jjs

When searching, type 535*. This will bring up 535, 535i, 535is etc etc

All this confusion IMHO errodes the desirability of a 325i M. I don't understand how something can be so "special" when all it is is a dealer add on kit. A E30 M3 gets my wheels spinning as it is a true purebred. I can't see the wow factor in a 325i M (and yes I have driven one)

Where are you based? Are you looking to export one?

Yeah there are a few, don't know numbers though. There used to be one for sale at a BMW dealer in Akl. Was green with green leather and i'm pretty sure they had it in stock for about a year!

It really does go to show that someday anything (well, nearly) could be yours for only $5k. I remember when I was about 6 years old and a family friend bought one new. It was like something out of the future and cost much more than the average house!

Sounds damn expensive to me. Im with state, insure my Audi 80 2.8Q for agreed value of $5k, im 22, and it costs me $320 per year with a $750 excess (as under 25) for comprehensive. I was recently looking at buying an 01 E39 530i, with agreed value of $20k insurance would have cost less than $500 per year. I do have the full no claims discount and live in Dunedin (less crime than Akl?), but it isn't garaged and no special alarm fitted.

Yeah nice set up...

At the end of the day, it would probably be cheaper just to ship it. Reduces the risk as well.

You've said no to other brands previously.... But just to throw it out there, i've noticed a lot of Audi Allroad's popping up for sale which are well priced. I've driven the 2.7T and they are very nice cars Good luck with the hunt!

Is the blue really that bad? A mate of mine has an Audi with similar interior. It does grow on you! What sought of offer were you thinking of making? If you could buy it somewhere in the mid to late twenties it would probably be the cheapest in the country! Did you end up going any further with the silver 99 NZ 540 on TM? That looks like a very good buy. There is also this 530i M/Sport listed recently (which im sure you have already seen)

Have been looking around and I seem to find lots of cheap, but high km 325i's and 328i's. Like this one. Has anyone done a manual conversion on a E36? Is it difficult to do? What is the rough cost? Cheers Jeremy

On second thoughts, if you got the car cheap enough, im sure you could find a way to live with it. As it sits, I can see why the dealer is struggling with it - its sale proof! Retrimming the seats in black leather and replacing the wood with silver inserts would make a big difference. As for the blue dash, shouldn't be a problem later down the track when you go to sell. Some boy racer will love "coz it lks custom n sh*t" I reckon you should hit him with a very low offer. The worst you can get back is "no"

Martyyn, I really think you should put this one in the too hard basket...

How long till its all finished?

Stumbled across this one on Trademe --> Link Higher kms, but NZ new, tidy and quite well priced

Yes it is amazing what these cars are going for. Something else I could never work out is pricing, how can the equivalent 3 series be worth more than a 7? 98 328i E46 - $17 TM link 98 528i - $14 TM Link 98 735i - $13 TM Link

Did you end up driving the car Bravo? Any more info for us?

Yeah, definately Protector Safety. We got a few sets for a weekend drinking session. Good times!

Well, each to their own I guess. Here are a few examples on TM NZ New 540i Dealers car, done 100km I work in the industry, and an E39 540i import travelled 160km + is really only $14,995 retail on a yard in todays market. So take into account yard profit and reconditioning a dealer would undertake and it leaves you somewhere in the area of $10k as a buy price. Cars take a real hammering once they have passed 150km as the good mechanical breakdown insurance policies can't be put on them. That value landslides even more when they hit 200km. I may be "low balling" but its a buyers market out there.

Even though it is very sneaky, you could always do a reg check and get in touch with the owner. That way they could answer your questions and you could also by pass the auction - getting a better deal for both of you. Im sure Turners wouldn't mind if you took it away for a few hours to be checked by a BMW workshop. They offered me an E39 for a few hours which I was looking at buying at Turners here in Dunedin. A word of caution with Turners. Find out if the car is listed on behalf of a private seller or a dealer. Be very wary of dealer cars. They usually find themselves at Turners because they cannot wholesale it, or won't put it on their yard due to knowing they will be bitten in the ass (under the CGA) as it has issues. As im sure you know, Turners cars are sold on a strict "as is where is" basis.

As far as I know, it will be general costmestic updates, i.e grill, alloys, steering wheel etc. I'm pretty sure the smaller engined autos were upgraded to a 5 speed and an updated vanos was added. As with any car, im in big favour of buying facelifts. After 5 years or so of the cars being on the market, the manufacturer will know the weak points and iron out any creases in the model.

IMHO for a 97 with those kms, its $10k max

BUMP Someone is going to get a bargain here, currently bid is only $1.50 and auction closes tomorrow....

If it is the car im thinking of, you better promise to get rid of the chrome bits on the lights before you drive it on the road!!!

Are you sure it has the one piece front headlights (like the one in the photo) or just aftermarket clears. Is it an import? What colour combination?