eliongater 718 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) @Gabe79 I'm not sure this msport tax exists like you think it does (m tax yes, msport no). I fail to see how cosmetic features, parts that don't break (springs, sway bars etc) and other options that you can have on non mspec cars cost more to maintain. The one exception might be sport shocks cost more, but this has self levelling suspension which is equally expensive if not more so, making it a moot point. Edit: I'd like to see your more expensive parts on your mtech 2. And I agree with your wife that this isn't the most visually interesting e39 Edited September 26, 2017 by eliongater Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GorGasm 563 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 Yeah, it does look like a shocker. Better ones out there for sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 1 hour ago, eliongater said: @Gabe79 I'm not sure this msport tax exists like you think it does (m tax yes, msport no). I fail to see how cosmetic features, parts that don't break (springs, sway bars etc) and other options that you can have on non mspec cars cost more to maintain. The one exception might be sport shocks cost more, but this has self levelling suspension which is equally expensive if not more so, making it a moot point. Edit: I'd like to see your more expensive parts on your mtech 2. And I agree with your wife that this isn't the most visually interesting e39 Maybe it's perception on my part. The bumpers specially are harder to replace, or source. Sway Bars don't break, true, moot point on bushings. Springs cost more, sports shock for Msport2 costs a lot more. Air springs are not that expensive on balance. The air supply device does cost an arm and a leg, but unlike sport shocks/struts, can be replaced individually. Maybe you're right. I'm just bitter about how much my damn bumper costs to replace. (and my comment about msport not really benefiting me stands otherwise.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 @Gabe79 a bumper is not what I would class as a wear and tear item (ie general maintenance), but I will give you that. However regards to suspension, a quick look on FCP suggests there's not too much in it, but why not go bilstein, koni or similar (and eibach, h&r etc)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 Just now, eliongater said: @Gabe79 a bumper is not what I would class as a wear and tear item (ie general maintenance), but I will give you that. However regards to suspension, a quick look on FCP suggests there's not too much in it, but why not go bilstein, koni or similar (and eibach, h&r etc)? I will eventually. I just like the idea of keeping things stock. I mean... if I go with an aftermarket solution anyway, what was the point of getting mtech2 in the first place? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 13 minutes ago, Gabe79 said: I will eventually. I just like the idea of keeping things stock. I mean... if I go with an aftermarket solution anyway, what was the point of getting mtech2 in the first place? Body kit, normally better spec'd, sports seats, Shadowline, anthracite headlining, better wheels etc. The actual suspension is not normally a consideration if it's original, as any suspension that old has probably seen better days regardless of if it's Mtech or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eliongater 718 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 $1500 buy now added Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 54 minutes ago, eliongater said: Body kit, normally better spec'd, sports seats, Shadowline, anthracite headlining, better wheels etc. The actual suspension is not normally a consideration if it's original, as any suspension that old has probably seen better days regardless of if it's Mtech or not. Ok, valid. I give. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted September 26, 2017 i think you should buy it.. for $1500 surely the wife isnt going to be too mad about it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 17 minutes ago, qube said: i think you should buy it.. for $1500 surely the wife isnt going to be too mad about it You haven't met my wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 5 hours ago, Gabe79 said: $1500 is blown head gasket territory. https://www.trademe.co.nz/1427953777 Now it’s suspicious. ? Ouch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 13 hours ago, Gabe79 said: $1500 is blown head gasket territory. https://www.trademe.co.nz/1427953777 Now it’s suspicious. ? But the owner says it runs & drives well. It can't have a blown head gasket I'm tempted for shits & giggles. Not that i need another car... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 1 hour ago, hotwire said: But the owner says it runs & drives well. It can't have a blown head gasket I'm tempted for shits & giggles. Not that i need another car... For that price, if I didn't have wife considerations, I'd buy it. You could wreck it and make money back at $1500. Also... if he's asking $1500, he'll take $1000-1200. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 Jeez... Piston rings can carbon-up and need replacing, along with PCV. Cooling system can be a problem. Hydraulic lifters can carbon up and cause a misfire, and if so, will need replacing. Not the longest-lived of BMW engines, but easily good for 300k+. It's a solid $600 for a new pair of front Bilstein B4s, but they'll then probably outlive the car. But at the price... I'm tempted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, gjm said: Jeez... Piston rings can carbon-up and need replacing, along with PCV. Cooling system can be a problem. Hydraulic lifters can carbon up and cause a misfire, and if so, will need replacing. Not the longest-lived of BMW engines, but easily good for 300k+. It's a solid $600 for a new pair of front Bilstein B4s, but they'll then probably outlive the car. But at the price... I'm tempted. At $1500 you can budget in a lot of things to do to it and still come out well under $5k... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 9 hours ago, Gabe79 said: At $1500 you can budget in a lot of things to do to it and still come out well under $5k... Does it represent a better buy than a decent E36 328i Touring at ~$3k? That probably depends on whether you need the extra capacity - internally, as well as for towing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 (edited) 3 minutes ago, gjm said: Does it represent a better buy than a decent E36 328i Touring at ~$3k? That probably depends on whether you need the extra capacity - internally, as well as for towing. I’d certainly say 2003 e39 at $1500 or less is a better buy than e36 at $3k. Whole new generation of car. Safety features, etc... edit: this assumes a reasonable condition for both. If the e36 is mint... but then an e36 for $3k isn’t mint either, right? Edited September 27, 2017 by Gabe79 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3308 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 45 minutes ago, gjm said: Does it represent a better buy than a decent E36 328i Touring at ~$3k? blimey, who can find a decent e36 328i Touring at circa $3k in godzone? I'd buy one of them for my kids! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaNs 226 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 Just now, Olaf said: blimey, who can find a decent e36 328i Touring at circa $3k in godzone? I'd buy one of them for my kids! https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1425483607.htm The 530i looks like it has a huge amount of stone chips on it 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, HaNs said: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1425483607.htm The 530i looks like it has a huge amount of stone chips on it That 328 does look nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 58 minutes ago, HaNs said: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1425483607.htm Damn. There goes my bargain! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaNs 226 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 Just now, gjm said: Damn. There goes my bargain! Its been for sale for months! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 27, 2017 I do still prefer the e39 of the two. ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted September 28, 2017 I think the 530i may have sold - now listed at $15000... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe79 410 Report post Posted September 28, 2017 Just now, gjm said: I think the 530i may have sold - now listed at $15000... $1500 was pretty cheap. Not surprised. It was only for sale for a couple of weeks too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
