Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 12 (edited) I'm Shantelle (aka Shorty) – long-time BMW fan and former E36 328i owner. It’s been around 9 years since I was last active on Bimmersport – life got busy! I sold the E36 when I had my first daughter, and since then, I've welcomed a second daughter, built a house, and finally found myself back behind the wheel of a fun weekend toy. I’m now the proud owner of a 2010 E82 135i with DCT – black, sleek, and such a joy to drive. First thing I did was give it a full paint correction using Meguiar’s products (I’m the marketing manager at Smits Group, so naturally, I’m lucky enough to use and market products I genuinely love). I recently picked up a set of 19" BBS CH104s – they’re not quite the right offset, but I’m hoping to get them machined and refinished. They're a bit rough (and buried under about three coats of black), so I’m tossing up a new colour – leaning towards bronze... but we’ll see where I land. I've already got coilovers ready to go on and have started the DIY journey – tackled an oil and filter change myself, and took the car to Juned at Manukau Vehicle Servicing for a DCT service, rear brake pads, and a new radiator (after a surprise leak – fun!). Mechanically it's now solid, and I’m really looking forward to getting out and enjoying it. Once the wheels and suspension are sorted, the car will be re-registered as LOWBMW – a bit of a throwback for those who remember my old E36 with the same plate! Keen to reconnect with the community and get inspired again – good to be back! First two photos are pre-paint correction, car had definitely taken on a grey hue. Also my drivers door has had a VERY terrible paint job - on the list of things to fix. Edited May 12 by Shorty 11 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1763 Report post Posted May 12 Hey welcome back. Yeah i do recall ive met you at some point. Not 100% sure but didn't you or your partner buy my E39 540i msport manual ages ago Sadly the community is pretty dead like most forums these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 12 Hahaha omg, yes we did, we've since sold it to a mate of mine - who still has it, drives it regularly I'm hoping we can liven up the community somehow! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neil McCauley 444 Report post Posted May 12 I remember the 328i well! The new owner used to park in my building all the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 13 (edited) He's still got it, I used to work with him, he's moved back to Zimbabwe, but visits NZ every 6 months or so. He bought it out for a drive to my place, sadly what he wanted for it, was out of my budget, so I've had to move on - and I feel the 135i was a great compromise - it makes me happy! That's what counts. What BMW club/s is everyone involved with - looking for a reasonably active club to take part in. I'm on the Ellerslie Concours Committee, trying to ignite the fire beneath that and appeal to a larger audience. Being on the committee and representing a car club has financial benefits for the club. Edited May 13 by Shorty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1763 Report post Posted May 14 Facebook groups are probably the most active, Simply BMW probably being the main one. Official BMW NZ club is also reasonably active. It's mostly meet ups and cruises which is fine but personaly I found gets stale after awhile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMTHUG 1109 Report post Posted May 14 On 5/12/2025 at 1:01 PM, Shorty said: I'm Shantelle (aka Shorty) – long-time BMW fan and former E36 328i owner. It’s been around 9 years since I was last active on Bimmersport – life got busy! I sold the E36 when I had my first daughter, and since then, I've welcomed a second daughter, built a house, and finally found myself back behind the wheel of a fun weekend toy. I’m now the proud owner of a 2010 E82 135i with DCT – black, sleek, and such a joy to drive. First thing I did was give it a full paint correction using Meguiar’s products (I’m the marketing manager at Smits Group, so naturally, I’m lucky enough to use and market products I genuinely love). I recently picked up a set of 19" BBS CH104s – they’re not quite the right offset, but I’m hoping to get them machined and refinished. They're a bit rough (and buried under about three coats of black), so I’m tossing up a new colour – leaning towards bronze... but we’ll see where I land. I've already got coilovers ready to go on and have started the DIY journey – tackled an oil and filter change myself, and took the car to Juned at Manukau Vehicle Servicing for a DCT service, rear brake pads, and a new radiator (after a surprise leak – fun!). Mechanically it's now solid, and I’m really looking forward to getting out and enjoying it. Once the wheels and suspension are sorted, the car will be re-registered as LOWBMW – a bit of a throwback for those who remember my old E36 with the same plate! Keen to reconnect with the community and get inspired again – good to be back! First two photos are pre-paint correction, car had definitely taken on a grey hue. Also my drivers door has had a VERY terrible paint job - on the list of things to fix. Welcome back! Pretty cool cars, I miss mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2193 Report post Posted May 14 Welcome back. I think your old man got me into importing cars like 25 years ago. The E82 is a great platform for some fun. They cross over with the E87's a lot so there is plenty of info on here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 15 23 hours ago, Driftit said: Welcome back. I think your old man got me into importing cars like 25 years ago. The E82 is a great platform for some fun. They cross over with the E87's a lot so there is plenty of info on here. Oh small world! Yes Loving the E82, and hoping that the crossover with E87's includes coilovers, lol I have a set to install from an E87 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2193 Report post Posted May 15 2 hours ago, Shorty said: Oh small world! Yes Loving the E82, and hoping that the crossover with E87's includes coilovers, lol I have a set to install from an E87 The rear could be different and the spring rate could be too hard. Is your husband Leon Scott by chance? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 16 (edited) On 5/15/2025 at 8:35 PM, Driftit said: The rear could be different and the spring rate could be too hard. Is your husband Leon Scott by chance? Fingers crossed they fit lol No he's my brother inlaw though! Edited May 16 by Shorty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2193 Report post Posted May 16 12 hours ago, Shorty said: Fingers crossed they fit lol No he's my brother inlaw though! Oh yeah I met him once or twice when I flatted with Leon. Such a small world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3409 Report post Posted May 17 welcome back 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 17 8 hours ago, Driftit said: Oh yeah I met him once or twice when I flatted with Leon. Such a small world. Crazy. So what's your name? My hubby Anton will probably remember you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2193 Report post Posted May 17 16 hours ago, Shorty said: Crazy. So what's your name? My hubby Anton will probably remember you I'm Dan. I think I met him when he came back from Europe. Long time ago now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorty 27 Report post Posted May 18 6 hours ago, Driftit said: I'm Dan. I think I met him when he came back from Europe. Long time ago now. Yeah probably around the same time I met him. Funny such a small world! I used to work with Leon at European Autospares, which is where I met Anton. A loooooonnnnnng time ago! Lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
