ssbmw

Hi yes your are right. My 8 is one of only three manual 840 ci Sport's with the M62 engine (4.4) out of 1473 total made in RHD, and was the last one ever built (the other 2 M62 manuals live in the UK). Even with the M60 engine, the RHD manuals are rare (54 M60 manuals made out of 970 total). In NZ, there are two other manuals M60's that I know of. One is hell red with red/black individual leather (with red-head-lining too-this is Gerry Hodges's old car) and there is a Schnitzer in Estoril blue in Auckland. 4 odd years ago there was a Tobago blue Individual as well that sold in Hamilton for $24k. It was bought by an Aussie who shipped it back to Melbourne and sold it within a week for $40AUD (and it had like 225kms on the clock). How I would describe them is this - pretty effortless driving ; you feel comfortable in a ergonomic cockpit; everything feels solid and has effortless pick up. Even today it feels like a luxury cruiser which truly belies it's age. My car is completely original with 50 kms on the clock. It has full Motorsport spec's so has the body-kit /mirrors that first adorned the 850csi. Hell red, black leather with original style 5 wheels (which are my personal all-time fave wheel). Here is a pretty average pic.

The E31 8 series is an interesting one. I have always loved them since I was a teenager. These days I have a special one which I cherish very much. In their own way they are extremely beautiful and apart from having a snout similar to the iconic M1, they are totally unique for a BMW. 20 years have gone since the day they were launched and there hasn't been one car that BMW has launched showing distinct 8 series DNA. When I take my car on a nice day I get more scopes driving the 8 than any other BMW I have owned. Some people ask me whether it is a new car that BMW has just released! Bizarre. Problem is that they were given a bit of bad rap in the early days by the press because they are heavy cars which were not as chuckable as their M-powered predecessor, the M635csi, let alone any of the other M-power cars of their time. However, it was never meant to be. It is a coupe designed for long-distance cruising. In reality, they actually handle ok. Just not that nimble because of the heft. That coupled with the heavy costs of running them as parts are often bespoke and complex electronics (not to mention the costs of running a V12) has led to the earlier 850i and 850ci's to depreciate to next to nothing levels. This silver example has been on trademe for a long time and sadly seems to be priced off the mark. It appears to be a good example with nice colour and decent provenance. However in recent years there have been quite a few in the low ten to 20k mark territory. There have been some languishing around the low $20k mark for ever. Nice cars, but comparatively, the demand is just not there. People want a quicker, more modern car. Period. In my case however, I am a sad arse who just loves the big old school coupes!

Hi Max, I actually don't think a Highline spec 6 series added as much as weight as people think. I owned a Highline 635 and had driven 1/2 a dozen chrome-bumper 635's and I found there was no difference at all. I like them both, but I do like the extra luxury and modern look the Highlines provide. What colour is your 635? In essence, I personally think the Motorsport body-kit that was an option on E24's was tasteful unlike some of these heinous creations.

Notice the photos of the red car with the bonnet open has a V12? I can't recall what they were doing here - trialling the V12 before it was dropped into the E31? I remember reading about the reasoning behind having a v12 E24 - I suspect it was some sort of prototype in designing the E31 which was a pseudo replacement for the E24 Being a sad- arse E24 fan -my favourite BMW of all time (showing my age) I love their classic shape and I find that these body-kitted babies dilute the style. Give me a Highline E24 with style 5's any day.

Hi there, I was pretty sure they only made one (could be wrong) and it was never ever presented officially (not just because they canned the project) because it was not road-worthy (no head-lights etc) and looked a tad shoddy in the flesh. Evidently the tough economic times made it un-viable. Absolute shame. The eventual 850csi may have had it's engine massaged by Motorsport GMBH and had enhanced suspension but it would have been brilliant if it was badged as a ///M and had 550 ponies to play with like this baby did have. That was Diablo territory- a true supercar. I like BMW car magazine - I buy it monthly simply because of the quality of the articles, writers, and the overall presentation of the mag (great article on 20 years of the E31 2 months ago). Total BMW was once a worthy competitor but has had changes with their publishers and the quality has deteroriated.

Hi Clinton, I just bought a x3 3.0 petrol off these guys. Never saw this X5; this is very nice indeed. I too like the colour and the interior is sweet considering it is 8 years old and has done 120kms. These guys seem to get a few BM's on trade. Enjoying your 3.0d?

lHi there, I think this would be a good buy based on the rarity factor, but that's just me. I have a very close friend who has a immaculate 3.6. If you are interested, I can give you his details to get a idea of running costs. BTW- Bruce Miller, fellow member here and ex owner of a mint NZN 3.6 tells me that he has been informed by a Swede with a international register that there are 2-3 ex UK 3.8's in NZ as well. We are near certain however that this is the solitary NZN 3.8 in the country.

Just scoped Carjam and it states that it is a 3800cc engine.

I tried, but can't quite see. Looks like Avus on my computer screen. Non-electric seats?????? Never seen that on a E34 M5 before.

Many years ago Gerry Hodges told me that there was a blue 3.8 5-speed E34 M5 in Auckland. From what I gathered, it was the only NZN 3.8 E34 M5 in the country ( NZ not getting the latter 6-speed variants). I tried to track it down, but no one knew where this car was located. Well it has re-surfaced and it is for sale in Wanganui. Does that look like Avus blue to you guys? Pretty rare car and has got to be worth a little more than some of the 3.6's that have been for sale recently (if it is good nick) due to the rarity factor. Mileage is a little high but is actually about average compared to the other E34 M5's around the country. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-270420860.htm I am sure this will go to a good home. One of 204 5-speed 3.8's in RHD global, and the only NZN example.

Hi, Yes agreed that this maybe a compelling proposition based on the price, but it is a 730i! There have been NZN 745i's selling for like early to mid 20's over the last 6 months. OK, the mileage maybe lower on this one but at the end of the day all of these things appear to be depreciating even quicker than some of its predecessors. Superbly functional and extremely regal during their halcyon days, I am astounded how quickly they went from $250k to $25k!

Hi, I agree with you whole-heartedly. I think the E34 looks very proportionate and seems to be a balance between the earlier, boxy styles (E12 and E28) and the bigger modern styles. Maybe because BMW's got my attention during the 80's, I seem to have a connection with the designs from that era. I had a E34 535is once, and it was a superb car.

How seriously weird. Obscures the view of a seriously sought after car in the 80's. Not a big fan of the cars from Stuttgart but being a real 80's boy appreciate these things with their big brother, the 928.

Hi there, Interesting.....the guy owning this car should highlight it's service history. I have been watching this car for a few months or so because I am a E31 enthusiast, and one of the questions posed to the vendor was to do with service history. His response was that he had none. That coupled with the whole ambiguity regarding this car being in-correctly described as a 850csi(and there have been a flood of questions to do with that and the owner clearly had no idea why it had that badging when it was a stock standard 850i). Provenance is everything with these vehicles and if it has had a FSH, it should be highlighted. Otherwise, a ex Singapore 850 without a FSH maynot be that compelling- illustrated with the asking price being reduced by $10k. From a personal level, I think it is a cool looking car. Just not that sold on its wheels. BTW- your old boss has a nice car CV.

Hey Brent, As you say, probably the most compelling car in terms of looks is the Tobago Blue car. It is a ex Singapore car that was for sale 4-5 years ago at Tradin Post in Auckland for like 29k. The reason I like it is the fact that it is in a nice, rare colour and has the M-technic body-kit with M3 style mirrors that first appeared on the 850csi and Style 5's. As you know, with the 840Ci Sport's from 96-99, these features became standard. What I like about it is the complete originality, including the stereo. Apparently this is a relatively rare colour/ individual format but there were 2-3 in this colour at one stage in NZ. One of them was a 220km 6 -speed manual example that was bought by a expat Aussie for $25k at a yard in HAmilton in 2005, and a year later shipped back to Melboourne where he sold it for $40k AUD (within a week too). As for the rear-seats, yes, they fold down. Regards, SS

Hey Dylan. Great car man! Great choice in colour too. Is this the car that TMBMW has had for sale or is it Aaron Slight's old car? Irrespective, you have done well. The colour suits the car - the other colour I like them in is Estoril or Le Mans blue. I think they are a very special car. Unusual for a BMW in terms of style which is what makes it unique. Even the Z4 M doesn't really have the quirkiness of the original. I have driven one and I know the buzz you will be experiencing; tons of traction around the corners and fantastic power /weight. Congrats. Even they have dropped back in price alot over the last 2-3 years, they will hold a certain value in years to come because of the rarity factor (imho).

In my opinion I think the market has changed alot in the last year- these cars are sitting around at $29k, $33k , $40k, and $50k respectively (priced according to mileage). Some of them have been marketed for quite awhile. My thoughts are that they are all out of sync by $5k or so (and the most expensive by even more than $5k). E39 M5's are ridiculously good cars, but I think like the E46 M3, there has been a shift in what prospective buyers believe they are now worth. Irrespective of colour, spec, etc. , they seem to be sitting around for alot longer than they did a year back or so. Thoughts?

I actually asked Stephan to send this question through to us as he asked the same question of a M635 mate of mine in Melbourne who forwarded the query to me. Do you guys know where some of these cars are? This is what I know: 2 of the avus blau cars are in Auckland -one has the plate blu m5 and has a huge, noisy, tunnel-like exhaust and was for sale in Glenfield 4-5 years ago. The other blue Auckland car has around 260 kms and gets work done at BM workshop in Botany. The last avus blu car is a minter and was documented on this site when it came up for sale in CCh recently at A & S. All have Style 5's and only have a solitary m badge on the rear. The three technoviolet examples - Simon's in HB, the one in Auckland which was ex -WBOP and is also owned by one our members here (is it Hell BM?), and wasn't the other violet car owned by someone's uncle in Auckland and discussed some time in the last year?? (Without the Style 5's). I know of a beautiful hell rot example that was for sale at Beech European 4-5 years ago, and there is one in Hamilton as well - not sure if it is the same car......style 5's and 540i badging on the rear. Stunning in red too. Does anyone know of the the freak low km hell rot example? 17,ooo kms - it would have to be an ocassional weekend driver.... Wow! I knew of Cain's old Calypso 540 LE as well. It will be interesting if any of you know where some of these other cars are around the country.... SS

Hey mate, where did you see this M6? In Dunedin? Is it a nice one? Body, interior ok? Is it for sale? Do you know which dealer? Sorry to bombard with questions - I am a M6 fan.... Regards, SS

Hi there, yeah this car has in fact been discussed before. That's cool. It is a good lookinmg car. As mentioned before, it has been 'brought back' as it was looking a tad tired when it was sold by Tony Ramlose from TWR a few years ago. Looks great now. It is a genuine M6 with M-tech bodykit (which is rare) and has a Schnitzer exhaust. Desirable colour and the wheels look great. From memory I think the car was lowered slightly. However, the thing I find odd is that it has a 635csi economy guage on the dash and doesn't have the ///m logo under the speedometer/ tachometer. A genuine M635csi should. These LHD imports don't seem to be moving. Where is the right price zone - $15-$18k?

Hi mate, I have found sourcing metric tyres frustrating for E24's in the past. At one stage the story I heard was that Michelin were doing a batch once a year and as a consequence they were scarce and expensive. I recall being quoted $800 a corner 6-7 years ago. As mentioned, there is a guy selling them for $120 / tyre on the NZ BMW car club website. That is a bargain. Something to be aware of, I once bought some that had obviously been sitting around for awhile and they were hard and made alot of noise. Some people say they are a bit suss in the wet, but I have always found them ok (and to be fair I am a sad arse who doesn't drive my bmw's in the rain). If you want to make your vehicle completely original, I guess you will need them.

I this one of the I-hug founder's cars? There was one of these at NZ concours 2-3 years ago? From what I can recall if it is the same vehicle, he bought it while he lived there for a while and shipped it over. It was on t/me a year a go for $200k and was being sold privately. If it is the same car, maybe TMBMW are selling it on behalf or maybe they have done a trade with the owner. Irrespective, it is seriously cool car imho, paying homage to the iconic 507.

Hey there, my old pride and joy. See below:

Yo Brooke, I am pretty sure you saw me - it was 3-4 months ago and I live around that area. Mine is a manual 840ci sport and I recall driving into town that day. I am pretty sure the other car was a 850i in the same colour. My 8 only comes out on a nice day but everytime I do, it is one of the highlights of the week. Regards, SS