treone

Great article! and finally are 'real' car owner showcasing their own car as opposed to a random 'no-one-knows-who-I-am-brand-ambassador celebrity' with my 'sponsored' car

As per title - Sony double Din HU with Bluetooth. Never been used but packaging has been opened to view unit. Comes with all wires including the correct Sony ISO adapter. $150 ono plus courier or pick Porirua/Wellington. Link for specs: http://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/wx-gt90bt Cheers!

Agree that this an immaculate example. However... something like this would be nice! http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-4104753&Cr=3

So which caryard?

Yip this was a Wellington car and was looked after by local BMW dealer. I parked my 1996 840ci next to this in their car park one time and noticed the key mechanical differences - 4.4 v 4.0, tiptronic v standard auto etc. I asked why the differences as they later model didn't seem right - the 4.4 and tiptronic came standard in mid-1996. Was told that they were produced for different markets but I didn't believe them :-). Mine was a March 1996 car and came from the UK. This one I suspect is probably has an early build date and first registered in 1997... but I can be mistaken.

Not sure but the owner bought this from Dunedin - sound familiar? And Peter - I think my neighbour owns the E55 you test drove - Euroland did great business from us three :-)

If you're looking for a car to invest in then that sadly wont be an E60 M5 But an E39 M5... the owner of this example told me what he paid for it several years ago - again I take him on face value, for what he's asking he is going to get a reasonable return. However what is unknown is the maintenance cost over the ownership period. I suspect tho that he is still coming out on top. Peter - go drive an M5 it would be interesting how it compares to the 545. But be warned, you may be tempted My neighbour has a MB E55 AMG, 5.4 supercharged. Having had a drive it is comparable to the M5 and the supercharger whine is very entertaining! For me the M5 has it over the MB both in performance and looks - IMO the MB is butt-ugggly!

Interesting question. In short - good and bad. The bad: Had rough running and warning light issues from day one. These were inter-related. Over the first 3-4 months replaced the battery, positive power cable, air intake hoses and charcoal canister. This has made all the difference and the garage who work on it say it is running smoothly. I highly recommend MPE in Paraparaumu! Next issue was water ingress to the rear footwell's (both sides) - sounds familiar :-). Culprit - blocked sunroof drain plugs from 10 years of gunk, grit and s#%^. Interior out, carpets dried, control units checked and all ok. Thanks again to MPE! The good: Performance! Power! Handling! and all in a 4-door executive car! All of this in a comfortable cabin with multi adjustable seating positions and vehicle setup. In general I find the e60 to be well rounded and comfortable with a higher than typical build quality. In M5 form it is absolutely brutal (in every sense o the word) in performance and drivability. The V10 is an absolute beast - the pull and the noise! There is nothing better to put a smile on your face! The SMGIII - the M5's biggest Achilles heel. In automatic form it is horrible, yes what you've read and heard is all true. But in 'manual mode' is where it comes alive. IMO the M5 will be the ultimate driving machine with the V10 matched to a manual box. My caveat - I'm not interested in performance enhancements nor racing. I'm not interested in taking it to the track to thrash it. I have no desire to 'drive it like I stole it' so I can prove my tail pipes (yip all 4 of them) are bigger than yours. In fact it is usually driven in a 'grand-dad' manner. But as I said to the dealer when I got it its all about the knowing'. So its a 'daily'. Sure it drinks the 98, but it is liveable as an everyday driver. But I know what I've got. it is a performance machine which requires performance like servicing. An M5 is not a Swift so don't expect Swift like servicing costs. MPE have said that to do a full inspection service will be in the region of $2k but that's the price you pay right? Get a good one and you won't regret it ! Yes mine is up for sale. Why? I have now owned an M5 so I can tick that one off. Hope that's sums up my ownership experience!

I'd seen this car earlier in the year and got to chat to the owner. Despite the kms I think this is a very good example and has been well maintained (well what the owner said anyway). They guy who owns this was a 'Holden' fan until he got an e39 540 and was impressed by it. Then he got this - and it just blew his mind and any holden/ford/pretty much anything out there! I'm surprised that he is selling this tbh. Oh - I think the 540 was given to his son so they have both! Anyone interested in an e60 M5 so I can buy this!!??

Kinda on topic... While driving home from work today on SH1 I had two Mazda 3's (and jap equivalent) on different occasions tailgate me between J'ville and Porirua. I was cruising between 100-104 km/h in the left lane and these d$%#head drivers decided to ride my a$$ for a while. Then they pulled out and flew past. I'm not stereotyping Mazda drivers, but just sayin' lol. So I can only conclude that it must be the quad exhausts... or they wanted to see the badge up close just to make sure it was one

What this version is missing that the old had - chemistry. Chemistry was the magic of Top Gear. Sadly no more. Clarkson, Hammond and May have got it. Matt, Sabine and that shouty guy don't. And never will. Period. Even Extra Gear doesn't. IMHO. Who is willing to admit that the reason they kept watching season after season the 'previous' version was not what cars they were reviewing, but what the 'boys' were going to get up to? I do . That's the magic of chemistry... that was the magic of Top Gear. My car show of choice is now Wheeler Dealers. Why? Cos Mike and Edd have chemistry

Having seen this in the flesh and had a chat to the owner I can say it is a car that is used regularly and not a garage queen. Agree the pictures don't do it justice but it is what it is - a rare CSI! And we don't really have a 'choice' of CSI's (or any 8er for that matter) with the 'body/interior colour combo, wheels and all of the tick list options that I would of wanted if I bought one when new' here in NZ do we Anybody want to buy an e60 M5 so I can get myself this or the e39 M5 just listed ?

^^ Agree! ^^ Not sure what your starting point is but you need to go into 'M' ownership with open eyes. Which ever model you decide, my advice is: Buy the best example you can within your budget (include a mechanical warranty!) Be prepared to pay a bit of a premium on general servicing costs and parts (whether dealer or independent) Your biggest expense will be fuel - expect an average of 'ridiculous' for an e60 M5 (however it is a V10 that loves the high revs!) Oh and SMG is not an around town automatic... If you are considering an e60 M5 then I recommend watching the Top Gear review - most things Clarkson says is absolutely true both good and bad! Would be interested to hear about S4 ownership - I have always been curious of Audi ownership :-)

Cheers Olaf. I think I will be busy for a few days Just have to ensure that I've got the source of the leak first - so lucky that sunshine is forecast for the long weekend to start the process of drying out the tops. Not an E36 but the E60 . And it seems to come down to $2 bungs arrrggh! Not that local BMW know how to source them! But that's another story lol. Will also be checking the other common leak areas - sunroof drain pipes, doors etc

That seems to be a good cost effective option - will have to go check out the local Bunnings store...

Thanks for the practical suggestions. Done some basic enquiries today and dehumidifying is the most common advice I get. Interior removal (expensive!) and removing the carpet is also popular but expensive! Am game to attempt an interior removal but as its a later model car with integrated safety systems and possible recoding of car if battery is discounted is a bit beyond my confidence level. And unfortunately I require a sizeable garage to do get under cover and dehumidify over a few days. My garage can only just fit the car but can't fully open doors etc. Thanks Melowpuf for the insurance insight - I've also considered this as an option and insurance options is becoming a probability. Cheers!

Over the weekend I got water into my second car. It was parked on a slight incline with the nose up and water has pooled in the rear footwells. Worst is passenger side but both sides are water looged. I have removed about 2l of water so far. Also the front are damp. I think I've found the cause - two missing bungs in the lower a-pillar by the doors! So I now need to get them dried and cleaned. Does anyone know where to go or have any recommendations (good pricing would be even better!)? Is this a specialist thing or something car groomers can handle? A quick google and Chemdry seems to be an option - any thoughts? Thanks in advance and cheers.

As an ex '8' series owner I would say "Don't do it!". Having read your posts I can totally relate to what you've been going through. An '8' is not for everyone as they are an older 'classic' that requires a lot of looking after, including deep pockets. I also fell in love with thie 8er after seeing one in Shelley's Wellington in the 90's. I bought mine in 2011 as a keeper. But after 2 years of ownership and a significant amount spent on maintenance (not improvements as planned) I made the decision to part with it. This was 3 years ago and I have regretted ever since. I was shown my old '8' a couple of weeks ago and although it is in the same condition (I know the owners plan for it) I got the same feeling of excitement all over again. Since giving up my '8' I have had several beemers. including an E36 M3 saloon and currently an E60 M5. From my perspective these do not compare to the excitement of an '8'. If there is any possibility (its tough rationalising head over heart) of keeping your 8 and looking at alternative options the I would advise 'keep it'. I know, just as I have. the moment you hand over the keys that you will regret it. Cheers

Hi Matt, Just wondering if you've had any luck with your friend finding his Dension 500? Still keen if its available. Cheers!

Thanks Matt and much appreciated. I'll wait til I hear from you.Cheers.

Hi Matt, Any luck? Cheers

Cheers, Cory. Haven't got my 8 but ended up with an E60 M5 - and what a machine! Having had an E36 M3 saloon (the dakar yellow one for sale in Dunedin) and now an M5 I can definetly recommend an 'M' car is the way to go (if and when circumstances allow). Glad that the E39 has stacked up but sounds like you've got to where I got to: good, practical but unexciting. I'm sure your next 'upgrade' will hit the mark for you. And I wouldn't say no to a 330/530 either. Oh - and getting an 8 is still on the radar for the future. Cheers!

Any model designation beginning with an M and then preceded by a number... . Another member is (still is?) selling a 540i Msport - worth considering IMO

I initially looked into dynavin as an iDrive/sat nav replacement. However when speaking to an local supplier/installer, including dynavin products, they recommended not to go down this route (according to them they had too many issues with the dynavin product). After doing my own 'research' the Dension product seems to be best suited to my needs and budget - I'm really just wanting USB connection with ipod/iPhone connection as a back up. Don't need BT and all the other fancy stuff at this stage. And anything has got to be a step up from The Hits radio station! And if I get my Run DMC disc out of the single slot CD then I'll be real happy lol. Fully aware also of the possible compatibility issue with Jap imports.

Awesome! Let me know either way.