1. best to check with all the usual suspects for your bmw suppliers in the states and europe.
2. no idea, although jason from eurodivision (check the classifieds section) is a reliable suplier and can most likely help you out
3. shit painters ??? no harder than any other car to paint
4. again not a biggie its paint afterall and any reputable painter should be ok. if you are really fussy and want to drive down to sydney then 'north shore collision centre' are bmw's preferred body shop. the hectic is there every second week getting shit fixed