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Thanks to Tim I have driven all the M5s now including the F10 around Hampton Downs. The F10 is a big bruiser that goes like the clappers but left me cold. The small drive in Tim's e60 left me wanting more but it needed to be on the open road where they really shine. My E39 feels wasted around town and a bit lifeless. It comes alive out the back of Taumarunui.......... The E60 chassis is a massive step forward from the E39 - even my wife's 530i E60 Motorsport is a lovely car - fast enough and great around town. I fell for Tim's e28 - fun when going relatively slow. Communicative, mechanical and musical. Lovely car. E60 feels like a weapon......if you need a weapons grade daily buy the very best you can.

Hi Everyone, I'm a long time BMW enthusiast and have finally joined bimmersport. I currently have a 1974 NZ New 2002 and have owned a few BMW's in the past including an E46 ETCC 'factory' race car, an E21 323 and a few E36s. Plans for the 2002 are to leave it standard(ish) and slightly lower it on a set of BBS RS's I am currently re-building. Cheers, Shaun.

Passed my motorcycle full licence this morning. Does this mean I go buy a litre bike now?

Oh how surprising Hah good luck with the sale!

Well it makes the 6.25k auto 330i I'm selling seem well priced. It's in much better condition too!

Hi Guys Have decided to list my Beast. Would prefer a Bimmer guy got it.. See listing http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1346998250&ed=true Yours McCammer

I had a look at (and updated my maintenance spreadsheet) and for me and my 2001 X5 has been a thoroughly enjoyable vehicle but in nearly a year and a half I've spent as much on maintenance as I did buying the vehicle - even with a MBI as I have had 8 claims. On top of this also dropped a bunch of $ on a cosmetic tidy up (roof rails, paint, multiple carpet cleans and stain removal, trim fixing, newer tail lights) which a much tidier example simply would not have needed. In retrospect I did not buy smart and I've paid for this - ending up catching a lot of the (overdue/expected) stuff. Lucky I'm not skint!!! repair ABS unit fix ABS pump bracket and pressure sensor (this was all due to the 'brake light trifecta') replace thermostat fix instrument cluster (dead pixels) replace radiator and hoses replace 2 x window regulators replace both rocker cover gaskets replace trans main oil seal replace both front lower brake reaction rod arms new key (they use a capacitor not batteries - and die eventually) plus regular servicing stuff including 2 large tyres! So I'm hoping that I've got it pretty well sorted. It has 222KMs on it and my 4yr MBI has another 2.5 years to run so *I must keep the vehicle* and keep enjoying it to make sense of the expenditure If I sold my X5 now then the next owner would be going 'sweet' and have a much better experience. It's always better if you can be that person - which is why typically buying a vehicle from a forum member is a good proposition as we all(?) look after our vehicles. Diesel comments aside @3pedals advice is sound and reflects how you have to think about this sort of vehicle. When I bought my X5 I thought 'man what a cheap score!!!' - and this has turned out to not be true. If you have lots of time and are mechanically minded then the maint cost could well be lower - but I have more $ than time (I think).

Hi all, I'm looking for recommendations for a mechanic in Auckland (central preferably) to work on my 1974 2002. I'm somewhat mechanically minded and can tackle the odd jobs my self but find my self without the tools/space/time when the old girl decides to get a bit temperamental. I'm after a shop/ one man band who either specialises in classic cars or at the very least knows what a carburetor looks like. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Shaun.

Ordered a new remote key for the E53 X5 from Winger in Welly. $471.50 all up. Current one faded recently and stopped doing the remote thing - and my backup is a basic key. Asked about a BMW Club discount - helpful young guy said they could offer 10% off - but not on coded items, on which they make just about nothing. Worth asking I suppose.

Parents car. Of course I made them get a Lexus haha Dad wasn't keen on the look or fact the newer BMWs were turbo, he just felt it was more to go wrong.

you have to go in multple times to get the accumulated saving.So each time you go in use your smartcard and ask to "save".They have conditions.You must buy at least 40 dollars worth(or is it 40 litres?)And when you go to "cash in your savings" the savings only apply to the first 50 litres.So to play the game you only piut in the minimum as often as you can ,and only get 50 litres when you fill up and start again....you can accumlate some quite nice savings but it is a bit of a hassle.Its easy for me,i drive past a BP every day . You can get a smartphone app to keep track of your savings and to see when they said savings start to expire.

It's all the same, I just use diesel as it's cheaper

Yeah been on it for a while, except for the xr6 that gets dirt cheap 91 from work. E38 and S8 both run sweet on it. No concerns at all. Helps with Farmsource account I get 16cents off pump price at Mobil as well

because we don't have a vomit emoji. Blahdy hell, that'd be sad if they're selling Gull at Mobil. Is Mobil 98 working well for you, Brent? Do you run that across all three vehicles?

But if it's another crappily converted one, it'll end up being a drama at some stage, though.

Oh and fixed the oven - was a door microswitch for $50 versus $6k to replace the oven coz its an odd 700mm size - or worse remodel the kitchen to suit a different sized oven.

Try contacting the Toyota (I assume) dealer and see who they recommend, they may even do it themselves. We do windscreens here and have seen some shockers from both Novus and Smith and Smith.

It ended up being a mobile job. He took about 1.5 hours all up but that included fluffing about with all the sensors built into the glass. Should be a bit quicker for cars without the sensors

I love my e61 m5, but its not perfect, fuel consumtion is what you expect from a 500hp 2T car, and repair and servicing costs can be eye watering, but in my opinion totally worth it for the open road, no traffic blasts that it was made for! I didn't bother with a PPI or warranty, but mine had 3+ years of service history with Team Macmillan BMW and was a UK private import.

Talking of porkers, perhaps the 1M needs to go more J Lo?> Some steel over-fenders that I had made up recently, fronts also. RIP Kirsty Webb, thanks for the memories and mud on the car xxoo

looks like a nice clean example, Michael, and reasonably priced imho. GLWS!

As another E60 M5 owner who hasn't driven any other M cars yet (really) I'm totally biased but in a happy place today. Tim's advice sounds good to me - and yes the E60 has craptastic fuel consumption (~20 at the mo given I haven't done a lot of distance driving in it) but it is exhilarating. F10s seems to start from about $60K ... and are no doubt a better car in a bunch of ways (fuel usage, low-down torque, more modern cabin), but the E60 is pinnacle of the 'insane sedan' concept. That white F10 for $60k looks very nice indeed. The SMG is not cool in traffic but very cool when on the open road. Did the Gentle Annie recently and it was *EPIC*. If you are looking at an E60 then get the PPI done, and seriously consider an MBI - they cost a lot more than they do for non-///M cars but reduce your risk (for a while anyway). Enjoy your car shopping - and hopefully you get to drive a few models along the way!

Hey, As I drive a E60 every day, have E28 and E34 M5's in the garage and recently drove a E39, Ill give you my 2 cents. Without having driven a F10, I can say hand on heart the E60 is the most amazing of the lot. The E60 gives me the fizz like no other M5 will ever do. The E39 to me has never looked great on paper, it was in my opinion somewhat of an after thought using an existing engine to basis it around. If you look at the Hp per litre this one stands out as being under developed. My belief however its is the best all-rounder in a way that no other M5 can muster (with expection of the F10 maybe). Its the fact that it has low down torque, no performance headers and its power is usable as any other non M motor is on a daily basis. An example being a E36 328i v and E36 M3 or a 130i v a E46. The non M motors are better on a daily basis, you just don't need to rev them so hard to get the best from them. Often M3's don't feel that brilliant unless you're using 9 10ths or more. That can be said of all the M5's too. E28 - Raw and edgy. Rev's easily and feels willing to go all the time due to the weight, although not that fast. Handling is average and feels outdated. Slightly front heavy. Great fun a 9 10th or more and skids up easy. E34 - I don't believe Chris Harris, they are a faster and better car than the E28, but I agree they aren't as appealing or fun. The power takes a long time to get past the extra weight +150kg. Far more comfortable, usable and relaxed. Looks a bit old man to me now though. I reckon you could use one as a daily even now if the gas consumption wasn't hopeless 15l per 100k. E39 - Having spent only 30 mins with one I can say that it would be the easiest to live with daily. Fast but not as fast as I was lead to believe actually. Grunty and torquey. Suspension is compliant and relaxing. Probably would lights the tyres up easy enough and easy to handle with the some what slow steering feel. E60 - Coming from a place where I dreamt of one of these for 7 years, it has not disappointed. Quick from 0-100, but utterly amazing from 80-160. It is like being on a travelator that low down power just can't give, only high end power can. The world just goes by so fast and were something to happen at that accelleration I'm not sure you could do anything. The gas consumption makes me want to cry daily. You literally can see it dropping in traffic. I get about 22l per 100 each fortnight, but don't drive that far so isn't the end of the world. The SMG is average but having driven a DCT recently, there is somewhat of a manual feel that the later cars have lost. Its challenging but that thump at 8250rpm to the next gear adds to the experience in my option. The things that annoy me is the damn onboard computer always complaining about something and the cost to repair anything. I bought as good as I could which was a very high spec'd 2005 with 90k in the blue I have always wanted. It has the option leather dash, alcantra roof lining, active seats, air con seats and a number of other special bits. F10 - Without driving one, I'd assume its the best all-rounder, the fastest and probably quite soulless. Nothing about it other than more advanced technology and less running costs does anything for me. Eventually may go there, but I suspect will be forgotten compared to the new F90 4wd. My order 1.E60, 2. E28, 3. E39, 4. E34 If you want an experience go E60, but don't buy at the bottom of the barrel. Get a GOOD BMW inspection and be thoroughly comfortable and open minded to the expenses.Be prepared to change all brakes $7k, shocks $7k, clutch $5k, bearing $5k and possible SMG pump during its life if it has not already been done. Throttle sensors are also known to be problems at $1k or so each. If its been done or you can wear this, the experience of ownership and 500hp at 8250rpm is simply not replicable in the BMW range in my opinion. My prediction is that all the rubbish will get neglected and drop in value as people can't keep up with maintenance and can't afford to run them. however the cared for ones will eventually flatten out in value and eventually become super desirable. We might be 10 years away though. If you want a daily go E39, but it won't give you the fizz that an E60 would. F10 at this stage is not worthwhile and be prepared for prices to drop when all the fat cat directors offload in 12 months and upgrade to a F90. My 2 cents, but bare in mind I really know nothing :-)

Would not touch that with someone elses barge pole. Even if it was less than half the price.

"The car is quite low even for factory height so the bottom edge of the front bumper has been scuffed on the odd curb in its life time." = actually the shocks have had it and it needs a suspension refresh. "The car is dark blue with black leather interior, it has a sunroof which is great on those hot sunny days." = actually the A/C is broken and you totally bake when it's sunny; opening the sunroof is the sauna safety valve. "There are a couple of little scuffs here and there as to be expected for a car of its age but mostly only noticeable in the right light." = that's why I've left it dirty, it's far more average than my asking price would have you believe.

Lol, manual = 80% premium

Lots and lots of bits of progress over the last few months. Another iteration of the exhaust! Added a magnaflow cat and another centre muffler. Took the unpleasant rasp out of it and dropped the drone right down. Still makes enough noise but nothing weird anymore. Very pleased. Then I moved house, E30 did the workhorse duties Got some very large exciting packages. New whiteline front and rear swaybars, new endlinks etc. A bunch of garagistic chassis reinforcement and chassis bracing stuff H&R Sport springs - to replace the spare parts bin lowering springs that were in there before So far have installed all the chassis bracing stuff, and the new H&R springs. Big difference, mostly attributable to the springs and the transmission brace, I think. More compliant but everything feels a lot tighter. Next up is to have the rear trailing arm sway bar tab reinforcement pieces welded in, then install the new whiteline sway bars.

Update Installed RTD(cheers John) & DSSR, did it with the drive shaft and exhaust on (idiot). Photos added, very precise. OEM 1st-----------2nd, RTD 1st--2nd have got lost a few times 2nd --3rd and 3rd to 2nd. Need to spend some time training muscle memory

M sport badges 330s are bait for 335i's that didn't come with them.

M badges do not belong on grilles. Please don't support raw evil