ssbmw

Hi mate, what happened to the euro plate called "hi line?" Graham's wife bought him that plate one Xmas. Did it not come with the car?

Hi mate, I am curious - (and I have forgotten)- what's the colour called ? Burgundy? When I bought the old girl she had done 83,000 miles. Everything was original except for the radio. I recall it had a HUGE folder of receipts and paperwork from its first owner - from memory a director of Laura Ashley in the UK. Paul Curran (ex car-dealer at Clarks on Stanley st) brought it in to NZ and sold it to Helen Clark of Hamilton. At some point it went back to Paul - he owned it whilst living on Waiheke. In late 99 I was living in Sydney and contacted Paul to track down the best 635csi he could find. 8-9 months later after looking at around 10 (including a 1983 identical coloured burgundy example) Paul told me he had found me the 'best 635csi' in NZ. I was doubtful when I saw the colour but I soon fell in love with it - and the condition it was in was simply outstanding. It had the original metric wheels back then which soon proved to be a nightmare sourcing rubber for- I recall once spending $700 for a tyre! Had no problems with the car during my ownership except for some minor suspension issues . I truly loved this car and during this time in my life spent hours every week grooming it. I sold it after I once took a M635csi out for a drive - I knew I had to get one. So I sold it, bought a 535is and 'hung in the weeds' until a M6 popped up (and one did pop up 6 months later). I sold your 6 to Oracle ex-sailor Graham Fleury who I say conservatively would have easily have spent 25k + on that car - adding staggered Style 5's (think $4k back in those days), had the car re-painted, had the interior re-trimmed at Retro, had the suspension done completely - including new springs / shocks, added a customised exhaust, chipped the engine, over-hauled the auto gear-box, etc. Graham said it was putting 240 bhp post-chip. He loved the car too - it certainly seems to have had some passionate owners. It was then sold at Giltraps around 5 years ago for $27k. The subsequent owner resided very close to a friend of mine in Mt Eden who saw it regularly. It was one of the few ex UK Highlines imported into NZ. From memory, there are two grey examples, a red one, and 2 black I know of. One popped up a few years ago for sale in Christchurch, and had very low miles but had encountered some minor damage whilst in storage due to the quakes. I have a close friend who has a beautiful black 88 highline. It is his pride and enjoy and is in marvellous condition too. Like me, it was his favourite car growing up. The NZ examples (88 / 89's) despite having the revised bumpers were called 'Half-lines' - identical to the Aussie spec examples in that they didn't have the leather dashboard. There are a similar number of NZ examples floating around too. I have some wonderful memories driving your car. It certainly caught people's attention back then too!

She's my old car- I owned her from 2000 -2002. It was my dream car since I first saw a 635csi in 1982. I know a lot about this car - it was imported by a lady called Helen Clark (not the one we know of) from Hamilton in the mid-90's. It's had a lot of money spent on it. I only drove it about 8-9000 k's in 2 years but it was my pride and enjoy until I had an opportunity to buy a M635csi which proved to be a totally different car! Well done - I think you are the third owner since my ownership. PM me if you want to know further about the car. It is one of about 6 Highline's in NZ but the only one in that hue. Enjoy it- she is a special car!

hi there, Keen to know about your dad's M6. Many years ago I put together a register of all the M6's in NZ. Not aware of your dad's car. Is it a NZ new vehicle? If it is in right hand drive, do you know what number it is out of the 524 made in right hand drive (the last 3 numbers of your vin will tell you)? Many years ago I got in touch with a guy in Sydney who just loved the E24's and was selling parts for 635csi's, M635csi's and 635csi Highlines. I bought some bits and pieces off him. Let me see if I can track his details down. Ross from BM workshop in Botany was otherwise able to get anything I needed. Otherwise the Big coupe website is a fountain of knowledge and some guys in Australia maybe able to help you. Brent on our site here is a parts specialist and should be able to help you. Cheers

Hi there, I have never seen this black E31 in the flesh. However, a friend of mine who owns the Tobago Blue E31 (that was for sale recently - as discussed here) took a photo of this car about 5 years ago when he saw it at the beach. I believe it is the last of only 3 4.4 840ci's that were delivered new to NZ. The interesting this about this car is that I believe that from around 97' most of the 840ci's were delivered with the M aero body kit first seen on the 850csi (with m tech two-prong mirrors). This vehicle doesn't have that, nor does it have sport seats. As for the registration being much later - as alluded to on a previous comment, these 8's hung around dealerships for a little while before they were sold. Case in point this vehicle, mine (registered new in 98' yet manufactured in March 96'). Gerry Hodges's old vehicle - manufactured in 1995 and registered new in 99.' Same thing applied to the M635si's in NZ - a lot of them didn't move from dealerships once the 87' stock market crash hit. Consequently, some 87's were registered as 88's, 89'etc. In actual fact, one 87 example in Cirrus blue (which represented BMW at the Ellerslie concours show) wasn't registered till 1990. Coming back to this black one for sale - sounds like a great car at a more than reasonably good price. If they have been looked after, and had the necessary maintenance work the 4.0 and 4.4 E31's are actually not that costly to run. However, you do have to do your due diligence and buy a good one. This one sounds like it has good provenance. Hope it goes to a good home.

Hi Greg, Thought it was the car that was for sale in the Hawkes Bay. A friend of mine owns the Tobago blue 840i for sale on trademe. It is a lovely car too - a rare individual with some Motorsport options. He spent 2 years looking at 8's before he bought that car. I do recall that your car had Style 5 wheels when it was for sale in the Hawkes Bay. How many wheels were damaged? Just my opinion but I think having them on the car would help the aesthetics - they are a beautiful set of wheels. Have any photos prior to the mishap? Yes the e34 M5's are lovely cars. The problem these days is that there are hardly any around for sale. There are approx 15 in NZ and like many modern classics now seem to be held onto by their owners. I hope you nab one over a Senator - however not sure it will be easy to secure one (a E34 M5). Would love to assist with spreading the word about your car - I know there is one gentleman on our site who was keen on getting a E31. I will try contacting him. Sadly I am not so interactive with the BMW community these days as I am domiciled out of Singapore. Good luck!

hi Greg, Good luck with the sale! Just wondering - is this the 4.4 that was for sale out of the Hawkes Bay around 2 years ago (owned by a Scotsman who moved here)? Kind of curious - obviously I am a E31 junkie and know of a few examples in NZ. A friend of mine is putting together a register of E31's in NZ - I am sure he'd like to know about your car. I saw your advert on trademe - looks like a nice car with some nice extra's. Don't know how many 4.4's live in NZ ; 3 were officially brought in by BMW NZ. However, I speculate there maybe another half dozen that were privately imported. Cheers.

Bruce, you remember this car don't you? This is one of the few NZ new examples and was previously owned by Jock who was a Bimmersporter here before it headed down to Rotorua for awhile. It subsequently appeared at Trading Post on Stanley st. Auckland for sale for $13k 4-5 years ago. It had done 200k+ at the time but was tidy. It is nigh on identical to my friend Adas's old E34 M5 - same cloth / leather interior and in Alpine white. I hope this car is saved. True, they are not worth much these days. However, they are rare and if brought back will still be a fun car for somebody out there.

To be honest I wouldn't say all 8's are expensive to run. Agreed, there are some parts are bespoke to the E31. However, if you have a m60 or M62 840, ownership is not that much more expensive than a E34 or E39 OK, my 840ci sport has comparatively low k's and under my ownership has been a relative garage queen. During the last 4 years of ownership however there has been minimal expenses beyond normal servicing. I have other friends too with E31's (840's). I am certain they would agree with my sentiments. In return you get a car which is quite a unique BMW, looks great, and is effortless to drive.

Hi Dylan, Near certain that the owner is not a member. He is however a true enthusiast and has a lovely car collection (mainly BMW). He is relatively low-key though, and despite his motoring passions is not too involved with the BMW fraternity.

The example for sale in Queenstown was Agate green. I think I know the car you are talking about in Delphin grey. My ex-boss from Hamilton had an ex-UK Delphin grey M635csi with style 5's until he sold it mid-last year. Guess where it lives now? Dunedin. If the car you saw at a dealership had cream leather and non-staggered style 5's - it is more than likely the same car. Not many in that colour combo either.

Hi Dylan, I know this car very well - it is currently owned by a school friend of mine who purchased it off another friend of mine and I have known this vehicle for around 10 years. This car was one of the first M635csi's brought into NZ and its first owner was ex- merchant banker David Richwhite. It was one of approx. 20 M635csi's that were delivered new to NZ. When the previous owner purchased this car he gave it a semi-restoration - it got new paint and got the leather re-done. He was an enthusiast (and so is the current owner - and I am actually surprised to see it for sale). In terms of what it is worth- $25-$35k is what you have had to pay in recent years for a NZ M6. They hardly come up for sale (NZ new examples). The UK examples tend to be sold between the $15-$25k mark and invariably have a few structural issues to deal with. This vehicle is being marketed at a slightly higher level. However, is in a desirable hue (and according to my knowledge, possibly the only arctic blau example in NZ) and has had some decent money spent on it. I have driven this car (5 years ago), and at the time drove very well. It is not perfect - it has done over 200,000 ks - however it is very difficult now to get ultra-mint examples with low k's. You may decide to hold out for a better example, but realistically how often do they come up for sale? One was marketed briefly out of Queenstown in January for $32k (NZ new with 175k's on the clock). Prior to that the last NZ example came up for sale in 2008. However, like anything, it is up to what the market thinks it is worth. I

Yes you are right- think it was for sale in Christchurch.

E24 M635csi E31 850csi or 840ci sport e39 M5

Sure Brent - I remember when it was in the workshop (at Guido's) being worked on, and know the history. I recall seeing it around Auckland quite a bit before it headed south.

hi Brent - nice acquisition. Is this Guido's old one ?

hi mate, If I am not wrong, the tyre you are talking about is the metric one that old school M6's came up with. Actually, if the tyre is in good nick, you will find a buyer for it (and the wheel too). Advertise them- some purist will want to have an extra one for their 80's car. Michelin are about the only people who still do the tyres. Even in their day they were hard to get and damn expensive.

To be fair Kyu, that car is not a genuine M6 - it is a 635csi with a M88/3 engine added by an ex owner in Japan. It is rare though to have a M88/3 engine with a slushbox in a E24 shell.

Congrats Peter, welcome to the e31 club. It is hard to get a nice one these days and yours would have to be one of the lowest k 8's in the southern hemisphere. Not sure what type of exhaust system is best for enhancing the soundtrack - mine is factory original. Calypso red was a popular colour with the E31 and yours looks immaculate. All the best, SS

Interesting watching these guys over the last few years. They certainly elevated the benchmark on perceived current values for a number of M cars. They had a E9 CSL batmobile for sale awhile back for 139,995 pounds. Because I had an interest in E24 M6's I was astonished they were wanting 40k pounds plus for ultra low k M6's and 20k pounds for 635csi Highlines (don't even get me started on E30 M3 prices). What happened ? ML got on the bandwagon too and elevated their prices for rare M's, and so did a few smaller players. All of a sudden the price had more than doubled for some rare M cars. The market has fallen back now. Some cars have been sitting around for a long time with huge price tags around their necks. These 4 star guys have definitely done a great job though. They have had some great inventory that even Munich Legends would be impressed with. Near certain though that a vast majority of their inventory is on consignment.

Here is a photo of V12csi with a couple of other 8's at a BMW car club event in Hamilton.

Hi there, i remember this car from many years ago when I saw it in Auckland. At the time the plate got me excited as I thought it was a genuine 850csi, not a 850i. I remember also when it for sale in Palmerston North from memory before Peter Bromley, Waikato BMW car club head, bought the car. After that I saw it regularly when Peter brought it along to car shows. Peter kept it in great condition. Quite tidy, note it has the front spoiler and rear diffuser from the 850csi (and later 840 ci sports). However strange that it doesn't have the m-style mirrors. Striking car in black. One thing I have noted is that for whatever reason most of the early 850i's most seem to be in Calypso red! Provided that it has had the work done and it and servicing should be a good buy for someone. From a personal level, I think I would replace the wheels with some M Parallels or Style 5's which I believe suit the car. Good luck if you go ahead and buy the car. The beauty of the 8 is that despite being nigh on 25 years old, the design still looks reasonably fresh.

Cheers Phil! Yeah the car photographed is one that you scoped out - it lived in HAmilton and was owned by a Prestige paint shop owner - hence the extraordinary paint work. Despite the mileage hovering around the 170k mark now it had a lot of work done a few years ago under warranty. The current owner drives it virtually every day, yet is on the ball in terms of getting things done and looking after it. The other E39 M5 that you were keen on was owned by another friend who sold has sold it to someone in Auckland. I like them too- the last M5 with 3 pedals! They are getting on a bit now, and there are comparatively few low k garage queens left (rare with any M5's anyway). Heck, but what a car. What makes the photo was the background light, and the fact the three very different colours all looked very good together! Cheers.

Hi mate - yes I do - more than 6 MB though! My buddy who owns the 6 also is a talented photographer!

hi mate- thanks - my mate (who took the photo) has the wonderful 6 - arguably one of the best in NZ. The 8 goes very well - effortless car - does everything very well. However, it has a 4.4 v8 - you don't buy a E31 to be fuel conscious ; however saying that a bit more fuel efficient than the V12. Cheers.