Eagle

Maybe FORGED is the wheel brand?. I would think there should be manufacturers markings on the backsides (looks like something by the valve?) to help ID the wheels. Not that easy to tell forged vs cast apart from looking at them unless they have been so poorly cast it makes it obvious.

Yeah all that can be removed then you just need a cap on the manifold nipple outlet

Towbars have saved me from all sort of rear end damage over the years. They just don't really suit certain vehicles aesthetically.

What the imbalance reading? Did you clean both calipers?

Way too slow though especially in the heavier E46 even with manual. E36 with M42 or the better M44 is way to go for cheaper daily.

Ah yeah i think you may of mentioned that at some point.

+1. Id say 5-6k if you doing in properly with ZF box, new shifter parts, driveshaft, cylinders and clutch\flywheel bits etc. Good portion of the converted ones are done on the cheap with Getrag box and old\sh*t parts used. Rarely see a properly converted ones for sale as id imagine people tend to keep them these days. Msport factory manuals are around ~15k if you can find one with standard spec manual being more common and cheaper at around ~10k. If that out of budget then id probably look at something else because buying these cars is the cheapest part (unless you buying one with all the work done and paying good money for it)

What made you buy one?

Id say much of that is due to the RFB type crowd migrating their interest over to the E36, E46 etc. Yeah insurance companies are very 2 faced. Good reminder about market value though, easy way to be out of pocket.

Got a ToolPro one at work and its ok for what we use it for. To me for DIY usage its one of those things worth spending another $200 and having the extra power, accessories, comfort and longevity. My Griots was under $300 and expect to have it for life.

Have the front struts been replaced?

A 'low k' dirty old import on 20 year old parts ( excluding all the expensive parts you need to run the thing). What a bargain.

OE short shifters are always money well spent in my book.

If they are browsing the retirement village forums they have probably found much more than my hints.

He talks a lot of nonsense but it does has M-tech wheel, M-sport suspension, a shorter final drive and sport styled wheels. Certainly not a M-sport by any means but better than a base spec vehicle. Wheels are the only thing of value on it really. Demand for these are so low that i think he'd struggle to sell it 6 or 7k (which is what id value it at)

Yeah odds are it got towed, but i wouldn't say its a niche area given the information and basic principles still apply to many BMW's and other cars. A professional car thief\auto locksmith has to have a wide range of knowledge and tools given its their job to do this sort of thing.

Any one determined could learn how to via the internet with the amount of information available. Its not hard these days with the right software and tools.

You can buy the same ones on aliexpress around $100 too. NZ a bit hit and miss on tools. All the commonly used stuff is usually fairly well priced. All the less common 'specialist' type stuff found in automotive workshops typically have huge margins on them.

Even if it wasn't towed there are numerous other ways. Lucky in the this country most the bros who steal vehicles are too dumb Ive always found if one of the parties doesn't file then it takes weeks to get processed. Its a flawed system but if your car is stolen you going report it within 24hrs which im sure flags it and halts the process or something.

Yeah they look pretty bad. Probably the same as the average E39 touring on the road though.

I would say that applies to most luxo barges. Feature aside, the added weight and dimensions of the 7 are more a negative than a positive over the 5 to me. Unless you are in the back seat or care about passenger leg room etc then you are lugging around extra weight which generally costs you. Body parts are usually less common so harder to source too. Thinner is usually the winner. Im sure the 330D is more popular and may cost more than the 530D in the used market.

Certainly not too bad. A degrease and pressure wash then driving it around would give you a better idea given you don't know how long it's been since it started

USD. You can add them to cart and get a shipping price.

Someone modified it?

https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/66868-where-does-everybody-buy-parts-from/ I tend to use FCPeuro but lots of other good ones to compare prices with http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/ - If you put your vin into that site it will give you all the correct part numbers. https://www.mdecoder.com/ - Will tell you the car options. What suspension your car is optioned with in this case. Parts depends on the workshop but a lot of the reason they aren't keen is people tend to supply to wrong parts\cheap crap. If you are supplying all the correct OE quality parts then its less likely to be an issue. Maybe a Auckland member can help you install the parts for a small fee given its an easy job? You maybe able to have to look yourself in regarding the shocks - https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/tb-general/shock-absorbers