arros

Thanks everyone. Mucho appreciated. Sure I'd probably only look at dealerships. Probably not worth it for the car I'm after.

Salty roads= done. Over red rover. Heard more stories saying it's an issue than don't worry about it. "But it depends which part of UK the car is in...." Nah it frick n shows everywhere there, salt pretty much anywhere. But then a good inspection will sort out what you are buying, eyes open and possibly add 10% for contingency like repairs.= problem eliminated rather than solved. I'm specifically after an E60 535D touring. Moderately rare , UK market seems to have a significantly higher proportion of D's. Looking at £ 9-11K : $25-28K landed here. Haitoman I reckon you're probably spot on re sub £10K being marginal There is one on tardme at $34K. Offered em $25k, guy said he wouldn't go to his manager for less than 28. The listing is 8 months old. If that is the true time the car has been on the lot I would have thought it has to start hurt by now. But then it's rare and there are no others on trademe so that alone gives them reason not to discount significantly.

Thanks chap. Wow that's easy as.

Does anyone know where to look for private sale bmws in the UK aside from Pistonheads and Auto trader? Looking particularly for private sale cars. Can't afford UK dealer prices- when I calculate the price of landing a UK car here. Also does anyone have experience with or recommend a UK inspection and export agent- or whatever they are called: showing my ignorance of the subject. Basically looking for someone who can go and inspect a car for me, take a multitude of pictures, and send me a written inspection report. Then I need someone to act as an agent to purchase on my behalf, sort the necessary paperwork and get it to the ship for export. I have tried McColloughs shipping as well as UK website and they only work through dealers networks. Emailed another UK website with an NZ email address- asked if they dealt with private sellers. 2 weeks and they have not got back. It makes sense of course that agents would work with dealers- online network of cars, easy to quote, no need to travel to inspect a car and higher margins between dealer and agent. What company would want to to piss around negotiating with private sellers hundreds of miles away. One example a dealer agent came back with was only $4-5000 less that a dealer is selling on tardme. Of yes its a good saving no doubt. Unfortunately I just don't have the dollars they quoted hence looking for private sellers. Am I on a hiding to nothing looking for UK agents to transact private seller vehicles... but surely with an appropriate fee an agent will work for you, right. Cheers

Thanks mate, i'm holding out for a D, many thanks though!

Cheers, unfortunatley I need the room in the back of a wagon plus easy loading in/out that a wagon offers. If I didn't have kids the sedan would be the ticket.

Maybe a 535d touring but probably out of my price range. Pref MS version. Looking at sub $20k. If anyone is looking to sell in the near future. Had a Subaru Legacy for the last 2 years-wanting to get back into a beamer! Never had a diesel before. The torque and efficency has me interested. That and a remap

"This is one of a kind"... only in the eye of the owner. Belongs in the book along with the line "Best example in NZ" etc As a former E28 owner I appreciate its a nice in car. Nice but not that nice Anyways it auto so not that special at all really

Yeah the woodgrain looks so dated. Not a fan of it at all Bumpers= so cool to know it's the real deal

Up for sale is my 2001 540iASE- Genuine factory Kiwi new Motorsport ex Ray's car- Silver with 19" alloys for those who may have seen it in his garage. Bought it off him only a couple of months ago. Moved heaven n earth to get the $ to buy it and now as much as it has tommented me to sell unfortunately ill need to look at getting a wagon (kids in tow) 2001, Silver, M62TU 4.4 V8, 139000 km Black leather interior 19†alloys: 275 rear 235 front. Good tread. Bilstein adjustable shocks Reversing camera, Park Distance Control Moon roof From the build sheet: Shorter final drive ratio Alarm M Sports Package M sports suspension II M sports steering wheel, multifunction M Aerodynamics package High gloss shadow line window trim Headlining anthracite (black headlining) M5 side mirrors- retractable and passenger reversing auto dipping function Interior surface aluminium trim Side airbags for rear passengers Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric Sun-blind, rear Sports seats Park Distance Control (PDC) Xenon Lights with(white light) angle eyes, White direction indicator lights, LED rear lights, clear indicators On-board monitor with TV (16:9) CD changer for 6 CDs Car phone with cordless receiver Dynamic stability control Automatic air conditioning 2 keys, Brand new spare wheel (17" Motorsport) Oil and filter change a few hundred k’s ago and she’s running sweet Car will come with new radiator- yet to be installed. Current radiator looks absolutely fine. I just bought it as part of preventative maintenance. Engine head oil seals replaced (BMWorkshop) Transmission has been fully rebuilt (BMWorkshop) which is fantastic Car is in very good condition. No dents. Few scuffs and bonnet/bumper stone chips in keeping with age. The only issue that needs attention: The ‘Check Brake Linings’ warning light has just come on- needs new Brake Pads and at least front rotors. Have sourced these from Christchurch but have yet to purchase the parts ($550). Need to get this done but will adjust sale price accordingly if car sells in the next few weeks. Documented service history- not complete but pretty good Comment was that this car is possibly chipped as well (as well as short drive ratio) though I can't confirm this. Someone drove this car and commented on it's acceleration- 'My 540 is a dog in comparison' The shorter drive ratio gives it some serious go. I've had a standard 540 myself and there is definitely a difference. $16900 ono

Indeed: hard to come by. Cheers for the link

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I'd probably be tempted to keep it. Glenn's report will have some say in the matter- if he comes up with lotsa issues versus just a few things to fix. Cooling system parts- I'm going to get half my cooling system parts replaced as preventative. 'Milland' on trademe in BMW parts section quoted me cheaper than Euro Italian by 10-20% I spent about $1600 getting a 2000 Subaru's gremlins fixed- sold a few weeks back to buy me beamer. It was a good car when I bought it and is a great car when I sold it- still got an invoice of $700 to pay even though I've sold the car! If the beamer had not become available I would have kept the car to recoup some mileage What are comparable E46's worth...

If I had the room I would...sorry

Also: 6 disc (factory) CD changer magazine if someone has one spare

Agreed: but 12K would get a MS in 'average' condition More like 15-16k. Very small market of people willing to pay a premium for low km model- it's the classic "for a few thousand more I can get the next model"

Maybe not so stupid. In line with what Thorburn- cheaper to sell and find a manual. Conversion ain't cheepI'd say why bother on on 525 : average performance gain- Do a conversion on a 530 (no so much) or 540 (better) A 2002 is a nice late E39. Presumably in good condition and lowish km- I can understand the want to do a conversion but. Conversion question comes up regularly here- just search. Then prepared your pocket...

+1 "Buy on age and condition" Less on the age more on condition Really hang out for one with good service history. Yep- Do look seriously at cooling system- either factor it into your purchase price or preferably someone else has replaced it I had a 1996 540. Similar Km to the Green one you looking at in ChCh. Had in 1.5 years Not significant issues at all. It had not had cooling system done but I didn't want to spend $ on doing it on that car. By age it was looking a bit tired. The 2002 MS really looks the business but. The 96 greenie talks of lot of receipts for work done. It's NZ new= Style 5 Few extra's: Hella factory angles, rear PDC. S5 is pretty well spec'd With complete /really good history the MS km's wouldn't bother me too much. otherwise I'd stay away from it

I resealed my E39 vapour barriers with window sealant from Repco. Would have been probably 6 months after resealing it before I sold the car- not problems after sealing. Black semi hardening rubberised sealant. About $25. Comes in a caulking gun tube. Ring them. I should have a tube around somewhere if you need the name of it

Shortly in the market for... Really looking for one with cooling system replaced Got to be in really good nic with good regular service history Less than 150K km Auckland region Around $14-15K for the right one Been thinking about a E46 330... maybe Cheers

Speaking of radiator replacement Silverdale Radiators in Auckland: according to their website do E39 (suitable 2.8 and 4.4ltr engine size) for $295. I had an E34 540 split it's radiator. I forget the price but think I was quoted OEM around $600-$700. Didn't know about the Silverdale place at them time. Anyone had any experience with their radiators? Website doesn't mention where they are made but says not from China. Worth looking at...

Cheers. Will do. Opps it's a C. Darn after a Sedan. Thanks though mate. Appreciated

Thanks mate. Edited: Unfortunately she looks for a sushy box

Looking for an E46 with smaller engine 1.8-2.2l Slush box only Paintwork must be in good condition with service history. 120-150K km around $6000. Maximum to $7000

Can you give us 2-3 months to save up before you offer the 540i