E91 330i

[SmithyInWelly 212]

As per the "wanted to buy" thread; I picked up a 330i Touring in Akl. Drove it back yesterday - seems pretty good; NZ new, 170kms, reasonable service history. No fault codes showing. Spec wise it's low on fruit - but everything works and is in reasonable condition.

First point of business is to address a very slightly and occasionally wobbly rear - possibly a buggered bush... but first off will get a wheel alignment done.

Following that; a second key (any suggestions on sourcing appreciated)... and then I may look at adding a bluetooth module - though I'm not sure I'll even bother. We'll see... may also do something about the tyres - it's got Michelin Pilots on the back which are 2/3rds worn, and bingbonglingdings on the front which are barely worn (wish it was the other way around).

As a DD it'll certainly do the job, and make the daily schlep over SH58 much more enjoyable than it was in the Euro!

Edited August 15, 2017 by SmithyInWelly
Updated text

[Young Thrash Driver 1020]

You understand the need to render those unsafe DarkThunderDragon tires unuseable to anybody else, right?

Skids

[treone 649]

Nice!

[kiwi535 538]

bmw plate too!

[NZ BMW 368]

Nice looking car! 

Personally I think you're better off without the iDrive too, given the age of the things. Mine's certainly nothing to write home about. 

[HardBall66 135]

On 8/13/2017 at 0:21 PM, SmithyInWelly said:

a second key (any suggestions on sourcing appreciated)...

I got a second key from Schmiedmann for 140 euro plus shipping.  All official and kosher.

[Gabe79 410]

19 minutes ago, HardBall66 said:

I got a second key from Schmiedmann for 140 euro plus shipping.  All official and kosher.

What model for? That is a very reasonable price when you accept cutting plus blank costs around $95NZD alone. 

Edited August 14, 2017 by Gabe79

[Olaf 3341]

Great score!  Looks really sharp.

hope you're making it along this Sunday ?

[SmithyInWelly 212]

Took it in to get a once over today... turns out the "service" the dealer did was done; and the gasket repair noted in the PPI was done too - just had to clear some codes.

Had the vanos solenoids cleaned out, and code removed. 

Also, the wobbly rear end turned out to be a quite munted shock absorber - so had both rears replaced... and voila!

Now it handles properly whilst driving responsibly up SH58 

[HardBall66 135]

On 8/14/2017 at 8:19 PM, Gabe79 said:

What model for? That is a very reasonable price when you accept cutting plus blank costs around $95NZD alone. 

1997 E39 528i.  You need to send them proof of ownership - pretty straightforward, and shipping from Denmark only takes about 4 or 5 days.  The hardest part was Forrest-Gumping my way thru the process to get the keyless entry remote paired with the car.  Luckily Youtube came to the rescue.

Edited August 15, 2017 by HardBall66

[SmithyInWelly 212]

So now the shocks are done I need to get a wheel alignment done as it's still a little off... though I've also got to remember it's grand-dad suspension, not m-sport; so my expectations may need a little alignment too (not to mention I've been driving a FWD with 140ish kw for 18 mths, now I'm in a RWD with 190ish).

Then think about some new tyres in the next couple of months - not sure what to get. They're 18's and a daily drive; not a track car. So something that balances wet weather grip  and is good at motorway speeds is important given my drive.

[qube 3570]

tbh i think you should go for some nice 17's if possible and sell those 18s which look like replicas?

[Olaf 3341]

good thinking, Kyu.

Cory, I think it's pretty hard to go past Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003's.  They're often on buy one, get the second half price (which is basically buy three, get four)... I have run them for more than 20,000kms on my e46 (225/45R17 and 245/40R17), and have more than 5000kms on my e60 (245/40/R18) and find them superb in the wet, quiet and grippy in the dry, and wear well to boot!  What's not to like for a tyre that's no more expensive than the mid-range korean alternatives?  I think they're superb, particularly at the money you pay for them.

I go to Kelvin (owner) at Bridgestone Torrens Terrace, he's excellent on alignment and I find him great to deal with.  HTH.

[SmithyInWelly 212]

I've been thinking similarly Kyu... I like the style but they don't suit the car (or the old fart now driving it lol), and I suspect contribute negatively to the ride/compliance issues. 

And snap to the RE003's Olaf; I put them on Greg's old E39 and they were brilliant (for the $$$), much better than the Firestone's on the Euro, and barely more expensive. I've got a BTC near work in Seaview; sadly town is out of the question for me these days - at least during working hours.

[Olaf 3341]

Kelvin's open on Saturday mornings   I found him on the recommendation of a friend who's very fussy with his car collection, and found Kelvin's pricing sharper than standard BTC.   I value the relationship and individual more than the branding on the sign outside 

[SmithyInWelly 212]

Sounds like good excuse for a hoon into town... I likey!

[SmithyInWelly 212]

Have now racked up 4000-odd kms in a month of ownership - so far so good... the car likes a drink though that's more about my driving; and the fact I can't resist flooring it in 2nd/3rd going up Haywards Hill from the Hutt. 

That aside it's a nice cruiser. Handles beautifully; suspension is spot on for a DD, and having the extra room in the back has proven useful on occasions - more so for the house move. Has enough power 99% of the time (well, probably a hundy really).

The only down side is the fact that I probably spent more $$$$ than I needed to - not on this car, but generally. Now the budget for a deck and spa pool is seriously under the pump (pun intended).