treone

Agree with @Olaf and @TermiPeteNZ regarding buying advice. Mine is an 2001 E53 4.4l ex japan. Bought it with 198kms on it and had it 3 months now. Weather you go for this one or some other one do your due diligence, get a PPI and if there are any issues get the seller to sort them and get an MBI. This may save you from the MBI insurer not covering an issue because they have assessed it as pre-existing. Speaking from a recent experience with my X5 here. With the 'issues' that mine had/has I still think its awesome! I got mine for a reasonable price so I expected faults and I'm not too fussed - I'm just going to drive it and enjoy it! Kept an eye on this one too and I reckon a 4.8 X5 would be great fun! Did I mention that I think X5's are awesome?

Nice!

^^ Agree! Most things are cosmetic and can be changed and with a bit of love should come up pretty nice. With the 'add-on's' it makes me wonder what lurks underneath though. If I was to consider this (which I'm not - timing isn't right. Yet) I would daily until it seriously broke. Then project it - either S62 or LS1! Both with manual transmissions! But this plan for me is a loooong way off .

Possibly - If I was to do an 8 series project . Been watching this one for a while - its been listed at $18.5k, $25k, $17.5k and now $11.5k. I don't think this one is worth any of these prices. $7.5k maybe? For me it has: Wrong wheels. Wrong exhaust. Wrong badges. Wrong colour. And wrong price . But hey, it is an 8 Series!

E39 M5! Parked directly outside work yesterday. A very rare sight in Welly! It looked dirty and driven - as they should be!

Is an E60 M5 worth buying? Hell yes! Nothing beats daily practicality and performance and handling. Just an opinion from a previous E60 M5 and E36 M3 Saloon owner .

Niiiiiice! Must be E39 M5 season all over again!

I'm exploring purchasing a MBI for a vehicle which I've had 3 years now and which had a 3 year Autosure MBI cover (expired 2months ago). This was arranged by dealer when I purchased the vehicle.as I am keeping the vehicle long term so thinking it will be worthwhile to get another MBI as I suspect major repairs are due. Vehicle qualifies for essential cover as its 16 years or less, under 250k kms . Rung Autosure, they don't sell direct and advised to call an authorised dealer. Spoke to a local dealer and was verbally quoted $995 for 2yrs cover with $4k per claim limit and excess options of $100, $200 & $300. Note that qualifying Euro cars have a $350 excess. All I needed to do was to get vehicle mechanically inspected (and they even recommended a garage) then come back and they will arrange cover. I will 'shop around' and see what other dealers quote. I'm thinking two to three years cover should be sufficient.

Looks like you may have the wrong model - the conversion should be in something like this: https://www.motormag.com.au/features/1706/meet-the-bmw-x5-lemans-v12 Only kidding - good luck with your build!

The E46 M3 gets a lot of kudos - but what about this? The ultimate M3? Ever? Sounds like it could be the rarest with only 3 in existence (according to the article)... https://www.motormag.com.au/features/1706/five-ultimate-bmw-m3s-part-3-the-e46-m3-gtr

BMW have - and they put it in the i8

Perhaps I need to bring some balance into my life... Two Holden V8's and two BMW V8's . I did contemplate the possibility, but unfortunately I need to be 'sensible' at this point in time haha. Although me thinks this would be a great base for an eventual 6sp conversion...

Agree! If I didn't have 3 V8's already this would be in my driveway! For $5K and the condition and maintenance history it is being given away - GLWS

Unless its an E34 M5

Confession time - I too am a former local BMW Club member (circa many years ago and pre-social media days). I was also a member of local chapter of the HSV Owners Club. What I found common to both clubs was that the success (or not) came down to a small few who would organise and attend events. This, I think, is also somewhat true with Bimmersport (in both 'active online members and organised local events). The 80/20 rule at play perhaps? The main difference between Bimmersport and the 'clubs' is you don't pay an annual fee, you don't get a monthly (Dixie) magazine, you don't get a NZ motorsport affiliation - this was a biggie for club members - but you do get a great community that has great knowledge and experience which members don't mind sharing . I was also tempted (still am actually) to sign up to the Central Holden Monaro Club. Spoke to the chairman at the Shannon car show earlier this year and felt a good vibe. And they had some pretty impressive Monaro's in the club!

As it should always be! My comment was in subtle reference to other comments in the thread - and again I am joking so no offence intending . Seriously though I have read that a Jazz Sport is a fun drive. Didn't the previous Top Gear presenters give it a rave review?

Congrats Tim on the Jazz purchase. Its always surprising to hear (and see) what constitutes someone else's sensible - I am only joking of course. Hope you enjoy your new ride! does this sound familiar to anyone?...

A 2011-13 or VF Holden Commodore SV6 sedan or Sportwagon would be on my list. Or SS-V Sportwagon . My picks for a 'family wagon' commuter: BMW/Euro - E60/F10 wagon, X3 or X5, Volvo XC60 or 90, Audi, Merc Jap - Mazda 6, Mitsi Outlander, Honda Accord Euro Other - Ford Territory diesel

Its been a week now and over 250 odd kms and no engine light - woo hoo! (and if I had wood trim I will be touching it all at this point hehe) But even better than that is the OBC says 6.8l/100kms - I don't think I want to re-calibrate this haha

This is on the money! I bought mine just under 2 months ago. It's an 01 jap import and had 198400kms when purchased. It is now at 199700. Admittedly it has spent more time than I would like back at the dealer to get sorted. Got it back last Friday, have used it as a daily to work (@50km return) and has been good so far. Issue was an engine light - dealer has replaced 02 sensor, a catalytic converter twice as first one was faulty and spark plugs. Reason I bought one - after selling my E60 M5 I was looking at an interim wagon until I get into a position to purchase an E39 M5 and 8 series. As I do regular trips to the BoP, which is usually done in my HSV Avalanche wagon (which is awesome for this purpose BTW), I thought an X5 would be great to have as an alternative. My mind was made up after having a drive of @TermiPeteNZ X5. Shortly after one came up at a local dealership for a really good price - I got it and a 3year MBI for under $10 - it was a no brainer. Looking at keeping mine for at least a couple of years and it will be used as an everyday hack and long run hauler so I'm not going to get too precious about it Fully expect that some maintenance will be required as these are now getting up to 17+ years old now. I'm budgeting for replacing gaskets, hoses, suspension and little niggly things to be done in the short while. I like - the high riding driving position, comfortable seating for 5 adequate luggage space (not has good as the Avalanche but that thing has a HUGE boot) , it has enough up and go when required, great euro build quality. I've found it not too bad economy wise as it seems to be averaging 13.5l at the moment (which is way better than the 17-20l for the HSV). My advice - if you find one that ticks most of your boxes, is in your budget (incl MBI), and that you're expecting to spend extra on maintenance items in the first year get a PPI and then go for it! Oh and purchase from a dealer if at all possible for a bit of extra consumer protection. Every time I drive it I ask myself why didn't I buy one earlier .

Got it back yesterday. New plugs and replacement cat fitted (well that's what I was told). Hopefully I get more than a couple of days before another engine light reappearance lol

For the 8ers out there, this is a must watch... hope you enjoy In celebration of the impending launch of the new '8'

Thanks Brent. Agree that this will be the way to go to actually get it fully sorted. I will let the dealer attempt to fix it for now. From there I will take it to a specialist for a proper diagnosis and sorting. That's when the fun will really begin .

Me too! They have been great so far and have meet all costs to fix. I really can't fault them, but I do suspect that they are doing the cheapest fixes possible (and that their patience may be running out) . Replacement cat should arrive tomorrow and then fitted. I'm expecting to pick it up on Wednesday and hopefully get at least three days of no lights .

Cheers Statek I know exactly what you're saying as I've been there done that before lol. It seems that they are choosing to go through the list - sensors, cats, plugs. Coils and MAFs will be next on their list...