balancerider

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?

I suspect you could get into the 4’s on the open road with a rear drive f30 320d with the 8 speed zf box. Best I’ve seen in my 335d xdrive touring is 5.2l/100k driving sedately Hamilton - Auckland

Yep - that'd do nicely. A factory supported one would be even better. Surely they've seen Audi and Mercedes sell enough RS4/C63 wagons to take a chance on the touring body.

The older engines (M47) should be capable of 6l/100km on open road - not great on short / round town journeys though.

The 4 series Gran Coupe is substantially better looking than the 3 series Gran Turismo version. Praise the lord that BMW have dumped that particular iteration for the next gen 3 series.

The pre-facelift ones with the M47 have swirl flaps, blanking kits readily available. Timing chain issues reported on (a small minority) of the facelift N47 engine. N=1 but dad's had no mechanical problems in 220k kms on his 320d.

Can't say I disagree about ceramics on a road car but I personally would much prefer a sedan (or even better a touring...hint hint BMW) for my practical but fast everyday car

like the alcantara steering wheel. the two tone trim is ? though