jjs

My advice is to buy NZ new - you may need to pay more or take a vehicle with higher mileage, but if it has FULL service history from a BMW dealer it is much less likely to be unreliable. Also if you find a vehicle you like, make the seller an offer subject to an inspection by a BMW specialist.

Many posters on here cannot seem to grasp the simple reasons why manuals are dying.

It is not the dealer's fault - they would stock the vehicles if there were buyers for them. Many people indent order European vehicles and are happy to wait for their desired spec and trim.

The tastes and gearbox preferences of a middle aged professional who has $100k+ to spend on a new car tend to differ from the BMW fan boys aged 18 - 30 years that are members of this forum and buy $5k E36's and $10k E46's.

If you are spending $100k+ on a car you tend to buy what you want, if you wanted a manual you would buy an M3 rather than a 330i.

Also, once someone lives with an auto for a few years it is hard to get back into manual. And with the amazing technology available in auto transmissions, why would you bother with a manual anymore?

No Manuals,

BMW Dealers are too lazy to offer new car buyers the option from stock , figure it is easier to tell them to just buy an auto.

Apparently Audi are taking a equally intransigent approach ,

Lets just let the lame brain dealers bully us into submission , really it their commission we are taking about not your money.

Simple economics - supply and demand. People who buy new BMW's, remembering a 330i was around $100k new, tend to be middle aged or older and want the convenience of auto.

I drove a manual in Auckland traffic and declared I would never do it again! Also, modern autos are so good there is no need for a manual anymore. The new Porsche 991 GT3 is no longer available in manual, this isn't because dealers don't think it will sell, but because the auto is such a brilliant piece of kit.

we've lined up a few test drives while I'm there for a month or so

How easy is it to book a test drive in a 911 turbo??

E63 AMG :drunk:

Interesting to see the orange machine parked next to this puppy!

It confims the old adage that money can't buy taste.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/335i/auction-684559412.htm

Duh sorry... It's 1999 (hmm just like the Prince song)

A friend of mine has inherited a BMW and asked me for my opinion of what she could realistically sell it for.

Its a NZ new E46 318i Sedan - auto in silver with black leather travelled 160kms. Its tidy, but not mint. Good tyres, new WOF, recent service etc.

E46's seem to be going for peanuts on Trade Me now... Anyone on here recently bought or sold one and could give an opinion on what it would be worth. Is $5k too optimistic?

$34k is rather optimistic!

At the Ferrari Festival at Hampton Down's today spotted a MINT E30 318is coupe in alpine white with full Alpina kit, stripes etc in the show and shine section. Looked like brand new!

There is a mobile guy in Wellington call "the Wheel Magician" does a good job for not much money. Any paint shop will repair an alloy but is likely to cost $150+

Wasn't this the same car that some dreamer was trying to get $100k for a couple of years ago?

Subaru Outback would be perfect - six cylinder AWD with heaps of space and great reliability

"First official M5 in New Zealand"

Used and abused ex-press car?

thanks nick.

need a house with a yard. have two dogs. wife likes to garden.

I'm going to miss my 8min $3 bus ride to & from work.

What suburb in Wellington are you?

I did the move from Wellington to Auckland recently. Get ready for horrific traffic and not being able to afford to live in the area you want to. I guess you don't have any choice in the matter but you will miss Wellington where life is so much easier

Was it a mission to assemble?

The guide price seems pretty ambitious... I don't trust odometer readings on cars imported in the 90's

Maybe there is something out in the Hutt or Porirua, but I haven't seen anything in Wellington City. There used to be a place opposite the Lanes on Wakefield Street, but thats gone now...

A good gap in the market for someone, especially with all of the new apartments being built!

Can you add pics or re link project thread? Cheers

Nice one.

How does it work with LHD? Can you register it with no problems?

Love the interior/exterior colour combo!

I'm in the market for a weekend toy and have been brainstorming a whole range of things and one car I have been keeping an eye out for is a Z3 M Coupe. However, I haven't seen any advertised in NZ for ages!

There was a roadster recently floating around for $19k, but owners of the Coupe's must hold on to them.

Does anyone know officially how many came into NZ to begin with? Or, anyone know of one for sale?

This looks like quite good buying - NZ new in a good colour combo with nice upgraded wheels. Would want to inspect the service history though.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-643860837.htm

^ ah! makes sense, yes, it feels smaller to drive.

^^ would be doing 20k kms a year, 100 or so kms a day, driving to and from work. with occasional road trips. I have 10k (allowed) plus a 2005 Tiida for trade. so hoping for something at that range. Not essential, but desired.

So I'm guessing your budget is about $16k? I wouldn't think you would get much 530d or E220CDI for that money. Unless you were willing to look at something with over 200kms on it. I would avoid the Volvo at all costs - I know a couple of people with relatively late model XC90's and XC70's and they all have horror stories - gearbox failure, ABS issues, electrics not working.

My 2 cents, but being a daily driver you need reliability and sensible running costs... I would look at something Jap.

Looks like a nice vehicle, and the seller isn't asking silly money for it.

Do you guys think this should be driven and enjoyed? Or, should it be used sparingly to keep the mileage low?