Neal

I think this did a stint in Whitby Porirua early 2000s. Was a few doors down. Owner was meticulous with his cars and this was replaced by a 911 4s a few years later.

always liked this colour 

What do those journalist at driven know about us BMW drivers, I stalk them all  if they keep republishing bulldust like this  🙂

Did I mention my fav song that mentions BM drivers. 

"Killer's Lullaby"  Faithless
 

I think last time I looked there was just under 200 road registered E46 M3s in the country. Not sure break down of Coupe verse Convertible but no doubt imports ( like mine ) brought the numbers up. Next 12 months average price ? perhaps $60s

So what are peoples thoughts on the e46 M3s with 200,000kms or more ? Sellable or keep at that point ?

Mine will get there in the next year to 18 months. No major jobs done as yet. But driven 60kms per day and BMW serviced.

Putting money aside for bearing refresh and thinking either about subframe goop or the usual welded reinforcements

I wouldn’t expect and major jobs to be done at those kms other than a rotor / pads replacement and probably mirror.

I didn’t know the manual and smg gearboxes were different until now.

up there in price. Back to around 2009 prices.

Think I’ll hold out selling mine. At this rate next year would be a swap keys exercise for  an older F80 M3 😀

Did anyone see the 997 turbo owner that will do a part way swap on a e46 M3 ?

Those seats look great . Love how they are trimmed.

14 hours ago, displayname said:

Can’t be many E46 M3’s in Welly. Any chance you had an alignment done this week?

Yes, Dave Tunlley.  They did the most accurate 4 wheel alignment before and after that I’ve seen. Bernard and the boys do a great job.

I think between BMW Car Club and bimmpersport  we’ve cornered the silver e46 M3 in Welly. Mine on 18s another on 19s and a CSL 😀

imported some 18” versions of these. Now have a Wof

On 10/23/2021 at 2:31 PM, Jacko said:

SM10s are what Im looking at, bit scared of shipping delays/nightmare due to the current situation. Making it local companies problem seems to make some sense.

If it helps I’ve just imported a set of tyres via tirerack / FedEx. Process was 12 days door to door with. 8 days was the nz part of its journey. 4 days was getting hold of nz FedEx to pay duty.

I think the are one of the most “go to” track day rims for bmw owners in the USA . The forums are full of group buys.

eg https://e46m3.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1720298

I wouldn’t say no to a set. 

On 10/18/2021 at 8:10 PM, BreakMyWindow said:

Looking at diesel 2017 cx-5 on Friday. Pre 2017 diesels seem to have quite the bad rep. Was your one expensive to fix engine wise?

We brought it new with 3 years free services and 5 year warranty. The car is at 60,000 kms now and other than a factory remap on an advisory it’s just been service / oil change every 10,000 km. 

We’ve had one service that we paid for which was under $400 so out of lockdown that would be  roughly $600 a year for 17,000 kms.

Tyres seem to last to around the 500km mark.

One issue that we weren’t expecting was speeding tickets . TD are so quiet and revs so low that it’s hard to determine speed .But the Nav system will remind you for fixed cameras.

40 minutes ago, Palazzo said:

Don’t get a diesel CX-5, esp pre 2017. Stick to the petrol, 2.5. The CEO of a warranty company put me onto that. There’s 3 CX models in the family (3,5,9) and all have been basically faultless.

If you get a CX5 at all that is.

Brought a 2017 2.2d cx-5 ( current model) . Issues with carbon build up / throttle body issues sorted. Very euro styled interior and drives well. Wife has been doing 17k-22k a year using it for school run , work / motorway and all our NZ holidays.  Engine is great , something like 420nm from idle , 130 kw but never needs to get over 3500 rpm.  Average fuel consumption has been 6.5l /1000 and roughly 700km between conservative fill ups. Quite often change from $80 for fill up.  Driving the torque is amazing on this small engine . Same as 4.4 bmw v8. Overtaking is safe with a real surge around the NZ speed limit mark. Has all the latest safety bits like auto braking, will stop in reverse if child goes behind car and the usual auto everything. 

Tried a 2016 f25 20d Motorsport beforehand. For the wife f25 a bit high and too firm a ride and no candy apple red. Quite a heavy car but the 8 speed auto was great and heated leather seats were usual bmw quality.

Down side of the Cx5. Headrests,  as a bit to far forward so some and don’t adjust backwards. 

Worth while having a drive ( latest model ) and March 2018 on have 140kw- 450nm 2.2 d which hasn’t had any advisories or throttle body checks  or bore wear.

Just over 1k usd and $218 usd for freight with fedex. So $1813 nzd before gst and entry fee.

Roughly a similar price to 19s purchased through nz via the usual discount places so not any cheaper.  But cheaper ironically to the PSSs I brought in 2015

Ordered some Michelin PS4S from tire rack for the M3. Have been impressed by the out going PSS in terms of being a great all round road tire. Hopefully pS4s will be better again.

Also tried to lobby Michelin NZ to carry PS4S in 18 inch M3 Friendly sizes. 
 

Re003s being replaced by re007a . Bridgestone saying re007a is the spiritual successor to the Re11s. But check sizes .

Michelin ps4 probably on par with re003 but shop on priced as I’ve been quoted 3k for a set , but shopping around half that can be found.

Cheers Brett. Sounding like I’m on the right page.  I’m waiting on state to change value  . But sounding like I’m instep with the market.

It’s insurance time and I asked for my 2002 Smg coupe with 185,000 to be increased. The car is in good condition and dealer serviced and I’ve owned it since 48,000 km.

State has it for $28k and online quote came out at $17k. 

Car was dealer valued at $40k today and did say they are hard to price due to recent uplifts. Trademe suggests  $45k

it sounds like there are just under 200 registered e46 M3s

How does this sit with other owners value wise if you don’t mind me asking. 

Run Castrol tws in mine 

On 7/5/2021 at 11:42 PM, leichtbau said:

I have a sneaking suspicion desmo belts were made at the same factory the S85 bearings were (I'm still furious at myself for not hitting buy now on the last Monster s4rs Tricolore that was on TM however).

Hmm, and I wish on the bearing front. Change cambelts at 10,000 km intervals. 
Running RS cams which isn’t valve  train friendly. But is still making power to 12k rpm 😀

Pop a 9xx Ducati in the garage with the leftover change.

On 6/27/2021 at 11:56 AM, leichtbau said:

Grumpy boomers woke up and found their metamucil had run out.

Eh ….. Gen x I think you’ll find. Responsible for bringing up Gen Z aka the smart ones unlike previous generations 😎

Thanks for posting. A story well told and worth the watch.

e46 m3 up another $1k after his view 😀

3 hours ago, Ghost Chip said:

Got a link or screenshot?

There is an ODB update that improves security on most except last of the e9x platforms. That and turning off comfort entry was a fix for a $30 tool that’s about.

Update was circa 2012.Also can be applied to e70 platform.

See dealer or specialist for a software update and my advice would be to get it done.

The reason for this one being stolen however is on FB
 

11 hours ago, Olaf said:

awesome.

[edit] - could this be a great opportunity for me to pick up an affordable e46 M3?  Surely    there'll be many displaced by carefully sourced GR Yaris....

I heard Toyota did bring some in - all pre-sold.

A work colleagues one was delivered a couple of weeks back.The NZ ones got all the optional extras as well at no extra cost. The strength of these cars is corners and loose tarmac. Basically developed by the factory and a top rally team. Very impressive small engined car. 
 

They should have used SMG with launch control and less torque limiting delay on gear change than with the manuals.