Eagle

Never bought into the whole 'shouldn't sold of because they are worth x amount now', too many shortcomings I view the situation as 'should of owned one because they were cheap and readily available at a time you could afford one'

Basically a parts car given its condition

Asking and market are 2 different things though. Who has actual data of what they are actually worth\selling for, safe to assume its not the asking prices most of the time otherwise they would of sold quick. I can only speculate how some sellers come up with an asking price.

E36 Ti is 1\2 an E30 and imo aren't that far off the actual driving experience (one of the main reason i and many bought an E30 in the first place) IF 318i's are actually selling for the asking prices then i can only assume the buyers are degenerate fans or people buying as an investment rather than actually use, maybe both. Vast majority ive seen for sale ive seen have had the bare min amount of work done to meet WOF standards etc, but want top dollar for their worn peasant spec car.

Far better off with tidy E36 318ti than tidy E30 318i, they are better in most aspects besides looks and for a 9k+ saving im sure its easily gotten over.

No surprise on the shocks etc, usually neglected even in good examples. Yep E34 steering is quite decent for a box with good feedback once you it get off center.

Is this one of three Technoviolet 540is in NZ or is there more? @Herbmiester new one, Simon's ex one - NZ new, grey leather 400,000km+ and yours? To me these spec E34's 540i's the closest thing BMW built to a traditional muscle car.

Appears to be a decent buy as long you are prepared to throw some money at it to make it reliable. Probably still on many original parts and fluids and it looks like its just hasn't been used much since coming to NZ (good and bad).

Cams likely identical being B35, they only had one spec for those engines iirc. If you swap valvetrain over to the old head you'd want to do the rocker arms and prob the valves etc also as they have matched wear profiles with the camshaft etc.

Plastic bladder inside box with a screw cap and tap, remove the cap and tap screws onto the cap thread. Once you have it setup on a table etc you just rotate the box 90 degrees towards you and becomes a mini oil dispensary.

Used to use the Castrol but its get real expensive if you do a few cars or didnt quite have enough. Penrite superdot has similar specs iirc and is far better value in the 4.4L bottle esp when on special.

Can confirm the cardboard 20L is much better than the plastic option. Far easier to dispense with the included tap and obviously stores better. Probably much easier to drain once it near empty too.

Yeah saw that today and just happen to require some. Picking up a 20L box of oil & ATF tomorrow with the ignition discount.

K's don't mean much at this point in time as does regularly serviced (in NZ it usually boils down to oil changes done now and again). Most of these cars have tired suspension, old plastics and rubber etc regardless of mileage. IMO the example that has the tidy condition paint\panel, good interior and drives ok is the one that worth spending a couple of grand to sort mechanically. The only ones that are actually close to needing none or very little work are the ones owned true enthusiasts who are happy to invest lots of time and money (opposite of most car owners)

Sold a set a few years back for $800 but they needed painting. Average condition sets used to be around $1000 with good condition sets going for 1500-2000. Haven't seen any for sale in awhile though. Personally id keep you current setup as 17's are better in everyday on a 535i (aesthetics aside)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/535i/listing/2770105343?bof=md3IKGMM This guy has been trying to sell his 535i "sport" for awhile too. Delusional on the price and well as his definition of good condition.

Wasn't this the one for sale awhile back.

Good example but you'd have to really want that spec to drive it back to Auckland etc.

Rather to sell you parts than diagnose the problems sums up most dealership experiences ive heard about.

Ive always just listed all i can about the car im selling and most calls i usually get are viewing related. Maybe some sellers don't mind taking calls and answering questions due to their lack of detail, but its not something i'd ever consider doing.

Hard to tell if that steering wheel is well worn, it looks to be but it maybe the light on it making it so.

Personally i think it at least partly due to E39's being so common and cheap on today market.

You haven't specified whether it was pressure tested? If you have the engine tray on you probably ain't going see nothing dripping. Lots of coolant hoses hoses which can leak like ones under the manifold

Thought you would have that manual box in it by now.

Iirc the transmissions in these aren't that strong either.