Avenged.SSE

Hiya, This has been a few months in ze making so here goes, I had an E39 2002 525i, wanted to upgrade to something with a bit more push and many, many more toys (me big fan of toys), so I sold it. The upgrade I was looking for was a 7 series (E65/66), mainly a 2002/2003 735i or 735ial, although would consider a 730i as I understand most toys are standard on the E65. Now... I do understand something like a 7 series is expensive to maintain (or so I've heard) so I figured I'd get something like mechanical insurance to sleep easy at night, and even thought maintenance would cost something like $2000 a year, that's ok as I would only keep it for around 12 months, so that's no biggie. I've been hearing more and more things about mechanical insurance being useless, not letting you claim for essentials and what not, which has caused me serious doubts, can anyone clarify how useful it is, and possibly what the best insurer would be? Second problem... Went to check out a 2003 735ial on friday, selling for upper 20k range. Soon as I got into car, I realised there was a problem with the gearbox, at which point I had serious doubts about the 7 series. It turned out the owner had sent it in for repairs and now it has come back, still with the problem. Is this problem likely to happen just out of the blue, and if I had mechanical insurance would it cover something like that? Basically I'm happy with maintenance of $2000ish per year, provided that's it, I would not want to pay something like $6000. Keeping in mind that I'm only planning on keeping the car for 8-12months, is it a really stupid idea to invest in the 7 series? Thanks a lot for all help and taking the time out to read my post! (which is starting to look more like an essay)

and on a similar note... if I do get one with the COMAND system installed but it lacks a map, any idea how much MB will charge (or the cheapest alternative for getting the map)?

too outta my price range mate! I'm looking at either a CLK240 or a CLK320, I'm having problems getting a hold of the guy with the 320, but that would be my preference, and that one comes with COMAND all set up and stuff. Do you know much about multifunction steering wheel adapters for aftermarket headunits?

Haven't purchased it yet, I'm just tossing between two atm, but it will either be a 2002 or 2003 one, so the new (W209) model. I was also considering buying an aftermarket entertainment thing as an easy fix and it seems (from skimming over) some MB forums that it's possible to get an adapter for multifunction steering wheel use. I was thinking something like this unit.... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-205604372.htm

Hiya, I was just wondering, if I wanted to get a COMAND screen type thing for the CLK (and it didn't come with one) 1) what will be the cheapest place to get it, and 2) is it easy/cheap to install or expensive? Thanks for all help!

Thanks a lot for the info! Now... I just need to find an E65! I noticed they were cropping up on turners for ridiculous price estimates (in the margin of $20k), but have stopped all of a sudden.

Whoa! so you're factoring in $4k for just pure maintenance?

I was also wondering about the servicing fee for an E65.... If I get comprehensive warranty cover when purchasing the car, wouldn't this cover all potential problems? i.e. wouldn't this minimize costs?

Looks pretty good for parts: + Sat Nav + Wheels + Leather + Multifunction steering wheel + Car phone + Possibly tyres + Clear Angel eyes/tailights all of that would be damn near $4.5k anyway!

Here's my listing: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-203016203.htm I was just wondering... one of the guys commenting on the car asked if it has such indicators/headlights because its really a 2001 model, is there a relation between year and indicator colour? I'm quite confused about it... I've seen quite a few 2003 E39s with orange indicators, it seems to me a larger amount of E39 520is have the clear ones than anything else.

I think this is just very subjective bro, there's nothing wrong with working relatively long hours at uni. It's still possible to work 16 hours a week, get anywhere between an A- to A+ average and still go out and drink on saturday night. It's not impossible - and I'm more than satisfied with the rewards. But it all depends on what's on your priority list - an E65 is pretty high on mine, so I see this sh*t as being worth it.

Here's a recipe: 1) Cut out majority of social ties, till you're left with something like two friends and/or a girlfriend. 2) Alternate your time between uni and work, that way you won't have spare time to waste money - not only will this save you money, but your marks will also go through the roof. 3) Don't settle for a minimum wage job. It's very possible to get paid $20 P/h. Now if you're doing 20 hrs p/w, 20x20 = 400. 4) Get the student loan $155 repayments - that's $555. 5) Scholarship, or try and squeeze some money out of your old by convincing them you're a worthy investment and the ROI is very high. I am currently starting my third year of uni, got a good 5-6 to go. I currently have a 02 525i, got a large share in the ES300 and about to upgrade the 525i to a 03 735i along with all the other crap, i.e. new cellphone, ipod etc. So it's simply a plain choice, you want to indulge in the uni lifestyle or you wanna come out with cash. Mind you - I never really saw it worthy getting the $155 so I just skipped that step and got a minor job on weekends to compensate. [Edit] Oh and I usually try and work full time between December - March.

I had a similar prob with the E39, sensor was dodgy, had to drive the car home, went limp in the middle of traffic! I was so lucky that the dude directly behind me turned out to be a BMW mechanic in his van who then towed me to his garage to fix it!

Just outta curiosity, how much would this cost for an E39? I'm having the same problem with mine and it's getting realllly annoying!

From a sales perspective, I think this idea will run BMW into the ground.

Hahahaha I love your plates!

What's the rationale for big rims and dark tints? to me it's just a sh*t magnet, not just in terms of police.

Hiya, I think it is about time I seriously try to sell me 525i! I was hoping you guys can help me with the pricing, as I've had it on trademe for a while and it ain't selling, so I'm wondering whether it's because I lack good pictures or it's wayyyy overpriced. So here we go: Silver BMW E39 525i + More or less immaculate condition on inside/outside + No mechincal/electrical problems whatsoever. + Service history from new (serviced regularly) + Singapore import (Never had any probs with it) + 103000kms milage + 2002 Model + Features = all standard E39 + Front/Back parking sensors, rear sunblinds. + 2 Keys/Manuals etcs + 2 Owners in its lifetime On my trademe listing I advertised that I am happy to let it go for $14500... what do you guys think? too high?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-198518017.htm Took me a few minutes to decipher what he's trying to get across. Moral of the story... stay in school! I thought he had not spelled his name correctly, but I guess Barrie could just be it.

Nah not cruise control mate, I'm talking about the actual limiter, you can set a limit, on the E39s it just beeps if you go over it and comes up with a warning on the pixel cluster, so you'll know when you're going faster than 109km/h, donno how it works in the new E65s, I donno whether it still beeps or whether you can actually electronically limit it. So if you own an E39/E65/E38 then setting a limit is only really 3-4 clicks away so there shouldn't really be any excuse for accidentally speeding!

Actually... shouldn't it be the other way round? Anyone with post 96 5/7 series has a speed limiter which can be easily set to 109km/h, hence when they speed, they are knowingly speeding (i.e. not accidentally).

The reason why I found it so cheap is comparing it to what's currently on trade me - whereby the cheapest motorsport 330CI is $26k

This thing - 330CI motorsport, 2002, 86000kms, 'B grade' which I can only imagine as being immaculate as I've seen their 'C grade' cars before and those look perfectly fine. http://www.turners.co.nz/Vehicles/Pages/Ve...amp;scrpage=sea

Never had any problem with police officers whatsoever. Never been pulled over or anything like that. I'm guessing that's probably because I don't look ghetto, my car isn't g'd up and I don't do anything stupid with it.

This may seem like dumbass question... but what's the point of having any M logos or symbols on a non-motorsport BMW? 1) People who don't know much about BMWs will not have a clue what it means and just ignore it. 2) People who are knowledgeable when it comes to BMWs will laugh at your sticker/symbol that tries (and horribly fails) at making your 318 look like a motorsport model, or better yet, the M3 badges on 318s are priceless