Matt T

Yeah pretty much reinforced my thoughts, thanks peeps. I think I'll give it a miss, I'm willing to do a few mechanical repairs but the paint job and rough interior puts me right off. Wish I saw that M5 before it was withdrawn / sold 😭

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3490293735?bof=I2HtFYdw Anyone know much about the history of this car? I phoned the guy up and he's only had it a month. Sounds rough inside and mechanically, like it needs timing chains, vanos seals, possibly gearbox syncros and more. It is certed for the 6 speed conversion though. I already have a nice E39 540i but was wondering what the cost gearbox and all other components would be worth on their own? Picture is of my E39.

Cool thanks 😁

This popped up on Trademe and was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3117952154?bof=4qQQOCyx The seller says they don't have a service history from the previous owner which is a bit of a concern, but thoughts on the car and asking price? Anything in particular to look out for on these ones?

So I recently bought a 2009 E70 X5 3.0SD privately from trademe. It came with a list and receipts of all the good stuff being done (swirl flap delete, new glow plugs, new injectors etc etc). I paid the guy online after a very positive phone conversation and my parents drove from Invercargill to Dunedin to pick it up and bring it back for me as I was away camping for the weekend with the wife and kids. I got back to find out this thing has a knock... I've had it on the hoist and it's definitely coming from the bottom end and I'm pretty sure it's a rod bearing. I contacted the seller immediately and he is claiming he thought it was just diesel knock and didn't know there was anything wrong with it etc etc. The short version is, unless I take him to the disputes tribunal and win a case I'm not getting my money back. My own stupid fault for just taking the guys word for it and for not going to personally check it out. Don't worry I'm already beating myself up for not doing so, and for taking the word of some lying asshat, as after this last conversation with him I'm 100% convinced he knew it was buggered. Anyway... I'm not opposed to fixing it up as I really love everything else about it, and have the tools/workshop to do it, but I would need to preferably find a short or long block that isn't already knocking to start with. I'm hoping someone here might know where I could find such a thing that isn't going to run me broke as I've already forked out enough to buy the car. If I can find either a long or short block I'll strip it down and do rod bearings and timing chains etc before I put it back in the car and then I know what I've got. This is the later twin turbo engine M57N2 alloy block, not the cast iron one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yeah I thought it seemed quite cheap for an M3 but I just wasn't sure. What are your thoughts on the E46 in terms of being a good investment. I know the E36 are getting up there now considering what a guy I know bought one for 12-15 years ago.

Thoughts on this M3 price etc? Anything to look for on these things? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m3/listing/2679602013?bof=zoegqhv3

Thanks Pete. Yip I've had a lot of different cars of all years, makes and models lol. I've slowed down a lot since the kids came along though. It was an expensive habit as I don't think I started making anything on my purchases until lately ?

Very clean looking car and I like the idea of replacing the phone holder in the middle. I had no idea there was another option and I might have to look into doing the same with mine as it's such a waste of space. I bought my 540 a few months back and it came with a replacement brand new cup holder, went to swap it out today only to find its for a LHD bimmer haha. Guess I'll add that to the list of things to do.

Hi all, my name is Matt and I currently own an E39 540i. I'm a mechanic and WOF inspector at a family owned workshop here in Invercargill. My father started and owns the business and I run it from day to day now, as he is of retirement age and can't be bothered anymore haha. I've owned several other bimmers over the years including... - 2004 E65 740i - 2004 E66 760li - E53 X5 4.4 And my current E39 I've owned 60+ cars in my 38 years, some pretty unique (so many I wished I kept) and would be worth so much money now, hindsight right... My dream BMW would be a face-lift E39 M5, but the 540 is about all the budget extends to at the moment lol. I have 3 kids, my son is 4 and twin 7 month girls and I'm slowing tidying up my E39 as I can afford it but my toy always takes a backseat to theirs lol. Looking forward to talking to others and, once I'm not so time and money poor, going on a few road trips, meeting others and checking out some other nice bimmers.