Phil-540i

Same car is referred to here back in 2006. Based on that info, colours don't even cross-over anymore via the VIN tags etc. http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/5-series-bmw/24196-if-you-want-find-out-original-order-specs-your-car-look-here-22.html If I was to purchase it, & get stopped by the boys in blue, how would I prove its legit?? Irrespective of what plates & VIN tag you've given it, they do a trace on engine / block number, & what are they coming back with - "Sorry son, this should be a blue 540ia car here, whereas your info is saying its a green (PETROL-MICA METALLIC) manual". Next words they'd say probably revolve around "How bout you come for a ride with us & do some explaining.." In my head, it actually needs the original rego plates on it, original VIN for THAT body, & LVVC for having been converted to manual...... Or, it needs LVVC for tag change / body change, as pointed out by SilverFox. At the moment, IMHO you are trying to have feet in both camps, & whilst it might not concern yourself, it does actually have big implications for any future owners of the vehicle. Lastly, enthusiasts are 'that' for all sorts of different reasons, of which its a 'very much to their own' sorta thing. IMHO, your being 'asked questions of' by 'enthusiasts' when you're selling something that's supposedly 'rare & genuine' is just part of it, especially when by you're trying to sell it at the pricing you are, advertised as it is. I own 1 BMW, but are here regulary, thus are an enthusiast by my own definition. You own 2 BMW's, yet appear to have joined to defend what you are doing outside this site.......IMHO that's got something to do with enthusiastically making a profit on a vehicle........

Page 3 pic, without them - I prefer that personally............which is probably an incorrect answer.......

In fairness, he has outlined things on the auction itself, so they're the terms under what he's selling it. He's said he'll supply rego number to winning bidder, thus checks etc can be done prior to handing over money........ Me - I'd be putting in the Q & A bit that any bids I make are subject to final inspection of vehicle, & it having clear title etc. I don't blame the guy really - theres a bigger number than usual of time wasting oxygen thief retards on TM thesedays, and as a seller ya just get sick of it. What he's doing is trying to sort 'genuine' from 'bull$hit', & I don't have a problem with that........both as a buyer & seller myself. Re rego plate - I don't supply it either till after the auction, as the database is NOT secure...........thus it's not too hard to find out exactly 'where' any vehicle is housed, if the database info being held is 'correct', as such........ On same note, if you are self employed & have something registered as a business vehicle under your 'trading name', you may find that anything else you register into your 'private name' while you're self employed, also gets tagged under your business name automatically.......

Small car, V12, & CIG locker - nope, I'm not seeing any problems - should be lots of $hits & giggles........ You're a legend!! Mad ba$tard too probably - should be mega fun!! Good on ya!!

If this was probably 3months down the track, 20k in cash woulda already been waved under his nose & this would now be sitting in my driveway..... It can be analysed from here to eternity, but the car seems genuine, the owner appears to be very honest about things, & 'if you snooze, you lose'.......

I used to live down there, so know that road well - fun driving road though!! And realistically, not many of the roads / streets around Dunedin are built for economy, unless you're heading south of the flood-free.......

Yay - awesome & desired result for ya, finally!! Good stuff!!

Funny - I'd prefer the V8 too rather than the 12...........

Cracking up @ this - gotta be 'post of the day!!'

Always makes me pi$$ blood when they do THAT ae............particulary if its something you've bid on, & really really turns me on if you're leading bid with reserve having already been met......that really gets at me then.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!

Heres the red one, also NZ new, few more kms.....but also very tidy....... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/528i/auction-642313981.htm

Looks tidy!! And a nice colour - I like it. I wouldn't be scared by the kms its got on it, & personally, I like its not a bad price - theres a similar red one on TM at the mo too....

So, as context, you're saying its basically the same as any car that's outa warranty then .......??? How much of a money-pit do ya reckon a new CRD powered vehicle is if it gets a dud load of fuel??? (Either water in diesel, or given a load of petrol instead......which is common) Even poorly serviced, I think it's still realistically priced, & certainly rare - NZ new 540 wagons aren't exactly a dime a dozen.........

Well worth a read if ya want a few smiles - this guy has missed his true calling in life........ To quote - "As useful as a lettuce @ the Dotcom mansion" - that's just classic!! F&P Magnetically Sealed Cupboard with Life Lesson - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=644811480 Enjoy - I did..........

Cracking up - see, we reckoned they'd do 10ish on a trip.........good stuff!! I think more pics of your treasure need added.......

Lols - probably happened around same time they brought cars they couldn't afford to own, hence HP's out to 5 years, leases for private use, etc etc. But gee, looks great parked in the driveway ae.......

Probably very realistically priced for what it is, if you're into wagons.........$3995 current bid sees it within 15% of reserve. Not many around in general, & is NZ new too........ http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540i/auction-645227784.htm Bit of love & some tricking would certainly see ya with something bit different.......I like it, & in general I hate wagons bigtime.....

Hi there Tim. Welcome to the site!! Nice car there, & great photos - someone is skilled on a camera. Although its not a BMW you've got, I can think of far worse things that a R32 Dub to rock around in........ I like it - looks tweaked a bit maybe?? Cheers.

Personally, the service costs around the same, as running vehicles out to 15-20,000kms between services, is just 'dreaming' - I do lots of highway, open road running, yet still service every 10,000kms, even on new vehicles under warrenty when they say 15,000kms is ok. Oil & filters are cheap (long term), irrespective of fuel type. while the late model CRD motors being so good over various operating conditions, a lot of the petrol choices are no longer there to the extent that they were anyway, bar on entry, sport, or premium models. My partner drives a Mazda 6 as her 'wheels', & dresses up for her job in town. She will always own a petrol for the simple reason of her not wanting to reek of diesel / get diesel on her hands after a truckie has used a pump etc. Myself, I don't get a choice, as my ute only comes with diesel motor (its got more grunt than a wild pig anyway, so I'm happy as!!). All each to their own stuff in some ways, but also very basic at some levels of looking at things...

True, in that you're meaning in current state, radiator needs repaired too ae?? Edit - Dyslexic speeeelling misteak.

I'd go external - will save your Uncle having the same issues again, & generally makes for better heat dissipation in my opinion, depending on how & where it is mounted.

Far out, that's tidy, & sooooo original. Kool!! Like you Juggy, been years & years since I've seen 1........ I like it.

You should PM Tristan on it, because if he's maybe owned it in the past, high odds its probably worth every cent being currently asked.........

Awww mate - that's me sold!! Red!! Silver one above, without the black around the outside of it, looks a bit over done or something I think - or it doesn't stand out enough - dunno, just doesn't 'look right' - hard to explain, haha.