ssbmw

Maybe....!

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.

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.

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.

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....

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 ???

That is a special car - it is Gerry Hodges's (BMW car club president) old car, and until 18 months ago lived down the road down from me in Hamilton. Aesthetically similar to mine, - a hell red individual with red /black seats (mine are just black). Six speed manual - one of 57 manuals in right hand with the M60 4.0 engine. One of only 2 M60 manuals in NZ. Sits on 18" BBS LM rims that Gerry put on the car. Was it looking good? The previous owner had it for 3 years and put like 700 kms on the clock.

We have some pretty nice BMW's in NZ - both ///M's and non ///M's. This one is a great example of a special non- ///M. Stunning on your screen and just as compelling in the flesh. Good luck with the sale Boris!

Hi Sheldon, The L6's were not really available in NZ. The L6 was a vehicle designated for the USA as an alternative to their 'M6.' The L6's in reality were in fact the US version of what the UK got as a 635csi "Highline"- using the M30 3.5 engine. The Highlines were the last of the 635's - released from late 87-Mar 89 and ultimately were the same car but had revised bumpers with less chrome and something like 27 square metres of leather including the top of dash-boards/doors, and head-lining. Ultimately, designed to 'modernise' the model before they were deleted. In NZ and Australia, the last of them were called 'Halflines' and that they did not share the leather dash-board tops as they were shown to deteriorate in countries with harsh sun-light. As for maintenance, most independent specialists are adept at working on them. My 635csi highline was looked after by BM workshop exclusively -who looked after the generic issues such as servicing, maintenance on parts such as suspension, etc. The engines are relatively hardy, but the gear-boxes (most of the 635csi's were automatic) are prone to cause a few issues with age, and of course these things have the propensity to rust. All parts are generally available. If you need any further help, I know of people who own these cars and can help you. There are approximately 5 ex UK Highlines in NZ and about the same number which are NZ new Half-lines. Regards.

A very good price - especially considering the relatively low-mileage. Didn't it reach around $11.5k last time (on auction)?

I agree with you, but the sad point is that there are alot of people who would love to buy an M5 but are paranoid of the costs associated with running a high mileage E34 M5. If you look at the market of the last few years there are alot of high k M5's which are selling for around the same price as a 540is.. My friend who recently sold his E34 M5 (which was a daily driver) was spending $5k / year to keep it on the road - a M60 powered E34 probably wouldn't cost that much. Some people just wouldn't touch an older, high-mileage M power car, despite their perceived collectability. Additionally, those in the know realise the 540is doesn't give too much in terms of out-right performance. So as the cars get older, I think they sort of end up roughly in the same price-bracket....

Hi there, that car sounds nice. To be honest, not sure that it would have appreciated, probably more likely to hold it's value. Sort of niche car, alot of people don't know about them, so sometimes a punter flicks it off for peanuts, thinking it's an old car with a manual gear-box (sort of what happened here in Dunedin when the owner of this car acquired it).. However, for those who are cognizant of it's niche status, would possibly pay between $8-$16k depending on age and mileage (based on sales over the last 2 years or so). I think they have depreciated out and provided they are loved and maintained, they will always be worth around this money - kind of line with it's M-powered sibling, the E34 M5 (unless it is a super-rare 3.8). Just my thoughts...

Mmmm.... I know what you mean.....however I still think that is a fair price though yeah? Moderate k's, good provenance, relatively rare, etc. A similar 230km car example sold in January for sub $10k and I thought that was a burglary. This seems pretty fair (in my opinion). Most of these E34's (M5's ,540is's, 535is's) have clocked inter-planetary mileages these days. I think what he wants is very justifiable (just presenting my opinion).

Yeah, there was a guy called Stephan from Sweden who contacted this site a couple of years ago and he is a e34 540i 6-speed oracle and he came up with 4 NZ new Hell red 540i Sport 6 speeds.. There is one in Hawkes bay that is part of a collection which has 230 kms on the clock, this one in Dunedin, another one that was for sale at Global Prestige a few years ago (and it was definitely not either of the above). Last but not least, Stephan stated that there was a 1996 red 540is that in 2009 had 17,000 kms on the clock! Either way, this is a fun car. From my perspective, those arches have to be filled up with some bigger rubber- it would look spectacular with some 17" style 5's or M-Parallel 18" wheels. 535is's and 540is's are both very cool cars. However, the 540is is more competitive with a E34 M5!

That's right there were 343 3.8 M5's made for the right hand drive market. 204 were with 5 speed gear-boxes 139 were made with 6 speed.

Good luck with the sale mate. I have two friends who have these cars and they are superb vehicles. I have a question- do you know what wheels you car came with? Nearly all of them came with Style 5 wheels - i.e like the wheels in the photo above with my 8 and friend's 540is...

Hi Sam, where are these cars? What are they like? Interesting stuff....wonder if any out of the two are the 6-speeds?

Yes that was a 92' in Avus blue and had cloth interior. Was in Wanganui until 18 months to 2 years ago and has now moved to Auckland- owned by a fellow Bimmersporter who is a BM enthusiast.

Believe me, tracking would be the last thing Adas would do to his cars! Then again, I don't think I'm too fond of doing it too! Unless I had a car designated for the track, and I don't.

Looks like it has been sold....!

Yep, that's the car- one of three in NZ in white (that we know of ).

BTW - Has there been a get-together like this before in NZ (where you have a E34 M5, E39 M5, and a E60 M5) all in one place??

Hi guys, This is my buddy's car and as you can see it is a splendid example of a very special M5 - the E34. I hope this car goes to a good home as it has been the owner's pride and enjoy over the last five years. Despite being a daily driver, it has been maintained impeccably- a testament to the owner's fanaticism. Bob Harper, BMW Car (UK) magazine's editor has recently acquired his second E34 M5. Even though he has driven the best by BMW M over the years, he states that the E34 M5 is one of the best. For those of you who have always aspired to own of these cars, here is your opportunity to buy one of the best in NZ and striking in white.

Ah yes, do you mean the Royal blue M6 with Style-5 wheels? I know that car very well - it has the rare m-technic body-kit... If it is the same car it was owned by Gerry Hodges BMW CC chairman in the 90's.... Lovely car.....