Sammo

Looks good! Yes, I imagine 205 on an 8J may be slightly less tractable than on a 7J but I think if I get decent tyres (PS4 / Eagle F1) it won't be an issue unless I provoke it.

Yeah, it will be a little bit stretched - just outside the cusp of LVVTA guidelines. Nothing compared what plenty of guys run though. Not ideal, but only 225 45 16's I can find in NZ is Yoko AD08R - a great tyre I'm sure but total overkill on a 325i. I know a guy who is selling a set of basically new Eagle F1 Asymmetric cheap too which is tempting (4x 205 50 16)

Ordered some wheels - been looking at these for a while but shipping / tax made me hesitate. https://www.classiceuroparts.com/product/16-wheel-set-for-bmw-1502-1602-2002-tii-e21-e30-alpina-4x100-staggered-7j-8j/ Maxilite Alpina Replicas - yes, I know... but these a quality, TUV certified wheel and half the price of Alpina 30-35 year old cast wheels which may or may not need repainting. Also means I can afford to keep my 15" weaves and change up the look as I like. I found their Australian distributor who was a fair bit cheaper, and will split the consignment so I am saving on the shipping (vs US / Europe) and the duty - still not cheap, but much more palatable. I went for a staggered setup - purely for looks of course - more lip and filling out the rear guards - 16x7 and 16x8. Now I need to decide what rubber to put on the rear - 225/45/16 is the correct size but options here are very slim indeed. I may run 205/50/16 all-round as there are plenty of quality options in that size.

Already run out of steam, not sure anything is going to go back to pre Covid levels again though.

Seems like a sharp price if its been maintained - it certainly does not appear to have been pampered from the photos?

Holy x 2

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/nz BC are good value and feature packed but wouldn’t go any cheaper than that - cert adds $750ish so might as well get decent quality.

Wheels-wise I would be looking for something used and OEM - fortunately the rampant price hikes have not really hit 17" 5x120 wheels as much. NZ wheels selection new as you may have noticed is terrible for older BMWs. Coilovers, I would import a set of KW V1s unless youre needing camber plates and a bunch of damping adjustment.

Looking sharp as full stop, let alone for 300+ km. Ride height is great too

@Kees Ahhh good man, was looking for this post to see if it was the same car. To be fair its an absolute Peach, but these dealers must know the kind of Anoraks who are into these cars are very aware of particular examples? Maybe its just the E28 Market? The dude who bought @BMTHUG's E28 a few weeks back is trying to flick it for twice the price now too.

Virtually identical

@Vass Yeah, 3.38 isn't really good for road trips - 1st gear is usable but you would be pulling around 2800-2900RPM at 100km/h. Wakes up the M54 big time though, grunt in every gear - perfect for windy back roads but not so much for mile munching and fuel economy.

Been there, done that - Olive oil definitely belongs in the kitchen 🤣

Did an oil and filter change this weekend - put in some Penrite 20w60 (mineral) which I got on special. Not to start an oil debate, and I'm not sure what it was run on previously but the manual says 20w50 and I will probably be changing it every 6 months anyway. Might just grab some Castrol or Valvoline 20w50 next time. 10-12c likely as cold as this car will ever endure. Started to do the fuel filter but decided it would be a shitty little job on jackstands being an inch from my nose and of negligible benefit - maybe next time its in a proper shop. Tested out my new 42kg 3000kg jack - as expected picks up the e30 like a feather, gets nice and high and drops it really slow and steady. Also have a little 16kg alloy 'racing jack' rated at 1500kg which does the job but does not get very high - deciding wether to keep it for jacking control arms / transmission for other jobs as its much smaller and easier to manoeuvre.

Pod Casts - Donut Media - Past Gas - Lighthearted look at interesting stories and characters from Automotive History. Youtube, the typical: Carfection Hoonigan Carwow Hagerty Donut Media M539 Ammo NYC Hoovies Garage sometimes Jay Lenos Garage Restore It Enthusiast Auto Group Regular Car Reviews Any 30 minute video of some dude detailing a car haha Maybe I should stump up and pay for Youtube red

Congrats on the job - sounds exciting! Where did you do the pics? Looks a great spot. And that interior looks like a fantastic place to be on a winters morning.

Looking great, very jealous of those pristine manifold heatshields - mine are all flaky. I have an intermittent ABS light as well - thought I had fixed it by removing and cleaning sensors last weekend but popped up again today.

M54B30 + ZF + 3.38 = win

Haha, fingers crossed it won't happen - we would still have plenty of sun / privacy / greenery on the important North and West sides at least.

Neighbours just sold their shitty house on a 1000m2 + section next door - bit concerned thats precisely what will happen next door!

I'm a good boy, actually applying for an exemption right now to plonk a home office 1 metre from the boundary.

It needs one for sure but will hold off until I put in my new control arms / poly bushes and tierods.

That was my immediate thought, but it scrapes elsewhere too, my driveway entrance isn't too bad TBH - E46 on coilovers was able to get in and out easier. Those metal curb ramp things need council consent as I understand.

Unbelievable how much car prices have stabilised. I had an absolutely loaded, mint 2011 facelift 25Z one of these in pearl white with same kms that I sold for $10,000 in Feb 2018. Was a great, reliable car, if a little boring - very practical too - I fit a full size chest freezer in it once too haha. GLWS

Could get a set of basket weaves, an Mtech steering wheel and some taillight tint spray for that