Sammo

Seems like a biggie for sure but less common with the F30 N47s - will be either checking the service history / interval and getting checked out and/or picking up a warranty.

Is M Performance a trim level or just a few extra cosmetic bits on top of Msport - trying to open her horizons to a white wagon (no doubt I will be charge of grooming) and I love the panoramic roof (unless they come with issues?): https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320d/listing/3515579237?bof=6xkbZ74s

FYI - I appear to have resolved my intermittent ABS light (although probably jinxed myself). Removed and cleaned the sensors - still occurring, but I purchased a service / inspection reset tool and the light has gone and has not come back for a week and a half (was every other drive previously). So hoping it was a stored fault code (not sure if E30's work like that) that the cleaning resolved but had to be reset. Anyway, hoping it stays away.

Would be all over a 328i I could find a Black MSport Wagon at all / for $25k. Might as well try a 320i but I imagine it won’t feel as punchy in the ‘real world’.

Will have mixed usage - her commute is 30-40mins with traffic and will go out on an open road run pretty much weekly (horse riding) and be our ‘road trip’ car. Cost wise should still be a bit cheaper than petrol but the extra 100nm is probably more welcome.

Didn't bother looking at the X3 in the end, wife didn't like the looks (Black MSport) and the interior felt half a generation behind the F31. Will check out a few more next weekend - hoping (Msport Jap import) these don't have electronic shocks? The Audi ones were insanely expensive.

Took one for a drive today, impressed with the Msport Alcantara interior and drive. loads of space too. Diesel was more refined than expected and plenty of poke low down for general driving. Very good ride too with the 18” run flats. Going to have a think and see if can do a deal, 120km but not sure it’s worth paying another $4-5k for meaningfully lower km on what will be a workhorse.

@qube yeah, Looking at low 20s for 2015 and just over 100km. 10 year old platform but they did make them up until 2019 so feels fresh enough. Would have to be Msport of course - seems sedans are cheaper. Might try an F25 as well. Not sure if any other similar options under $25k. M135i I’m sure could be sold if she drove one but cargo space and fuel economy are motivating factors.

@balancerider haha - its a low bar but yes, a quick search does not reveal too many issues with these. No issue with the 2WD / Alcantara, doubt electric steering will be an issue for her / when I pootle in it - presume it has variable weight / settings. Edit: FFS RUC is $76 per 1000km? Car would do 15k or so a year, maybe a 320i would do

Through some kind of miracle I’ve managed to convince the wife to offload her Audi A5 for a wagon. Thinking an Msport F31 320d as a great all-rounder? Most do seem to have 100-120kms - a little wear and tear isn’t a biggie as she does not tend to pamper her cars like I do 😂 Any red flags or tips with these? I know they won’t go and sound like a 335i but I imagine the 8 speed and the low down torque will make for very solid real world performance. Does a similar X3 offer anything aside from weight and complexity? Sadly it has to be black 😑

@qube I would have been all over that E30 in a flash if I was still in the market - very cool

I think this looks absolutely fantastic and I don't think the auto would be an issue in a torquey cruiser like this. I'm not up to speed with E28's and if they did Auto M535i's but it certainly appears to have all the options ticked. If it's 'only' a heavily optioned auto 535i with an Msport kit, would explain the pricing gulf with the recent (immaculate) M535i's.

This was much less scary viewing than anticipated although real world Jack stands are going to be less than ideally loaded (not perfectly level etc)

Serious value here!

My Ebay service inspection reset light arrived - so much nicer to see the dashboard light up green instead of red when I start and have no lights on. Have not seen my intermittent ABS light for a few days either, perhaps the E30 God's will smile on me. I have been feeling a faint stutter under steady light load at 2100-2200rpm at times but I suspect (hoping) that may have been related to a half tank of Gull 10% Ethanol fuel I put in without thinking that made the car run like a bag of dicks for a few days. Fresh tank of Mobil today so hopefully sorts itself out before I go hunting for vacuum leaks (idle is fine).

Got a speeding ticket on from a Sunday morning country drive a few weeks ago - 77km/h in a 60km/h somewhere in the sticks out Riverhead Coatsville - I can't recall it at all but I'm guessing it was an 'open' country road where a section dropped from 100 to 60 and they put a camera right there and I was still slowing down / missed it. Technically my bad I guess but give a guy a break? Fortunately for the coffers I'm a good boy, not a gang member and I will studiously pay (after my reminder notice).

@Contrails that yellow one being a bit of a mutt could be a good candidate for an S54 swap or something similarly awesome and sacreligious.

E30 you have these options I believe: Front - 3mm lower and 3mm and 9mm upper. Rear 5/7.5/10 or any combo really and E36/E46 pads look essentially the same.

As above, auto plus loud exhaust = fail. Just take it to any muffler / exhaust shop and get them to install a no-brand 'sports' muffler and see how you like it. If you want it louder you can go back and get resonators removed. A muffler delete will sound like arse.

It has a little plus inflation / interest rates, but the only M325i that hasn't shifted in the blink of an eye in the last 12 months or so is the Silver Tech 1 dealer flip that was asking $70k now asking $60k - clearly too high. Mtech1 is very rare and Black is THE colour for a lot of people.

Gotta be $45k Black / Tech 1 / winning

@adro your ride height looks basically perfect, nice and even side to side? Mine is almost 10mm lower on the driver side - after I put my 16's on I'll measure my hub to arch on four corners then add spring pads to raise a little / even out (have 3mm and 9mm front shims and some 6mm rear pads to try).

This Auckland place sounds like a shithole, I must be living on the right side of the bridge. Closer to the Equator too 😃

Could get a 33% down payment on an E30 with 33% of the cylinders 😂 Awesome value for someone with some cojones.