ssbmw

Hey there, my understanding is that there was one 1992 3.8 that did arrive new in NZ, but it was a 5-speed. I have been told it is blue, lives in Wellington has around 200kms on the clock. For me, the E34 M5 is the ultimate - it has 3 pedals, is easy to drive, handles beautifully, and was the 1st truly balanced, powerful sedan with almost super-car performance. Rare too- only 800 odd in RHD (with 3.6 and 3.8), hand-built, and the ultimate Q-car. The E39 does the same and more, but in IMO, is not as unique. The E28 is a superb car, but today looks a tad boxy and looks old compared to the E34, even if there were only 187 built in RHD. The E60 is sensational, but for me personally, the new ///M's have lost the x-factor slightly. Superb yes, but not as unique as their pre-decessors.

Hi Phil, From what I have been able to gather, I understand that there were around 7 registered in 2002 and 2 in 2003. They will pop up, but it wouldn't surprise me if things are exchanging hands without ever being marketed because I have heard a few people have expressed an interest in them and have informed the dealerships to keep an eye out for them when they are in for trades. If you look at the ads, the ones that are up for sale are the early ones with 110-140kms. I think the buying zone for these cars is $30-$35k (IMO). No more.

I agree with you ; the facelifted ones are the ones to get. The best one for sale in recent times was the Le Mans blue one (2002) with black leather and 53kms that was for sale in South Otago. It sold to a guy in Auckland for $50k. The problem is trying to get a nice, low km example - a few people want them but they are scarce. Have you seen the HAmilton car? I thought the interior was pretty good for the mileage. The only concern were some scratches or marks on the metal surrounds around the gear-shift gaiter. Leather was pretty good. The one at Archibalds was marketed privately in Wellington about a year or 18 months ago. It was a little weathered looking then- I think it may have had a re-spray of the bonnet when it arrives at Archibalds. Silver is OK though - easy to keep clean! IMHO - the best colour is the blue.

Prices are very much in line with what E34 M5's were around 2000 when they were 10 years old - around $30-$35k. Fascinating thing is that there are only like 10-15 of E34's around and today they are worth $12-$15k. Will E39 M5's be the same price in 10 years time? There alot more of them (40+), and the engines are far more complex. Will they depreciate just as quick? SS

Hey by the way, funnily enough, check out the latest Classic and Sports car UK- there is a buying guide on the 400i/412. Regards, SS

Hey buddy, A friend of mine's father had arguably the best Ferrari 412 in NZ - a blue example that is now up for sale again on trademe for $95k in the capital. His is one of the later ones - I think they made them till around 89. His was a 87' and was picked up at the factory in Italy. His car was driven regularly but was still looked after immaculately over a number of years. Unlike Bimmers, Ferraris are relatively hefty when it comes to servicing. However, at around 50,000 kms , there was a major mechanical failure - this required a re-build to the value of $40k at Conti's in Auckland (unsure of the finer details). For along while I aspired to buy this car, but I have to say this re-build dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. His is a manual, and I remember reading that auto's can get notchy as the mileage clocks up. I personally have a soft spot for large 2+2 coupe's. I love the 400i / 412. Though it will never be perceived to be a classic Ferrari, it does (in my world (but I do drive a E31)) have nice lines. Even though it would be a garage queen if I owned one, I think the potential of having big bills would steer me away from purhasing one. I also have a soft spot for its descendant, the 456. Very nice. If you are interested to know more about owning one of these, I can contact my friends dad to get a complete low down (he did own it from new for 22 years). SS

Yeah not a bad price, but to be fair I think it has been marketed for not much more on and off over the last 4 years. I think it is an enigmatic car nice colour but had odd wheels and some strange after-market quirks like the odd shadow-lining around the grill and after-market skirts. I have heard that it needs a re-map (the owner told me a while back concerned about it), but I think it is a nice enough M6. Throw on some style 5's, and get rid of the skirts you have a pretty cool car. Mine was near identical, completely original though and with with blue leather. Number 98 for sale on trademe currently is aesthetically in better condition in the flesh. However, there has to be some issues resolved with this car. Look at the interior though - it is mint. It has been in storage for 13 years, and sadly, drives like it.

Hey Brent which M6 was this one? Was it the Polaris silver ex uk car with aftermarket side skirts?

It's got different seats to the E34 M5 - the head-rests seem to based on the E31's. Looks very nice, then again imo I think the E34 is a very clean, timeless shape.

Fabulous car, but mystifying price - probably 3 times what it should be marketed at.

Hi mate, Gerry Sorry sold this car like 3 odd years ago - he had it for sale on behalf at TMBMW and JCBMW. Car was like new. Fabulously well kept after. Car was sold for like $65k. However, not completely original- it has after market Simmons wheels, has an after-market exhaust and doesn't have the original BMW head unit. I think Gerry may still have the original exhaust. The mileage hasn't gone up too much and yet it has been for sale for $37k on t/me for the last several months. Great car, but I think the colour is not for everyone . They seemed to have dropped in value quickly - very much a niche car, and a few imports have come through. Can't be too many in this colour. Good value, but there are a few good value cars these days.

Talking about trade - ins ; do you suspect that this was traded for the 2002 E39 M5 that Archibalds had on their books until last week? Would seem to be an ideal step up from a nice E34 540is. SS

Hey man, valid point - these things are quick and with the E34 m5 it is a little lethargic comparatively until you hit the revs. The M60 is a solid engine. To be honest, the E34 M5 engine is pretty robust too as long as it has been serviced religiously and maintained. As long as you treat them well, they are pretty reliable. If there has been a horror story to tell (and I know of a friend whose 3.6 M power engine went pop when he was tracking his high-mileage M5) its usually when the car hasn't been looked after. Saying that, this is a compelling car. Just as rare as the E34 M5 in NZ. The price is higher than most M5's that have sold recently, but they have all had hefty mileage. I figure a E34 M5 in the same condition and milage would be a $20k+ car.

Hey man, I know that Cain's didn't have the rear m-tech valance or spoiler, but I have seen a few in Aussie that did. I have a mate who had a black one in Melbourne, and apart from the fact it hadn't have have the 18-inch m-parrallels nor the black piece of plastic that surrounds the boot key-lock, it looked identical to the 3.8 6-speed E34 M5's. From what I know, the 540LE is identical to the Canada only M54oi.

Wow, haven't heard of this one! Nice car....! There are two I know of in Auckland in the same colour. One of them has the plate Blu M5 which I haven't seen for awhile. It had an aftermarket exhaust so big one could almost crawl into it and it made a huge racket. I drove it when it was for sale around 4 years ago and it had like 190kms on the clock,. The other car seems to have has had a hard life over the last 4-5 years and I see it every so often at BM Workshop Botany. It has done like 220kms as well. Both have the style 5's. I saw the red 540is in Hamilton the other day. It has the plate M5r. Looks very tidy. Not too many low km examples around of these things. I know there was a debate about how these things are worth - especially in the light that their M-powered brothers are going for around $11-$15k (albeit with higher mileage), but I still feel a car like this should command near what they want by virtue of its condition. It looks fantastic. SS Great to see another lovely example around.

Hey guys, just to inform you, about 4 years ago a friend of mine and I had a look at this car. It is a fabulous example of the E34 M5. A very rare colour, I am near certain that it is one of 2 in Macao blue (or maybe the only one) in NZ. Not many of them have complete leather either. Compared to its 'younger brothers' with larger engines, these things are sturdy with less potentially to go wrong with them. The timing chain is duplex and the only thing that can be expensive when you keep it factory are the shocks. If it wasn't for the fact that I am focusing on getting a new car for my wife, I would be very keen on this vehicle. Like the E36 M3, these are ridiculously under-valued M cars. Good luck with the sale Bruce, it is a fabulous car you are selling. SS

Hi mate, from what I understand he actually owned 2 E31's one black and the other blue. The Blue one has now been traded and is up for sale on t/me. The black one has been sitting on his drive on Thomas Rd for like 2 weeks or so. Looks like a very tidy car - from memory from Singapore. The funny thing is that in April there were 5 E31's in Hamilton, all within a km or so of each other. Now there are three. Regards, SS

Hi there, There was a recent forum topic regarding the amount of E24's for sale. In a similar vein, there a few E31's for sale too. Check out this listing - I saw this car a few years ago and initially under the impression it was one of the super rare 850csi's until I saw that it only had 2 pedals. No doubt <someone> got excited and added the "V12" and "CSi" badgework. Irrespective, it seems like a very tidy example. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-244778331.htm SS [e - penry] come on now, we dont need to be making any guesses on who added the badges. Sorry about, didn't mean to be offensive - my wife is actually from that country and I know that they love decorating their cars with badges to add value to them. I made that assumption because that is where the car originated from. Seriously didn't mean to upset anyone!

The rev counter is right- redline is from 6500 rpm, however there is something suss (as mentioned before from memory) with the 'economy dial' below it- these are normally only on auto's. Not to mention, why is there no ///M logo on the dials?

Hey there Brent, Interesting it in terms of numbers of them available? In 2000 I wanted to get a 635csi and there were hardly any available back then. They have hit that point now where are few are getting a tad baggy and require a bit of work. In the big picture however, as you will no doubt agree, they are not too expensive to run provided they are structurally sound. Apart from auto gear-boxes that often require re-conditioning and generic suspension issues, they are pretty hardy. Unlike the M635csi's M88/3's issues with its timing chain, the 635csi's engine is pretty robust. Now that these things are 20 + years old, we will see an influx of imports like these LHd numbers coming up for sale. For example, check out this new listing: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-244840291.htm A great colour (Lachs silver) and rare velour interior, it looks like a great car. I have to say that I am confused that it is a 87' because the decal stripes are how the M635csi's looked like until 1985. Secondly the rubber spolier on the back appears to be the original rear spoiler which is not flush with the rear-boot like the spoiler on the other LHD white M6 for sale. I wonder if this could be an older car? As for the silver M6 you like, I have seen that car when it was in getting work done at my mate Ross Lamb's workshop in Botany. Looked reasonably straight. The side skirts are not M-tech like the rear M-tech apron is. I got the feeling that the 'shadow-line' treatment was after-market. The word however, is that it may be down on power. Seems to be a common problem on M88/3's that have been sitting around. I drove one recently that must have been putting out less than a standard 635csi's 218 BHP. My old one see the top (number 312 /524, NZ new) was Polaris silver too. Great colour in the E24. By the way, a little bird has told me that Ross Jensen's old M6 which has been for sale for 5 years has finally been sold and now resides in a private collection in Canterbury. One of the best examples of old school M6's in NZ

I think I have asked this question before but I am fascinated by how many E30 M3's appear to be in Nz. How many are do you reckon? Has anyone got a register of them? I am figuring there is about 40.

It is quite extraordinary how the Z3 M coupe seems to be in free-fall ; a good one seems to be around the $35k mark these days. Only 3-4 years ago they were around the $60 mark - case in point Gerry's old car; currently for sale. Whata car, and only like 1000 made in RHD. Then again E39 M5's were around $60-$70k 3-4 years ago and now some are in the mid 30's.....I guess a similiar scenario....

I concur. Without the Alpina livery, it is absolutely stealth. I would love to get one of these on NZ roads. Just imagine taking on a R8 HSV in a B10 Bi-turbo, I'd figure you'd munch it; especially on the twisties.....

This is my mate Alan Thomas's car. Very nice and very rare. Not many in this colour combo, nor this condition. Alan is an oracle on BMW and has a lovely collection of classic BMW's.

Hey there, sorry about the delay. I have a Blaupunkt Verona SQR 29. Came out of a E30 325i. Give me your email details or phone number so I can contact you if you are interested. Regards, SS