Olly 1 Report post Posted June 14, 2017 Has anyone looked to import an older BMW through an agent and register them for NZ roads? I only ask as I've been looking for a low km, good condition base to start a longterm project car and NZ has pretty slim pickings. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/BMW/5_SERIES/700020635230170531004/index.html I was looking at this but there is something off about it. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1341407058.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 14, 2017 whats wrong with the 540i . nz new low km and owners . what are your plans with one ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 36 Report post Posted June 14, 2017 I believe you can't import cars manufactured before 2005 (from Japan anyway). This page might help: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/importing-a-vehicle/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 31 minutes ago, Dsdv said: I believe you can't import cars manufactured before 2005 (from Japan anyway). This page might help: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/importing-a-vehicle/ If a car is newer than 20 years old, it needs to meet emissions standards. Older than 20 years old, you can import to your heart's content. This is intended for classic cars, but is a bit of a gap in the current legislation... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coop 261 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 Oz would be a good place to look. Cheap return tickets to check them out, and roll on roll off boat ex Melbourne 2000-2500 AUD excluding insurance. https://carsales.mobi/cars/details/BMW-540i-1993/SSE-AD-4802709 https://carsales.mobi/cars/details/BMW-540i-1995/SSE-AD-4640139 https://carsales.mobi/cars/details/BMW-535i-1989/SSE-AD-4668336 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olly 1 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 Sorry I should have stated. Im after something that can be easily converted to manual and I've heard a 540i isn't that easy with the V8??? Also that 540i came up as an e36 when I checked the vin. In terms of project I just want to build an OEM+ type e34 but want a super clean base. More or less trying to find out costs to land a car here and register it. E34 prices in Japan seem to be very reasonable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 540i is only hard because of the rarity of the gearbox... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 i have getrag 280 box and manual kit from a e34 m5 , will also suit a 535i or 530i m30 engine type . plenty of 535i manuals about not really worth doing a 525i unless you swap in a bigger m52 m54 engine etc thats weird on the 540i vin number , i wonder if its a typo or sopmething , ask him to pull the ecu out and check the vin number on the sticker on the ecu Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LemonHunter 583 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 I can testify from my experience, the 4L V8's run happily deep in to the 300,000K territory, mine never missed a beat from 320,000 when I bought it till 360,000ish when I sold it, service history is key though. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LemonHunter 583 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 1 hour ago, BM WORLD said: thats weird on the 540i vin number , i wonder if its a typo or sopmething , ask him to pull the ecu out and check the vin number on the sticker on the ecu Would an E34 m5 have a VIN on the ECU as well? There's one in NZ that doesn't seem right, VIN doesn't match it's origins, seller has a story that doesn't really add up either, parts list does seem to match, I think it's a re shell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 36 minutes ago, EURO V8 said: Would an E34 m5 have a VIN on the ECU as well? There's one in NZ that doesn't seem right, VIN doesn't match it's origins, seller has a story that doesn't really add up either, parts list does seem to match, I think it's a re shell. yes , but some SA cars are weird too , I have had a couple of SA 535i and e30 325i and the vin numbers don't add up its just the SA cars are done differently Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LemonHunter 583 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) Just now, BM WORLD said: yes , but some SA cars are weird too , I have had a couple of SA 535i and e30 325i and the vin numbers don't add up its just the SA cars are done differently This instance gets weird though, differently or not, every single serial number of SA E34 M5's is sequential from BB77000 - BB7726, and on a list, vendor claims it was revinned, but oddly the new Vin matches a BMW r80 and a 520... depending on the engine you search. Even the south africans thought it seemed weird when i asked them. https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=80743 Edited June 15, 2017 by EURO V8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 like this one I had a few years back Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) and this one Edited June 15, 2017 by BM WORLD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted June 15, 2017 On 6/15/2017 at 10:36 AM, BM WORLD said: whats wrong with the 540i . nz new low km and owners . what are your plans with one ? Yeah, that 540i looks clean and sharp, rather than "off". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2956 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, EURO V8 said: This instance gets weird though, differently or not, every single serial number of SA E34 M5's is sequential from BB77000 - BB7726, and on a list, vendor claims it was revinned, but oddly the new Vin matches a BMW r80 and a 520... depending on the engine you search. Even the south africans thought it seemed weird when i asked them. https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=80743 I think you are confusing the chassis number (last 7 digits of the VIN) and the full VIN number. An NZTA issued VIN plate, as in the picture, will have a different code on it to the orginal BMW VIN and chassis. There is no point typing the last 7 of the NZTA number into a BMW VIN decoder as it will give you the incorrect information. A BMW VIN will always start with WBAxxxx for a cooking version or WBSxxx for the M cars. Find the number that start with those, then use the last 7 of that number, not the local NZTA number. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LemonHunter 583 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 (edited) 15 minutes ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said: I think you are confusing the chassis number (last 7 digits of the VIN) and the full VIN number. An NZTA issued VIN plate, as in the picture, will have a different code on it to the orginal BMW VIN and chassis. There is no point typing the last 7 of the NZTA number into a BMW VIN decoder as it will give you the incorrect information. A BMW VIN will always start with WBAxxxx for a cooking version or WBSxxx for the M cars. Find the number that start with those, then use the last 7 of that number, not the local NZTA number. I agree with you, I haven't used the NZTA number though... should it not be one of these two? Edited June 16, 2017 by EURO V8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 43 minutes ago, EURO V8 said: I agree with you, I haven't used the NZTA number though... should it not be one of these two? BF92279 should be the ID# Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2956 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 Seems to be... VIN ZBADC88030BF92279 Type code DC88 Type 535 I A (EUR) E series E28 () Series 5 Type LIM Steering RL Doors 4 Engine M30 Displacement 3.50 Power 0 Drive HECK Transmission AUT Colour ( *) Upholstery ( *) Prod.date 1990-08-20 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 2 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said: Seems to be... VIN ZBADC88030BF92279 Type code DC88 Type 535 I A (EUR) E series E28 () Series 5 Type LIM Steering RL Doors 4 Engine M30 Displacement 3.50 Power 0 Drive HECK Transmission AUT Colour ( *) Upholstery ( *) Prod.date 1990-08-20 1990 E28?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted June 16, 2017 told you guys the SA cars vin numbers mean nothing much check out my old blue e34 535i and the red e30 ones Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
