TermiPeteNZ

My advice is talk to MTF Mt Victoria - they arrange finance and MBI for vehicle purchases. Very helpful and happy to deal with different scenarios.

Had 2 more prices come back - $441 and $443 so I'm paying slightly more in Welly - and standard process seems to be: ex Germany 10-14days require you to come into dealership with id must prepay for the key So you kinda have to deal with your local ....

Another thing to note is that given depreciation a well sorted, well maintained vehicle probably won't cost any more than one that isn't.

Vero/Autosure now operated by Turners. They are fantastic. Can't recommend them highly enough.

I had a look at (and updated my maintenance spreadsheet) and for me and my 2001 X5 has been a thoroughly enjoyable vehicle but in nearly a year and a half I've spent as much on maintenance as I did buying the vehicle - even with a MBI as I have had 8 claims. On top of this also dropped a bunch of $ on a cosmetic tidy up (roof rails, paint, multiple carpet cleans and stain removal, trim fixing, newer tail lights) which a much tidier example simply would not have needed. In retrospect I did not buy smart and I've paid for this - ending up catching a lot of the (overdue/expected) stuff. Lucky I'm not skint!!! repair ABS unit fix ABS pump bracket and pressure sensor (this was all due to the 'brake light trifecta') replace thermostat fix instrument cluster (dead pixels) replace radiator and hoses replace 2 x window regulators replace both rocker cover gaskets replace trans main oil seal replace both front lower brake reaction rod arms new key (they use a capacitor not batteries - and die eventually) plus regular servicing stuff including 2 large tyres! So I'm hoping that I've got it pretty well sorted. It has 222KMs on it and my 4yr MBI has another 2.5 years to run so *I must keep the vehicle* and keep enjoying it to make sense of the expenditure If I sold my X5 now then the next owner would be going 'sweet' and have a much better experience. It's always better if you can be that person - which is why typically buying a vehicle from a forum member is a good proposition as we all(?) look after our vehicles. Diesel comments aside @3pedals advice is sound and reflects how you have to think about this sort of vehicle. When I bought my X5 I thought 'man what a cheap score!!!' - and this has turned out to not be true. If you have lots of time and are mechanically minded then the maint cost could well be lower - but I have more $ than time (I think).

Nope I didn't :| $320 sounds a lot better. Winger require copy of driver's license (presumably to check vehicle ownership so you can't buy keys for other peoples' BMWs) and typically sight the vehicle/chassis number (but maybe would be OK with the chassis # being provided). I have now emailed 3 other dealers (Akld/Manawatu/Coombes) to confirm price and what they need for comparison - to see if there is a price differential between dealers. Won't help me now - but might help others!

Ordered a new remote key for the E53 X5 from Winger in Welly. $471.50 all up. Current one faded recently and stopped doing the remote thing - and my backup is a basic key. Asked about a BMW Club discount - helpful young guy said they could offer 10% off - but not on coded items, on which they make just about nothing. Worth asking I suppose.

Running a V8 and V10 on 98 in Welly I am well versed in this but only recently clicked to the 50l max ...

I'm too new to ownership to judge. 4 doors is good. There'll likely be at least a $30K difference in vehicle acquisition price which can cover a fair bit of operating cost. But an F10 wont be fully depreciated for a while yet! I'm sure you've driven an E60 but if you haven't you're welcome to have a drive in mine of course.

Saw this pop up yesterday. GLWS!

As another E60 M5 owner who hasn't driven any other M cars yet (really) I'm totally biased but in a happy place today. Tim's advice sounds good to me - and yes the E60 has craptastic fuel consumption (~20 at the mo given I haven't done a lot of distance driving in it) but it is exhilarating. F10s seems to start from about $60K ... and are no doubt a better car in a bunch of ways (fuel usage, low-down torque, more modern cabin), but the E60 is pinnacle of the 'insane sedan' concept. That white F10 for $60k looks very nice indeed. The SMG is not cool in traffic but very cool when on the open road. Did the Gentle Annie recently and it was *EPIC*. If you are looking at an E60 then get the PPI done, and seriously consider an MBI - they cost a lot more than they do for non-///M cars but reduce your risk (for a while anyway). Enjoy your car shopping - and hopefully you get to drive a few models along the way!

Hugely overpriced, crappy stickers and dirty!! :|

Glad you're enjoying it - different driving experiences increase the enjoyment of each - certainly find this between the X5 and the M5!

Stunning GLWS!

TBH the M5 already sounds great - and I need to spend a few $ getting little scrapes and wheels tidied so I'll leave this for now.

Hiya Wessels - welcome and congrats on the purchase! Look forward to the pics

I've got ~18 months to run on the MBI .... :\

I do like the idea but when I buy another car it needs to be suitable for a 17yr old to be learning in - and a V8 isn't probably the best choice.

Crap that's a good deal. Somebody buy it!

Congrats on the sale Kyu. Looked super tidy so someone should be a happy new owner!

As an E60 M5 owner this makes me sad Exhaust is interesting but not while I have MBI in place. No mods!

Enjoy your shopping and just ask if you want recommendations on places to get pre-purchase inspections done for cars down here.

Have made a thread for the lunch catch up

Partial to 3's and partial to white!

Nice - congrats on the purchase Graeme. I'm a fan of E60s