NZ BMW

I think there are a bunch of solutions where you replace the CD changer with a Bluetooth or USB input that you can run things off.

:fingers in ears: I can't hear you!

Good, that Mobil blend can stay in Wellington. You'd made me nervous as I'd filled a full tank from Mobil here in Auckland with their 98. On a related note I tried to fill up at the Z station in central Wellington over the summer and found that it did not sell anything other than 91....

I was going to ask if the wheel and airbag would fit my E70... safe to assume they've deployed!

Ugh that sucks, sorry to hear about this. on the topic of insurance over on the US forums you often hear about guys taking the total write off payout for their car and then repairing it. Does that ever happen here?

I've used Jenners before, they're out near the airport in Auckland. They seemed good but in terms of how often I bring stuff in, I prob don't know what good looks like!

I just love the supposed defence that other BMW fans effectively peer pressured him into it!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/customs-classics/92380717/462000-fraud-blamed-on-bmw-addiction An accountant in the US has lost his wife, children and even his freedom over claimed addiction to classic BMW cars. He blames BMW culture. "BMW enthusiasts are frequently programmed into an attitude that all other makes and models are inferior," Terrance says.

Or the other way around, when you get something in the mail to rego the car you traded last year... I thought dealers normally did all that paperwork.

I should have said "a similar car is on Trademe."

Well, this car is on Trademe to give you an idea of where things might be at. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1295974088.htm Given what you're saying, the car sounds solid. I would be surprised if you could get one of these that didn't need a bit of work to get it perfect to be honest. Good ones appear to be commanding equal if not more money than bottom of the spread E60 M5s, so that can give you an idea of how likely you are to pay over the market for one at whatever they're asking.

Given it has the flagpole attachments in the front fenders, I assume DC is a diplomatic prefix?

Looks very nice, those screens are interesting...

What's the hole to the right of the gearshifter? A 3.5mm audio jack or something?

The cup holders are not broken, great buy!

Picked these up cheap on trademe. Activated charcoal, so will see how that goes.

Wow, amazing car.

Wow, was that for front and back? That seems very reasonable. I'm also surprised that the price differential is so small between the dealer and another, independent workshop.

Well, if you go for the 550i you get the same engine as in the X5 V8 but it's not the de-tuned one. Why they did that is beyond me.

I think that's a pretty extreme example. There are lots of things I'm not comfortable with the pricing around. I either choose not to buy them or find alternatives. I guess my point is that there is more than one source for these things, if you don't want to pay the asking price at the dealership you can always ask for a discount or go elsewhere.

Stories like this always make me uneasy. Who's business is it what the margin is on the key? Trying to control what people can and can't charge or earn off a product...

Do you mind if I ask what the brake job was like in terms of cost? I think I'll have to do mine soon... trying to work out if I bring in the parts or not.

I ended up importing tyres in from the US, about half the price. I went with a Hankook SUV tyre about $1100 all up for the four of them purchased and to the depo for me to pick up. They are a non runflat and good for touring. In terms of handling, I notice very little difference between my E70 and a standard European sedan, I've just clicked over 80k in mine. They should not pitch to the point that it worries you. I drove a full Range Rover supercharged when looking and even with around 85kms on the clock it was very very boaty, the X5 is very different. Most BMW and Mercs I've owned needed significant suspension renewal at 100-120ks, so you might be feeling it there in that example.

One of my biggest complaints is how eager my X5 is to downshift and 'race car!' Even out of sports mode. It actually makes the car a bit more ruggard and agricultural in the way it feels when in reality the engine has loads of torque and power, espically around town. You can all rag on me for being a nana! That's where I think the Mercs really come into their own, especially if you can get the seven speed box like my old C Class had. But they are big and floaty feeling.

Out of interest who did the alignment?