BEAMNN

Hey, as far as I am aware it is the 540is - that is what it has always been registered as and it is a 6spd, manual, etc. The documentation all adds up... ssbmw, it is very unlikely the old wheels were sold or anything else. My uncle is not someone who would have needed to do that for the money or otherwise... I'm wondering if he was 'down sold' at some point by someone at BMW who recognised their value although even this is unlikely as he is pretty hard to pull teh wool over. From the coversations that I have had this as good of a spec as was available to buy at the time... Perhaps they were out of Style 5's or just not my uncles cup-of-tea...

Thanks Simon. It was interesting to read that the 'hub caps' (bit of a lame term) were a cover to the 5-spoke wheels. My uncle said that the wheels on the car were a 540iS option only - does this seem correct? And I might have early onset memory loss but I could swear that it had the Style 5's when I first saw the car some 14 years ago and up until the last time (a couple of years back) but who knows... The throwing star wheels are nice!!!

Hi Ray, Nice work on the geography (we went for a bit of a drive from where my uncle lives and that is where we ended up). Do you (or anyone else) have pics of the M bumpers? Were these cars meant to come with them? I don't think they have been changed... Whats the LCM & what does it cost to replace? Also, I tried searching (google) for pics of throwing stars or style 5's but the pics were a bit ambiguos - does any one have pics? I totally agree with the clear lights package but I'm not sure I want to go changing the bumpers or wheels... In time who knows. Thanks a lot. PS: Don't worry, once my uncle decides on a replacement car, you'll certainly be inspecting this so I have an idea of maintenance (current & future). Too many good reports about your service quality, etc to ignore.

I think I've finally got this sorted and hopefully the photos below will show up...

Okay, I'm about to eat a little humble pie (and am prepared for the potential flaming) as a few of the original details I posted are a bit off... I hadn't seen the car in a few years (3-4) and during my recent conversation with my uncle we were skipping around between a lot of the cars he has owned so I got my wires crossed. The correct details are: 1995 540iS 6 speed manual with 92,000km on it. Purple in colour. 1 owner, NZ new. Black leather interior, sunroof and all the expected options. It has a 5 spoke style wheels (16") with 225/55/R16 tyres. It is completely factory standard. The interior is in very good condition and the exterior fairly good considering its age - there are a few scraps and a little scuffing but nothing major or overly obvious. It is currently registering 3 faults codes: Right Brake Light, Dip Beam & Number Plate Light (not exactly correct wording) however none of the 'faults' are actually faults which is weird... Other than that it is pretty mint and IMO suffering from under-use and should be passed on to me But I would say that. HELLBM, my apols, its not so much like yours as my original description was off. However it's still pretty cool & once mine you will definitely be seeing as I'm told there is only one place to take a BMW to. I do have some photos but I don't have any hosting, etc to be able to link to them... Any help here? So, any revision on the $10 - $15k mark given the above change in details? Thanks again to everyone who has let me know their thoughts. EDIT: Typo.

Hey Simon, Thanks for the info! I didn't see your post when I wrote the post above (odd/blind?!). You're right. The car looks just like what your car does in the pictures posted - less the rear spoiler. Other than that you wouldn't be able to tell them apart (although I have a feeling the wheels may be different but that could be early onset alzhemieirs). I appreciate your offer to be PM'd and I will likely take you up on the offer later this week - I'm trying t arrange to get some pics of the car & have a 'chat' with my uncle It has been really helpful being able to post the thread here and I do appreciate everyones input. I'd be stoked to bring the car 'into the club'... Its just a matter of time (him being able to mentally part with the car) and a price. So, easier said than done but we'll get there. Edit: typo

Sure thing, I'll get more details when I can. However, I'm hardly going to post info about getting in contact with my uncle without his permission and clearly I'd like to buy it! As I've said further up, I'll get photos next time I'm around the car as it is a little ways away from me. The reason for this thread is because there is no asking price on the car... We wanted to be fair to each other with the sale. My uncle has no idea what it worth other than its trade-in value and I haven't seen one for sale/sell to know what it is worth. Hence seeking the input of you guys here. What further details would you like? It is a fully optioned (excluding rear spoiler and car phone) e34 540is manual, sold NZ new and only ever had one owner. Full service history by a fastidious owner. It is that dark purple colour with the cream leather interior, maple trim etc. It has what I call basket weaver style wheels although I have been corrected on that one There are no modifications or changes from when it rolled out of the factory other than oil, etc and tyres. Anyway, as I've said. I'll be with the car in a week or two so will get some pictures then and post them up for all the 'non-believers'. This certainly is an interesting first experience within the forums... I didn't realise it would have people guessing the authenticity of the topic. I really appreciate all those who have given a price indication.

Who am I? What would you like to know? Long time member, first time poster Fair call about the 'forum tale' however I've got no reason to make any of it up... I just wanted some help/advice from those who have more knowledge than me in this field. Like I've said previously, no worries about the photos. I just have to wait until the next time I'm near the car - which could be a week or two... Thanks to everyone for their input re: price for the car. It has helped! Edit: keep the price indicators/feedback/input coming - the more info the better IMO.

Thanks all! & don't worry... it is not a case of me 'not wanting it'. I feel I would struggle to find a better example. It is more just a case of being fair to each other price-wise. However, if my uncle struggles to part with it and wants $20k+ I'll be sure to let you all know haha It really is an exciting prospect to own this car and 'join the club'. Thanks for everyone input and any further thoughts are always welcome.

Part of the appeal for me is that I know the owner and I know he is fastidious with his car maintenance (having owned BWM's, Ferrari's, etc) and nothing is left 'until next service' etc. For this reason I am more inclined to want to purchase this car over an M series or e39 of unknown history... (rightly or wrongly). The car is almost exactly the same as the pic of Simon*'s car here http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....0&hl=simon* However it has different wheels and no tints. Other than that there's nothing in it. Thanks Penry. I understand what you are saying and it is that which leads to our problem of what I should pay for the car and what is fair for my uncle... I'll work towards getting so pictures as soon as I see him.

Cheers Mark. Don't worry, I'm not expecting to make any money on the purchase & future sale (in fact I'm guessing it will cost a bit to maintain, run, etc). I just don't want to go from $15k to $6k-ish in the course of 12-24 months. I'll see what I can do about the photos. It is actually my uncle's car and he lives a wee ways away from me but I should be seeing him in the next week or two so hopefully he'll be sweet with taking some photos to post here. I have driven the car a few times and it certainly is an experience. It's hard not to fall for the car when at 15 (i think) on your restricted (the car is only about 1 year old) you are asked to drive the owners to a function & pick them up later - in between the car is yours... 15-ish years down the track and hopefully it will be mine... If he is happy with $10k I would be stoked... I'm still keen to hear anyone elses thoughts - thanks Creaver.

Cheers Dan. Its a tough one to guage as there appears to be a fair bit of difference between the auto and manual - am I right? For example, in this thread http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....0i#topicoptions the auto sold for $5,500 with similar km's. It looked like a mint car in good condition. I don't want to take too much of a hit down the track when it has 200,000+km on it and I need to sell it.

Cheers Mark. That sounds about right. A couple of years back (about 2-3) the owner enquired about trading the car in on another BMW and the dealer offered (I think) between $8k - $12k depending on which car he wanted to drive away in. Obviously he didn't go through with trading in the car (I think the idea of parting with a $150,000+ car for that sort of money didn't sit well). I am guessing that this sort of car doesn't depreciate too much if it remains in good condition? And that kms don't make too much difference to the value? Thanks again.

Hi All, I'd really appreciate any input that anyone 'in the know' (i.e. most of you) can give me regarding the following. I have the chance to purchase a 1994 540i e34 that is New Zealand new, one owner and best of all MANUAL! It has a full service history and has travelled around 140,000 km. It is in mint condition. It is that dark purple colour with light leather (cream?) interior and the basket weave wheels. Everything is completely factory original with the service history all being done by the BMW dealer. It is more-or-less faultless (a few supermarket dings). What I would like your help with is: WHAT IS IT WORTH? If you could give me a 'good buy', 'fair buy' and 'dealer' prices that would really help. It is owned by a family member and we both want to be fair to each other with the sale & purchase price. Thanks very much in advance.