Eagle

Pretty much what everyone was telling you. If you asked CJ to check this and they didn't then that's very unprofessional. Be aware that cheap aftermarket wheel especially big ones with low profile tyres buckle very easy.

They are awful things to try and maneuver, oversized with a poor turning radius. Just piles of crap in general really, that why they only have one type of owner.

If you actually loved the car you would never let it get to that state, he's just one of those people who run cars into the ground and buy another one. $1 reserve then taking offers is more proof he's an idiot.

Got a draggy for an early xmas present so i give you some specs in the near future.

https://web.archive.org/web/20170730031038/http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1380806142.htm

You are correct about it being the the mirror, you'd need to replace that with the 433mhz version. Not sure on wiring side, may need a diagram.

Sounds like someone didn't do them up properly.

Yeah could be. Listed for around $3500 awhile ago iirc. Take the shitty wheels of it and it will go faster.

Yeah sorry it was that one not a 520i

Not E60 or front control arm specific but ive read about multiple failures of TMS spherical bearings, the joint and the fitment, they aren't all created equal no doubt. I would think there would be less stress as they don't twist and deflect like rubber. Quality aside the only issues seem to be additional harshness on certain road surfaces.

Haha yeah i forgot about your one. Thinking about it there was also that 520i.

Any reason you went with a self adjusting clutch?

Probably have to double the price in that case. 6 cylinder factory manuals are very rare, only ever seen standard PFL 528's for sale in NZ, never seen a facelifted one myself.

Yeah they are great money pits for sure, but i dont think anything beats them at their price point.

Yeah i can imagine selling that sort of item would really draw out the riff raff

Yeah that's right, i forget the sedan and wagon were facelifted way earlier than the coupes and verts. Have you done any suspension work on it?

Yeah they look great

They arent uncommon, ive seen a number on people selling them on facebook, tm and bimmersport. Pretty sure 6 speeds were standard on all facelift E46's.

Prices appear to range from 8k-20k for ZF manuals, most of them are coupes. To me its a good spec facelift but the interior color and 4 door reduce the value (not that i mind either). In this current market id say its more of a 10-12k car without inspecting it. If you not desperate to sell then 14k isnt a crazy price to start with.

I agree. Even in peak times its also hard truly what some vehicles realistically sell given its usually a private 1 on 1 deal. I think half these sellers just try it on for size and hope to get lucky.

Im still not convinced these sort of cars actually sell for close to asking.

Have you done the rear struts?. You could add trailing arm bushings to that list. I dont know what your alignment specs are like but adding eccentric subframe adjusters would likely help alot. Yet to see any BMW semi trailing setup that doesnt have the rear alignment out . They are all old\used cars now. Never seen a completely worn one on these cars. They are way more robust than 3 series stuff being a coil over mount and sit high up in the body not being exposed much

Bought some for a job on the 5th. Dont know how long it was on special before that. Stocked up on 2x 20L boxes while i could. Rarely see them on special these days and everything has gone up in prices these last 2 years.

I agree, the E46 M3 seats ive sat in didn't feel much of an upgrade either, worn bolsters don't help but they are a one size fit all like most seats. Yeah some of the later M's ones look and likely perform good, but don't think they really suit the E46 interior if you trying to keep it period correct. The Recaro Speed is essentially the new version of the SR3, i would like to give it a test but finding one to sit in locally wouldn't be easy. Width wise all the SR versions upto 7 seem to be within ~20mm, but that's bolster to bolster (most of them use the same bottom side bolsters). Dont think it really takes into the account the bottom cushion profiles which does vary in length as well as back profile and height. The SR3 is too short in length for average NZ male height. Until you try them out you just dont know exactly what's going fit you personally. Id guessing the newer seats would likely fit the average person better and they have factory provisions to fit inflatable lumber bladders.

Who knows it may be more comfortable with extra padding. Much prefer the E39 sport seats over anyone E46 ones ive sat in.