BigPoppa 9 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 (edited) So, I was also taking a look at this, which seems really similar, but dramatically cheaper; http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-650807131.htm When I asked about coolant systems and the vanos seals etc, this was the response I got; Yes the radiator was replaced as it has a date on it of March 2004, when i do not know as the BMW dealership, Team McMillian, will not show me any service records as the previous owner has to give permission and they will not give me his details or their name as part of their privacy policy, very annoying. It was a company car then the director bought it for himself and traded it on a new one, i was told. I don’t know re vanos, i have spoken to two top non dealer garages that deal with BMWs in Auckland and both laughed when i asked them to have a look re the vanos. Both advised BMW genuine parts are quite for about 15 to 20,000 ks...... after market are better they understand , one is replacing a vanos using overseas parts, as the guy has a collection of BMWs and has restored the whole car, it looks like brand new. The parts are under $250 with water pump etc and around $1300 to $1500 for labour. Both said they have a number of vanos cars that they have serviced for years well over 250,000ks and no problems. I have priced it at what the dealer has offered as a trade in, its this price so he can get vanos done, but i guess they wouldn’t after the research i have done in the last two weeks, they will just do an oil change and it will be quite............ Only for sale as i have bought a e39 wagon and have 4 cars, otherwise I will just keep it, but too nice to be parked outside. Far, check out that sweet funky colouring. Edited October 17, 2013 by BigPoppa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Pay Ray to check it out, & if its any good - I'd buy it. Its better value for money than the other one I reckon..........t6heres a few floating around 1k either side of that 8.5 price........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duvey 245 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Damn, that Recaro baby seat is awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 (edited) Damn, that Recaro baby seat is awesome. I muttered 'FFS, only in Auckland' when I seen it............... cracked me up though. Maybe they've been 'that particular' on looking after the 540 too........... Hope you're remembered it'll cost ya at least a grand to go get it Ewan, (by the time ya fly up with 'Mum', wine & dine her, take her to casino & Sky tower, tip her over in a half decent hotel, & then do the fuel / McD's run all the way baaaaaaaaaaaaaack to home.......) Edited October 17, 2013 by Blue-540i Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigPoppa 9 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Yeah mate, $40 for a bus to Welly, $150ish for flights, put her up in a classy backpackers for $20 a night or something, $10 for a nice candlelit dinner of canned tuna and crackers then the $150 - $200 gas to get back. I'm nothing if not a gentleman.In all honesty - my budget is around $14k or so inclusive of collection costs. It's unlikely I'd offer $13k on the first vehicle, but that still leaves me with a bit of leeway. I'd ideally like to have some left over for minor things I'd like to get done if I stumble across any. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Yeah mate, $40 for a bus to Welly, $150ish for flights, put her up in a classy backpackers for $20 a night or something, $10 for a nice candlelit dinner of canned tuna and crackers then the $150 - $200 gas to get back. I'm nothing if not a gentleman. In all honesty - my budget is around $14k or so inclusive of collection costs. It's unlikely I'd offer $13k on the first vehicle, but that still leaves me with a bit of leeway. I'd ideally like to have some left over for minor things I'd like to get done if I stumble across any. I'd heard you Apiti boyz are all style ae once ya get off the farm - good call there as ya don't wanna be eating into the fuel / mods $$$ too much on trivial $hit when ya don't have to........ I think that last one is good buying - so is this............... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-651775537.htm Ok, the km's are up a bit, but gee, still good value I'm thinking. Realistically its a buyers market at the mo, & think of the extra $$$$ between this, & 12k or whatever, that you've still got in the bank for more tuna, or not paying interest on............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Will need to update the headlights and tail lights though. Makes a huge difference! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540i/auction-652661454.htm this looks like it could be something, early model e39 but has a lot of goodies, not my colour choice for interior but looks pretty good in black and low kms too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 Lols - I seen that 1 earlier tonight too........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigPoppa 9 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 That IS nice.I actually had Ray check over the 2001 540i and the first words he said to me were 'Buy it'. Apparently it's immaculate, but does need the thermostat replaced. I've asked the seller to get this done before the weekend, then I'd fly up and collect it on the weekend. Just waiting for his reply to my offer now - things are looking good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 That IS nice. I actually had Ray check over the 2001 540i and the first words he said to me were 'Buy it'. Apparently it's immaculate, but does need the thermostat replaced. I've asked the seller to get this done before the weekend, then I'd fly up and collect it on the weekend. Just waiting for his reply to my offer now - things are looking good! It's been on there for a while but if Ray says it's good then go for it. The other one with the beige interior was on TM about a year ago, I think. Sat for a while on TM at around the $10K mark before it sold. Seems the latest owner didn't keep it for that long. Perhaps some 'hidden costs'. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigPoppa 9 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 Got the offer approved at $12k, inclusive of the work to get the termostat replaced at Ray's. Coincidentally, this is what Ray suggested he'd be willing to pay for it and still feel he got a good deal too. Looking forward to next weekend - road trippin' it back! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 Good price as long as it's in good condition and sounds like it is. Looking forward to what you will do to it! Guess it's a bit early to say but congratulations! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 Congrats on your purchase! Super cool that its got the Dynavin in there too. You will definitely love it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 20, 2013 Good stuff - this is the one then ae....??? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540i/auction-642676249.htm Had to scroll back a bit to find it......... Bet 'Mum' is looking forward to that candle-lit tuna............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 12k is a very good price for the 01 540i. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Only thing I can nit pick is that it's got a sunroof not a moonroof... I'm just being jealous though.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Yeah, thats common with nz-new spec'd ones. Less weight though.. ;-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Only thing I can nit pick is that it's got a sunroof not a moonroof... I'm just being jealous though.. Is a moonroof better in NZ? The sun in NZ - when magnified through glass - is just too hot! I've got a moonroof but rarely have the hood liner panel open more than a crack just to let some air in if the moonroof is tilted open and I only open it all the way when I want to listen to V8! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Mine goes back & forth - tilts up, yada yada, but has no glass...........hole in roof in mine is called a 'moon-roof' then?? Not a sun-roof'?? Not hard to get confused here ae........... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lord_jagganath 421 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 No-glass = sunroof. glass = moonroof http://www.diffen.com/difference/Moonroof_vs_Sunroof Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigPoppa 9 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Phil - yep that's the one. Not too fussed on having a sunroof. I'd only ever have it peeled back if it were open anyway. As a worker in the I.T field, I tend to be allergic to too much sunlight . Ray had some fantastic things to say about this car. I'm really looking forward to picking it up on Saturday. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Good work Ewan. :-) Oh does anyone know if that's the only difference between sunroof and moonroof? So the moon roof can be tilted and slide back jus the same as a sun roof? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Heya Juggy - thanks for the explaination - its so much clearer now - if ya can'nt see the sun, & it doesn't let sun-light through it - its a sun-roof. If its night-time, & ya can see da moon on a clear night without roof being open - its a moon-roof ae........ So my car, & Ewan's 540 have got sunroofs.......... Ewan - glad Ray sorted it for ya & was so helpful.........sounds like a good deal to me overall for what it is anyway. Dare say I'll start to see it around a bit sometime, haha!! Looks brilliant in the pics really. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Quite a fair point jules Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
