thorns

Thanks, will look into that as well. Did you just buy of ebay/amazon? Cant find them online in NZ.

Is Tune2air still the simplest and cheapest option for getting a Bluetooth connection to work in an E60? All I want it for is to play spotify through the car stereo, dont particularly care for calling features (although bonus if it does this also) Are there any other even simpler/cheaper options for playing spotify through my iPhone to the car stereo?

Did jokingly suggest that, but the guy didnt want to reneg on the deal. Might have just bought something now anyway

Yip, guy is arriving Sunday to pick it up, so he said he will leave the ad up until its actually driven away.

I have second dibs on the one in that link. Missed it by about 10 minutes.

Hi, Looking for a tidy E60 550i. Prefer a M Sport sedan, but would consider wagon also. Import okay but, preferrably with a NZ service history since time in the country. Cash buyer, so can move quick for the right car. Cheers Paul

Does the Auto gravity kit allow for Bluetooth streaming of the likes of spotify through a phone?

Out of interest, did you swap the trasn fluid? If so could I ask how much to budget for that through a independent workshop?

Bugger. Thanks for the heads up though.

Im in Christchurch so cant view myself, just wondering if anyone has looked at this car? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=988666704 Looks nice in the photos, and ticks the boxes I like, so interested in any feedback on it.

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes will definitely be getting an independent PPI done before I put any cash down, still just trying to decide which way to go car wise at the moment so havent got one undertaken just yet. Mechanical warranty is also 100% going to happen with whichever car I get. The dealer I am looking at has there own branded one which is underwritten by Vero (anyone have experience with them??). I have read through the policy and it compares to the Autosure one on what it covers and exludes, only difference being it has a max claim limit of 5k which I think should be fine, unless someone wants to advise me to get a higher limit policy? I've always be a preventative maintenance person, replace things before they are absolutely buggered, so don't mind servicing and keeping a car in top condition. This car will also be my 'new' toy now that the motocross bikes are sold and gone away till the family gets a bit older, so am comfortable spending money on my car now instead of bikes. The car will be mainly a weekend driver as I have a company car, so probably 10k absolutely max a year being added to it, which is why I am considering the V8 option. What is usually involved in the 100k inspection and what is a price to budget for this? My initial plan was to think about getting a transmission service within the first few months of owning it more just for piece of mind, and then its probably done for the life of my ownership with the amount of kms I am likely to add to it. What other things would you look at if buying an import that doesn't have full service history?

As per one of my other threads, I am close to purchasing a E60 530/550i. I always here people talking of the high running costs to keep one of these on the road and keep getting told I'm an idiot to but a used BMW. So ignoring petrol costs, what should I be budgeting for, and what is it that gives these cars the reputation of being expensive to run over a Japanese/Aussie equivalent? Is it just the cost of wear and tear items that add up quickly, or do they require twice as much servicing? edit: for arguments sake based on a 550i with 80kms, imported, no supplied service history, but pre purchasi inspection with no major red flags.

So have given up on finding a manual, just not going to happening thing for the models I want. I have narrowed it down to two at present, a 530i mpsport, or a 550i highline, just trying to justify the extra cost of that amazing V8. The warranty that I am looking at purchasing with it, they have a max payout per claim of 5k, is this enough, or am I better to look for one that goes to 10k.

Has anyone had any luck importing there own? I would absolutely love a manual box if I could, and there is absolutely nothing available in NZ with a 6 speed box it seems. Guessing even overseas they are rare as hens teeth? Could anyone recommend a broker/importer I could maybe make contact with to discuss this? Do the manuals come at quite a premium used?

Drove a 530i M and a 540 Highline today. Loved the 530, and to be honest didn't really care for the 540, not sure if it was just because it was the highline and not a M so more just about cruising in comfort. The 530 felt quicker and more alive which i guess is down to ride feel being the sportier M version. At this stage i think a 530 will do me nicely, the motor is really nice, reasonably economical but still some decent boogie when you get up it. (and similar to my 3.0R Subie) Got a few more cars to look at, but its the front runner at the moment anyway.

Haha, yeah an M5 would be mint, but think that would make my bank balance drain a bit to quick!

Would like to try get a M Sport version if I can, love the looks of the extra kit and wheels on them. How do you find fuel consumption on the 545? I realise its not going to be exceptional, but interested in some real world figures as opposed to claimed figures.

Thanks Olaf, that is a brilliant guide. only really skimmed over it for now, but looks like a very handy document and will probably answer 99% of the questions I have!

Just in the market at the moment to replace my long in the tooth Subaru 3.0R wagon. Decided i am going to treat myself to something a bit more special now that time for toys seem to all but dissapeared with arrival of baby #2. Looking at the E60 530 and up sedans for something to comfortably transport the rug rats, but also deliver a nice drive at the same time. In the E60 range, are there any models that haven't feared that well over time, any particular models to avoid that had known issues? Want a 530i minimum, and also wouldn't be averse to a nice V8 as well. Looks like 2008 they had an upgrade so would like to try stretch to that year or later I think. One other thing, whats the difference in transmission between these two random examples, more talking the shifter itself, guessing its a different/optional transmission? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1016756807.htm http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1045622080.htm Cheers!