TermiPeteNZ

Very nice - GLWS Mack.

The Logic 7 is impressive On my M5 I use the paddles on distance/engaging driving (Gentle Annie!) but tootling around the CBD I'm more likely to use the stick. You might want to think about a 530i MSport like this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1330974633.htm - $10K less and still 180KW - won't have all the same extras though .... Or this white one for $15K: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1285458247.htm Either will give you more of a buffer for MBI etc. Depends if you want/need a V8!!!

Yes I was more than happy to keep it - but I could easily see how this scenario might arise for the more fiscally challenged.

Welcome from Welly Michael - looks very nice indeed! 6th is good going What have you owned previously?

Welcome Paul and that E61 looks beaut. One just like that was the first Euro I looked at after deciding to mix it up and switch back from Jap vehicles. Looks like you've had a full 'dump' of useful advice from the crew So here's some more ... resist the urge to just get it and do the PPI thing Put on the MBI for 3-4 years - they don't cost heaps and cover you for big ticket items. Autosure/Vero is excellent. Be aware that you might have to (or want to) deal with a bunch of things and even with MBI accept a risk of several $K for the first year - and hopefully you just don't have to spend it if it has been well serviced, you're buying it from a dealer and it's not 'cheap'. Make sure it's really what you want (I switched from E60 545i to E60 M5) and plan on keeping it for a few years - it's just not a good idea to buy one, fix it up, get annoyed at what you've spent and sell it in frustration so that someone else gets all the benefit of your investment For $23K I'd want a well sorted one without obvious niggles/problems - whilst also recognising they're aren't many on the market currently. :| If I was buying another single BMW (rather than a M5 & X5) then I'd be looking at something like this. Enjoy your car shopping (I love it) and good luck with the purchase! Don't let all of us with war stories put you off ...

Well - there's something like this .... LCI E60 530i MSport for $10k ... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1263620784.htm And blue is good ...

Great chance for somebody to grab an M-car at a compelling price. GLWS Ben.

Welcome from the Welly crew Adrian! Nice collection of classic vehicles!

Nope I'm shooting noob.

Cheers - well pleased with the new camera!! A quick enhance with Picasa seems to work well ...

And finishing up at the very good Thirsty Whale in Port Napier .... what a day!

And lining up before heading along for an excellent lunch .... with a nice contrasting hedge

And another stop on Gentle Annie - what a view!

Next stop - the historic Springvale bridge!

And on the Gentle Annie itself ... what an amazing road!! This was stop #1 ... not that easy to find places for 13 cars to pull over!!! E39 goodness .... 3 generations of 3-series ...

Here's the first batch - early morning at Mana and then the big meet at famous Rangitikei Junction

Totally agree with Brent. My rules with buying Euros are - always get an MBI policy (Autosure/Vero) to cover big ticket risks and expect you might need to drop $5K in the first year on 'whatever' depending on how handy you are/how much time you have After buying mine for $10K (without sufficient pre-purchase caution - duh) I've spent more than i wanted getting mine sorted mechanically and cosmetically but i thoroughly enjoy it as my daily - and intend to keep it for a few more years. Watch for oil leaks, pixel loss in LCD. @treone just picked up a beaut blue V8 Sportpac and is getting the dealer to sort stuff out. Frustrating but the end result will be good. My gut feel is that if you ONLY have $10K and don't have a fund set aside for sorting stuff then don't do it.

Will upload pics when the file upload issue is sorted ...

Yep lucky with the weather (well except in the Wairarapa and over the hill! ) I certainly wasn't the first for the elevated shot ... but I did get there .....

Welcome Daniel and glad to hear the idle is sorted. Your wagon is a beaut - colour and wheel combo works. Look forward to meeting in the near future.

1 of those was a recent replacement already ....

Totally agree Barry - does seem to be going from strength to strength. Like the idea of some kind of info we can leave on Bimmers to let them know ... number plate surrounds a decent t-shirt But we do need to get the BimmerSport site owner's permission before producing anything ...

Nice work Jake - impressive!

Lucky man How does it stand out to you - what is most distinctive? Have you driven a 'normal' E46 M3?

Are CSL's in reality that much better than 'regular' M3s or is it just a rarity thing?