Sick Puppy

Cheers for that, friend isn't fussed, though TBH she'll probably prefer an auto, I'm figuring they will be cheaper, can't think why Spoke to her yesterday, looks like a five series is where it's at!

Hi everyone, a friend of mine is looking to buy a 5 series, and I thought I'd ask here for recommendations as to who to buy from. Yes, she can look on Trademe (who doesn't nowadays), but we're here about Beemers, so I figured, heck, why not ask? She is looking at either a late model E39 or early E60. Sedan or Touring is fine, manual or slushbox, and while she'd be happy with a 520, I'm thinking that that size engine would be a tad underpowered? I dunno, I know nothing about them. Only thing she is fixed on really (apart from a 5 series) is that she wants it to have a proper rear middle seatbelt and the fitting for a child seat. Any advice, pointers or contacts would be much appreciated - ta! edit: Why a 5 series? No idea - she has had an E36 for years, so is a Beemer fan, I think she wants to get a bigger car, but if you guys reckon the later model E46 etc are a go, let me know.

The Mercs are good as their floors are virtually completely flat, although I dunno what the effect is on their internal height. That last one, avoid! Every time I see one of those, I think, ooh, cool... and then see it a few days later either broken down or getting repaired (usually rear diff?!). Must say though, cutting off the back and turning it into a cabinet would be awesome...

as will I.

Bzzzzt! Clear! lol Sorry to resusitate an old thread, but this is also of relevance to EQC claims too - just had them knock me back on my claim for two car batteries and a car charger on the grounds that they are 'vehicle accessories', specifically used for a car, and therefore not covered under EQC claim. Tower confirmed that too. So despite being on a garage floor and covered in several inches of silty sh*t, they are not covered. Guess I have a bit of an argument coming my way!

This is a safer option IMO - from what I gather, cars are given a pretty good going over when first inspected here...

And that's why you have swirls etc - there are forums dedicated to car detailing, with people messing around on scrap panels with expensive equipment to learn the ropes beforehand for this very reason. It needs to be taken to detailers that specialise in paint correction...

/\ You'd think so looking at the kits, but better to get the VIN to be sure...

I read about this service a while back, been meaning to use it... so time for questions! So what's it like to use guys? Is the service good, and is the pricing okay? Do you consolidate the packages, and do you do them all together, or over a period of time? Have you used any similar companies?

So with the torrents being tracked, is that them (the evidence collectors) tracking everything with copyright, or do you reckon they will be focussing on curreng stuff only? e.g. new releases, not yet released, etc.?

There is one of those around in Wellington, owned by a painter The thought of that lovely piece of kit being covered in paint...

+1, this is a very nice example though...

Not that I want to thread hijack, but... I'm wondering what I'm missing from these two toolkits please? This one is obvious - the tow eye (I have one, but it's too long ), and something else on the right side; What about this one though? No space for the eye or 10mm socket at all... but something in the middle, under the spanners etc? Thing is, I'm sure there are other tools that can be found with the E34, I just have no idea what they are! Anyone have any info? Oh, and how much do tow eyes go for at the wreckers? Need to complete the kit I have...

Me no likee - needs a major tidy up around trim and edges, wheels look plain wrong, especially the back ones. Waste of what could have been an awesome cruiser...

Are they OEM or aftermarket?

If the guys above don't want it, I'll buy it, and arrange for someone (anyone!) to collect.

From the sounds of it, you'll have accommodation sorted, and won't need to worry about possessions etc. So that leaves the question of rent, vehicle/possession storage in Auckland. If you can sort this for cheap, I'd say go for it. Living in Chch isn't that bad, I figure if a building was going to fall down, it would have done so by now!

It's a nice looking car! The advert has a service history up to 2004, would be worth checking what happened after that...

+1, Friend of mine has a Mondeo, everything that needed repairing cost $$$ more than my Toyota Curren, aircon, locks, clutch, and the bumpers apparently cannot be repaired/plastic welded, need full replacement at about $1200 each. A mechanic in the UK saw one scrapped as repairs cost more than what it was worth...

I'm wondering the same thing about bring in smaller parcels... using Royal Mail to NZ, a 2kg parcel will cost over $50... if it's going to cost $300 to bring in Alloys, I'm looking at using the wrong people methinks!

+1 Exactly - if it ends up like the E28 (before it's fiery death), it will be pretty stink

Become pizza boy, deliver pizzas with grated poo to his house. When the food poisoning kicks in, rob his house at lesiure. j/k, although options 2 & 3 do sound good.

Keep the E34, or sell it to one of us! I don't think safety is really an issue with one of these - stories of these hitting concrete barriers at 100kph, writing off the body but still keeping core integrity spring readily to mind. You're still safer in one of these than anything smaller or of equal size/age IMO. (Saying IMO to avoid the splitting of hairs, requests for explanations, etc etc.)

... and drives a Morris Minor... lolLets face it, if you want utter reliability, drive a Toyota. I had one for seven years, never missed a beat (well, there was that time it was a foot shorter thanks to being humped by a Hilux, but that wasn't really it's fault). I hope my Beemer is that reliable when I get it on the road... European stuff though... Italian, French, English, problems... friend of mine had a Mondeo, and he bagged me for having an 'expensive to maintain' car while spending three times as much on his... I dunno! lol

This came up on Garage Journal - makes me glad I've never had a towbar on anything I've driven, it would be my luck to do something this dumb! lol Consensus there was to make sure you weren't towing too much in the first place, and then to gradually slow down until it stabilises. Trying to accelerate would make it worse apparently...