paulo

There was a nice 530i Motorsport up for sale a few months ago - I think it was on Trade Me, and it may have been on Bimmersport too. It was NZ New, 2003, approx 160,000km , individual colour (pearl grey, i think), and had been chipped to about 235 bhp. Does anyone know if it's still available for sale? I think it was about $12 - $13k at the time.

Yes, I'm looking to buy privately, as dealer's are still asking $15K ++ for one in the spec that I'm after. I've been keeping an eye on the market for a while now, and although plenty are listed for $15K+ (even privately), I've yet to see one actually SELL for those prices. A black 540i Motorsport (facelift, 2001) sold by auction recently for $12,000 at oval.co.nz It ticked all the boxes for me, but had a noisy top engine sound (could have been just a sticky lifter that may have been simply cured with a can of lifter cleaner and an oil change, but at that stage I was unable to view it personally or arrange a mechanical inspection so was not prepared to take the chance!) I'm prepared to wait for the right one to turn up, but I realise that I'll probably be waiting a while!

Hi there, I'm in the market for a 540i Motorsport in the $12000 - $15000 price range. Must be / must have: - 2001 onwards model with the xenon headlights and led tail lights - sports seats (I've noticed that some Motorsports still have the standard or "comfort" seats fitted) - silver (titanium?) interior trim (as opposed to wood) - m-sport steering wheel with full quota of buttons for cruise / radio volume / aircon recirc and phone (if it has one) Preferably have: - widescreen TV - Phone or pre-wired for phone - a body colour other than silver (Black, Red, Grey or Blue would be best!) - less than 130,000km - service history - non smoker vehicle Could also be tempted by the lesser powered 530i motorsport if it had the same spec or better as above. Or possibly a 740i Motorsport, although I know there are not too many of these about! Thanks Paul

Now reappeared up for sale at Turners

Thanks! PM sent

2001 540i Motorsport on Trademe Is anyone planning to check this car out? Auction ends Wednesday, and Viewing is on Wednesday 30th March from 1pm - 5pm ONLY. Address: 60 Rockfield Rd, Penrose, Auckland If so, I would be interested to hear any comments on how tidy it is (particularly interior), whether it's a smoker's car, if the kilometers appear genuine (apparently has a Japanese service history book??), any srs/abs/asc etc warning lights staying on, and how it drives. Looks like these guys are pretty hard nosed about insisting that you check the car out before buying (i.e. no renegging on the deal for ANY reason whatsoever even if it turns out to be not as described) - which is fair enough, but tricky if you are at the opposite end of the country! Cheers Paul

Thanks, I spotted those, but they don't include the tyres so it would add up to being more than I'd want to spend...

Hi, would you consider sending them to me in Christchurch? - just drop them off to the Mainfreight Depot and charge me the freight?

Hi, I'd prefer to do a swap / sale here in Christchurch to avoid the freight hassle, but if I manage to buy some 16's locally here first, then I'll put the 18's up for sale. The 18's are currently on the car, so I need to do a quick swap / sale to keep it mobile!

Hi, I want to get hold of some cheap Factory 16 inch style 33's or BBS cross spoke wheels to give my 528i a stock look. Currently fitted with some 18 inch alloys with marginal WOF tyres - willing to swap these for some 16's with good tyres. The 18's look exactly like the wheels in this link (but mine are 18 inch, not 17 inch): 18's Style 33's look like this: style 33's Also would like these type of BBS cross=spokes as fitted to this e39: BBS cross spokes Cheers Paul

Will pay up to $200, and up to $300 if you can fit it for me by the end of the week! Probably a long-shot, but worth a try... Thanks Paul

Yes, I remember seeing this one for sale in ChCh a couple of years ago. Good colour, and bodykit, but I really want one with the sport suspension, seats and steering wheel. I have driven a good example of a 530i Motorsport, and it was fantastic. I know they are more sensible choice due to more efficiency and balance / steering / handling, but i'm a sucker for the power and sound of a German V8. I only cover about 100kms a week, so the fuel economy is not really a problem for me!

I'm in Christchurch. Is your brother's one listed on Trade Me? If so, Ive probably seen it. If not, what's the condition, Kms, options and price please?

Hi, I'm after an e39 540i motorsport in the $7,000 to $12,000 price range. Not too worried by high kms or repairs requred. Anything considered, but must have the sports seats, m-sport steering wheel, and motorsport suspension

I would be keen on front and rear e39 motorsport style bumpers. Do they come with the rubbing strip inserts , and also the mesh (or similar) grille part (on the front one) Any rough indication of cost on all of this? Cheers, Paul

On an e36 325i: - door cards and exterior door rubber strips held on with large self tapping screws (the bright zinc poz-drive type_ - Fog lights glued in with RTV - Sunroof glued shut and sunroof motor missing - Head lining held in place with thumb-tacks and dabs of contact adhesive (laid out in an almost straight grid for a deep-buttoned hot rod effect) (The previous owner was a builder / farmer type obviously keen on applying a bit of kiwi ingenuity to his vehicles) I knew it was a s*%T car when i bought it, but thought I could turn it into something nice. 200 hours and $2000 later it was still a s*%T car, but i've learnt my lesson now, and will only buy low owner NZ new cars

Yeah, as part of the "pimped out" package they probably fitted a subtle blue LED back-light to that sport / economy switch. And a boot full of Fusions...

it gets heaps of looks, eh! http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=298245894 linky

The auction was "withdrawn by seller" so I don't think asking for a fixed price offer is an option. Someone propably offered him a good price behind the scenes

Hi Ray, Are you parting out that 740i in the photo? - If so, how much for the front and rear seats please?

There seem to be a lot of automatic M3s and M5s that come up for sale. The owners are usually pretty gutted when you gently try to break the news that the $25 "M" badge stuck on the boot does not match up with the 1.8L motor, velour comfort seats and 14 inch wheels...

Hi, I'm after a complete or near complete good running engine. Prefer in Christchurch area as I don't want to pay too much and would like to avoid the cost of freighting. Please PM me or reply on here with price and condition... Will also consider a good , complete cylinder head - no cracks etc or reconditioned Cheers Paul

One guy trying to sell me a 325i said (when I questioned him about the 2500rpm idle) that "they all do that when they're cold" As it was an automatic, it would make for an interesting driving display trying to select gear and discreetly reverse out of the garage in the morning... On another occasion I was questioning a car dealer about the worn out leather on the steering wheel on a Subaru Legacy - he said that "yeah, all the Jap import cars have that - those Asians have funny sweat"

...with or without tyres to fit an e36 must be genuine factory type - eg "radial" (style 32) , Style 44 , Style 65 (M5) Style 67 (M3) or BMW "tuner" type wheels such as AC Schnitzer , Alpina or BBS. Not wanting to spend too much $300 - $600 depending on wheel / tyre condition. Cheers Paul

Thanks Jochen -you are a true legend!