ssbmw

That is a great shot, got it in high res?

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

All those cars look immaculate, especially the 8 and 6 series! Kinda off topic but whats gas like for the 840i? I've driven a 850i and around town you dont even want to look at the petrol gauge. Or on the motorway. Or anywhere..

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.

Hi guys,

Here is a photo of my friends lovely 88 635csi Highline, my 840ci sport and another buddy's E39 M5. We had just arrived very early on the first day of the BMW festival in January.

Just picked up the M5 today. It's frikn mint, so stoked! Turns out it is the same guy that ssbmw bought his E39 M5 off. Hoping to get to AKL by tomorrow mid arvo.

Hi Raj, Congrats mate! Well done. Enjoy your beast!

I didnt buy the E39, a good buddy of mine did. He tracked down the next owner who lived in Auckland and asked to buy it off him.

He then restored it to like new condition and sold it!!

Gidday Raj,

I suspect I know the owner of this car. Did he by chance mention owning an E39 M5 previously? About 5+ years ago there was a guy by the name of Stephen from Alexandra marketing his incredible Lemans blue 2002 E39 M5. That vehicle had clocked about 45,000k's or so, but had barely been driven by Stephen - the M5 was locked up for most of the time. The photos of that car were also in a similar area.

A friend of mine was keen on that E39 but missed out on it as it was purchased by a gentleman from Auckland.

My friend bought that car eventually from the owner in Auckland. The condition of that car was nothing short of superb. If this silver E60 is in the same type of condition, and I am sure it will be, it will be a good buy.

Incidentally, good on you trying to source a low k E60. I suspect with the E63's as well that it will be hard to snap up a low k example in years to come.

Hi guys,

So out of curiosity, does anybody know much about this car? Fascinated to know how a car like this ended up with Ferrari / Lambo type mileage (for its age). Extraordinary.

You'd think logically that a practical, versatile car like that would end up clocking decent mileage even if it was in a car collection.

These were evidently like $150k new in NZ.

Fascinating question - what would it be worth today?

Hey mate was this Andrew Bryant's car? If it is the same car, I think he owned it for a month before selling it to you?

Nice car!

I remember popping into his yard opposite Turner's Car auctions regularly around 2005-2006 and at once stage he was bring through an enormous amount of interesting 80's collectibles from Japan. There were a few E24's and E30's that looked and sounded like they had been neglected. I think most were purchased for racing.

This E24 has only had 37,000 km of travel. If it was in mint condition he could probably get big Euros for that type of mileage in Europe. I am figuring $30k in NZ maybe a tad excessive...

I am smitten. I saw a white f13 a few months ago here in Singapore and was blown away.

I think the F13 is a vast improvement on the E63; a car that was maligned in some people's eyes due to some elements of its design. Great car but the tail was bulbuous. The original 6 was perceived to be a pretty car of its time -thats not how people would have described the E63.

The M versions are always a little more 'aggro' than their lesser brethren. This thing looks sensational.

I want one, but it will have to wait. I think I need to save up to get a E63 M6 first- despite its faults....

Hi Simon,

I agree with what everyone has said above. The Style 5's are aesthetically a perfect option. I am a fan- I have owned 3 cars that have had style 5's.

Saying that, despite the superb looks, I am not thoroughly convinced they are 'perfect' for the E24. Considering all the trashy reviews you read about the old Michelin TRX metrics, I thought my 6's always 'felt' better when they had the factory wheels. Mind you, this is purely my opinion.

I have had the pleasure / privilege of driving over a dozen M635csi's, and the best ones I have ever driven had the original wheels (less thumpy and better feel). Another thing too- the Style 5's being bigger seem to place more stress on the suspension parts - my buddy Ross who is an esteemed BMW independent workshop owner is adamant that the bigger wheels have a part to play in the increase in wear and tear in the suspension. He has seen it happen a numerous times when a E24 has gone onto Style 5's.

It's funny- the Style 5's were launched in the early 90's and were new on E31's, E34's and later the E39's. However, despite that though, as everyone has alluded to, they kind of suit the 80's E24's and E28's (and probably sensational on a E26).

Appreciate the comments and yes agree its not ideal to replace with non-oem parts, especially 8er suspension components.

At the moment I have a long list of projects to bring the 8 upto a 'pristine' condition.

Priority at the moment is to address some minor leaks and minor mechanical work. I'm finding at the moment that being a UK import there is an issue with seized bolts underneath (although the underside has been apparently powder coated protected when in NZ by previous owner).

I've already spent considerable $$$ in 4 months of ownership due to this, so I had to look at a cost effective option to replace some bushes. However, I will replace with oem or Lemforder when I get to that stage again.

The love hate relationship has begun! However when in the drivers seat all the 'pain' goes away

Hi Greg,

I am also a E31 owner. I f you need any help or advice or need parts talk to Ross Lamb from BM Workshop Botany. Has worked on lots of 8's and is a good man (09) 271 6636. Regards, SS

No doubt there will be some sensational cars in the car-park too.

Hi Blair,

Nice car - I thought it was the Wellington car.

My friend owned his E39 M5 around a year or so. He is a car enthusiast and always wanted one - but it had to be in near-new condition. He tracked a car down that he had heard of that was owned by an Auckland lawyer. The car was purchased from him in fantastic condition. However, during his ownership he improved this car to a level that I would call show-room condition. It was incredible. Underside, everywhere. My friend though, satisfied with his handi-work then sold the car for possibly a bit more than you alluded to. I think he may have clocked less than a 1000kms on the car within a year. Anecdotally, sold to a guy in Howick who always wanted one and is thrilled to bits with his new acquisition too.

He has now bought a very nice top end Porsche which will be probably driven for a few 100kms, improved to like new, and then sold again. He loves his cars but sells them rapidly.

I think there was another Lemans blue E39 M5 for sale for awhile in Auckland for around the low $40k car mark. My friend looked at that but wasn't sold on it.

Another facelift 2003 blue example was bought by another friend in May. His car was bought in Hamilton - had 150,000kms but in very tidy condition . It replaced his E34 M5. His one has the blue/black interior. He is smitten by his car. Loves it.

Sounds like they get addictive!

Hi there Blair,

Lovely car, and a superb colour.

Was this the E39 M5 for sale in Wellington earlier this year or was it the one marketed out of Auckland? I am figuring it is one of the two. The one in Auckland was owned by a friend of mine who sold it with a personalised plate which makes me think this could be the Wellington car?

Either way congrats - what a beast!

I have another friend who bought one in Lemans blue this year. He is a M-power freak and waxes lyrical about his E39 M5 everytime we speak.

Well done. I would like to have one in the future.

Nice car! I dig the M-pars!

Out of curiosity does anybody know whether this was equipped with M-tec suspension? I see that it has the comfort seats opposed to the sport seats. I am assuming then that this is not a 540is?

Hi I found this recently.

If you love 80's Formula one, like classic M cars, or just love BMW's in general, you may like this.

Apparently at the time Nelson Piquet got given a special one -off M635csi with enlarged 3.7 motor putting out 330bhp as a gift from BMW motorsport.

The sound-track sounds like Jan Hammer or Tangerine Dream.

Could help if you understand some German. Fortunately Nelson speaks good English!

There is a really nice m635csi manual on Cleveland rd in Parnell, sounds wicked and has some nice deep dish bbs rims.

Gidday, pretty sure it is my old m635 (if in Polaris silver). It had a fantastic, raucous exhaust. Sat on style 5's and had the comparatively rare m-tech rear diffuser. Fun car - deceptively quick and entertaining.

Yep, they were all manuals, and compared to today's cars, even M's; the clutch's are industrial strength heavy.

I agree, this brown 635csi here looks lovely despite being one of the early ones. I think its the wheels. The car looks 'right.'

Spotted BM M6 in sylvia park on friday, looked tidy as!

Hey M,

That is my old M6. How are things? Neil been taking out the 8 much?

Sanj isn't this the same one that was on tardme earlier this year (minus the BBS's)?

Maybe....!

Jeff Gray (the man himself) and CEO Paul Ardin have a collection of very nice, very exclusive BMW's including mint 2002, the ex Ross Jensen M635, this car, and others that I have not yet seen, all are in as new condition, and used as display models at their various showrooms. I have seen this on e several times and it truely is as new.

Yeah my understanding was that they had some very special examples of classic BM's in their collection.

I know Gerry Hodges once had a mint violet E36 M3. I wonder whether this is the car. From memory his was devoid of a rear boot spoiler as well.

The ex Ross Jensen M635csi has an interesting history. I nearly bought that car twice over a period of 4 years. It has hardly been driven for the last 8 odd years.

Oops, what did i do?

I remember this car very well. Around 2004-2005 it was up for sale at Beech European in Parnell for around $60k (from memory). Not sure whether it was 'owned' by the dealership or whether it was being marketed on behalf on consignment. It was in very good condition back then.

Then it pops up at the Ellerslie Concours show and is presented in the circle as one of the cars competing in the overall competition. At that point it apparently had a expensive restoration. Incredible condition.

I saw a similar one for sale (red with same interior) 3-4 years ago in Australia and that went for $70k AUD.

How cool is this Lister?

Lister MKIII

Tres cool!

Yes, these guys have been around for the last year or so and have had articles penned about them in BMW car and Total BMW car magazine.

2 passionate guys who sell mint German classics. They sell on consignment too.

Over the last year or so they have helped some of these models 'appreciate' in value in the UK market by selling cars at un-precedented levels.

They sold a late-model E24 M6 for over 30k+ pounds, and had a E9 CSl for 50k pounds. Some E30 M3's were being marketed at extraordinary levels as well.

From memory, they have a team who works with them to restore cars too.

They are doing a great job - elevating interest in special BMW's from an era that helped the brand get to where it is today. They make no apology for their prices as they say they only sell excellent vehicles.

By doing what they do, they have also placed some pressure on Munich Legends - the iconic facility in the UK that has done a great job historically in marketing classic BMW's.

Yes i spoke to him last night and he told me about it, i remember seeing that car for the first time being about 8 or 9 and thinking it was a ferrari.

I was there for the food.....

Great answer man! yep, the food is always good at Erotica....

Yeah, your dad told me about the photo he took of the car in the 90's.

The interesting thing about this car is that it is a 95' build, came here in 96.' BMW NZ used it for awhile, and didn't get officially sold till 99.' Hence, alot of people thought it was a 4.4 M62 840ci Sports.

Rumour has it that the first owner put a huge rear spoiler on top of the boot and had the rims painted gold!

When Gerry bought the car he had all of that stuff removed....

Was the numberplate 840 V8 or V8 840? If so i saw this at erotica on saturday

Hi m,

This is the car your dad brought home for the weekend when you were a kid (in the mid to late 90's).

What were you doing at Erotica man ???