leonf

I am an old fart, and drive/treat my cars like babies if truth be known. The treatment given to this m5 in that video (assuming it's the same car, and I think it is) is just simply disrespectful. As a result, I wouldn't touch it with a 10' bargepole. I MAY be out of touch. But I suspect not, and if I am representative of my era/generation then there goes 75% of the potential market for that car.

You guys all make it sound all pretty easy to do the smg >>> 6sp manual swap in an m3. Not to disparage at all, and no doubt we are talking a good job,,,,,,,,,but if it's all that easy, why do the pros want almost $5k to do the swap????

even with the current e30 tax in play, and accounting for the quite desirable engine swap, I cannot see anything close to the $20k ask in this one. May well be proven wrong. Have been before and no doubt will be again.......

This pricing is indicative of the way the whole world is going. This car with this spec would fetch the asking here in equivalent currency in Aus, UK, or USA without doubt. Whether or not the NZ market is at that point yet remains to be seen. Lovely, lovely car. No doubt would help if possible vanos, subframe, and bearing issues were addressed, or perhaps if it were NZ new (but really, does nz new matter?). Hope the vendor gets an agreeable price.

Pretty sure Auto Logistics is owned by PTS, so tomato, tomarto. I have a small Japanese car on its way from PalmNth to Dunedin right now. Booked and paid $1287 to Dolphin Cartage which was a few dollars (like $50) more expensive than PTS as I have had a terrible experience with PTS (they picked up a car of mine from Gisborne and damaged it TWICE in the one movement, once whilst parked in their depot. Backed a truck into it) and then refused to pay for the damage and it took 18 months and a trip to Small Claims where the adjudicator took less than 2min to find in my favour. Anyways - got sidetracked - that's not the story. The real story is ------ after hiring Dolphin for the job because I specifically DID NOT want to use PTS, an Auto Logistics truck comes and picks up my car. Auto Logistics is owned by PTS...........FFS!!!! Incestuous bunch.

Bruce Herbert, I think...... Usually some pretty nice cars in Rose City. Top dollar, though. He wants first dibs on my BMW Touring......

Gee, looks are deceiving huh. If ya just saw this cruising down the road one might legitimately think - "that's a fine looking Euro" Without ever knowing there is true, unmitigated evil lurking beneath...........

Personally, I really like the apparent quality of the workmanship in this build. And that timeless combination of 'small car, big engine' is quite enticing to me. Normally love flared guards too, but I do think on this car they have gone a little too far. I'm sad to admit that, for me anyway, the colour is simply too loud. I'm told it's a genuine BMW colour and that part atleast is fine. Everybody likes to be the centre of attention and be noticed, but this car kind of says "LOOK AT ME!!'' And for that reason -- I'm out.

everything about this car seems very 'right' - except the auto......... And maybe the $16k ask, but these ARE extraordinary times. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3293807841?tm=email&et=45&mt=729E11BE-B8E5-4BCB-A7AF-EACDC8ACB2FD&bof=1YWdqfI3

couple of pics for posterity on the e30 mentioned above. It IS unique!

Sept 24,,,,,,,,,,,,and it's still for sale. At $45990 today (and dropping??)

Ouch. Problem with that is you have to disclose that kind of thing cos if you don't........well, they will know. These guys DO talk to each other.

That's a very large difference in premiums. The more expensive car is only 30% of the less expensive car.. Is that because the 316i is considered a 'Classic Car' and has a yearly km's restriction??

After some good intel from the room, if I may. In the final throes of getting a Classic Car on the road. A rhd conversion to be done and then she'll be all ready for summer fun. Car will need to be insured. Probably worth $75k. It's not original any more. It's not a BMW either, just fyi. Car will likely be doing only 2000km/year. If that. Definitely only a sunny weekend cruiser (and not much sun here in Manawatu) Any advice on a good insurer to approach? All my other vehicles are 'work' insured and my Broker has no idea about special cars.

yep, Olaf. French enthusiasm abounds. Even after 10 years. I also own the HellBM e46 m3 Touring tribute car and a mint '73 Mazda rx2 coupe and can confirm anecdotally that it's the Clio that gets ALL the attention and random people coming to chat about it at the gas station and supermarket carpark.

"it has to be made in enough numbers to evoke fond memories" Actually - not necessarily. I bought a Clio v6 10 years ago (my forever car. Still have it) at the bottom of its depreciation cycle for ~$35knzd. I specifically wanted a low production limited edition car that was desirable to the masses when new, but generally unattainable due to the cost. They aint making any more, are slowly being written off. Month by month there are less of them and suddenly they are a modern classic and everybody would love to have one. Wait until the lhd ones reach 25yo and can be imported into the USA. Madness will erupt and the rhd's (mine) will be dragged upward in the frenzy. Well, that's the theory, anyway. Meanwhile, it's a ton of fun.

do you mind telling me the name of the Transport company. I'm in the process of getting a small Japanese car from PalmNth to Dunedin and have been quoted $1150+gst, so yours sounds like a better deal maybe.

I've bought 2 vehicles (Triumph motorcycle, plus a '73 RX2 Coupe) via Bring a Trailer - both pretty well priced and no untidy surprises upon arrival to NZ. I keep an eye out on CollectingCars, and they seem to deal in very high end vehicles (think Lamborghini, modern Porsches, Aston Martin etc), and not so much my cup of tea either aesthetically or financially. I've had the daily emails from BaT for several years now, and these guys have built an exceptional business from the ground up (selling almost 90% of the 60ish cars a day they accept on to their site) Good for them!! Pics for self gratification.............

Absolute superb effort. You should be immensely proud of yourself with this result. Hope you enjoy your reward for many years to come.

I came to the BMW brand BECAUSE of the e82 135i, looked hard at that and got seduced by an e46. But I still have an unexplicable yearning for the e82, and every time I see a 1M I almost explode. Other people just don't get it, but it's personal and frankly unexplainable. As with most purchases for us 'car guys'.

you mean there are that few 333's in NZ?? I look every now and again on SthAfrican sites looking to buy one, but they are not easy to source even from their homeland. Very few ever made iirc.

I think that's called "testing the market...." You'll never know if you don't ask the question!

the ae86 has gone, though not with any lingering sadness. It needed to go to make room in the garage for the car I have been looking for for what seems like ten years+. 1984 Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth. It's mint. Happy as, me.

but gee whizz -- this particular 316i is going to look mighty fine as it struggles to get up any slight incline with a trailer in behind.

The HellBM built e46 m3 Touring replica (which I currently own) has the m texture interior also. I've been a full leather fan forever - but love this texture! I'm a convert.