balancerider

these two tell you everything you need to know about the PO.

Interesting - I have an F31 with same wheel sizes and in terms of runflat options, have only been offered Potenza S001's (which are the same as what I have) and the Michelins. The PS4 ZP isn't star marked but looks the best of the crop. The Conti's actually have OK reviews but have never been the stock tire for the G2x series, they are for the F3x cars. You should be able to get Turanza T005's from a Bridgestone dealer but I think all of the other options are preferable to those. Look for 93Y/96Y load / speed ratings for the G2x.

I can't argue that it has some appeal (I've pondered buying one before) but the 20L/100k fuel consumption is a significant impediment for a daily driven car (which pretty much all wagons will be). Price seems on the high side for what is a pretty unappealing colour combo, they look much better in space grey or Interlagos. On the plus side, consumption is unlikely to be heaps worse when towing and you can't get a towbar on the G81 M3 Touring

Looks like you may need self tappers to attach the plinth to the bumper and possibly drill the plate frame where the pre drilled holes are on the plinth. Shorter screws to attach frame to plinth.

Pretty decent mileage in a year. 5.5k of RUC’s, 11k of diesel, at least one set of tyres and 40k of depreciation.

@TermiPeteNZ may be able to comment on the M40i - B58 is a great engine. Fuel consumption / tire prices / suspension servicing cost will be significantly worse in either X3 compared to your F30 so consider whether the high driving position is worth the payoff.

Plinth only needed for the front - the rear plate recess is nice and flat. I personally think the black small plates are a bit 'scene' (although YMMV and apparently they are hard for the fixed speed cameras to see!) and they don't have plate surrounds available due to the small size. Europlates + plate surround is the cleanest option for me.

RealOEM is a great asset for BMW part numbers. https://spareto.com/oe/51138054576

Good on you for getting rid of the Japanese plate frames! If you are going to run a full sized europlate on the front you can buy the plinth that comes on the euro market cars (see below image). If you're going to pick the mini plates then I wouldn't bother and just drill holes in the plate to match the existing ones in bumper front and rear (you may need to fill the lower pair of holes)

Have a look at Spareto. Main dealer sometimes have OEM at reasonable prices so worth checking

A simple thing but very satisfying @Neal

Any use cases not covered here?

a 2012 35d is the same as the UK/NZ 30d i.e. N57 single turbo, possibly with AdBlue which I'd try to avoid. Anecdotally the 30d is more durable than the 40d, most of the dead N57's i've read about are the twin turbo and tend to be in the X5 (guessing this is to do with lugging 2.2 tons of SUV + / - trailers on the regular). The CBS-suggested 30k oil change intervals are mental on a truck like that. Would want much shorter change intervals. The x drive is sensitive to tire circumference - doesn't like different brands / tread depths front - rear.

Any mileage in 4.7 update @Neal @Dogballs?

Fabian @ Coombes Johnston BMW Hamilton has been good for parts for me in the past. Would be worth checking

Seller nearly paid for all those services 😉

Would be an easy decision if this was an F31. I think I’d take the f80 with the spec on this, looks like a 320i sportline

Concur @rod_r - an i3 / leaf range EV is very much a second car for most people. TBF BMW never made any representations otherwise. If you have to have one car then phev makes a lot of sense but worst of both worlds if you can have 2 vehicles especially in terms of long term reliability. A 6-7 year old one is probably only one failure away from scrap

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/i3/listing/4767288570 This looks like the one to have. My partner can't get past the unusual looks sadly. @c.robertson00 RUC's still apply to the REX - just at the lower PHEV rate. any savings will be chewed up the first time you have to service the REX.

in the 15-20k price range you are getting a leaf or a Zoe. Far rather have an i3 than a BYD or MG faux by 4 The real world is more like 150 vs 160-165 - again 15k buys you a lot of charging. Glad a Tesla works for you but supporting the douchebag in chief of that company is low on my things to do list. Accept that no automobile manufacturer is likely to be 'good' but you've gotta draw the line somewhere.

@Jun $20k + buys a lot of RUC / charging. A small car is quite desirable if you do a lot of town running and that basically doesn’t exist otherwise. Leaf is a class bigger and byd / stellantis are still $35k

I am also in the market (likely not for Rex version as would be round town) and it appears the REX is the most common thing to go wrong. Tires are expensive ($500 a corner) and apparently prone to punctures. Battery chemistry is much better than a leaf and has active cooling. The aircon grenading appears to be an issue mainly in very hot climates (e.g. southern Cali) where it's cranking for 8 months of the year. Probably not such an issue in NZ. They are great to drive and pretty efficient (good range given small battery). Rear doors are a bit niggly if used often.

Absolute unicorn. That must be 1/1 in RHD. Individual paint as well?

@Neil McCauley looks like Dravit? there's a G81 M3 in Akl the same colour and I can almost forgive the snaggle tooth front end.