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Had this debate with a few mates the other day. I'm a big fan of NZ new as you tend to get a better service history, better spec (sometimes) and something that looks more like the European market than a model from a Japanese market. I've also experienced unreliability with imported cars and have heard some horror stories in my time. I even know people that would refuse to look at an import. I think I would pay extra for a NZ new car and definitely hold it as one of the top criteria when searching for a car. However, if a tidy import came up at the right price, I certainly wouldn't turn it down! Your thoughts?

540's are great cars, but maintenance will be quite a bit more expensive than an E30. In saying that, it is a very good time to buy one. They are getting cheaper and cheaper, whilst at the same time some people are paying drug money for E30's (to think 5 years ago I sold a very tidy NZ 318i f/l manual travelled 200km for only $1900...) Hunt around, there are quite a few 540's for sale at the moment. Can't tell too much from the photo, but the one above does look a little rough.

Remember that no warranty will cover (known) pre-existing faults. The AA one sounds like a goody, but i'm sure one of their little man syndrome clipboard carriers would have great pleasure of pointing out every little flaw in a BMW (I speak from experience). I can access Autosure Platinum warranties which have NO excess and cover everything (except service items) on vehicles under 12 years and 150,000kms. These seem to be very comprehensive. If you want any more info, PM me. Must be exciting having the new car arrive soon!

Yes, it will be a state of incoherent drunkenness for a few days! Flat mates finished on Saturday and had to put up with them partying hard, we even had the cops turn up... As for cars, i'm not too fussy. I do a bit of work in the industry down here so have access to trade ins at various dealerships. Hence, if something OK comes up cheaply i'll grab it. Off to Akl next year so will want to sort something before I leave. A facelift 530i would be ideal, but pricing seems to be all over the show. I've also looked at a few E46 328i's, but because they are such a popular car you can't "steal" them. Mercs are very good value at the moment (97-00 E Class esp), wouldn't mind a nice NZ E320 if I could find one, they can look very sharp with big AMG monoblocks. What did you study in Dunedin? I take it the cold got to you and you moved to warmer pastures?

Yep, i'm inbetween cars. I have this mental health problem which means I can't own a car for more than about three months. In the 7 years I have been driving, I have owned over 20 cars, inc 4 E30's, 2 E36 and a E34. Last car was a horrible Audi 80 Avant. Hunting for a nice NZ new E39, but most people want drug money for them. Dunedin is nice and grey, about 5 degrees at the mo! Im currently sitting in a dark corner studying for my last ever exam which is on Friday. Dunedin has been a great place to study though - best decision I ever made.

Is the interior of your E34 the very light grey? (I had the same in an E36) = very Miami Vice

Something else I thought about was plate frames. Not sure of the cost, but would look sharp. Would really corner the market if you could do euro ones too...

Thanks everyone for your help. I guess its just a matter of sitting down doing some research then spending a couple of days pounding the streets... Parnell is sounding good, but we are wanting to pay $200 per room max

Lookin' sharp. Would love to see some interior photos!

I had some fun recently with an absolute tosser I sold something to. Refused to pay, accused me of being misleading in my ad and then proceeded to abuse me. A mate taught me a great trick to get revenge when all you have is an email address. Google free newsletters and cut and paste the wankers email address as many times as you see fit in the squillions of newsletters that pop. The only practicable solution is to send heaps of emails individually unsubscribing for each mailing list for them to get a new email address

That is a cheap car, but it seems strange to me that an "SE" has a 3-series steering wheel on it... No cruise or stereo controls from the wheel...

I note there a lot of people from Auckland who use Bimmersport, and was hoping some of you might be able to give me some assistance. I'm moving to Auckland in February to start work. There are two or three of us that would be looking for a house to rent or an apartment. Essentially, what i'm asking is what to expect, and what you would recommend. I'll be working in the CBD, have a car, but would prefer to walk to work, or catch a very quick bus. The other boys are of the same opinion, so it will need to be close. I've been recommend either Parnell or Ponsonby. Oh, and if its an apartment it will need a balcony and at least one carpark. How much would I be looking to pay for something half-pie decent? I've seached TradeMe properties, but prices seem to be all over the show. Are there any other areas I should look at? Thanks in advance, Jeremy

ALSO... People who post pointless comments on your auction, such as.... "Nice car bro, if only I had some spare cash at da mo" The standard $1 reserve questions... "Why you selling so cheap? What is wrong with it?" "Got a buy now?" BUT even worse, those that post comments undermining your sale, such as... "Bidders beware, you can buy these new for only $xxx" "People are bidding heaps for this, saw one sell last week for $1000 less"

Well I would always expect someone to pay up front for something. I'm not a bank or a finance company and thus do not offer payment terms. Money is still money, being a cheque or cash makes no difference (unless you are trying to evade the IRD) I think adding "cash" after an offer is attempted to take the "what the f**k are you on?" edge off a low-ballers request! Most ridiculous offers come from people who haven't even viewed the car, or spoken to you about it.

I'm sure this sought of thing has been done before, but TradeMe is now starting to drive me up the wall.... Things that seem to keep occurring when buying or selling things on TradeMe: 1. Silly questions asked when the answer is in the text of the auction. 2. The people who ask questions, especially stupid / obscure ones and never bid 3. Whenever someone makes an offer, they always add cash, e.g. "$3000 cash mate?". What else would you expect payment in? Dirt??? 4. People excessively listing everything they can think of as keywords, making it hard to wade through pages and pages of irrelevant stuff when searching out something in particular 5. Sellers profiting through excessive postage charges 6. People that don't pay, claiming it was their ten year old son bidding... Feel free to add some more of your own! These things do really get to me, but I guess its the price you pay for being able to easily buy or sell just about anything under the sun. My life would be quite different (and i'd get a lot more done in a day!) if TradeMe didn't exist. * EDIT - attempted to tidy up my spelling for Cain's sake.

I don't understand... 911 = motoring perfection.

Surely you should be able to pick one up somewhere relatively cheaply. I had one from an NZ e34 520i SE I owned a few years ago. At the time I replaced it with a CD player and put the Sony stereo on TradeMe for $20, had no interest, so binned it!

Looks like a really nice, clean, car. Will the M Parallel's from the 7 fit on this car? They would look really sharp. Then you would also have a nice set of wheels (current ones on the 528i) to help sell the 7. It must feel good to finally have something sorted after all that searching!

Congrats on the new purchase. Any more details or pics of the car for us?

NZ New 530i SE 99kms, steptronic, sunroof, PDC, multifunction s/wheel, towbar, full electrics etc etc A very nice car. Located in Dunedin. Very good buying at $20,000 If you want any more info, please PM me.

Are you still looking for these? A friend of mine had some (from a 03 E55), will enquire as to there whereabouts and price

I guess as an owner of one, you would say that...

I want some of what the seller is smoking! Dealers shouldn't have a 200% mark up!

Well, technically they shouldn't be cheap... Im a strong believer that $1 reserve brings out the true value of a vehicle

Oh, you will also need the obligatory peroxide blonde in the passenger seat