BigPoppa

Got the offer approved at $12k, inclusive of the work to get the termostat replaced at Ray's. Coincidentally, this is what Ray suggested he'd be willing to pay for it and still feel he got a good deal too. Looking forward to next weekend - road trippin' it back!

That IS nice. I actually had Ray check over the 2001 540i and the first words he said to me were 'Buy it'. Apparently it's immaculate, but does need the thermostat replaced. I've asked the seller to get this done before the weekend, then I'd fly up and collect it on the weekend. Just waiting for his reply to my offer now - things are looking good!

I've had a autowatch in my Forrie. I know people have attempted to steal it at least once and failed. I'm pretty happy with it, would recommend.

Congrats! Seems like someone beat me to it whilst I was pissing around hahah.

Yeah mate, $40 for a bus to Welly, $150ish for flights, put her up in a classy backpackers for $20 a night or something, $10 for a nice candlelit dinner of canned tuna and crackers then the $150 - $200 gas to get back. I'm nothing if not a gentleman. In all honesty - my budget is around $14k or so inclusive of collection costs. It's unlikely I'd offer $13k on the first vehicle, but that still leaves me with a bit of leeway. I'd ideally like to have some left over for minor things I'd like to get done if I stumble across any.

So, I was also taking a look at this, which seems really similar, but dramatically cheaper; http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-650807131.htm When I asked about coolant systems and the vanos seals etc, this was the response I got; Yes the radiator was replaced as it has a date on it of March 2004, when i do not know as the BMW dealership, Team McMillian, will not show me any service records as the previous owner has to give permission and they will not give me his details or their name as part of their privacy policy, very annoying. It was a company car then the director bought it for himself and traded it on a new one, i was told. I don’t know re vanos, i have spoken to two top non dealer garages that deal with BMWs in Auckland and both laughed when i asked them to have a look re the vanos. Both advised BMW genuine parts are quite for about 15 to 20,000 ks...... after market are better they understand , one is replacing a vanos using overseas parts, as the guy has a collection of BMWs and has restored the whole car, it looks like brand new. The parts are under $250 with water pump etc and around $1300 to $1500 for labour. Both said they have a number of vanos cars that they have serviced for years well over 250,000ks and no problems. I have priced it at what the dealer has offered as a trade in, its this price so he can get vanos done, but i guess they wouldn’t after the research i have done in the last two weeks, they will just do an oil change and it will be quite............ Only for sale as i have bought a e39 wagon and have 4 cars, otherwise I will just keep it, but too nice to be parked outside. Far, check out that sweet funky colouring.

Apparently the seller has someone very interested and will confirm by Friday. If the other person doesn't pick it up, I've spoken to Ray (what a legend, extremely good pricing compared to what the seller had quoted to him and quite clearly knows his sh!t!) who's happy to take a look at it for me early next week. Fingers crossed this other guy doesn't buy it - in which case it's likely I'll be picking it up next weekend. If no go.. then I'll keep looking! Kyu's 330 looks promising, but there's a few things I'd need to follow up with him on if I were to go that way (Kyu - don't want to hassle you or waste your time, so I havent gotten back to you re; that email. I'll definitely keep in touch if things here don't work out and you're still looking to sell ). Thanks everyone for their help so far - this forum has been nothing but friendly and contains a wealth of knowledge and fantastic people. Things are looking good - here's hoping I'm a happy BMW owner again in 2 weeks time.

Looks like the seller has someone looking at the car tonight. If they don't snatch it up, he's going to take it to Ray to get everything checked out for me. Here's hoping the other fellow is just a tyre kicker.

Cheers Andy!

The owner's got a picture showing some of the OBC stuff. Shows an average of 12.1l/100k - is this similar/better/worse than what you guys get? My forrie gets worse than this! Hahah.

Haha, so long as it's not $20 of gas to get from home to the gas station, I'm not too fussed. My Forrie is shocking on the open road, n my understanding is the 540's are probably fairly similar round town, but better on the open road than the Forrie. Pretty open minded about most things - something about that 540 has kind of clicked though. I'm still keepin' eyes open

Thanks For some reason that doesn't jump out at me like the 540 did. I think there's a good chance that I may be looking to take that 540 away if I can stretch the finances before selling my existing beast. What's the likelihood of being able to bribe someone with booze / cash to take a once over for me? Reckon I should make a post in general or the region forum or somethin'? Thanks for all your help btw

Hahah, it's actually been a mint weekend. Hopefully I'll get to take her with me to wherever I pick up a car from, once I find the damn thing.

I blame going to an all boys school.

Yeah, it's a turbo. That 540 is really, really attractive. Any idea how much I'd realistically be able to knock off that $13k? I'd also be interested in trying to harass someone into taking a look for me. I know I don't ask much.. But I'd be willing to wire you some gas money, or drop off some of your favourite brew if I come to collect

That 540 is pretty sick. I'm a little worried bout the gas bill. Though tbh, I imagine it's probably not much worse than my Forrie. QUBE - I haven't written your car off yet either

Had been looking at this too tbh; http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/530i/auction-648141606.htm

Hot damn thats nice. Mind if I ask how much you paid for it?

Hahah, I'm still looking at Qube's car. Just waiting on a few things and keeping my eyes open in the meantime. Genuinely curious as to whats so terrible bout the 525 hahah. Its nice colour, looks tidy as hell interior...?

Not sure if I should bother with a new thread, but I stumbled across this and think it's amazing; http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/525i/auction-649274647.htm Thoughts everyone?

I'll trade you two children and a dozen of your favourite brew. GLWS, this thing is sexy!

I had something similar to that.. and then got.. Something similar to that. Never really cared for it like I should have, was too busy thrashing it and running it out of gas. Ahh to be young and stupid.

Mate, I'm from Palmy, not Levin, me missus aint me Mum

Told the missus I'd spend this weekend with her - figure it wouldn't go down too well if I told her I was buggering off to maybe test drive a car hahah. I'll have to check out Jeff Gray. Funnily enough, I work right next door to them and never thought to actually check.

Hey guys, I'm really considering buying CUBE's E46. It seems a good price n I can probably afford it without having to sell my current car first. Unfortunately, I know SFA about what to look for when checking these cars out. Specifically, what problem areas should I be looking at on ANY E46 330i before I purchase? I'm going by the assumption that CUBE has an immaculate machine, but in case his doesn't work out, or just so curb my own paranoia, I'd really like to know what I should be looking for. Secondly, does anyone know of an E46 330i going for sale around Palmy area? I've never driven one and it seems like a good idea to give it a shot before I fly myself up to Auckland, so if there's one for sale around here I could test drive, that'd be pretty sweet. Cheers folks!