ssbmw

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.

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.

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).

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!

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.'

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