RvT

Ditto on "PS any link to ICV cleaning instructions?" My e39 has quietly developed a sudden surge when you are slowing down and almost stopped. Almost like you accidently acelerated at 2km/hr but your foot is on the brake. Doesn't happen with the air cond on. Is this related to the ICV valve?

Try https://www.autohausaz.com or http://www.motormec.co.uk/ Have used both in the past with no issues

Where do I start Mustard/Sand / Black leather interior Auto 86k miles M steering wheel with cruz etc Electric heated memory seats BMW business stereo + CD pack + 10 speakers 6 airbags Sunroof Bluetooth - (may come out) Schnitzer 18" with brand new Toyo T1 tyres - biggest you can get for it Euro Plate White lens on indicators Auto rain sensor wipers I wanted a special 540 with the interior sand colour and good looking. 3 years ago, the choices were very limited in NZ so I found one in UK and bought it on a business trip there. Drove it in Europe & Germany for a couple of weeks then shipped in a container to NZ. I have no idea on asking price as I haven't studied the market. Interested what other think it should sell for ??? Ron

Just about to put mine on the market. I imported it ex England 3 years ago and about to buy either a 545 or an M5. Gets looks of looks Highly speced except no TV. Ron

Well I think my insurance is cheapest so far ... AMI - All vehicles, house etc (am just over 40yo) Never had an issue with them. Should be noted that AMI is owned by the policy holders so as a group it is not supposed to make a profit or a loss. For this reason, the premiums move up or down based on the previous year. All the other companies, I think, have to make a profit for the shareholders so their premiums should always be higher than AMI in a purest market. It is a primary reason why I have insured with AMI. 99 E39 540 (Excess $250) - Premium $273 01 320 (Excess $250) - Premium $374 03 Z4 (Excess $250) - Premium $449 It is interesting that the 540, a V8. is cheapest !!!

Hi I am selling a 2001 E46 with the updated 2.2 l motor. It is silver but not leather. The kms are higher at 114,000 but priced accordingly. Have been trying to get $20k with a lot of interest but no one offering $. Happy to negiotiate lower to move the car as I need the garage space for a 545 Genuine car as I imported it myself for the wife. She now has a Jeep Wrangler so surplus to requirements. The car is a lovely ride with no problems. Check out ... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...900&ed=true Regards Ron

Hi The radar has been sold now Ron

Hi Jed is correct that it is all on the web site. There seems to be some misconceptions by some sellers of V1s that they are "configured" for NZ. The facts are that Valentine do not have distributors anywhere but in the US. They will not sell outside the US which is on their web site for all to see. What they do have is software to enable you to update to the latest available and can show you how to recode the detectors to miss certain wave bands as required by the user. In NZ, we don't need the X band as the police here do not use this band in their equipment. Electric doors are the common users of X bands and therefore give false alarms. If someone is selling V1s as "programmed for NZ conditions", all they have done is followed the instructions on the web site and removed X band. I call it clever marketing I never bothered reprogramming my current V1 as the arrow system usely tells me it is an electric door. I have had Whistlers and several Bell top of the range models over the years before I got my first V1. The V1 is the best around and the price of this one is at COST - no profit. They cost me $US399 (on the web site) plus postage to US address + postage to NZ. You do the maths Ron

Just imported a few V1 Radar detectors for friends & family thru a grand parent in the US as you can't bring in direct to NZ. This is the absolute latest model as it came in the post today. One person has pulled out so I have one only available. I could sell on Trademe but I am a devoted BMW fan and profit is not what drives me. The US price is $US 399 on the web site. I have added the cost of postage to NZ so the price is $NZ650. The unit is totally boxed and factory sealed. If you are out of Christchurch area, the courier cost for T&T is an extra $17. The warranty is with the factory in US, not me First in best dressed. Send me an email but again, only have one unit available. Ron

Check out .... http://www.jaricdesign.com/products.htm Looks like it has been taken off market though

I have used a lot of radars in the past starting with Whistler and Bell 945 but 2 years ago, I bought a V1 ex the US and have not looked back since. Haven't had a close call since. You can easily reprogram them thru the web site to make them NZ friendly but I have not bothered. Extremely happy with range etc but really like the front & back sensors as I hate slowing down for a signal and not knowing if it is behind me or in front of me. Excellent feature - if not the best feature !!! The only issue with the V1 is that they are designed for left hand drive cars so when you place it in the middle of the screen, the display points away from you. After extensive testing, I mount mine on the right hand bottom corner of my windscreen and the display is perfect to clance at without being obtrusive. I am about to bring in a couple of the v1s for friends. My grand father lives in the US and I order direct to Valentine and get them delivered to his home. He wraps them up and posts them to me. If anyone wants to join the next order, let me know ASAP as we share the postage cost to NZ equally. Send me an email. Ron

Hi. I had the same thing happen to my 89 535 except I was in Brighton, England and stuck in traffic there. I had just bought the car and was driving it around before heading to France. Went to BMW in Brighton and they said it was radiator problem and fitted a new one plus thermostat. Went across in the tunnel and when I got to Paris, the same thing happened again when stuck in traffic and was I pissed off !!! Found a BMW shop in Paris and with broken french explained the problem. The mechanic took a rag and, with the motor running, stopped the cooling fan with no effort. He smiled and said the clutch in the fan had worn and would need to be replaced. Basically the fan was slipping when stationery and not enough air was being pulled thru to cool down the radiator. When you are driving the air is naturally pulled thru so the problem is not noticeable. Had the car for 3 more years then exported the car to NZ and never had the problem again Hope this helps Ron

Just imported by myself ex Japan. I have 3 BMW's in the garage and need to move this one Selling on TradeMe.... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=68453302 Reserve on Trade me is $22k but willing to offer it for $20k to Bimmersport followers Should be the cheapest in NZ at that price. Ron

I have been using 91 for the past 30,000km / 3 years without any issues in my 540. There is ample power and has never missed a beat.

In Chc there is a mobile company called "Dent Magicians" that do panels for $100 each. I thought the door on a Z3 import had 2 dents in it. They found 10 in one panel !! Another local company is "Dents for Cents". Think they are a franchise ??? Suggest looking in Yellow Pages for a similar company in Akl.

Hi shadowninja. More than welcome to email or call me, (email preferred) I find I get more out of life helping others rather than helping myself I have assisted about 10 other friends import their own over the past 2 years. Once you have done your first solo import, you will realise how easy it is, and in turn, you will help others. All you need is cash up front and some good knowledge on the NZ selling prices for a particular model, both retail and private. I do it as a hobby / interest. My latest import / toy, a mint Z4 is for sale on Trademe. It was a 5 grade car. This is a fantastic car to drive if you ever get the chance. My contact details are on the advert. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=57704153 Regards Ron

Having privately imported some 10 cars now from England & Japan, as well as spending time in Singapore with work, I would definitely go for the Japan option. Apart from an A4 needing some $3k spent on it, all the Jap cars have had little problems. I would recommend bringing in your own car from Japan if you an afford the money & 7 week delay. As I import more cars, I am more convinced never to buy from a dealer again. Main issue is that when you buy ex a dealer, you have no idea of what grade you are buying unless you are wise and ask the dealer its grade. The main aution house, USS Auto Auctions, have a very accurate grading system on the cars from 5 being mint to 1 being altered. Anything 3.5 or lower is a no go territory; 4.5 is ideal. The second issue is most dealers might say the car was a grade 5 but unless you are shown the auction papers, he is calling your bluff. I also see a lot of repaired cars hitting the yards here and the kiwi buyer is none the wiser about the damage sustained in Japan. If only the kiwi buyer was more aware of what they were buying !!! If you are looking at a car under $10k, it is probably not worth importing. If you have a budget of $15+ then definitely import and you will save about $3k on the wholesale pricing and $5-6 on retail pricing as a rule of thumb for BMWs & Audis. A starting point might be http://www.kadoco.co.jp/ If you want any further learnings from a private importer, ask away

My central locking has died on my rear doors (both within a two week period). Looked at buying from BMW - $260 each. Wrecker wanted $100 each but they have no warranty. Started looking around the world and found some in US for around $100NZ new so will import two units in for myself. If anyone else wants one, I can bring in at the same time to share freight costs Let me know. As a side note, I have couriered over a few expensive parts ex UK for BMWs and they have been 1/2 price in NZ BMW shops and have been OEM. I get over to London every 2 years and the parts in the BMW Parts Dept there, are usually 1/2 that of what we pay here. It is a big rip off here in NZ

Hi Jochen Just imported a Jap Z4 and have got the world radio switched over to NZ with no issues. The RDS is not operating fully with only "Pop M" coming up on 91ZM and no song titles. The TV will only tune to TV3 & the Races but not the other 2 channels. Using Pal-Aust setting so far. Sat Nav is in the car and works with the Jap DVD. Dropped into Chc BMW and was told the NZ DVD probably won't work in it. They suggested I get find a donor and try it to see if it would work. Do you have any thoughts? Regards Ron

The car is an E34. It is a M look alike. I looked at the M535 at the time but found the manual clutch too hard for the wife so found an auto version with the M looks.

I have upgraded my BMW and now I have a Personalised Plate to sell. MY 535 - Offers around the $1000 mark would be acceptable Also available is a 1988 Black 535. Imported by myself ex UK 7 years ago. Full body kit + alloys and the car has most options on it. Looks Hot. 130,000miles. Being realisitic and looking for $8500. Christchurch based Ph 021 35 7508 or email home@rangiorabakery.co.nz