SmithyInWelly

Welcome both of you - that 130i looks fantastic. Well done! And all the best with the selling ambitions, it was something I loved doing many years ago... it's not always an easy job but someone has to do it. A bit of enthusiasm (as you have) and commitment can take you a long way

I agree re the MS - that'll be a definite for me next time. Most of their used stock is pretty trashy - but they do get the odd exception. The pricing on their imports always seems very "optimistic". I'd love to see some of their actual sales numbers.

You'd have seen this one I presume? A few more $$$$ and also with some niggles but could be a lot of car for not a lot of dollars... NZ New, and local. Might even shoot up the road for a look at lunchtime - purely out of curiosity

9 grand car. 5 grand seller.

Good spot Pete - and yeah, could be a great pickup at the right price. A bit of a tidy up, swap over the wood trim, get rid of the JDM monsoon thingees and you'd be away!

Blimmin beaut wagon to be fair... but he wants good wedge for it.

Buuuurn.... (but a very well played one)

It is - which is why it's just as well it's in Auckland lol... the Euro is surprisingly good at doing what I need it to do, and whilst a 20 year old BMW has a level of emotional appeal, the practicality as a daily wouldn't be in the same ballpark. It is nice to see there are still some good NZ new ones around - in amongst the sea of imported, unloved ones... and my Scottish heritage does love a bargain! The Euro will be with me for a while yet - house to build first; then a house to sell and then I can side/upgrade.

Used Aussie cars here are piss poor value - particularly given you can spend similar money on a used German that may be a year or two older, though will have better tech, quality, and generally better "feels" as the kids say these days I'd love an early millenium HSV - but for the money they go for I'd much rather have a euro.

If this was in Wellington I suspect I'd be quickly selling my Euro... looks reasonably well looked after and at a decent price - of course it's also an old car and will require ongoing $$$$ but for that money you probably couldn't go far wrong... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1241425943.htm

I had a '99 NZ new 2.4 Avant that I picked up very cheaply ($1k) some years ago from a work colleague who was going o/s. It had done 240k's when I got it but despite showing some wear commensurate with it's age and kms, it drove pretty well and everything worked. Gave it a basic service when I got it, and again annually... preceded to keep it for over three years and 40km - all it cost was a battery and tyres. Put it on Tard Me and couldn't give it away, so ended up giving it to a relative who needed something cheap and safe to transport her new human. That was three years ago. It's now living rurally and clicked over 300km mid last year. In terms of "horrendous bills" she's had to spend $500-odd on a sensor and something or other for the suspension early last year. Was in it a few mths ago and it still drives beautifully. And yes, I'm aware that they're not all that good - but they're not all crap either, particularly if you get one at a good price (or free lol).

The underlying message seems to be if you're wanting a reliable BMW - don't by a 4cyl E90. Unfortunately, your budget isn't going to get much of one with a couple more so you'd be better off looking at something a generation older (e346/e39) as the gems are out there. The ex Jap 525i MS which I bought from a fellow member here had no service history but had been well looked after and gave me no reliability issues at all - though (as per above) I did ensure I had the $$$$ in reserve if (when) required. When I buy something next year I'll be in a similar boat - albeit with a slightly larger budget, and following the advice on here have concluded I'm better getting a good/great e46 than I am getting an average/cr@ppy e90/91... that will probably cost another 10-25% up front. The key with any older BMW (well, any marque really), is to get the best car you can for your budget. In 99.9999999% of cases, that won't be the newest one.

True Allan, but FWD is just that bit more boring... and the Japas aren't much to get too enthused about - unless I go Rex/Evo but I'm too old for a ricer; and had a 2 year old Evo 4 in the late 90's. As Matt mentioned, a non-turbo six will probably be the ideal mix; 330 would be about right... unless I go completely left field again and scratch the HSV itch I've always had. Will see what's around when I'm ready - and of course budget will have a bearing... it could be anywhere between 10 and 20k which is far too broad a span to seriously consider atm. I'm just bored to tears driving my Euro (great car it is for what it cost, admittedly). Thanks for the advice/feedback

The issues are predominantly more about service than product. Well, lack of.

I just want a DD that can take a mutt and enable me to drive from Whitby to the Hutt over the Haywards Hill everyday without putting me to sleep. Happy to spend a bit on prev-maintenance but have practically zero ability to do anything myself. My brain says another BM is the last thing I should should get - but the head doesn't always rule lol... doesn't need to be a race/track car at all but nor would I want a 318.

Might give my intended next purchase (E91) a miss then... ouch. Or are 6's more reliable with good maintenance?

It's NEVER been smoked or eaten in and been cleaned and garaged it's whole life... yet it's a used import. Looks a nice car but absolutely top dollar given the km's and being an import - and the way the seller is carrying on - yeahnah... I couldn't be bothered with it/them. Agreeing a sale price BEFORE even viewing a vehicle? "Tell him he's dreaming!!!".

I'd hope they put more effort into maintaining the car than they have advertising it. Though there's no evidence they have done. Could be a recent import. Who knows.

Was private initially - and much cheaper (as per above) so either the owner saw something they wanted and traded it; or the dealer saw an opportunity so threw down $10.5k folding and got it. I'm more inclined to think the latter.

It was kinda like this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1204709814.htm

That looks great - though a few more pics wouldn't go amiss. If I was in the market (which sadly I'm not, yet) this'd definitely get a look!

Yeah, I read the article ;-) it's a good story that they could do more with (imo).

This is pretty cool... and great (if accidental) branding for BMW NZ - not that they'll do much with it: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/85741470/nelson-children-gifted-mini-cars-to-give-taste-of-mobility

Realised this morning it's 2.5 years since my munted lung was removed, after I'd signed up for a 5km jog/walk/waddle/roll next month. Time flies, money flies, and blow flies

Not great then?