Hello from the Hutt Valley,
We’ve been driving around in a 1996 Ford Laser for sometime now with an occasional drive in our other vehicle, a 1998 Ford Courier XL Wellside. Both of which don’t have much of a vehicle safety rating.
My fiancée and I recently fell in love with a 2012 7 Series 750i – a Japanese import. It was the first car yard we visited one random Sunday afternoon, and the 3rd vehicle we looked at up close. It was all over from there. It’s quite a leap in terms of.... almost everything (steering wheels and four tyres are still common place in the 2000’s)!
Until it came to purchasing this particular vehicle, I knew squat about BMWs. I did spend some weeks researching the 5th generation 7 series and became aware of the potentiality for serious problems to occur. Despite numerous tales of woe in various online postings we went ahead regardless – love knows no bounds (3yr MBI sorted along with an independent PPI)?
It’s fairly tidy considering it’s 72,000 wrinkles and at this stage I just intend to give it a good wax (AutoGlym). Try to remove some superficial scratches on the paint work and on the interior surface of the wooden trim. I've already invested in some leather care from European Leathercare in Petone. It doesn't look like the rear seats were used much at all.
A couple of new tyres due soon as only 3mm left on the rear. I had spotted some Bridgestone Turanza T005’s after noting the B grade attributed to a decrease in rolling resistance (how much that will help in real-world economy I don’t know). Suggestions most welcomed regarding tyre selection, as well as any unwanted fuel vouchers ?
Other than that, it’s an brobdingnagian joy to drive, bugger the environment and my retirement fund!
Cheers.
I slightly grainy photo shall have to suffice for now.
P.s. does anyone know when the ECOPRO mode was first introduced with the 7 Series?