Phil-540i

Probably 80% of us are screwed money-wise at this time of the year, & it'll only get worse after Xmas...............buying these means its 500 slides your wife ain't gonna waste on trivial $hit for Xmas like tinsel & flashing neon reindeer etc...........you're actually helping keep her focused on big items for Xmas, honest......

Very well written article there on the 'why' - good read.........bummer eventual outcome though.

Ahh, true, but umm, no - doesn't work like that here. See, what you've got to do, is buy these, in order to take them away from being there as a choice out in the marketplace, thus then leaving your 45's as the only option.........cos at the moment, anyone looking at your rims will snaffle these instead........ Once again, 'welcome to NZ'............

Ya know ya want to.........................

I disagree with that - down the track at 10-15yrs old, initial purchase price doesn't mean much IMO - its only worth what any buyer is willing to pay for the pleasure of owning it. Reality is Euro cars in NZ, devalue more $$$$ or % wise over a given period of time, than what popular Japanese makes do. This is especially seen in Volvo's, BMW's, Range Rovers, Jaguars I believe, and as you say though, can also be hiding a hornets nest of awaiting repair costs...........some aren't though, & are extremely good value for money in comparison to what other 10k (for eg) cars actually are. Hope that makes sense?? I think a typical 10k 10 year old BMW, is likely to be twice the vehicle a 10 yr old corolla is, even if price is similar, is what I'm trying to say I suppose............ In a lot of cases, because they have been premium price when new, its often reflected that they have also lead a far more sheltered & cherished 10 yrs, than a cheaper vehicle typically does......

If its what you want, I'd probably snap it up before some-one else does............ Edit - I see ya added the first dibs bit - good $hit - hope it pans out for ya.......

I think they've done a top job with it really - certainly a bit different...............

I've seen surprisingly good results with plasti-dip too.......... its sounds sorta wrong at some levels, but works really well in reality......

Lols - don't be soooooo sensitive!! I'm sure its a fine car......and maybe theres not many hills where you live, who knows ......Sounds like you & the rear blind are going to bond nicely though.............just remember the important bits at the front end like service history etc relating to the cooling system, as mentioned, or factor in a few $$$ for giving it a bit of a birthday in the times ahead, as already mentioned by some-one else. I'll go add a wee disclaimer to what I said earlier.........

Primo - great result, & simple............

Yea, true that last bit, & I guess we all have different definitions of what 'older' is..................... Funny, as reading through this thread the other day, wasn't too hard to see Glenn struggled at times just with other $hit going on too probably in the background - just makes ya wanna go "F#ck it......"really, - process to work through though I suppose...........

Agree totally with Michael^^^^^^ 728 - the model for Grandma, Grandad, & anyone who thinks a 740 might get away from them........the only thing slower is a 725........ The Ultimate Driving Machine, it probably is not. You will be looking for oxygen tanks anytime it smells a gradient within 10kms, & you will need to fold in the mirrors, check wind direction, consult a calendar, check life insurance cover & pray, before attempting any overtaking in it in open road speed zones......... Edit. I'm sure its a great car - should be primo on fuel (I'd be aiming for at least 35+mpg with it), & its the old adage 'horses for courses' thing - if it ticks enough boxes for ya, buy it. If it doesn't, high odds something maybe more suited to you will likely be turning up soon. Please note, this is my opinion only, worth 95c on a great day, bit less than that on an average day, & worth 5/8's of bugger all on any other day.........This opinion is not a reflection on any other Bimmersport members, or board content in general. Please have a sense of humour whilst reading it, & take it with 4.5 grains of salt. No correspondence will be entered into after the event. Please read under supervision. Kids, don't try this at home. Warning - may offend some people. This way^^up. Do not stack. Do not store with perishables. Please keep your receipt as proof of payment. Bar taxes & death, no guarantees will be given. Not to be used by unauthorised or untrained personnel.

Funny, I had those thoughts on it too - theres the odd weird detail in the ad............

Hard to keep up there Graham, but you're quit too finally then.............???

Finally, an app that's of some use - that's quite handy ae..............and you're going gooooood!!!!!!!!!

At some levels I'd probably fairly happily help ya finish those 3 at the mo Matt............but I'm not a smoker any more. I probably started around 17ish, & did lots of years doing mental hours at work every week on machinery etc, with generally smokes, stereo, & coffee to while away the hours........... I'm not gonna pray for ya, as such, or wish ya luck (as I tend to find that's always the kiss of death, haha), but ya can do it. I worked out ages ago that one of the things I needed to do, in order to be a non -smoker, is just stop buying cigarettes. I know that sounds insanely simple, but its actually part of it - filling up with diesel & 2 packs of smokes to go, --brain needs retrained on 'its a fuel stop only' sorta thing.......... In honesty, etc etc Matt, heres a thought for ya. That 8 month old son that ya adore, I've got one of those too. I'm proud of his younger brother too.........both are in their early 20's. Both smoke...........which is not good............maybe your giving it up will help keep your son from making it a habit...... I've never tried the patches. Have tried the gum, for 1 day, ages ago - damn but it was disgusting taste!!! I'm chewing lollipops etc today, but am also quite conscious that I don't wanna gain too much weight. I'm 6'2", & never been over 79kg yet..............

Looks nice, tidy & neat colour too. Funny in that he's calling it a 2003 model / year (twice), but by 2003 its already had 7 services done............ Equates to $ 13906.97, plus shipping, plus any import duty, plus compliance costs, for a car that's done 206,000km. Which probably doesn't leave much change from the 20k NZ ones are for sale at........

Chuck up a pic of the offending item maybe?? Theres various ways to remove them if the correct nut is not available - you've just got to find the easiest solution, which will depend on what type of rims / what type of lock nut it is, & how much clearance you've got....... Have you rang previous owner re lock key?? Have you had a REALLY good look, three times, all around the car for the lock key, in both logical & illogical places........??? Like, the toolkit, spare wheel well, glove box, consoul, under seats, etc etc........stashed in first aid kit if its got one, is another likely place.......

Lols - Thanks. She is quitting again too ( a day ahead of me.........), but not doing cold turkey bit - Zyban I think.........so probably gonna be a competition on whats most grouchy........ Hmm, I tend to not socialise much, but use smoking in a reverse way - once I've had enough of all the noise etc, its easy to decamp out the back somewhere for some Peace & quiet, using the excuse of 'wanting a smoke', before going another round........... Book only works once - hmmmm.......... I've stayed busy most of the day - that's helped............. Hmmmmm, I'm picking it'll get to me a bit for a start...............it'll be alright though.

Nice story!! Brilliant narration & editing. And a perfect little red car................ Well worth a look - thanks for the link Darren.

Thanks guys. You're cracking me up Graham, re the attitude bit ......who, me?? Gee, I think at times I'm a 'night-owl - I've got nada on some people here, haha. I've been trying to change some bad habits over the last few weeks - I drink lots of coffee, & theres usually a smoke involved there too. Last coupla weeks been using the 540 whenever I can, as I'm bad for smoking whilst driving my other vehicles. Theres some neat reading in here, I dare say I'll read it a few more times yet!! Without using the pills to stop, as time moves on after your last smoke it just becomes a bit like your brain & body start having a big hissy fit @ each other, as the default setting is it all being fed nicotine.

Ahhh, so you've had AA checks done in the past too huh............ I can remember a time, when I thought the AA was good for NZ motorists (that's a fair while ago.....!!!), but IMO, they've turned into a limp-wristed gutless organisation these-days that's maybe forgotten where its origins & core-values were / are. They're just a joke now, which is a real shame.........

True that^^^^^^ particularly when taken into context with Ford ended up being the only one of the 'big 3', that didn't take US Government bail-out / prop up funding a couple of years ago, & then used that to their marketing advantage........

Bump. Post #1, day 1. Cold turkey, as I'm not convinced the pills I was taking for it last time, actually did my head much good. Smoking really 'is my vice', has been for years & years. I don't smoke in the house, never really have, but I spend quite a bit of time in evenings / weekends out in the shed................. I've thought for a long time its just a weakness in myself, the not giving it up bit, & I hate weakness at the best of times........ Post #1, day 1..............teeth gritted a bit already............

Cracked me up when I just seen that - much like the 'Boost bar for N/A motors' - classic............