BigPoppa

I was following a couple of youtube guides I found. Pretty much spray on leather cleaner stuff, use a brush to scrub it in a little, wipe off with microfibre towel. Then using conditioner on a microfibre applicator pad thing, rubbing it in then wiping off the excess with a separate microfibre towel. I ended up buying the Maguire's stuff, which I had heard online was good. Is the Maguires stuff here different than the stuff they get overseas? Tristan - thanks for the heads up. I might have to go get me some of them soap flakes. I'm stuck with the Maguire's conditioner for now, but I'm sure it'll tide me over until I've bought the rest of my detailing stuff.

Naw, using a Galaxy. My folks have an EOS400, so when I get everything cleaned up nice and tidy I'll take some pictures with that

Hey folks, After much deliberation over on another thread, I ended up picking up a 2001 E39 540i MSport. As condition of the sale, I got the seller to get the thermostat replaced, which Ray was kind enough to do for a very generous rate. I've attached some terrible, terrible photos (I have no idea why my phone took such terrible photos tonight..). I've also spent a little bit of time cleaning and restoring the front seats as the passengers side was a bit rough. It's still pretty gross, so I may look at getting a steam clean happening. Now for the seats; BEFORE; Halfway through (below the middle seam of the seat has been done to show a bit of before n after effect); Final; Does anyone have ANY idea what that blotching is? I couldn't get the damn crap out, and there's some on the back seats too. It almost looks like mold or something weird. If I can find something appropriate, I plan to steam clean these to hopefully get that crap out. Once I get a decent wash on it, I'll clay bar and seal it and then take some DECENT exterior shots with a decent camera!

Used about 3/4 of a tank I think. Was full when we got it in Auckland and spent most of the day driving around. Fuelled up half a tank in Hamiltron and had about half a tank when we got to Palmy. No demerits or speeding tickets. Cruise control ensured that. It's an interesting experience going uphill around corners and having the cruise control tell you that you needed to be at 100km/h no matter what. Thanks Graham!

Yep, picked her up yesterday morning after my Saturday flight outta Welly got cancelled. Drives like a dream! I'll put up a showroom thread when I get some light to take some pictures Phil - where were you?

Who buys a $50k car then complains about an extra $200 a year in fuel costs?

Phil - yep that's the one. Not too fussed on having a sunroof. I'd only ever have it peeled back if it were open anyway. As a worker in the I.T field, I tend to be allergic to too much sunlight . Ray had some fantastic things to say about this car. I'm really looking forward to picking it up on Saturday.

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?