Penelope

Ok sounds like I need to be more vigilant then! Flying through Greenlane is a daily mission for me...

Wasn't me, I have a Euro plate. I was just saying to Ray last week that I'd love to see a twin... will keep an eye out for this one around the city!

Love those photos, hopefully next time the sun joins us too.

Maayyybeee.... After his date with Sam the Groomer. Hah imagine the horror!! If your race car is Croatian blue that might not be terrible. But anything else - questionable!

Thank you both, much appreciated! They both look excellent. I'll give Sam a whirl first since he's in the neighbourhood

Same looking.. But not the same one. That's a 2001, manual I think.. I picked up my blue beast on Saturday and it looks so naff with the standard narrow government plates. But still, love.

I got the blue beast a couple days ago and while I spent a couple hours cleaning the obvious bits, I think he could really benefit from a professional grooming session with all the right products & tools in all the nooks and crannies. Could someone please recommend a good grooming/detailing place or person in Auckland?

Holy moly... If you were in Auckland I'd be throwing money at you to do the same to mine.

There is a WTB thread, you might have better luck there: http://bimmersport.co.nz/forum/12-want-to-buy/

HUR! So true...

The thing is, I have not even seen it in real life yet..! I talked to him on the phone a few times and he was so damn nice and I'm just not into lying. Karma and all that.. \ It's all good, I'm happy with the price.

That's an excellent thought starter, thank you! I don't mind the wheels but they're not what I want or I imagine on that car. I'm rather particular about things.... Well the M3 isn't exactly a feminine car compared to non-Ms and most other cars. And blue is traditionally a male colour. BUT also I'm Croatian and the word for car is of masculine gender in Croatian so it seems natural to me for a car to be male Close to asking. That colour doesn't come up often and it's specifically what I wanted so didn't have much bargaining power

Hah yeah probably.. However I have had one female car before but that was mostly because the name aligned (yes I name my cars..) - it was a Tomcat, Rover parts assembled by Honda so her name was Rhonda! Still trying to figure out what the M3 will be called... Thanks

Thanks guys but OEM 19s only.

Yeah 18s look just a touch small to me on that car. Not worried about weight, he just needs to look "right". Umm.... I dunno, maybe... awkward.

I'm afraid those are the exact wheels I want.. Less $$ would be preferable though, yes.

So on it. Thank you! Thanks for pointing that out, he reckons they're track tyres. I'd prefer to buy them without tyres and get new ones on but he's not keen. Those tyres are no good to me, as you said. I guess I'll wait and see, if they don't sell, he might be more open to it later... I'm in no rush.

Oh yes I am! Thanks

Thanks! Heh, he's a character! Sorry, but thanks! He's dropping it off on Saturday. Counting down the minutes.....!!!

Just an update for all you guys that helped make this happen - closed the deal last night and will be picking the car up in the next few days. BMW Tauranga were incredibly thorough and helpful with the inspection and answering all my questions, and apart from a few little bits, the car is in excellent condition. Now next mission is to find some OEM 19s..!

Oh - while I have your attention... Do you have recommendations for good mechanics in Auckland, preferably central-ish that look after your M3s? I'm currently in between mechanics so would be keen to find someone permanent that comes recommended.

Thanks everyone for your help, really appreciate it! Spoke to the seller, lovely man.. Happy to come to Akl or meet half way, hopefully this weekend. Also happy to take it somewhere for an inspection so I will get in touch with BMW Tauranga to organise. Bonus is that the subframe has already been done (by original owner under warranty apparently) and he'll scan receipts of past services for any of the other high-risk items from the list I'll give him (thanks to you guys!). Apparently he's had it for 4yrs with no trouble and he thinks I'll fall in love with the wheels if I give them a chance. Don't think so! I might have accidentally told him this is my dream car so have probably significantly reduced my bargaining power, oops...

Yeah I guess it went into hiding in Te Puke hah!! Roger. Got those three things from the brief research I did, fingers crossed some of it has already been replaced but if not, I'll brace myself for it. Any idea what I'd be looking at if none of it has been done? Something like $2k or more like $5k or even crazier? It'll help to get a sense of it so I can weigh up the price etc. $1k a year for maintenance is not bad compared to the temperamental POS I drive now.. Excellent idea. Anyone have any recommendations for contacts near Te Puke? Thanks for the tip and seems like a great deal but I'm gonna need 19" for sure

Thanks Nick! Owning my current car for the last 4-5 years has conditioned me somewhat for the maintenance costs But yeah I fully expect that this guy would be next level again. Good to know you see no warning flags. The wheels pain me but I guess nothing's perfect!

Hi all, just joined to get your expert opinion on this car: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=802317911 I have been wanting to get one of these for years and have been looking seriously for a few months now waiting for this exact colour to come up. Apart from the wheels (ugh), it's exactly what I want. However, I have zero confidence in my ability to assess whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, or to know what I should be asking and looking for. I don't want to play the "girl" card but what can I say, I prefer to research shoes and cats... So, is anyone familiar with this car? Is it worth driving 3hrs to have a look at it and if I do, what do I look for? I'm pretty sure these don't come up for sale in Laguna Seca very often so I don't want to miss out and wait another year, but I also don't want a lemon. Any and all advice, comments and tips would be very much appreciated.