coop

I left my number in the previous auction and he never made contact. I was/am dead keen. 
Coupled with his poor photos, make me wonder what he is up to. 
 

Current auction he turns down an offer of $16k (although most likely another TM Q&A time waster). 
he refers to an auction of another 540is at $15k for market value. 
 

I have a huge soft spot for E34s but at around $20k or more I’d be leaning towards the four door E36 M3 in the Hawkes Bay. 

2 hours ago, Gaz said:

Different car

Copy that. 
Re reading again this morning, I missed that both trademe auctions list different colours, although the same seller. 

4 hours ago, Eagle said:

Yeah i believe it was re bodied but i've seen it in the flesh a couple of times years ago and its very tidy. Its the brother of Simon's Techno Violet one which had done over 400,000 last time i saw it. 

I wager the reserve is in the 15k-20k region. One of the last truly reliable BMW's for sure.

Yeah definitely solid cars. 
Of the top of my head there is also a calypso red 540iS (or it may be silver) with well over 400k in NZ as well. 

After trawling through the net all evening I found this link. Raises more questions than it answers I think. 
 

Hi all. 

Does anyone know this car? 

Is this the one that has been 'rebodied'? 

No mention in the ad, and quite an important fact to omit if so... 

Thoughts on this cars value, considering the seller doesn't list a number to discuss. 

Also thoughts on the 540iS in general? 

Looks like a nice example, but not the best go at marketing a car with the half arsed photos in the listing. 

TIA.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2425951799.htm

1 hour ago, Contrails said:

I am happy to go check it out. 

Thanks for the offer. 
I can’t get to Auckland until dec 19th. So if it’s still on the market I’ll view it then. 
I’m happy to wait and let what happens, happen. 
 

Has anyone seen or inspected that white m325 in the flesh? 

Who are you using for pads/rotors and shipping? 

Ive looked at buying rotors and pads from the likes of FCPeuro/pelican parts/rock auto and shipping the rotors blows the price out to a point where it’s just cheaper to buy through BnT for brembo rotors (at trade price). 

Because of the the cost of shipping I was thinking of just buying them when I go to the states first quarter next year and bring them back with me. 

3 hours ago, Jacko said:

Pretty good outing considering he had 1/8th the marketing budget, He's already said he will be standing again next time, heres hoping he can get more traction next time around. Its pretty amazing how the media affect who sees what, the whole things so slimey. 

You’re not wrong. 

So it’s not hard to see why there is such a low voter turn out. Less than one third of eligible voters, voted in Auckland. A two horse race with such piss poor trough dweller options is the perfect way to keep voters away. Most voters are I guess apathetic, while a lot are probably refusing to vote out of disgust and a feeling of hopelessness. 

And there is a saying if if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. 

Well that is a crock of sh*t. 

If I pay for example $4k per year in rates, and or $30k per year in income tax, I have every right to complain whether I’ve voted or not. 

2 hours ago, ssbmw said:

Crazy times,  those early 90's. The economy was still feeling the effects of the sharemarket crash - and the car industry wilted. Higher- end BMW's suffered. 7 series sales slowed down. The M635csi's anecdotally were being discounted from $190,000 to $130,000 (the cost of standard 635csi's) and the last one left a showroom was a 87' that sold in 1990. The E31 then arrived!

The 8 series was marketed heavily as this uber-sophisticated, technologically advanced coupe. Initial sales were OK because of the hype and unique looks - however the 850i's struggled to sell big numbers in the long run. As you say, a few would have shared a showroom with the last of the E30's. The colour I saw most frequently was Calypso red! 

 

What could have been. 

Maybe Group A racing and homologated road cars could have carried on into the 1990s, forcing manufacturers to push the boundaries. 

Weren’t BMW developing a V16 in response to Mercedes M120 V12 from 1991. 

Or was it Mercedes developing a V16 in response to the E32 750i, with the recession forcing them to go to a more modest V12. I can’t remember. 

As for the 850i value. 

Put it on $1 reserve and let the market decide. That IMO will determine its true worth in NZ. 

On 9/3/2019 at 6:51 AM, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

Don't under-estimate the towing capacity of the E46, I have towed a tandem-axle + E30 race car @1100kg+ + spare wheels and tools up and down the country many times with mine, without any issues. At a fair lick as well.

If you dig very deeply into the NZ rules around towing the "tow rating" on any vehicle is only a recommendation, NOT a legal limit. The only requirement is to be able to stop safely within a certain distance from 50km/h. Which my 330d would do well within the required distance, even loaded up with all the gubbins mentioned above. 

Legal limit on a Class 1 is 6000kg, which shouldn’t concern people using a car to tow, but it could effect those with SUVs and utes pulling big loads. Too bad the CVIU doesn’t target some of these like they do to heavy transport. 

It would be too hard for authorities to place a legal limit on tow weights considering all cars are different. 

But if you were using your E46 to tow another 1400kg E46 on a 700kg trailer and ended up down a bank or veering across the road into oncoming traffic, chances are you’d be denied insurance and face relevant charges for breaching the manufacturers stated GCM. 

At at the end of the day a smaller, lighter car with a narrower track and shorter wheel base will not be as safe as towing at the upper limit as what a larger car will be (3 series v 5 series etc). It may be fine 99% of the time but when the shtf through no fault of your own and you get a sway on the larger mass and dimensions of the 5 series may just save you arse where the 3 will be crossed up in the ditch.

1 hour ago, Jacko said:

Mayor makes 300k a year or so, and its not set by the council, its a stupid amount of money especially considering the results and stupidity that previous mayors babble while getting that pay cheque!

Craigs addressed the payrate a few times, has no power to change it, but intends to be very philanthropic

Go check out his ideas, particularly around things like motorsport (western springs) and public groups, and his approach to fixing the ACC in a similar way to how you would fix a broken machine, before you throw him in with the other "independents" who are waving banners for causes.  He really does have a chance of getting in, if his profile is raised in the media. 

$300k per year and that wouldn't include corrupt back handers from private businesses and organisations. 

Take Wellingtons mayor and how the recent sale of Shelly Bay to prominent rogue property developer came about, Wellingtons un used and un wanted cycleways popping up grossly opposed by local residents, associate minister of transport letter to Lester regarding 'get Wellington moving' and her refusal to make details public while her husbands company of urban transport planning picks up untendered Govt contracts regarding transport 'solutions' that fit in with their unrealistic but idealistic anti motorist agenda. 

Yeah the pope would have more chance of being a Muslim than the possibility of no dodgy back room deals and corruption by those who are suppose to represent/are being paid by the rate payer and tax payer. 

There needs to be a time limit that these trough feeders can bludge off the rate & tax payers. Goff has been sucking off the tax payers tit for nearly all of his working life starting back in the 1960s. Time to kick these self serving bludgers out the door and make them get a job in the real world!

9 hours ago, Mad_Max said:

Couldn't give an exact weight as I don't know the weight of the trailer, but it is used for vehicles. I do have access to an old 70 series Landcruiser for towing heavy loads such as these if needed, hence why a 3 series can be considered, I'm just thinking of the odd occasion where I'm stuck and have to use that vehicle to tow something that heavy.

FYI Aus has no weight restrictions like that when it comes to towing, it's all whatever the manufacturers specify. Only NZ has a "blanket rule" weight restriction.

Yes @gjm's E46 is one of the two I am considering right now for those reasons, the E39's though is a personal preference, I'd like to see what alternatives there are other than an E39.

What is the weight of a car trailer, most tandems are 6-800kg. Add a car and that is no doubt breaching the abilities of a 3 series and pushing an E39 to it limits. 

You can pick up E53 diesels pretty cheap now. 

Re weight limits for Aus, yes, I was quoting most double cab utes GCM as stated by manufacturer. 

5 hours ago, Mad_Max said:

Yeah I'm just a little nervous about towing with a 4cyl diesel, it's a lot of strain on the motor. Though it is one I will definitely consider and worth checking out as a possibility, it would be a better pick in my eyes than an E39.

How much weight? Can’t be that much if a 3 series is a consideration. You’ll find that any decent weight will be just as much strain on the torque less N/A bmw 2.5-3.0 straight sixes as well.

Consider the weight some small capacity diesels are pulling, the most common one would be the Mercedes 2.1 four cylinder which in the largest Sprinter has a GCM up around 7.5 tonne, in use all over the world. 

Look to Oz where it is currently caravan season and all the double cab utes are pulling big vans all over the country no doubt breaching the max combined weight at 6 tonne. 

8 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

Idiots driving in fog, with NO lights on. I'm not even asking for you to be lit up light a Christmas tree with every single bulb possible lit up, all I would like is just some small inkling of brightness so I can see your silver econobox coming for a little bit further than 20metres away from the intersection. Even a side light would be a start - or an interior light, I don't care, just something, please.

Luckily it's the school holidays at the moment, so there is much reduced traffic around in the mornings and as a result there was not the usual chaos caused by these dumbasses having an accident on a crowded road network. Did make it seem even weirder in the fog though, was like some post-apocalyptic dystopian future.

Yeah. For those familiar with Cambridge, I saw a highway patrol at the start of the 50kmh zone on Cambridge Rd one foggy morning (coming into Cambridge from Te Awamutu, common/easy spot for them to sit and catch people going over 50kmh).

I pulled over and asked him why he wasn't worried about people driving at open road speeds with no headlights on in heavy fog, and pointed out a couple of cars going past with no lights on.

He spun some bullshit about people speeding in urban areas. And people wonder why the standard of driving is f**ked in this country. 

3 hours ago, Driftit said:

The M-techs and tastefully modded ones I understand.  The boring Povo-Spec runnarounds will only be worth their body panel parts to me.

I agree with tastefully modded ones but generally speaking modified examples have a smaller amount of potential buyers due to differing tastes and intentions. Unsure what basis the seller of the first example above is going off to think it is worth anywhere near $15k. 

If past sales of a lot of classics, or upcoming classics is anything to go by, originality is key. Jap, Euro, Aussie. Some models have gone for silly money. A lot of these seem to be models that carry nostalgic value, and/or were popular enough back when, for them to be modified/butchered in everyway possible. E30s are a contender for this. 

Excluding the M325s, the E30s may still be too common, perhaps give it another ten years...

On 6/20/2019 at 1:22 AM, aja540i said:

The simple reality is that even a worn out Leaf has fewer maintenance requirements than even the most reliable ICE car. When I say worn out I am purely referring to battery state of health, which is much easier to check than internal combustion engine state of health!

Your $8k Corolla over 200,000 km will require possibly 20 oil changes, that's 20 more than a Leaf, plus spark plugs, coils, a starter motor and/or alternator, fuel and air filters etc, none of which a Leaf has.

Real world range is a separate issue and one that each potential owner needs to research and compare with their requirements, mine is about 120km, slightly less if the a/c is on, which is perfect for the driving I do. The headlights don't affect the range in an EV any more than they do in an ICE car!

I also think it's a bit .laughable to assume the government won't tax petrol further, or that the cost won't continue to rise for other reasons.

I am not sitting on my high horse saying everyone should drive an EV , I don't believe that, but people who are in the market that they are who just dismiss them without a thought are missing an opportunity. 

Yeah, Im aware a Corolla, or other reliable cars will need most of those things over that time. 

If it costs $5k in R&M to keep on the road over the next ten years ($5k is on the high side), it is cheap motoring.

Not too keen to comment on how a used Leaf will fare over that time though? I guess its an unknown at this stage... 

And yes, I fully expect future local and central Govts to impose more anti motorist regulations and taxes in the future, ICEs will bare the brunt of it IMO, especially if the current mob get their way. Wellington City Council have just increased coupon city parking from $8/day to $12!

3 hours ago, aja540i said:

Seriously, you won't get a more reliable 10k car now than a Leaf, be wary there are some worn out ones in that price range, but some good ones as well. An EV might not suit the driving they are doing but they would be missing an opportunity if they don't at least consider it.

Your statement kind of contradicts itself.

there are some worn out Leafs for $10k but you won’t find a more reliable car at that price...

So is it safe to just any Leaf and no dramas?

I’d be interested in seeing how a Leaf will go long term. See my intentions of running our $8k Corolla for another ten years and 200,000km, with what I think will be minimal R&M. 

How do you think a 7 year old Leaf will fare with the same expectation? Are there any high mileage examples getting around with service and repair history? 

What is your real world range from your Leaf, and does driving with the heater/air con on, and head lights significantly reduce range? 

I watch from from a distance how the govt tackles EV RUC. I think it was once NZs electric vehicle fleet reaches 2% that they will be subject to RUC. Providing the Govt don’t tax petrol cars further, the appeal of EV from a cost and convenience point won’t be as high as what it is now. 

We bought an ex rental 2012 Corolla to replace the E46 diesel. Last of the old shape but the 2013 new shape can now be picked up for under $10k. 

Nothing exciting about it but the BMW was becoming temperamental and I cbf working on a ‘daily’ on a monthly basis like I was with the BMW (crank pulley, window regulator, LCAs, blower motor not going). The Corolla with 140k on it will likely last another 10 years and 200,000km with minimal R&M. 

Corolla gets down to 5.6 open road and 8-8.5 around Wellington city (hills and short running). 

The 320d was 6.0 open road and the same around the city. A return trip to Auckland sees the Corolla over $50 cheaper after RUC taken into consideration. 

Also considered NZ new Honda Accord Euro 6 speed manual (no decent ones on the market), Mazda 3, Mazda 6, E87 130i and Ford Mondeo 2.3.  The Mondeos are good value for money, and it appears the 2.3 are near bullet proof. But they aren’t Japanese, so no price premium, or they carry the stigma of being a Euro car (so apparently costly to run). 

Was really tempted to go a 120d or Alfa 159 diesel that was on the market at the time but similar story to the 320d, no doubt I’ll be chasing my tail with issues further down the track and diesel is false economy in small cars. 

Pet hate, people that list E36-E90 M3s as manual, when they aren’t. 

I guess they are trying to increase views? 

As an opportunist buyer, I don’t bother viewing auto/SMG M3 listings. The only time I see them is when the seller advertises it as manual. 

8 hours ago, BlackrazorNZ said:

Good luck. We can't even get the government to implement and enforce mandatory 3rd party insurance as part of the vehicle licensing scheme...

Not that I disagree, but I wouldn't be surprised if those who don't have the personal responsibility or common sense to take out insurance, would meet the criteria of third party, even if they were forced to, and were found at fault in a crash. Most of these types likely 

Don't have a WOF

Might have a WOF but car is in an unroad worthy state

Breaching license conditions

Drug/alcohol impaired. 

All reason to be denied cover. 

We have such a culture in this country now that personal responsibility is out the window and its easier to blame someones else. Couple that with a piss weak justice system and resentment/jealousy for success. If the wannabe gangster takes out your late model six figure Euro in his unwarranted 'ceffy', whats it to him...

Your insurance will pick up the tab, easy.

Yeah there is a reason why it’s top selling. Refer to my last sentence in the post above. 

I have driven rangers and Hiluxs for work and I cannot see the justification of the price premium between Ranger and Hilux. I don’t think the ranger does anything better than the Hilux. If anything the Hilux is built better, has a better stereo, doesn’t have that awful SYNC 2 infotainment set up, and the SR5 seems to be consistently $5-10k cheaper than the XLT. 

Despite what I’ve written above I don’t think an SR5 is bad buying at $45k. 

They have their place and it reads as though it is the best vehicle for your situation. But you have to laugh at the floggers who use these vehicles for purposes that a Toyota Corolla will fulfil. 

Recreational towing and carrying around the family... there are a lot of SUVs that are a superior all round vehicle to the archaic double cab Ute. 

As a diesel mechanic I scratch my head at the amount of franchises and contractors who choose these as service vehicles, albeit mostly extra cabs. 

I currently have a V8 cruiser with boxes, air compressor and gas set on the back. Not ideal for the job, but it does the job. 

Despite being rated for 1 tonne over the rear axle this is a joke and they need after market springs or airbags. 

It is even worse trying to get that sort of weight in the tray of the double cab Thai specials. 

A Mercedes Sprinter has superior payload (3.5t), easier access to toolboxes with both side doors, more space inside and on the roof for any large items. A 2.5 tonne tow rating. And is a much nicer drive. 

I guess this goes for most tradies but they seem to persist with the Ute. I can only put it down to sheep mentality and upholding an image. 

40 minutes ago, gjm said:

The collaboration is unlikely to last long.
https://www.caradvice.com.au/750340/mercedes-x-class-and-nissan-navara-to-go-separate-ways-report/

It would be quite disappointing if they abandon a new model further down the track. Especially with their plug in hybrid models becoming more popular. Bring something revolunary to the segment as all of these Utes are way, way over priced for what we get. i.e. plug in hybrid and four cylinder turbo petrol similar to the E Class at 2.5l/100km.

Its not like they don't have the expertise to bring out something class leading - Sprinter, Vito, Actros etc.  

Mercedes could have differentiated the current X Class by using their own 2.1 and 9 speed out of the ML etc. Something like 150kw and 500nm. With low range and more realistic price tag it could be a decent piece of kit.  

ATM its just an over priced segment purchased by sheep trying to keep up appearances.

4 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

That’s an understatement, they are really struggling to move them. Had offers and incentives from second month of sale, not a good sign!

Not surprising. I had a look and it appears that the discounted 2018 models are gone, but the four cylinder X Class new and optioned demo stock have comparable pricing to V6 Amarok, and are nearly $30k more than an SR5 Hilux and $20k more than XLT Ranger. So no wonder! lol. 

2 minutes ago, balancerider said:

The non 3L versions are running Navara engines

Which is pretty much a Renault engine. 

I think they are having trouble moving them, rrp up around 72k. Last time I checked there are still 2018 plated ones on trademe with nearly $20k knocked off them. 

I would rather have a Y62 Patrol than any over those over priced, over rated, wanker attracting fashion statements. It will do everything better too, unless you need to move something like a fridge or motorbike (that’s what trailers are for, and kinda a moot point since most of the flogger driven utes have hard lids or canopy’s anyway). 

At least the Mercedes has a decent engine, but you pay for it, most of them have sticker price of over $90k. 

Option up a ranger and you’re looking at $80k. Usually when you spend that sort of money on a vehicle with leaf springs, drum brakes and extremely basic plastic interior, it’s a factory optioned 1960s desirable muscle car from the USA which hold or go up in value, not depreciate like a stone when the latest fashion statement is realeased two years down the track.