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My 2 cents - sounds like the vacuum leak occurs when the car is cool. Could it be that when when warm the small leak in a hose, for example, disappears due to the hose expanding from heat?

Hahaha, what a great idea, would have been even better if there was some sound to go with it!

Yeah, I really haven't seen another car with that combo so thought it was you.

Happy Birthday Shuey, have a good one!

I totally agree, in no way was I suggesting that all mechanics are like that - I posted it up for discussion. I personally think such practice may be more common in some other countries where competition is more cutthroat and more people shop based on price than in NZ. And I suppose you pay for what you get!

Aaron are you in Auckland? Not sure if it was your car I saw last week, at the traffic lights waiting to turn onto Ti Rakau Drive. It was a red E34 with BBS wheels.

Yup, or you could get some sort of warranty from the dealer via a contract. From what I've seen the UK cars generally have 18 button OBCs, the NZ ones 11 button. I think it depends on the country and model whether they made it standard or an option.

Ah fair enough - good luck on your mission, hope to see an E36 M3 in your sig soon

Just something I came across, thought some of you would be interested. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayofli...anic/index.html

This one Greg? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-141173457.htm

By 'Xenon' I meant HID.

A true BMW enthusiast!

Are there any common faults I should look for? Can spot the OBC screen has gone. I do not know of the problems specific to the M3, but the standard E36 problems will apply - saggy headlining, door panels should be ok if they are leather. I'd check if the cooling system has any weak points like on other E36s. Is an AA check going to be enough (I was thinking of getting a BMW specialist to look at it also) ? Would not bother with AA check, no point doing it twice. Get a specialist or the dealer to look at it. Dealer pre-purchase inspectin is ~$140. Anyone have a recommended BMW specialist in Auckland that can test the car for me and roughly how much will it cost? Glenn @ Botany Motorworx, our forum sponsor comes to mind. It's a Singapore import should I really be worried seen it has very low kms and been in NZ for a while now? Singaporean imports seem to have a bad reputation in NZ. It may well be that they suffer from more faults than a Japanese import due to the hotter climate (which will affect rubber parts for example)... but BMWs in Singapore don't exactly break down and die. There are plenty around and they run fine. I would not focus so much on where it came from, but on its service history, how long it's been in NZ (looks like it's been here for at least 7 years based on the plate?). I have never driven an M3 before... and hence have very high expectation of it i.e. 0-100 in sub 6sec plus amazing handling etc.. am I wrong to think that ? I'm sure it's an amazing car especially compared to a regular E36. But I do have to ask... why haven't you test driven a car you're going to buy? For all you know it may not live up to your expectations at that price point. You should drive it for yourself and not purchase based on someone else's opinion. Also find it interesting that the car doesn't have a passenger airbag and digital climate control.

Thanks for the article Josh. If anyone's interested here are the videos of the cars on the track. Part 1: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Video/Search-...&R=EPI-5565 Part 2: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Video/Search-...&R=EPI-5574

Exactly - xenon puts out way more lumens than any 100w halogen bulb but aimed correctly will not cause glare.

Welcome Aaron You scared me for a moment there, I thought that mint E34 was getting SLAB'd! Glad to see you're doing it right, it's a beautiful car.

Click on his nickname above, and click Send Message

55w. I wouldn't go higher than factory. If your headlights aren't putting out enough light they need a clean. That's the real fix. When the headlights are clean they put out good light.

That's JP, he's on here, shoot him a PM. Let it sit in the bank and earn the interest until he contacts you, of course. Just don't be silly and spend it

Looks really tidy! I really like the steering wheel, brand new it looks so good. BBS RS or Riley's ACS 16"s would look great.

Maybe it sounds worse than it is, but either way I'd bring it to a BMW specialist to get a verdict. If you're in Auckland, you should see Glenn @ Botany Motorworx. Earlier E39s didn't have Steptronic, and although I haven't come across a 4-speed E39 Wiki says they exist - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E39

No, it's definitely not supposed to do that. I'd at least get it checked out, worst case scenario it could indicate the car's been in an accident before?

Cool, looking forward to the photos

Happy Birthday Simon, have an awesome day mate!

Lovely car. We need more pics.