Sammo

Replaced my corner lights to these - black inners and clear lenses which I had hoped would better match the xenons. Jury is still out, definitely not getting rid of my factory clear / white ones though.

Very, very cool seats, surprised they didn't sell earlier. Looking forward to the lockdown projects!

Yeah, just seemed so quick though.

My wife is self employed, a freelancer in media who just had a gig in April cancelled - she applied yesterday morning and had $7k in the account after lunch. Not complaining but seemed a bit too easy...

I had a MK6 GTI before my E46 and loved it. Granted I had it between 40k and 60k over 2.5 years so was low miles but aside from coilpacks, it was flawless. The 2.0 TSI is a robust engine capable of making good power with a remap and even stock performs really well with torque from almost idle. Loved the DSG, and as I understand the wet clutch 6speed DSG on the GTI's is pretty tough too, just service it every 60k. Pretty smooth (not as smooth as a slush box at low speed) but with lightning shifts, rev matching and blips / farts - good times. 1.4TSI and 7 speed dry clutch DSG's are nowhere near as good. We might buy another for the wife's next car TBH, the GTI's are a fantastic all-rounder. Tartan seats FTW ?

Thread bump, but I've had great results with Solution Finish. Goes on easy, any excess wipes off paint, gives a great rich look and last a few months. Made my shadow line window trim, wiper arms etc look like new.

I've just been using my Fireball interior cleaner on them (love all their grooming products) - I think a damp cloth would do the same job really - no need for anything special on what is synthetic coated leather.

Anyone know this cars history? Looks great and sharp price, given how E30's are. Mtech 2, supercharged(!), LSD, lether sports seats and looks pretty tidy... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2581558896.htm?rsqid=8b44a86b6d2c42c288fa72b5e561cea3-003

Little longevity update: Been done 3 months now and about 2500km and no issues at all, thats with plenty of sunshine and beach trips too (i.e. damp, salty bums). Only difference is drivers seat has lost most of the nice, super matte finish, not sure if thats oils or wear, but... so far, so good.

Thanks, yeah, that's what I hoped , I'm guessing Demon tweeks and FCP Euro don't sell enough to NZ customers ($60k pa?) to collect GST at the point of sale. Had several things through from FCP recently without getting stung.

Exciting, before the exchange rates gets even worse, I bought a bunch of parts today, mainly to do a suspension refresh. I want to lower the car a little, mainly in the front and tighten up the steering and handling - its not too bad but I know it could be a whole lot better than what I presume is 150,000km old Msport suspension. From Demontweeks: AP / ST Suspensions (same part number) Suspension kit of shortened 'sport' shocks and matched lowering springs. Decided on these after a bit of humming and ha-ing as the drop seems perfect (40mm/20mm or for Msport, 25mm front, 5mm rear) great price(!!!) and they answered all my questions online quickly - AP is a less known brand in BMW circles but is TUV certified and made by KW alongside the ST brand (KW sales rep advised its the same part as the higher priced ST suspension kit). I was thinking of BC Gold coilovers (local support) but decided against them due to cert cost, not actually wanting to lower or adjust the car much and potential ride issues(?) with pillowball mounts and 8kg spring rates. From FCP Euro : Meyle HD Front control arm bushings Meyle HD Rear trailing arm bushings Lemforder Strut mounts Meyle HD Shock mounts Strut and shock mount reinforcement plates Front and rear Sway bar bushings BMW steering coupler / steering Guibo (heard this can be great for tightening up sloppy / loose steering), Mahle fuel filter BMW window rubber for one that is perished. And if I read the new import laws correctly, as both orders were under $1000 I should not get stung with GST at the border ? Now I need to figure out is how, or more realistically, who to install as most of its beyond my capabilities / facilities ?

Beautiful car, tastefully done and good price IMO, GLWS.

You have excellent taste ?

Photos are definately 60% better. Looks great.

Sounds about right IMO. Saw another on Facebook marketplace that I almost bought last year for $10k - really nice jet black factory manual with certed coilovers and 18" schnitzer type 3s. Nice car. Was asking $15k, after buying for $10k 6 months ago...

Seems the amount of people chancing their arms on these is increasing... This one is worse than the recent guy trying to sell a silver auto with 40kms for $21,500. $16k for 130kms, some questionable cosmetic mods and no maintenance to speak of. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2566248312.htm?rsqid=5c8e9d47e50742ebb814a3e5edaada4a-001 Wonder if the market will eventually start picking up for nice non-m' E46's with M3's getting spendier by the day?

Great choice, e90 LCI Msport's look great and nice colour too

Tackled the valve cover gasket today, after seeing oil on my spark plug threads a few weeks back when I changed those. Also noticed some oil leaking on the exhaust heat shield, creating a nice burning smell... Went very smoothly, being the most 'invasive' job I've done under the hood of a car to date (newbie to this stuff) and the old gasket was very hard and brittle, especially around the plug seals. Got the BMW gasket from FCP euro with the 15 fastner seals as well and torqued in a star pattern to 10nm.

Yup, you were right. A week after this post got the telltale burning oil smell and saw it was leaking onto the exhaust heat shield. Sprung for the BMW gasket and replaced yesterday, was particularly brittle on the plug seals. New plugs had a little oil on the threads already, so cleaned them up and everything else.

Double Damn! Your facelift E46 is lovely (both are) - the style 193's have a very tidy offset for the 46 and nice modern look on the facelift. Very nice ? Much planned for them?

Cheers! yeah, its a nice colour combo, bold enough but not too loud IMO

Ahhh right - yeah, have clients at Spark, NZME and Bauer so am often around that area

Nice, whereabouts? Thanks - yeah, try to keep it clean which helps too!

Thanks mate! Pretty happy with it right now but can't wait to get the suspension sorted and then make it a little noisier in the next few months

Always wanted one of these ?