TermiPeteNZ

Definitely good plan to weigh options if the bill will be big. E60 feels very modern and current in terms of interior and exterior styling - and is technically advanced compared to the E39. But people seem to love or hate the aesthetic A 545i like mine you would be able to get for $10-$13K. Anyway - hope the fix is reasonable.

Crap - frustrating! Let us know what you find. Maybe take it to a different garage? I get mine serviced at Driscoll Motors on Walter St. Not euro specialists but experienced with euros. I am unfortunately one of their best customers since purchasing 2 BMWs There is an E39 540i for sale in Welly for <$4K (has a replacement motor in it with 125KMs on it apparently. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1169077115.htm

Welcome from the Welly crew Andrew! Nice vehicle Look forward to the pics ...

Nice in red!

It's the automotive equivalent of platform shoes (20s with 315s anybody?). Nothing is cooler than that. But platform shoes aren't gumboots and they certainly aren't waders. So no I've been avoiding puddles studiously but the sky is more difficult to evade.

Euroland does have the most interesting collection of vehicles in Wellington Very nearly bought the E55...

Agree the E39 is a classic now and likely to appreciate. Should have bought my friend's Avus Blue when he was selling it. He put up some artistic but not very useful pictures on TM and it took a while to sell! I drove an E55 from Euroland before buying my 545i - the supercharger whine is great and the power awesome - but the interior does not feel as modern as an E60 and the 'Mr Sensible' side of me decided <half the price and 245KW would be sufficient. Personally I like the overall aesthetic of the E60 whether in highline, MSport or M configuration - E55s I am partial to in white or black but not so fond of silver. Still hanker to add 'owned a mental vehicle with supercar performance' to the job done list But after burning wads of cash on sorting my 2 current BMWs I'm a bit chicken about AMG/M ..... Must be time to organize another Welly coffee catch up.

Thanks heaps for sharing your experience - maybe I shouldn't drive one or temptation might get the better of me

@Treone - so it was your silver M5 I saw for sale on TM. :) I got my E60 545i from Euroland too - back in October last year - and I've just recently crossed the $5K threshold on maintenance/fix/excesses despite having an Autosure Extreme on it. This does include radio re-code, Nav change (since lost from comp replacement), trim replacement and repair which weren't essential but necessary from my perspective to get it 'sorted'. I feel at this point I need to keep it for a decent period or I'm just kissing the $5K goodbye to the benefit of someone other than myself. Same goes for my X5. Otherwise I would be serious about switching to an M5.

Should find out tomorrow what the story is/was .... Hoping for a respite from issues across the 2 BMWS after this one. A month or 2 would be good.

Here's the S7 brochure... S7-Brochure.pdf

Thanks for the advice Grant. Sheesh! Some after market add-ons crews are rough as guts and do things in a hurry. Just finished drying the carpet and mats. :\ I've had the 2 left window regulators replaced and front L was dry so prob not my garage to blame.

Tis odd that it doesn't have ACS wheels . . .but as Martin says it has the exhausts etc. Maybe 'The Director' preferred the cleaner look of the MSport wheels.

Interesting piece of local BMW history ... "This was once the BMW NZ director’s company car and .... was sold new for nearly $200k to BMW New Ze3aland Management and we have original invoice of purchase price and original manuals with service history." $20K with 167Kms on it... very well spec'ed. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1156064998.htm

Sounds frustrating :|

Hopped in the X5 this morning and when helping my youngest lad get in noticed that the left rear mat was wet. Lifted it out and noticed the floor was sodden. Checked the other side and same thing! The X5 had been parked outside during the massive amounts of rain we've had... looks like this issue: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/61235-wet-floor-not-drainage-block-fixed.html Taking it back in again to get it sorted. Oh well...

Hey Treone - what has your experience been with the E60 M5?

$30K ono with 205kms and looks to be in very tidy condition - and I must say I do like the 2-tone interior But not sure if anything but Avus blue would do. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1165130233.htm Still toying with the idea of picking up one of these in the near future - tho E60 M5s are the same price or less but really not sure which makes more sense ... Also pondering E55 (blasphemy!) as an alternative ... hmmm.

Just sad

Fun fun fun! But seriously - two M3s?!

It's a beaut and +1 on the ACS wheels Nice pictures BTW - and GLWS!

Big call!

Nice! Enjoy

Regulator #2 done. But - had to replace both rocker cover gaskets after getting another oil leak on the garage floor. And - spotted when that was being done - both power steering hoses are now being replaced (arriving from Germany next this week). All I can say is that I'm glad (a) I have a MBI to reduce my total spend and (b) I get paid well. My original thinking of owning my BMWs for 2-3 years and replacing/updating more regularly has taken a back seat. Need to keep both the 545i and X5 longer to justify the money I've put into both. I find it difficult to understand why all of this stuff has happened within 6 months (X5) and 12 months (545i) of me taking ownership.

Did you see the comment on the auction? "Perhaps when this sells for the extortionate price you can pay the people who you have contacted in to do design work, yet never paid"