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Huge issue in the US with flooded cars appearing for sale in different states. When I was looking for a E39 M5 came across a Philadelphia car that originated in Florida- and the price was compelling! Lemans Blau and the rare caramel leather. Lovely looking but had some suss looking stains on the the door skins. The PPI confirmed my suspicion- most likely water damaged.

I know these cars have appreciated. However, this has some issues with the paint and being an ex UK, probably has some issues with rust. Interior not properly presented. Additionally, with the price being asked let’s hope it’s had it’s all important timing chain replaced (should be onto its 2nd replacement by now). Mine cost me $4k to do 20 years ago, what would it cost now? For that money, I’d expect this to be a fine example with excellent provenance / historic maintenance.

Wow…. I never read this thread before. So it’s a ‘bitsa’. There are a few like this already in NZ- including a green one that Guido from BM workshop created from transplanting the running gear from a wrecked e34 M5. Personally, think you are playing big money here for a vehicle with murky provenance. It’s hard enough selling a left hand drive in NZ - but when the provenance / history is suss, hard to justify the value.

Hoping someone can enlighten me. Ran the vin and discovered that it is an early production E34 M5 that was built in late 1988. Additionally, the Vin indicates that she left the factory in black. So why now a 93’ and in blue? Arrived in Japan in 1993 and registered as a 93’, and at some point given a new colour? Either way (imho) a nice looking car!

Does anyone know who bought it?

The car market has gone berserk. This guy must have been influenced by the pricing of that M635csi for $170k currently. In my mind over $100k on the current market value. Same with this M5. Bizarre- “EAG like” prices in NZ (with more mileage too).

This M6 was coated in rust in the early 00’s and was picked up at Turners for around $16k. Had some work on it since. Was for sale from time to time for around $50k since the mid 2000’s and was always deemed to be too expensive.

I personally think it is a fair offer. A six speed with S70 m powered engine, suspension , etc with Schnitzer cosmetics is a very cool proposition. If the mechanics are in good condition and the vehicle goes as well as it looks I would find this rather compelling. Nigh on 400 Bhp!!!!!! 6 speed manual!! Ferrari Testarossa like power and looks! Just depends on your overall objective. Not sure it would be an easy sell because of its ‘bitzer’ back-ground. In Europe or USA, yes but not in NZ. Wouldn’t be an investment like a nice e36 M3- but a car you would have no fear about tracking and clocking up the mileage ( and would certainly attract lots of attention)!

The car you mention here surfaced about 14 years ago on this forum. Ex HK car that was brought over by the original owner who sold it as part of a property deal to a guy who knew very little about them. Glenn, who was a independent specialist in Botany who was a prolific contributor to this website brought the vehicle to our attention (it had like 20,000 k’s on the clock back then). Years later it sold to a friend of mine who looked after it meticulously. He sold it in the last 12 months. Lives in the UK now. One of the best in the world.

The Lilac car seems to have ex UK photos - the rest look like in NZ. However, all the cars are in NZ.

The owner of this lovely trio is an extremely fanatical guy and is possibly one of the world's biggest devotee's of the E31. He was one of the 1st owners of an E31 new in NZ, and about 10-12 years ago built an exceptional collection of around 10 plus examples of special E31's. Included in that collection were some super exclusive Alpina models (now sold I believe). He also painstakingly built a red race car that paid homage to the famous "M8" prototype that lives in the BMW museum. That car was seen racing on our race-tracks a few years ago. A beast. The dakar yellow Schnitzer example was written about 10-15 years ago in BMW car magazine. It was owned then by another 8 series enthusiast - who lived in the UK. I peronally like the stance of the grey Schnitzer / Frankenstein 850csi. Looks so aggressive. The 8 is a lovely car - very few cars exude timeless design like the E31.

Arrived in NZ from Japan 2006. Probably never been washed much - nor polished. All it takes is one or two owners who disrespect it for a few years and cars start decaying! REal shame.

That's a funny story. I think by 2006 I was onto my M635csi and was living in Birkenhead happily married ! I hope this red 635csi goies to a good home. Fabulous old sharks - and one of the prettiest designs by BMW. Still look great today!

Must have been 2002 as it was sold to an ex America's cup sailor in 2002. He owned it for a number of years. Has changed hands a few times since but now apparently lives somewhere just north of auckland.

How long ago? If it was in the early 00’s - quite positively as I dated a girl who lived there. Hilarious-I’d forgotten that!

I remember buying the car magazine they talk about in the advert as I was gearing up to buy a 635csi in the late 90's and early 00's. I found it actually extremely diffficult back then to get one - hardly any came up for sale and I wanted to have sports seats which were such a rare option and the switchable auto box ( resigning myself to the slush box as manuals seemed rarer than hens teeth). Wanted to one in Henna red as well - never saw one. They were anecdotally $135,000 in 1983 when Ross Jensen (who was the BMW importer back then) sold them. I eventually got a 89 Highline in burgundy - a car that has been discussed on these forums. I thought 218 BHP was quite grunty back then. Funny how things change. This thing needs some 16" E34 5 series cross spoke or 17" style 5's. \

Thanks so much for this photo buddy! Much appreciated.

Both the avus you mentiion and the technoviolet example that John owns (photographed earlier in the thread) were both owned by a friend of mine concurrently 10 years ago. They were both stunning cars - beautiful bodywork and lovely interiors.

Hi mate, well both of his cars were on that list on the previous page which depicts the 540is 6 speeds delivered to NZ. His red one is the first one on the list - different plate to what you mention. Has around 255,000 kms on the clock. Around 2000, you saw these 540is's everywhere. They are obviously not M cars, but do deserve modern classic car status. Accordingly, alot have been parked away in garages and come out sparingly. There was an avus blau example that had the plate BLU M5 that i saw and heard (had an extremely loud exhaust) in Auckland around that time. Clocked real high k's quickly. Now parked away. The Australian delivery equivalent - the 540iLe (70 were delivered) is a very special car too - and very sought afer in Australia. Most of them did not have the full body kit.

In my opinion, the e34 looks great with body kit and rear- boot spoiler, and the throwing stars suit them so well - stunning cars! Beautiful car John!

Has anyone see nthe Hell red example mentioned that had 20,000kms? I recall hearing about it when it had like 13,000 kms on the clock. Apparently lives in Auckland somewhere. A friend of mine owns 2 540i's - a hell red and a cosmos schwarz. Great cars.

Looks like it is number 356 out of 524 made in RHD. EX UK; I remember this car being for sale at Clarks in Parnell - circa early 2000. Sold to a BMW car club member from Tauranga who replaced it with the stunning 89 Highline M635csi in Misano red that popped up at BMW events over the years. I heard it remained in the WBOP for many years and was owned by a doctor. Havent seen it for years and didnt know it was now in Auckland. Alpine Weiss was not so popular in the day - very popular now, and nice cream leather. Great cars - and quite different to the standard 635csi!

Very popular colour in their day. The other colour which was similar but darker was royal blue. Arctic was more metallic. Seen a few M635csi's in that colour too. Beautiful. Nice to see well preserved sharks today. They were my first love. I was smitten as a teenager, and vowed to get one - one of the prettiest designs BMW ever penned in my opinion.

Would that be in Arctic blau? Lovely colour.

Sold within a few days and I hear it will remain lurking in Auckland...