DaveO

I must say that when its cold its very hard to shift to 2nd, but then again I haven't driven many manual BMWs so hard to compare, will let you know in a week once I'm more used to it. Brand new gearbox oil only 5000km ago too. When you say brave, does it not fully work every time? Cheers

So I rang BMW this morning and asked about using GULL FORCE 10 (98) in my M5, they said no. I then asked about running 95 octane, they said not recommended. So I had to drive 10mins along the motorway to the Drury BP just to get gas, a little inconvenient (but the drive was enjoyable ). I normally always use 98, but have been using GULL 98 lately in my 530i which has been good. I obviously will listen to what BMW have said, but has anyone else here with E39 M5 used gull fuel or 95 regularly? As you can see the colour changes in the direct light, most of the time though in the shade its a nicer darker colour that the trademe listing (as seen in my photos), then in the sunlight it changes to a kind of bluey grey lighter colour. Loving it, and loving the fact its the only M5 in NZ in this colour. Also, due to some dead pixels on my head-unit, I cannot figure out a few things. It is one of the BMW professional ones (compared to my old bmw business), and has some sort of DSC. My entire bottom row of pixels are un-readable though, and am finding it difficult to know which buttons to press, might need to get this fixed and/or compare to a working one the same. Also part of this is adjusting my annoying 110kph speed limit warning. Does anyone know of anyone out there who can repair the dead pixels on the headunit? Also looking for a good auto electrician or install place to move across my DICE unit, ipod cable, and install a sub+amp for me, and put in a hard-wire cable for my Valentine 1 radar. Cheers guys

Soichi would charge a lot more than $90 each thats the only problem, due to taking longer because hub vs roller

Hahahaha funny.

Thanks guys! Yep kept the P-Plate [ V8M ]. Yeah I'm keen to bring it to a meet / dyno day. Especially a dyno day - when's the next club one and how much is the usual cost? Which dyno do you guys normally use?

Thanks guys, yeah I'm really enjoying the colour, something new from my blue one. A few things need doing, all of them minor though, like a tiny bit of stitching on the drivers seat needs fixing, a few dead pixels on the head-deck, a small paintless dent removal job on the bonnet. I'll get it all fixed up over the next little while. I noticed a bit of oil around the diff when I put it on a hoist, but not leaking any, maybe it was over-filled or maybe a seal is going, but will need to monitor it. Everything else on the car feels great Will be going in somewhere for a WOF/service in october and will get them to check it all over.

Weather was rubbish all day so didn't get any proper photos but here is a teaser:

Details and photos to come... Picked it up today (21/09/2013). BMW M5 E39 Built 24 July 2000 Anthracite Grey Metallic (only one in NZ)

Thanks everyone for your help in this thread. I have today bought a E39 M5, loving it Will make a build thread soon. Thread officially ended

Apparently what I was told is that in July 2000 they started using facelift headlights/taillights on some cars as BMW ran out of the older types. However the car is not a facelift in other respects such as the steering wheel.

Back off people, gonna go check it out today. Does anyone know this guys phone number, he has only available on email via trademe. Cheers guys - thanks for the shoutout Tristan!

Yeah, this is my current interior and I really love it. Thicker steering wheel (correct: same as e46 m3), nice trim etc. What I mentioned about the seats, if you compare to the blue one on trademe, it has those lines going down the seats (which as you mentioned is possibly 'heritage' style), I think I prefer my current set up. After hearing about the engine vanos changes as well in the facelift, I think I'll wait til I find a 2002/2003 model (if I ever find one)

Cheers mate, I have indeed seen that one on trademe, was told I could buy it for 26.5k. (I wonder if I could get for less if the guy is on these forums ?) I had really hoped for a 2002/2003 (facelift one) as the changes made in the facelift really appeal to me. Even things like the leather seats are different, steering wheel thinner, non-LED taillights) Also the kilometers are fairly high (I understand what has been said about a well maintained high km one being better than poorly maintained low km one). However, as someone mentioned, this one would likely hardly depreciate at all, as long as I keep up the maintenance and condition of the car (which I would). I might go check it out sometime this week.

Haha, damn, don't tell me about crashed ones :'( Does anyone on here own a Maserati Quattroporte? They are in the exact same price range as E60 M5.

Have taken on board all the suggestions above. Many thanks. I looked into importing one under SIV (special interest vehicles), of which VTNZ allow 200 per year. This years allocation is already used up, and the queue for next years allocation is almost full apparently. Not to mention that I would need to find a perfect rust-free example from UK or similar, which could prove difficult. I hear what you're all saying about the E39 M5 - for me this would be IDEAL! I am a 'driver' and drive my cars properly (my other car is a 400hp nissan drift car, and have been to the race track many times). This is kind of why the fuel economy and 'harsh' gear shifts of the E60 doesn't really bother me. However the fact there is no manual option and the fact its common and 'ugly' don't appeal to me in the slightest. I really only considered it because I, as well as many others it seems, have been on the look out for the E39 M5 of my dreams for a very long time now. - All you guys posting who have one... DAMN YOU Will keep looking around - I kind of regret not buying Tristan's blue M3 a few weeks ago :\

Good point! I guess with having so few to look at on Trademe etc that it is hard for me to compare prices of old vs new ones (in e39 shape). Almost saved enough money now for E60 M5. Is this worth considering? Has anyone here gone from E39 M5 to E60 M5? Your thoughts?

I looked at this however my understanding is that these cars no longer meet frontal impact laws and cannot be complied and road registered in NZ any more? - can someone please confirm? I agree with you guys regarding the km's of a certain car. From what I have test driven - 2005 BMW M3 UK Import with 50,000 km on the clock - interior was damaged and worn, car had significant rust underneath and engine bay rust, some of the electrics like outside temperature and range etc did not work. Compared with my current 2003 530i 130,000 kms NZ NEW, which is absolutely perfect in every way - everything works. And going back to my older cars, a couple have ticked over 200,000km with no issues. I currently do around 25,000 - 30,000 km a year in my car, and ideally like to keep a car for 2-3 years. The problem I see with buying a higher km car is that by the time I'm finished with it, it will be over 200,000 km and from what I can tell, these are very hard to sell and unappealing to most buyers. As I mentioned anyway - I am open to discussion over higher km examples too, especially NZ New with full service history. Cheers

Sounds like the situation I am in! Would consider facelift M3 e46 also. Thanks

I tend to agree with you personally, having owned many cars of various "km's on the clock". My main concern is the re-sale ability in say 2-3 years time. It is a shame though.

Hey man, where abouts in Auckland are you located?

I realize how rare this will be to find. It doesn't HAVE to be under 100,000 kms, however, I do around 25,000kms to 30,000km per year driving for work/personal life. Ideally I like to keep my cars at least two years, so, ideally under 100,000kms means I can sell it in two years time at around 150,000km. I've looked at a few E46 M3's from the UK, however my findings is that most were very rusty underneath the car, on the exhaust, all under-car bolts, engine bay bolts rusty etc. Plus MPH speedo annoyed me, as well as other electrical issues. I'm willing to wait to find the right one. Currently driving a quite nice le mans blue 2003 530i M individual, so it's not the end of the world.

bump, I know they are rare, would consider higher km's options I guess but prefer not to.

Nice car Roo! needs more low

Hey guys I am in the market for a 2002/2003 BMW M5 (e39) with less than 100,000 kms on the clock. Also looking for an E46 M3 (facelift only), NZ NEW, less than <100,000 km Let me know if you know of any for sale privately on david.roberts.nz@gmail.com Thanks David