Danch

Glad to hear just retorquing fixed the issue for you. I'll give it a try as well. I guess you didn't have to get new rear light gaskets?

Water leak! Has anyone experienced water pooling underneath rear seats and in wells underneath rear lights? (where PDC module is if you have one) I pulled out 100ml of water from the rear seatbelt bolt holes and emptied the wells (the driver side was a lot worse). The rear rail seems to be wet inside. I searched online and people suggest it's either coming from the rear light gasket, or the rear vents in the wells, or the bumper mount gasket. The rear light gasket and rear vents seems ok - I just can't imagine that much water collecting in the rails because of those leak points 😕 Maybe I'll hose down from the top and see if there are any obvious leak points...

Awesome work! Good to see another 130i saved from being wrecked. I hope you get good money for it in the end!

I have a standard 130i muffler if you want to sell the quad tip muffler separately:)

What was the highest offer you received so far? Looks like your inbox is full btw.

I appreciate the fun side of building a project car. I guess my question was more about why the 130i (I've edited my original question), over any other cars that's been designed as sports cars fundamentally. I have a 130i and I have nothing against 130i - just curious what others have considered when they decided to build 130i as a project car.

I'm just curious, what made you to invest so much into 130i when you can buy a m3 or m2 with that much money? Or choose a more sporty car as your base?

Where are you ordering them from? Keen to know the list of part numbers if you don't mind sharing. I'd be looking at ordering a set at some point. How much are you paying in total?

https://www.pickapart.co.nz/webpage/WebPage.asp?Ref=10381&VehicleID=216197&SeriesID=145 Funny how you see something random like this as pick a part. It's been 4 days and a lot of body parts are gone.

And here is ChatGPT's 2c: Hey, solid write-up — I’ve been down a similar path and get exactly where you’re coming from. You’ve already nailed a lot of the pros/cons, but I’ll throw in some perspective that might help: Coming from a BRZ… You’ve been used to a car that thrives on engagement — balance, revs, cornering. The 320d, while decent, will feel more like a mature, efficient commuter with a sporty shell. It’s definitely torquier than the BRZ down low, but once the novelty of turbo diesel torque fades, it may not deliver that “special” feeling you’re after. The 330d, on the other hand… That’s a different beast. It will feel like an upgrade — not just in grunt, but also refinement, road presence, and long-haul ability. It’s seriously quick in-gear, and with that inline-6 torque curve, it transforms overtaking into a one-pedal job. Add some subtle mods and you’ve got a sleeper with real presence. Think: autobahn-grade pace in a suit. That said… You're absolutely right that tidy 330ds are hard to come by in NZ, especially in M-Sport trim. But if you can be patient and pounce when the right one pops up, it’s worth the hunt. Yes, they come with higher running costs — ZF8 box, more complex drivetrain, potentially more expensive diesel system maintenance — but many owners find the extra grin factor worth it. My two cents: If you're itching for a real upgrade and want to feel like you're driving something significantly different from the BRZ, go for the 330d. If you need something now, and the right 330d isn’t on the market, either hold out or buy a tidy 320d M-Sport and treat it as a stop-gap — just be aware it might feel like a downgrade in “driver engagement” after the BRZ. Bonus tip: Keep an eye out for Japanese imports — sometimes you’ll find nicely-specced 330ds that never hit the local listing radar. Also, don’t totally rule out a 335i/340i if you’re diesel-flexible — those can give you the power and engagement you’re after, with that sweet petrol sound. Hope that helps — and good luck with the next the chapter!

I think you are comparing very different cars (BRZ and 320/330d). I think the thrill of faster acceleration will wear off quickly and you will find them not as engaging to drive as your BRZ - especially if you're going from 6s manual to auto. On the flip side, both 3 series are excellent daily drivers. Much better place to be in when you just want to get from A to B. They are still fun to drive but just not as engaging as BRZ. I think if you buy 320d, you can absolutely tune it for more power but you'll always be wondering what if, when a 330d drive up next to you. If you are new to BMW ownership, be prepared to pay a lot more for maintenance!

"the wife said I have to sell one"

2003 BMW Z4 3.0ltr V6 for 24.5k! https://www.trademe.co.nz/5356761361

I messaged you but haven't heard back..is your inbox full?

Price lowered