer towing - which is not the case in Europe. Anyone got an engineering company to weld one on?

That's the current set up. Forever paranoid I'll drive into the garage with bikes on roof.

Thanks - I believe the Thule Euro-ride models are compatible with the swan neck bar (but it looks like the NZ purchased one is only compatible with a 50mm ball)

Bringing this post back from the dead - I am looking into importing a Westfalia towbar from the UK for my F31 335d (as it seems Westfalia NZ are now in receivership). My plan is to use (rarely) in conjunction with a towbar mounted bike rack - hence I really want the Euro style removable swan neck rather than the ugly nz ball style. Has anyone got any other suggestions?

if the 335d is in budget would definitely go for that instead. NZ new and more likely to have comprehensive service history. better economy and equivalent performance

this may fit the bill. good colour, highish k's but reflected in price https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1908533766

Multiple previous owners (judging by the plate history) and has been written off previously as well. Seller seems to be a little evasive about that though... https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1903714586

I get that diesel is not for everyone (and they don't sound good) but the BMW diesels are the best on the market.

As far as I know that is not the case in NZ, Australia or the UK.

Having owned both E91 + F31, the older car has a much worse ride quality (despite being on 17's and the new one on 19's), steering perhaps has a bit more feel on the e91 but it's still a wagon rather than a sports car. If you don't mind the idea of diesel, I'd recommend a test drive of the 335d, fantastic combo of performance, usability and economy. Almost certainly more reliable than N54 engined 335i from Japan.

The F31 335i is extremely uncommon here - I think I've only seen 3 for sale in the last two years. 2x luxury line jap imports and 1x m-sport nz new. The n55 is probably more reliable than the n54 although the 8-speed ZF on the F-series is a massive upgrade on the old 6-speed autobox. This appears to be the only one on TM at the moment https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1862146263.htm?rsqid=d09b331609444764805821f97ea6203c