Gabe79

Disregard me. I got confused as to what RealOEM was/is.

What info do you get when you use a vin decoder on it?

Hi Allan, Thanks for that. I didn't check on the passenger side. The drivers side was fine. I adjusted everything multiple times and every knob and switch felt solid and worked. Or are you referring to something else? As it happens I did check the rubber for the headlights. It all felt and looked brand new actually. I went through the chrisfix pre-purchase checklist, which I use when looking over cars in general. Over the whole car I found: One stone chip on a corner of the hood. Broken cup holders. Pixel problem on console/dash. The hub middle bit for the wheels are missing. I'm hoping the PPI goes well.

Hi Glenn, Thank you for that reality check. I appreciate it. I've spoken with Ray and he's busy for the next fortnight. I'll call Bellars and see how I do there. You're an hour down from me. I'll give you a call if I can't find a slot this week closer. EDIT: Taking it to Bellars on Thursday morning.

I ended up just test driving this car: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1249166182 It is in impeccable condition. Full history. Super smooth driving, no noises, rattles, shakes, vibrations, etc... I can nitpick that some of the interior trim is a bit meh, but I'm talking about cup holders being broken, a wee bit of double sided tape stuck, the weather seals on the doors are a bit worn (no signs of water damage whatsoever,) etc... Can anyone find faults with it for me? I might own it by tonight.

Haha, yeah, I had a lot of fun showing my wife some 7-series last night. I need to barrage her with some gold car ads and then I might be able to get a sensible idea on black. On car model year, I go my what the vin decoder says, actually. I get carjam on the plates, grab the VIN from there and then look up what model year and build year it is from the decoder. I just test-drove a really nice 2001 530i msport. Trying to talk myself out of it, actually. I might have this car by the end of the week.

I know. I am largely looking for precisely that. I do fancy the 540i and e38 series though and wanted to get my numbers lined up to make informed decisions.

No way I am skilled (or have the space) for this job. I can easily bring stuff from the US though... I am less keen to drop the money on this if it's something that can be replaced if/when it breaks for me. Seems like it's one of these things where you drive till it pops, then you stop and get it towed/fixed. I'd basically keep the money in the bank until it happens. Then it becomes a risk more in terms of timing than cost really, but any car we get with this in mind will be a 2nd car and not something I'd fuss over being out of action for a week or two or three even.

Hmm, I had looked around and had only found one for ~$1500 USD here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/timing-chain-kit/11311435026kt1/ Which is all OEM parts. Now you mentioned the ~$500 one, is this it? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-timing-chain-kit-540i-740i-740il-x5-oem-11311741746kit-2 Did your mobile mechanic mate charge mate's rates, or would he mind sharing what that cost? This seems like it would run a lot less than that ~$5k I had been thinking of, which would be the one major put-off from a 540i or an e38... If this comes down to < ~3k NZD total that goes into "That's not so bad..." territory.

https://trademe.co.nz/1250474370 How's this look? Seems well maintained and nice inside. Seller told me a coolant hose broke this weekend. Pulled over and towed. Getting replaced this week. Anyone looked at it perchance? I might do this week.

After some advice and guidance here on the forums I've amended the original post to account for unicorn factor.

Thank you for posting this. I still wonder what it'd cost in Auckland, but seems a safe bet to set aside $5k for a rainy day when owning a m6x engine. * Is there sense in doing this before it breaks? Or can one just drive till it drops and do it then? Edit: I mean beyond the basics and getting the car in good running condition up front.

Thank you for your reply. I see I was conflating two questions into one. Based on on your comment, the VANOS upgrade would be a much smaller job than the timing chain guides. My question then then becomes how much would these two jobs cost separately? im trying to map out what a worse case scenario would look like in an e38 if the guides fail and trying to ore-empt that by replacing them before they fail and pricing that into the cost of an e38 up front.

I didn't even think of that. The scenario I am thinking of is an otherwise healthy engine. Replacing only the guides Before they fail and upgrading the seals while there.

Holy cannoli! Thank you for that wake up call. Ok, no e38 for me.

What kind of damage would I be looking at for getting the chain guides and VANOS seals replaced on a M62TU (replacing with Besian Systems seals.) Prices in the US seem to run ~$1500USD for parts alone. What's the damage here in NZ? Thanks!

I've met quite a few people who themselves don't keep records, but who use the same garage year in and year out and the garages do keep records, so it isn't strictly speaking about having a folder with receipts, as being able to show maintenance is done. I will need to learn how to source OEM parts in New Zealand.

Hi Allan, Thank you so much for your post! I agree with you 100% and from my experience shopping for used cars, people take appalling care of their cars and specially for older cars, are all too happy to say "Oh, it's an old car, you can't expect it to be in good condition!" A huge unfixed, rusting dent isn't "wear and tear." Engines gushing oil aren't in any kind of "good condition" etc... It's been a slog looking so far. I am simply looking for a car in decent starting out condition, with a relatively known history without any of the silly things people tend to do to cars... I take your point on tires, I saw one with 3 tires of one type and 1 of another. Just silly stuff. I always check all four tires and rims match now. Anyway, I suppose I am trying to say I am not looking for a car where I'll spend all my money on the car and have nothing left over for repairs, to the contrary. I want a nice platform to start from and build on for something I intend to keep for 10+ years to come.

Thank you for your post! I agree with you entirely on the colour aspect. Here is where that part comes from: We need a second car. My wife generally does not care what kind of car I get, I can basically get whatever I want, within our relatively generous budget. Her thing is that she doesn't care about much about the car, beyond "comfortable and looks nice" with that in mind, she has stated she dislikes black cars (and gold, but I don't think that will be an issue...) So, given I basically get to buy whatever I want, I don't see a problem with excluding black based on her preference there. I have no intention of buying on price alone. I do want to buy based on condition with an understanding I will certainly have to do some work on the car. I accept this. To assist with this, I very much want service history. Without that, it's a bit too much of a crapshoot really. There is only so much a PPI can find... PS. How much did them rear wheel bearings run you?

Hi. I'm looking for a nice e39 msport 530i or 525i with the m54 engine. 2001 and newer. Must not be black or gold coloured. (Wife insists on not either of those colours) My unicorn would be a 2003 530i e39 msport touring in red. I'd like a car with service records as well Touring preferred, but could live without. I'm just north of Auckland, in Stanmore Bay, can travel within Auckland to see, but rather not go more than 40-45 minutes. Thanks! ps. I think I am after a unicorn. Someone please prove me wrong! ?

Is it the one in Warkworth? If so, I'm talking to that seller. Thank you! edit: I've seen it have ruled out all the cars in this thread so far. Disappointing for now but I've made a new thread in the wtb section.

Hi there, thanks for that note! Could you link it, or pm me their details? I'm not a Facebook user.

Hi, thank you for your reply! As it turns out, my brother-in-law has a 525i and he's quite happy. I'm sure it'd be plenty of car for me. That said, the 530i seems to actually be cheaper on trademe right now for 2000-2003 so I'll probably end up going that route. Seeing some cars this weekend and considering options. My goal is to narrow down my choices to one really nice example to have inspected by Bellar's on Thursday next week.

Hey, thank you for that! I am not as familiar with these gear shifters and couldn't tell from the picture. I've contacted them. Thanks again! EDIT: Owner got back to me. It's sold already, alas.

Hi there. Thank you very much for your advice and for taking the time to post in this thread. I appreciate it. I had excluded the 2001 model because it is a manual. My wife can't drive stick and vetoed that option. The other I have actually contacted, but it is a bit outside my upper end budget. I want to get this done and dusted under $6k. The lower the better, as the difference will go into a maintenance fund. When thinking about a 525i, I keep thinking I drive an underpowered Toyota now and it mostly works for me. I don't know the lack of power would bother me very much. I'll have to see when I drive them. Messaged!