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49 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

What about mounting the number plate higher so it covers the holes?

Yeah, not so easy. The front number plate mount goes into the opening to partially attach. You can see in this pic.

PXL_20250216_072651973.jpg.8ab1c676a1c73

55 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

Just use the holes to mount a flowing fake moustache?

Yes! I'll go handlebars around the plate.

  • Sad 1

2 of these should work

14 hours ago, PranK said:

Yeah, not so easy. The front number plate mount goes into the opening to partially attach. You can see in this pic.

PXL_20250216_072651973.jpg.8ab1c676a1c73

Yes! I'll go handlebars around the plate.

images(58).thumb.jpeg.57887514724ee58fc0555b9cb110a42e.jpeg

1 hour ago, PranK said:

Nice.

Its a shame I have to squeeze in behind the E39 on the driveway. I'm worried about how it will feel after being impaled.

Thry would be handy if someone brake checks you

Like the old chariot racers

 

 

  • Haha 1
  • 2 months later...

Great write ups / details / photos.

I'm sort of on the road to E90 ownership (325i or 330i), haven't hit the fork in the road yet "Yes" | "No", and some of the issues you've faced have me nervous for the age these are getting to nowadays (that wiring, jesus), but I'm guessing the pro's of ownership are still outweighing the con's?

Of course, if the bloody tattslotto ROI actually went my way...E90 M3. And I'd have the cash to do all the extra lovely maintenance THOSE require. 😄

  • Like 1

Careful with posts like that around here without the flame suit on @cobo_11! 😂😂

My 330i journal is on here too. That car was so good and super reliable. We still have a 130i in the family which is almost identical to the 330i and easier to find in manual. It has also been almost faultless over the 6 or so years in the family. 

I used to want an M car a lot more than I do now but if I'm honest and without trying to sound like a wanker, I can get such good performance and handling out of my 335 without needing to worry about all the crap that goes along with M car ownership. I don't need to worry about my bearings or subframe issues or the cost of replacing brakes or suspension or whether it has been impeccably maintained. And I can leave it places and not get upset when it's always filthy.

  • Like 1

It's also worth noting that I am heavily and unconditionally biased. I've had a lot of cars including some GTRs a fair while ago. I love my BMW's now a lot. They make no sense a lot of the time and the guys on here remind me regularly that I could get something else that does what I want better and cheaper. If you're going to take on an older BMW it's definitely a commitment. If you bail on it early you'll lose money and also the ability for it to put a smile on your face. Stick with it and it just gets better. 

f**k I should get into advertising.

 

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
2 hours ago, PranK said:

Careful with posts like that around here without the flame suit on @cobo_11! 😂😂

My 330i journal is on here too. That car was so good and super reliable. We still have a 130i in the family which is almost identical to the 330i and easier to find in manual. It has also been almost faultless over the 6 or so years in the family. 

I used to want an M car a lot more than I do now but if I'm honest and without trying to sound like a wanker, I can get such good performance and handling out of my 335 without needing to worry about all the crap that goes along with M car ownership. I don't need to worry about my bearings or subframe issues or the cost of replacing brakes or suspension or whether it has been impeccably maintained. And I can leave it places and not get upset when it's always filthy.

Haha yeah I know, this is SAU after all, why are we talking about BMW's of all things!?

I hear you on the 'don't have to worry about it' side of things. Having been fortunate enough to be have been able to buy a brand new motorbike or two...never really enjoyed them as much as I'd have liked as you worry so much about where you park it, will it get scratched, stolen, attempted theft, knocked over, etc...and yes dirty.
Older less valuable bikes you can just go where you want and park it wherever and not really worry that much in comparison. And who cares if it gets dirty!

Never owned a V8, and have had my eyes on VE / VF commodores for years but with their prices climbing so high, the M3 has come into focus more as prices are much closer than I've ever seen...is it a potential contender now?...of course need to factor in the S65 'maintenance' especially and like you said general M car 'tax'. One can dream anyway.

But more on the reality front - did read the whole 330i thread as well and was a great read too, both threads enlightening as I've never even driven one of these cars! I do recall 330i didn't seem to have the same amount of issues for almost the same car (turbos and related differences notwithstanding)...perhaps down to getting it earlier in it's life so looked after better than the 335i? Perhaps so as your 130i has been good and quite similar, so finding a car that's been looked after well is the especially-crucial-BMW-first-step.

  • Like 1
2 hours ago, PranK said:

It's also worth noting that I am heavily and unconditionally biased. I've had a lot of cars including some GTRs a fair while ago. I love my BMW's now a lot. They make no sense a lot of the time and the guys on here remind me regularly that I could get something else that does what I want better and cheaper. If you're going to take on an older BMW it's definitely a commitment. If you bail on it early you'll lose money and also the ability for it to put a smile on your face. Stick with it and it just gets better. 

f**k I should get into advertising.

 

Noted. Have noticed BMW are more 'high maintenance' for sure.

They've attracted my attention as I think the used car prices seem reasonable vs other options, and the extra quality overall vs a commodore / camry / corolla or similar of the same vintage is appealing, especially the interior, and they are more on the sporty side whereas the others mentioned can be more cruising or economical A-to-B only.

  • Like 1
6 hours ago, PranK said:

It's also worth noting that I am heavily and unconditionally biased. I've had a lot of cars including some GTRs a fair while ago. I love my BMW's now a lot. They make no sense a lot of the time and the guys on here remind me regularly that I could get something else that does what I want better and cheaper. If you're going to take on an older BMW it's definitely a commitment. If you bail on it early you'll lose money and also the ability for it to put a smile on your face. Stick with it and it just gets better. 

f**k I should get into advertising.

 

Out here E90s are the cheapest way into a sporty-ish car because everyone knows just how expensive the repairs can get. 8-10k USD for an automatic 335i. 

  • Like 1
  • 3 months later...

There's not a great deal to report here .... except ...... FOR .... LSD!!! 

I bought a Quaife LSD from the UK and shipped it here .... Wish I'd just bought locally cause the shipping and duty was $700! But there were so many diffs used in the E90s I just wanted to be absolutely certain I was getting the right one so I spoke with a supplier in the UK who builds race cars and they have heaps of experience with the E90s. 

I pulled the diff out which was seriously awesome - I've never done anything like that before, I must have watched 1000 videos on YT about it as well as consulting the Bentley manual. It was super easy in the end.

PXL_20250720_015358562.jpg

The diff was delivered to the awesome folks at Hornsby Diffs and will be back in a few weeks.

I also replaced the diff bushings with some Nolathane ones. 

Really looking forward to getting it back and getting back to the track or even the skidpan.

  • Like 6

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