gjm

Can't really imagine what a speed wobble at 275 is like. Managed it at 235 when crossing a white dividing line, but while that 40km/h difference may not sound like much, it is. The leaning over, on one wheel and steering thing takes a bit of getting used to, too.

Too soon for me and too much money. I think this one may have been listed before, too? (Or am I confusing it with another silver-coloured 530D Touring...?)

Please! May I be so bold as to recommend the road to Maraetai...?

It struck me as a four door version of a two door car that had been adapted from a 4 door model... The more things change, the more they stay the same!

It's a bit of an odd one - the 6.5 V8 was more commonly a diesel, built for solidity, reliability and (believe it or not) economy. Certainly no great shakes in power or even torque, but some did better than others - the early 6.2s made as little as 145hp, while 6.5 TurboDiesel V8s made up to 315hp and 530lb ft. I wonder if this really is a 6.5 petrol... Could easily be. 6.6 is about 400ci, and there were 390ci and 396ci V8s around. They tended to be a little more exciting, though.

Progress is slowing due to financial constraints. Fortunately my driving doesn't need to slow - it seems to make little or no difference whether I pootle at 90km/h, or make swifter progress, I get pretty much the same economy. Of course, the amount of time spent stationery or accelerating makes quite a difference. In the meantime, I've been considering what else a higher mileage car could need. Back in the UK, with VAG cars, we used to reckon injectors would need looking at and possibly cleaning, recalibrating or replacing around every 100000 miles or so. Using that reckoning, my 320d should have had this done twice by now, but I've no record of it. This should be done in order to maintain good spray pattern and correct flow. Secondhand injectors, which may need cleaning and/or recalibrating (and may even need coding - I need to check) sell for NZ180 up. EACH. Ffffflippin' 'eck. I bought a brand new set of Bosio nozzles for an Audi - total price was less than £150, or about $300. Ah - there's the difference (perhaps) - injectors vs nozzles. OK... So what nozzles are available? More tricky... Needs a lot more investigation. While VAG diesel engines seem to be almost routinely tuned - over 300bhp from an old 2.5 V6 TDi anyone? - BMW diesel engine tuning involves a decat, bigger turbo and a remap. And that's it. No reference to fuel flow, nozzles or injectors that I have so far been able to find. I need to look harder, obviously. I have a nagging feeling that economy isn't as good as it should be. OK, it's using a lot less fuel than a petrol-engined vehicle, but... And as curiously, there seemed to be smoother running from using some very expensive BP diesel instead of the usual diet fed from the local, much cheaper, Mobil, even when using a cetane booster. I'm sure life is so much simpler for those folk who just have a car, drive it, and take it to the nice man at the garage for servicing and repairs. More expensive, and perhaps boring, but much simpler!

How about this? http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/4286373358.html

My comments around rust were stereotyping... Should have put a 'wink' smiley after it. The Singaporean issues are similar - look after the car and it doesn't matter. That said, my understanding is that Singaporean cars rarely get to stretch their legs hich can't be a good thing in the long term. My diesel gets choked up on the run to Hamilton because it's only turning at 2000rpm most of the time. Take each car on it's individual merits. I owned Alfa Romeos that didn't rust... Sometimes it's not just care, but down to manufacturing quality control, too. Or luck.

And it's ex-UK... So rusty, bits missing, incorrectly described, high mileage, questionable service history... Let's do lunch. And talk about how we get me into a 535i manual for not much money.

First registered in the UK on August 1st, 1998. Other than the registration number, it's identical to the car my brother had. I had a 1990 MY black 850, with tan leather, and CS mods. Still amazes me that a car like the 8-series, with it's huge price tag, would be sold with cloth upholstery, but many were. Really like the red Alpina - that looks very nice.

Looks as though it may have had a hard life - there's a missing door trim, too. I'd like a 535i, and for the money it's a lot of car. But perhaps a lot of trouble, too.

Glenn - saw this very recently. No idea what your budget is, or if this is big enough, but may be worth a look? http://www.graysonline.co.nz/lot.asp?LOT_ID=10201160

True... And my apologies to Gareth for suggesting otherwise! I need to stop looking at more cars. We have too many now, and are looking to move house.

I just keep thinking it's on the wrong island.

I think it's been for sale for a while... I'm sure I saw an ad for this car, but being sold as a 535i, and not so long ago. Possibly a typo or similar, but some of the pics (not hte engine bay, obviously!) look very familiar.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114013069479/grenoble-doctor-confirms-schumacher-awakening-reports

http://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-e30/1635-new?product=35411154285

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/maserati/gran/auction-690676827.htm Always fancied one of these. I'd prefer a whole one, though.

I think these are from the other side, but certainly there appears to be 3 fixing holes...

It may take a few days, but a new one from the US will probably be about NZ$60 delivered. Check with a BMW dealer or one of the forum sponsors - I've no idea what price they will ask, but it's only a phone call and may be quicker (if that's important). And the price may surprise you... A used but good cable may be cheaper, but you'd be wise to clean and lube it before fitting. And there's no guarantees it'll last.

Again back in the UK - a 1989 635CSi, completely original and [described as being] in mint condition, 46,100 miles (under 75k km) and offered at under GBP 14k (under $22.5k). BMWs are easier to find in the UK because of the proximity to der Vaterland (and I confess to being surprised at how many BMWs there are here in NZ) and prices vary hugely. This car looks a better bet than one resprayed at well over GBP 20k. Brave sellers with the best cars will advertise at huge, and seemingly unrealistic prices. But if you want the best... All the same - check thoroughly. A 1995 Porsche 928GTS manual advertised in Britain at GBP 38k (extortionate amount for a 928) turns out, after inspection, to perhaps be a 15k car. Still... Best to buy your E24 now, while you don't need a mortgage to pay for it!

$38k? 'e's 'avin' a giraffe! Actually, and all else aside, a 'cooking' 635CSi can be advertised at up to GBP 25k in the UK, so that's $50k here. Extremely unlikely to sell at that price, I feel, but maybe indicative of the way the market may be looking? Typically, selling prices for a good 'un are more likely to be around GBP 6-12k. I paid GBP 7k for my M635CSI, and sold it for the same, but that was many years ago.

Another one last night... 5.2, near Stewart Island.

The flasher unit isn't normally the problem, but if you have a spare handy (or can borrow one) and cleaning the bulb connections hasn't helped, then yes - try swapping it out.