Mantic

Thanks everyone! I had recently got a Subaru WRX (well the JDM spec SGT), so am not really in a big rush on the M5 just yet. The V10 is calling though..

Cheers for the recommendations and connections on PPI and dealers.

Yeah @Jun would be keen to do a trip down to welly to check it out. Maybe closer to summer?

Hey everyone - thanks so much for your detailed feedback!

Yeah I do see that low KMs and good maintenance records are key. The ones I see online at the moment are a bit so-so. Either past 100k kms or are imports with little to no maintenance records. There's one that was just delisted off trademe, guy sent me photos of various repair receipts, fuel pump/coils etc all recently replaced. 

I did actually see your thread @Jun! and thanks all for mentioning him. Agreed looks like a great community to join. Sorry to hear about your wife but glad she's doing better now! If you guys change your mind (right offer comes?) feel free to PM me.

I don't really know anyone who knows M5s (to do any pre-purchase inspections), and the M5s i've seen listed are scattered across the NZ regions (north and south island). I presume a generic AA PPI is a no go - would BMW mechanic/shops consider helping with that for a fee? There are some listings in Hawkes bay, nelson, otago, Christchurch that I'm considering. Naturally 2 in auckland however they're both a bit higher KMs (140k km, and 195k km on a rebuilt engine). There is one in Auckland that's 108k kms, seems like the person knows what they're on about.

E.g the following:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m5/listing/3728723402 - this one seems had the most work done & service history
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m5/listing/2421916203 - but an import w/ no maintenance history
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m5/listing/3724768272 - on the higher end I think for 108k kms

I suppose my main concern is that it's hard for me to check maintenance records remotely. There have been a few dealers selling em - normally I avoid dealers and go private (JDM for my past cars). Do you folks recommend any particular dealers say in Auckland / Nelson / Chch?

Thanks again all for your advice and tips.. really appreciate it

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Yes me and my wife was contemplating about it due to her health issues.  Having sold my old R34 Skyline and likely to sell her Cayenne in the summer;  For now we have decided to keep her M5, but if the right offer comes we are open to the idea of letting it go. My wife is doing better now, in fact last Sunday's meeting up and breakfast with fellow BMWs was her first time to eat out in months.  So we are likely to keep the M5 as long as we can.

@Mantic you can see my start of journey on the thread below, some info there maybe useful in considering if E60 M5 is a car you would want to own 

I have a thread regarding our ownership, which I update every now and then. 

This guy in youtube is a good follow as well, fun fact when I bought our M5 there was 4 M5 at the dealer.  I picked ours out of the 4, while a few weeks after he picked the other one which he currently owns. 

https://www.youtube.com/c/MTechGuy

I think the M5 E60 is a great car, but its not for everyone.  What I think was the best thing about the ownership is not the car, but rather the people you get to know while owning the car.  People here in bimmersport, mechanics that will service your car and general car community.

Recent life changes have meant I'm not beholden to anyone/thing and have some cash flow to potentially look at my dream car. Something to spark joy as it were!

I see a few e60 M5s listed between 60k and 110k kms, most seem to have basic maintenance records, one with acl rod bearing done and some with half the throttle actuators replaced.

I could stomach a few k a year in maintenance.

What else should I be considering before pulling the trigger? Private sale vs dealer? Pre purchase inspection? Local vs fresh import? Insurance (I see there's an autosure discount from joining this club?). I'm based in Tauranga (Mount) so would have to get it remotely checked / fly in to test drive. Also don't have a proper garage at my current place so wondering if being in the open air a km from the ocean will ruin it 

Appreciate your thoughts