leonf

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.

That's some goodness goin' on right there. Hard to tell in that light - it aint Phoenix Yellow. What colour is that??

Very nice car for sure. Is that somewhere near a new high water mark??

or maybe THIS for quite a bit less. The m5 was 1 of 2 sold new in NZ. And yes, I know this is a replica --- but it is definitely one-of-a-kind.

I recall a v10 m5 Touring on TradeMe a while ago (2 years?). Number plate was "1of2" Why? Because there were only ever 2 of them sold new in New Zealand. Why only ever 2, you ask?? Mostly because the new price of the TM one (it had a few extra's - not that many) was $287,000nzd. Surprised there were 2 sold, tbh.

Me and a mate bought THIS about a year ago off TM. Paid $25k for it and have spent an extra $4-5k upgrading suspension and removing the one (only!) spot of rust in the car. It's underpowered, but reliable and awesome to drive...... Safe to say the JDM market (among others) is kinda crazy.

Hard to see a better, more original 325 Coupe becoming available. Maybe a new high water mark coming here. Lets blame Covid and no overseas holidays for this I reckon. This,,,,,or the Alpina B.3 2.7?? They will end up at a similar price I would say. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/325i/listing/3022128646?bof=1iaIfysf

Just one, Balancerider, and this is it, As built by HellBM a few years back. The factory made one (only) concept and never went ahead with production, sadly.

lovely, lovely cars these new(er) generation BMW's But gimme old school almost any time.......

oh, you mean this one then???? (all kudos to Ray and his team at HellBM......but I am super happy to be the lucky current custodian.)