Breaker

Yip will be there Sunday, the fella with the massive smile ?

After looking at a million options and different replacements for the Merc, we’ve settled on our first M car. Taking into account we wanted a rapid tourer that could do light daily easy driving it seemed a later car with adaptive suspension/ steering etc would best suit. My wife is not that tall and finds any 3 series too low in the seat, she likes to see the end the bonnet and the F series is just to low for her to be happy, interestingly the latest 3 is ok in this regard but really for the spec we want out of price range. Getting another 7 is just two big in F01 range and the F10 is about right considering we are moving from an E class. Next issue was engine, N63 V8 seemed like it would hand grenade at the look of a late oil change. And even if you got a good one, resale would be utter garbage. Wife didn’t want a diesel, couldn’t change that. 535i option, good balance of power,price, poise, however vehicle specs are generally pretty piss poor and not at same 550 level we really want. Probably get bored with it. Looked Audi S6 which are very nice but decided when the right F10 car came along we might get really interested. E class was more of what we had and that is a good car but we’re selling the E550 because it lacks a really driving connection so anything but a E63 was out and they are too similar to the 550 for me. E60 M5 was an option, yes they have problems but so do all M/ performance cars one way or another. Find the right one it would be an awesome car. Ultimately the lack of adaptive suspension, it’s transmission change and overall tech age made the extra cost of the F10 worthwhile to us. Had ‘our’ M5 come up late last week at Auckland BMW, just traded. Promising look of spec, and mileage (80k), looked black in the pics but is metallic Blue (Imperial-Blau brilliant metallic (A89)). On first seeing we where happy to see the colour of the car outside in sunlight. Lovely metallic fleck. Its a one owner NZ New, BMW full service history car. Less then 80k would have been nice but the provenance to me was more important overall. Previous owner had a E39 M5 prior to this and traded up to a new M5, condition is extremely good, clearly looked after. Here’s some pics from the ad, more to come at pickup tomorrow ?. Let the fun begin. Some of the options: soft close doors, electric boot, heated and cooled front seats with full comfort and bolster adjustment, surround view cameras, big arse engine ? with 560 odd horses

Good six cylinder, looks well spec’d for a 523, and I love a good wagon. Get a solid PPI as you never know how it was treated prior to you get it and check out what general problems sit with a F10/F11 chassis, not a lot with this engine compared to a V8 F10 I’ve heard.

Always a solid option ?

Welcome aboard John, just sold my 740 sport I’m afraid but there are usually a few good ones around and there is a pretty active E38 NZ Facebook page if your into that that might help also.

Gotta love a V12, seems priced about right from what I’ve seen

Personally not a fan of the E65, but can appreciate this will be a hell of a car. Didn’t know you could get the 760 in SWB in the E65, thought that was canned post E38, must be pretty rare, hell of a lot better then the 750 and good buying for what you have here. Nice being facelift as well. GLWS.

Keen on your thoughts on the new versions Dave, the Avin 3 is what’s in the 750

Nice work Dave, got there in the end. Looks a real find especially at the price

Front bumper replaced out, it’s not perfect but substantially better and passes the 10foot test. Ready for paint With the rest of the car now. Should be sorted by Xmas.

Front bumper replacement, ready for paint ?

Sold and driving away ......

Bump

Nice little article Pete, not one I’d seen thanks

2001 740i M-Sport $7000 Genuine Msport 740i. Ex Japan, build date 21-3-2001. 195ks Sports diff so quicker of the mark the a std 740. Sports seats and black sports trim. 18” Mpars of cause with lower factory sports springs , rides lovely yet still handles really well. Too many cars and we’ve had 4 years, time to go to a new home. Lots of work completed on all the normal E38 things, this is our third E38 and unique being a sport. Pros Mechanically very good. Told Gear box was refurbished by previous owner and never had an issue. Timing chain guides, water pump etc all changed 2 yrs ago professionally completed. $5k Lots of coolant hoses and pipes changed. All the nasty rear ones and almost all the front ones. Water heater control valve recently rebuilt. Power steering lines and reservoir replaced Suspension rear control arms replaced. Front arms and thrust set replaced this year. Drives beautifully. Replaced front and rear license plate holder for Euro ones from Japanese for a cleaner look. Interior headliners A,B,C and rear parcel shelf all professionally recovered. Perfect and like new. Radio unit updated to NZ for RDS stations. Inside lights all replaced with led for an updated and modern look Reversing camera installed and links to the video unit Cons Pixels on dash need replacing. Outside is very tidy for a 20yr old car with a few stone chips and general marks Tyres are ok and passed recent warrant, probably only a year left in them

That could be end game option ?

think this one gives the best overview, ? good luck

Great looking 728 by the way

Oh dear, this might be a take the number plate off the back and drill a hole, sounds drastic and it is but I’ve been there, and you never know it’s been done with the plate back on. There are very few options to get into these. Few you tube videos on it, drill off the right middle and gives you access to the manual release.

Andrew was saying in the weekend he just put 5-6kw unit on the roof for 14k, that pretty much would run the house and give enough power to charge the car, sacrifice his leaf for the batteries would be next step ?

One of my fav you tubers

One month update. Just on 1000ks and around 120kw power use @ 30 cents kw equates to $36. Yes very, very happy with that. So far so good. This month need to go in and get connected drive sorted, want to look at putting Apple car play in updating the NBT. Using adaptive cruise a lot in heavy traffic, just makes life too easy. Only ever charged at home and just run the Rex to try it, finding 120ks is more then enough daily and waking up knowing I have a full charge every day elevates almost all range anxiety. Best feature: pre conditioning, set aux air to come on and pre condition the car so it’s up to temp for when you get in in the morning and have the Ac running for when you leave work at night, no more hot car to get into. I know plenty of BMs have these but battery concerns in the past meant I’ve never used it like I now can. Brilliant

Pulled my second hand water aux pump and heater control valve out again, replaced the gasket and seals this time, hopefully keeps all the coolant in.

Energy body kit is interesting ??not sure my cuppa but still. Having great fun in it so far.

Yip I can see that coming. Andrew you got me looking at EVs after your own experience! Once driven it will hard to look back, the EV potential if car makers actually let themselves lose will be epic when they are common new car status in 5 - 10 yrs.