Mop

Looking for a space saver for e60/e61. Keen on a kit with the jack etc if anyone has one from a wrecked car? 135/80 R17 is the size I think.

Ended up picking up the dark blue 2005 530i msport wagon I linked. Drove a 325i as well which was a bit sportier but felt a tad small for me. Not many low km diesels around at the moment in my budget, excluding gray/silver/white (fussy I know). It seems in great nick and drives well, it’s back at the dealer today sorting a spare key and checking out a couple of codes (purge control valve or maybe petrol cap by the look of it). Looking for a spare wheel kit now and investigating options for Bluetooth integration, might put one of the replacement screens in that retains idrive. Will no doubt have a few threads in other areas of the forum in due course. Thanks for the assistance.

I know colour shouldn’t be a deciding factor but why is nearly everything available at the moment white or grey/silver? I think the darker colours, dark blue and black etc. look way nicer, might have to hold out for the right one. Looking to go drive a couple at the weekend to get an idea, might start with these and see how I go: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-3005600026.htm https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-3005435097.htm https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-3117655158.htm

Subaru is the other way to go but there doesn’t seem to be much in a gt with lowish kms in my price bracket. If I go 530i I’ll definitely put some parts money aside, learned that the hard way with the mini

Sounds like I should look into these diesels. More reliable than the n52 engine?

High kms on that tm link, I hadn’t thought about diesel options though. I assumed a 3 series was more compact than my old caldina, whereas a 5 would be similarish? Seems to be a few 530i cars on the market at the moment, is BM Workshop still the go to for a PPI in Auckland? I spent a heap with them recently on parts needed in a hurry when my wife’s clutch failed. It’s been a while since we purchased a car but I’m assuming even with CGA through a dealer that a decent PPI would be advisable?

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade from my current 1999 Caldina GT (NA, VVTI beams - not turbo), I've done close to 200k in this car over the last 8 years or so and it's nearing 400kms now. Still runs pretty well but a lot of the mounts and bushings etc. are end of life. I'm looking to keep it around for a bit longer for dirty stuff like picking up plants, running the dog down to the park etc. if it passes it's upcoming warrant. Budget is 10 - 15k all in, unless stretching this a little further makes a huge difference. Happier at 10k if I can swing it. I've looked around for a week or so now and whilst I've always avoided euros for (perceived) reliability and parts cost reasons I'm just not seeing anything else in a station wagon with lowish kms in this price range that excites me, except perhaps a GT legacy etc. Looking for a wagon, reasonable power (my Caldina is way too sluggish) and ride quality. Would probably fit an aftermarket stereo myself. Towbar would be a bonus, but only used for the odd trip to pick up a few building materials for diy, or to hire a trailer to go to the dump etc. I'm new to BMW and still getting my head around the model numbers etc. Searching some threads on here it seems like the 6 cylinder engines have a better rep for reliability generally? It appears tidy mid to late 2000s 530i msport spec wagons (e61 I think?) would be up my alley and can be had for 9-15k depending on kms - are these well regarded? Not afraid to do some maintenance myself, I did my Caldina's major cambelt service some years ago, radiator, hanger bearings etc. and have recently dropped the subframe on my wife's R53 Mini Cooper S to replace the clutch , various seals, control arm bushings and ball joints etc. - this was a pretty big job for me. If theres a reasonable manual or youtube video and a lift isn't needed I can generally handle it, albeit rolling around under the car in my driveway. Appreciate any advice you can offer - what would you look for in this price bracket?