balancerider

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

a Jeff Gray plate surround would be a nice touch to go with that!

surprised they check the emissions on the gas guzzling V6/V8 fleet (that somehow the giant trucks that are everywhere are not included in the calculation for)

ooooh this is nice. OEM wheels please!

No. You just need to replace all four tires with the same type. Michelin PS4S for the win

nice looking car! hard to say as they're so rare here. there was a 2016 D3 saloon listed on TM earlier in the year for 70k if I remember rightly, maybe 50k depending on mileage / condition (looks like a Singapore import?)

very nice! will be even better with some multi spoke alpina rims and getting rid of the rear jap plate mount so the license plate sits flat

win.

the end

Ironically most of the N46's were made in Hams Hall engine plant... https://www.bmwgroup-plants.com/hamshall/en.html

Probably some performance benefit in running 98 (as long as it's not the horrible Gull biofuel rubbish) - car looks nice, though is the tow bar removable?