hqstu

Couldn't think of a more suitable lockdown venue..

Good discussion and fair points whichever side (or middle) of the issue you sit at. It's just good that the forum can discuss such a topic. I'm lucky to own such a car, and have seen Brad's nice example the other day. I'd like to think they are worth a sh#t ton more than what recent sales suggest, but the NZ market is tiny. One can't compare offshore asking prices to NZ, it just doesn't work like that.. Supply / Demand. The purchase price is just the start of the "journey" with these incredible cars and if you are teetering on the brink for arguably the finest M car ever... I'd just say do it. Whether you paid 20 , 25, 32 or more, is really immaterial a few years down the track... just ask me...

Sorry but it has now sold.

Sorted with a bit of persuasion...

You're really living the dream aren't you... I shouldn't speak too soon... I've got 2 passenger seats doing the twist on my e39's... plus a LSD diff on the Monaro with misaligned internal splines after taking an axle out and inadvertently rotating the other axle... But yes.. all good fun.. and each one a learning experience... as I repeat to myself constantly...

SOLD I've been tinkering on this car for a friend. This car is part of a deceased estate and is now for sale. I've changed the oil filter housing gasket on the M54 engine as well as take care of a few other items that were not right (plus a good clean...). It has done 185,500km and servicing has been kept up as far as we can tell. There are no faults on display, it has good tyres, brakes, air con etc. Everything works as it should, except for 1 cupholder that does not spring out, it has to be pulled out. There is evidence on the car of minor indiscretions where judgement of gaps etc. has been lacking. But otherwise a pretty straight car. It is located in Hamilton and we're looking for $3000. Please pm me for further detail.

Well done, it'll be worth it...

Thought it was within 15% of reserve?

Nudge… new(er) back seat tonight...

I've had a bit of a search online including downloading the motor vehicle register. From what I can decipher this is the only Estoril Blue Clubsport with SMG in NZ. There is one other Clubsport SMG (carbon black I think) (and who knows if it's still SMG as many SMG's have been ruined by converting to three pedals...?), and a maybe an auto and/or manual or two. But yeah, very rare.

Great work and pictures - very satisfying job I'd expect, as you say, just take your time...

When you sort this out let the rest of the e39 world know ?

It's even got air conditioning and an automatic transmission, a rare beast indeed...

That's true - with my "shareholding" in FCP - they'd easily accomplish that

Now I'm confused, could you please tell me what "duty" is then please, how it is shown on an invoice from say DHL or Fedex, and how it differs from either GST or the import/biosecurity fees? I have never seen a line item stating "duty" or "tariff"? I understood the trigger for GST being charged was if the GST take would exceed $60. That was prior to 1 Dec of course.

Reading through some docs of govt websites, the only things that attract duty nowadays is some food, some liquor, some fuels. That's about it. There hasn't been any duty on auto parts for years as far as I understand things. There may well be import fees of various types for goods over $1000, but duty is all but history. I have parts awaiting pickup from my work... FCP Euro/via fedex, no GST charged.

Today I tackled the rear bush supporting the diff. What a sh*t of a job, even when I thought I had the right tools... much swearing and wailing as I broke a high tensile bolt and stripped the thread on another, punched myself in the cheek when the socket let go... getting the exhaust, sway bar, diff itself out was easy... I now know why I've been putting off this job for a few months...

...and somewhat irrational...

Yes we all know that Supercheap are far from and we all know what REPCO stands for... a comfortable duopoly thanks to big marketing budgets...

I alerted FCP Euro to this change a while ago now. I've just placed another order today and they did not charge GST... we'll see what happens as it crosses the border... Also emailed them about it and they replied that they will ask the shipping department for any "progress on this matter" On the news the other night it was stated that 372 companies worldwide had "signed up" to the requirement. That is 3/5ths of SFA and I predict chaos as all these packages arrive with no GST being paid? Will they try and collect it from us at the border? For all values? Down to $1? I suspect not...

Do as he says

Why the M badge delete? As far as I'm aware the NZ new m sports had them from new so "factory"? Mine is staying right where it is...

I bought a set of genuine front rotors for e39 530i from Coombes for $335 in August. I believe same as 540i.

As a SMG owner (Not M car, but 330 Magneti Marelli), I think it's quite misunderstood for what it actually is, and one day things may well come full circle...