treone

It went back to the dealer last week. They had it for 3 and a bit days. Got it back on Monday with everything sorted. They said they replaced an 02 sensor (not sure if it was one or all 4. My guess is none :-)) and brake pads for the 'check brake linings' check message. Well two days and 120kms later engine light and check brake linings make a reappearance lol Already contacted dealer and hope to be taking it back tomorrow - but we will see. When I first took it to their mechanic he initially said catalytic converters - which is not covered under MBI. Dealer has been good so far so hopefully they will have it sorted. I'll then do an oil and coolant change, and find out what else mechanically may need fixing... then put a plan in place to utilise the MBI! I must say after a month and 600kms it is pretty awesome and enjoy it. has me thinking why I didn't get one earlier! But its no M5 that's for sure haha. Barry - unfortunate situation your son-in law is in - hope it all works out!

Looking forward to seeing this up close. Congrats! My preference would be throwing stars but hey - its yours and do what suits you

Welcome! NIce. Very Nice

Yip, combined with the condition (at the time anyway!) and price I just had to take the plunge! Despite the issues - 'check brake linings' is the latest - I'm really enjoying it Yes - there's always an issue, but that's what MBI is for haha!

Took my new to me X5 back to the dealer to investigate source of the engine light. Scan says catalytic converters. Was amused by the confused look on the mechanics face and then the rapid googling haha. They didn't look too happy. Its going back next week for further investigation...

Yes oh yes!

Cheers. Yes hoping it will be an easy fix. Already made the dealer aware so confident that it will be sorted. Its a 2001 4.4l Sportpac ex-japan with 199kms. Went to look at it a couple of weeks ago and was impressed by the condition it was in and the price! Had a good drive of it last weekend and a deal was done. I'm not being too fussed, I drove my X3 for 6 months with its engine light on haha. Expecting it to be a coil or 02 sensor etc. As advised by TermiPeteNZ a MBI was essential!

Been beemer-less for a few weeks and have taken the plunge on this: Picked it up after work. I have a drive of about 25kms home. I get halfway. I glance at the dash. And I see this: Oh the joys of BMW ownership. Why do I punish myself? Now the fun begins with getting it sorted...

Its an e39 M5 - just buy it If you are worried about the on-going cost of servicing and maintenance and reliability - then don't buy it disclaimer: 'reliability' is not exclusive to the e39 M5 but to most BMW's hehe

Mr E34 - thanks for sharing and you have one very special car!

Not Wellington but Mike Page European in Paraparaumu. I've had great experience in dealing with both Mike and Jeff and found that they really do know their stuff. They have the knowledge and comparable/up-to-date diagnostic equipment to service most European makes. And them having BMW DNA is a bonus too lol. As you know they also have a bit of history also with your M5. I was pretty impressed on how and what they did to diagnose and sort it's issues. They also have a good relationship with Autosure/Vero - in fact when I made an enquiry with Autosure and told them that Mike Page service the M5 they said there wouldn't be a problem if there were any claims to be made. And besides, think of fun drive you will have there and back . My experience with servicing the M5 was finding a garage that knows their stuff, know BMW quirks and know the requirements of looking after 'M' cars and you can't go wrong. Otherwise all other local suggestions seem fine...

Ahhh cool - this is good to know and explains why the Calais Sportwagon I recently test drove changed gear with clunks, but not quite like my '05 VZ

I suppose the VE (and on-wards) Commodore is helped by the fact that they used the E39 as the bench mark. They even got the ZF tiptronic boxes in them from the SV6 upwards anlong with the fords... if I'm correct...

You wont be disappointed stepping into a V8 believe me. In fact it will be hard to go back . Oh and don't get too obsessed with 'fuel gauge' watching, as I often say "its not how much it costs to fill a tank that matters. it's how fast you empty it . In all seriousness enjoy your BMW SS Commodore and I'm sure it'll tick all your boxes!

This M5 just sounds stunning! 1990 and owner says just covered 65k kms and is a weekend drive. That colour and interior combo sounds cool but those Throwing Stars are frigging awesome! Any one know this car? http://www.driven.co.nz/news/lifestyle/me-my-car-the-art-of-understatement/

Awesome score Olaf! Proves that dominoes do fall in all the right places

I tend to agree this blue colour is stunning, but not a fan of the white interior nor aluminium trim. Which lets this one down IMO. Would be an epic drive though. Wonder what it sounds like?

Welcome! Was tempted with this one myself so its great to hear its gone to a good home. I had my first E39 M5 drive recently - what a fantastic machine! I'm sure the 'wow factor' will never fade every time you drive it!

Olaf - what you're really saying is E61 with S85 option - next!

Welcome as well!

Not that long ago I went to test drive some small cars with a family member who was in the market for a New car. We took a Holden Spark for a test drive - you know the current COTY. As soon as we got out onto a 'busy' road with traffic all round I said to myself Hell No! The vulnerability I felt in this sheet of metal was enough to give me the s^&*s! Then we got out onto the motorway and I can tell you that being side by side with a semi-truck and trailer at 100km/ hr in a car like that is not a very nice feeling! Being sandwiched between two is even worse! Unfortunately that was case for the Jazz, Swift and Echo that we took out. For me, the choice between a 90's Euro or latest Jap/Korean/Chinese (or what ever) is a no brainer! I remember being told once - 3mm of sheet metal is often the difference between life and death. Give me the 'thud' or 'clunk' of a quality made car any day.

Looks to have taken quite a hit, especially if its bent. I reckon that's not bad for an early 90's but 80's designed and developed vehicle. Could the same be said about the equivalent local/Japanese models?

I'm interested as well - mine seems to be stuck on 17.5l/100km regardless of urban/motorway . that's what the car tells me so I'm sticking with it haha

Nice M5! Agree with you abut the SMG it does take some getting use to! Interesting comments about your experiences with the E55 and M5. My neighbour owns an E55 and having had a drive of it I agree with your comparison. The supercharged V8 is something else but personally I prefer the M5 - to me it is more refined, has a better all round quality feel, ride and handling is out of this world for a family saloon. And it just looks soooo much damn better than the merc! Looking forward to see how you progress with your upgrades. Cheers!

Cheers for the replies and insights so far. Will see how things develop...