treone

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...

2 hours ago, Palazzo said:

No, they got a clunkier GM six speed, the Falcon got the ZF.

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

12 hours ago, TermiPeteNZ said:

Love these in blue and looks great with M6 wheels - but I think the white interiors look better with the wood trim rather than the silver/alu.

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...

Sure - here you go...

9 hours ago, Olaf said:

PS:  I'd have no issue with the M57D25 variant.  

PPS:  as with most e60 (except the M5 or other smg-equipped  of course), prudent service of the 6HP26 or 6HP19 trans is recommended.

Thanks Olaf your insights are helpful as always.

5 hours ago, TermiPeteNZ said:

Hey Greg - this is an interesting direction - what's prompting the move to the diesel LCI? Towing? Economy?

Hmm - just noticed from the vehicle spec I have the Prof HiFi (Logic 7 setup) which explains why the sound system is so good. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the audio in my X5.

Not necessarily a conscience move to a diesel but have received an offer that may include one. As I know zilch about diesels I thought asking the question of those in the know was a good place to start. But I'm pretty sure that the offer may not go anywhere. What I've learnt so far is that a 530D should not be dismissed as an alternative. Ohhhh to have a car that could do @ 1000km to a tank .

The Prof HiFi is a pretty kick butt sound system even when you are forced to listen to the Hits haha!

I have experience of a petrol E60. Didn't like the shape when it came out new. Didn't like it when I bought one. But it has now grown on me, both exterior and interior. IMO the E60 is a well set up and balanced car to drive.

I have no experience with diesels at all but... what are things to be aware of? I'm not looking for an opinion on the 'looks' of the E60 just what does/would owning a 10+ year old BMW/E60 diesel entail?

Or more specifically - a 2007 NZ 530D MSport LCI one :-)

Looking forward to your thoughts and insights!