ssbmw

1 hour ago, APT said:

Hey guys, 

Just wanted to update this, I've purchased this car - it needs a some TLC but it has been very well taken care of mechanically (BM Workshop history) previous owner is an absolute legend and BMW enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge.

I will admit it took some convincing for him to sell the car but happy i got it over the line. 

Congratulations mate, AT is one of those true BMW enthusiasts who was fanatical about the brand before it became what it is today. He is was part of the scene when Ross Jensen had the agency to import BMW’s into NZ and has so much knowledge about cars and people who had them in the early days. He is an Alpina enthusiast but has owned some seriously good examples of other lovely BMW’s . I bought a 1989 535is off him in 2000 - and we subsequently became friends. A fountain of knowledge and has advised me over the years on E24’s, E34’s and E31’s. He once let me take this car for a drive … despite already clocking some inter-galactic miles, it drove beautifully. Great car and lovely man. Congrats again! 

 

 

Gorgeous car though. Wonder how this goes with the M suspension - the e39 540i Motorsport was such a good car… I had a boss in 2001 who thought his was actually a M5 because it went so well! 

Looking at the spec sheet, it is a desirable e38 with Motorsport suspension / body kit etc. nice car. Factory spec’d with M parallels. The ‘Schnitzer’ packages were available by the marketing department to make cars even more compelling…. Just like the marketing department placed an ///m badge on the back of E34 540i sport six speed manuals or m badges on a E39 540 Motorsport- the solitary M badge makes the car more marketable than a car badged ‘540i.’

in this case, this is missing the wheels, the pedals, the gear shift, - it is bereft of a few things that would make it a fully blown Ac Schnitzer S7

On 5/2/2024 at 12:26 AM, Driftit said:

Seen this car many times over the years. Always well kept. 

Seems way too cheap. 

1989 BMW 535i Alpina B10 https://www.trademe.co.nz/4686601122

This is a fine car. Owned by a friend who I met over 20 years ago when I bought a lovely 535is from him. An enthusiast who gave me so much knowledge about the brand from the 70's and 80's. He has had some fabulous cars from that period. I saw this car on the courtyard at Clark's in Parnell in 2000. Lovely car - Ex Sytner Alpina car - their agents in the UK.  Drove it many years ago - incredible handling - truly belied its mileage. Special car from that era when Alpina was making cars as good or better than BMW M. Never had Alpina decals. Not sure why. 

Yes been advertised over the last few months 

Yes, the other e39 M5 we know of with ‘comfort seats’ is the pre LCI version in Imola red that resides in Auckland. Interestingly enough, the black leather / titanium trim has become the most popular option to have amongst the 2nd hand market. Titanium trim was originally the ‘poverty pack’ option. 

20 hours ago, Simca said:

Here's the reason that m5 is so rough: it sat outside with the window slightly open for about 3 or so years. Found it there 5 years ago and knocked on the door and the guy didn't want to sell.

 

At that point it had already been there for 2 years i think because he said it wasn't running right. I told him to at least close the window but he seemed pretty grumpy.

Ironically, those who have seen the car in recent times claim that the exterior has been brought back to satisfactory levels - the interior, however, needs some love. From what I have heard about this cat was that he just drove his cars - and didn't care for their presentation. From personal opinion and experience, I think the E39 interiors are relatively resilient. Most of these cars have been cherished by multiple owners - and look good 25 years later.  Their build quality is solid. 

Actually the strut brace is missing on the M3 because this is actually a Dec 01 car- missed having a brace by 3 months. 

Haha! Great car! I had it offered twice and once @ $34k. Took it for a drive and the radiator blew. Took it as a bad omen! 

I think you are referring to  the example in Cosmos or Cirrus blue. Toy shop purchased it off a guy called Coventry who purchased it off Turners car auctions in the early 00’s. It was a nice car but suffered from being a UK car- it was rusty. It got semi- restored with a new paint job and had the all important timing chain replaced. It had about 120,000 miles and never got driven much after - and was always available for sale at the right price. 
To be fair, these are now 37-38 years old. They have been driven. There are like 3 examples with less than 125,000 km’s on the clock ( NZ new). The rest have all done -160-240,000 kms. There is one in the WBOP that has done like 320,000 kms! 
Hard to get get a really fresh example - and the low k examples have not been available for sale for 25 years plus.

The M635csi’s were my first love- and selling my old example (number 312 /524) in Polaris silver was one of the saddest days in my life. 
I have a register of all the right hand cars made and am aware of most of the examples in NZ. If you want to track one one down, or need some info on a car in the future- please reach out! 

I agree with you. Even the Australian market which for many years commanded premium prices (due to the fact they received only 2 new vehicles new out of the 524 made in rhd) has cooled off. For many years they found it compelling to import M635’s from NZ. That isn’t going to happen with these types of prices. 
Was that silver M6 the example In Auckland? Possibly my old car. 

This car is one of the 20 or so that were exported to NZ, new in the 80’s. From about the late 90’s to the late 00’s they were marketed as a $30-$35k car. This one appeared for sale in Queenstown around 15 years ago for $30k. 
The market exploded for these internationally a few years ago, but the market has tapered off somewhat.

Completely original, great condition, and in a rare colour. Worth $170k - in NZ???

Interesting how it is being marketed by a dealer from Christchurch. It was owned by the infamous Cantabrian eye doctor who’s associates brokered a deal to sell it to a car enthusiast from Auckland a few months  ago. He in turn sold it to a friend of his in Auckland after a few weeks. Now up for sale again. The majority sold around the world were in Carbon black. However this is the only example in jet black known of the 35-40 sold in NZ new.  

12 hours ago, Vass said:

What the hell is up with those misaligned tailpipes? Cannot unsee it.

Funny you say that, I have seen this before on factory pipes, but this looks rather extreme! 

Looks nice. I drove one when near new and it was epic. If you buy one with all the big-ticket  expenses looked after, what’s not to like? 

10 hours ago, BreakMyWindow said:

I have the Hartge back boxes.

how do they sound?

59 minutes ago, MD13 said:

Have they blacked out the cluster display? HU looks a bit yuck also.

Do you mean the instrument dial should be grey? It’s because this is a pre facelift. Has some changes to modernize the look (has the newer steering wheel etc) but not the instrument dial. 

Huge issue in the US with flooded cars appearing for sale in different states. When I was looking for a E39 M5 came across a Philadelphia car that originated in Florida- and the price was compelling! Lemans Blau and the rare caramel leather. Lovely looking but had some suss looking stains on the the door skins. The PPI confirmed my suspicion- most likely water damaged. 
 

I know these cars have appreciated. However, this has some issues with the paint and being an ex UK, probably has some issues with rust. Interior not properly presented. Additionally, with the price being asked let’s hope it’s had it’s all important timing chain replaced (should be onto its 2nd replacement by now). Mine cost me $4k to do 20 years ago, what would it cost now? 
For that money, I’d expect this to be a fine example with excellent provenance / historic maintenance. 

4 hours ago, KwS said:

 

Wow…. I never read this thread before. So it’s a ‘bitsa’. There are a few like this already in NZ- including a green one that Guido from BM workshop created from transplanting the running gear from a wrecked e34 M5. 
Personally, think you are playing big money here for a vehicle with murky provenance. It’s hard enough selling a left hand drive in NZ - but when the provenance / history is suss, hard to justify the value. 

Hoping someone can enlighten me. Ran the vin and discovered that it is an early production E34 M5 that was built in late 1988. Additionally, the Vin indicates that she left the factory in black. So why now a 93’ and in blue? Arrived in Japan in 1993 and registered as a 93’, and at some point given a new colour? 

Either way (imho) a nice looking car! 
 

Does anyone know who bought it? 

The car market has gone berserk. This guy must have been influenced by the pricing of that M635csi for $170k currently. In my mind  over $100k on the current market value. Same with this M5. Bizarre- “EAG like” prices in NZ (with more mileage too).

16 hours ago, Sammo said:

Or you could buy this E24 for $170,000 and use the $40,000 leftover to buy an 1987 318i Sedan.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m6/listing/3457422795

This M6 was coated in rust in the early 00’s and was picked up at Turners for around $16k. Had some work on it since. Was for sale from time to time for around $50k since the mid 2000’s and was always deemed to be too expensive. 

2 hours ago, Blackie said:

The grey one has been offered for $38k. How do people feel about that?

I was bidding up till around $32k (reserve not met) which I was comfortable with, but I think if tipping towards $40k I would prefer to try and find an E36 or cheap E46 M3.

I personally think it is a fair offer. A six speed  with S70 m powered engine, suspension , etc with Schnitzer cosmetics is a very cool proposition. If the mechanics are in good condition and the vehicle goes as well as it looks I would find this rather compelling. Nigh on 400 Bhp!!!!!! 6 speed manual!! Ferrari Testarossa like power and looks! Just depends on your overall objective. Not sure it would be an easy sell because of its ‘bitzer’ back-ground. In Europe or USA, yes but not in NZ. Wouldn’t be an investment like a nice e36 M3- but a car you would have no fear about tracking and clocking up the mileage ( and would certainly attract lots of attention)!