Buying an older (6-10 years) European luxury tank in Auckland How/why/where/etc!

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Buying an older (6-10 years) European luxury tank in Auckland How/why/where/etc!

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#1327395 18-Jun-2015 15:18

BinaryLimited:

Speaking from experience....stay away from mercedes!!!! I know they look great but wow are they useless.

Noted thanks!

blakamin

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#1327409 18-Jun-2015 15:41

Do it, and enjoy it. I love driving my 20 year old 740iL daily. Awesome ride, acceleration, handling for such a big tank.
I'd never get rid of it, unless it was for a 750.

Obviously some people don't have a passion for cars and therefore shouldn't even bother posting in a thread about them, but hey, they're the ones missing out.

mclean

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#1327417 18-Jun-2015 15:56

Fred99: One of the cars I drive is an old Nissan Safari. It tows my boat better than a friend's 997 3.8s - which even he admits is completely pointless.

Well compared to your Safari I would say the Porsche has:

- Better road holding & agility (in case you need to swerve).
- Better brakes.
- More acceleration (to get out of trouble if you have to).
- Far superior traction in the wet.
- Better lights.
- Much nicer to drive.
- Looks better (if you want your most expensive assets to give you a feel-good factor).

It costs more because it is a better car. I'm not knocking the Safari - I drive a Nissan as well, but if you have the money then it's not entirely pointless.

Item

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#1327436 18-Jun-2015 16:39

blakamin: Do it, and enjoy it. I love driving my 20 year old 740iL daily. Awesome ride, acceleration, handling for such a big tank.
I'd never get rid of it, unless it was for a 750.

Obviously some people don't have a passion for cars and therefore shouldn't even bother posting in a thread about them, but hey, they're the ones missing out.

Any tips/hints/dealer recommendations?

Is yours an NZ new or Jap import?

Fred99

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#1327445 18-Jun-2015 16:53

mclean:
Fred99: One of the cars I drive is an old Nissan Safari. It tows my boat better than a friend's 997 3.8s - which even he admits is completely pointless.

Well compared to your Safari I would say the Porsche has:

- Better road holding & agility (in case you need to swerve).
- Better brakes.
- More acceleration (to get out of trouble if you have to).
- Far superior traction in the wet.
- Better lights.
- Much nicer to drive.
- Looks better (if you want your most expensive assets to give you a feel-good factor).

It costs more because it is a better car. I'm not knocking the Safari - I drive a Nissan as well, but if you have the money then it's not entirely pointless.

But it has far less ground clearance, far worse traction in deep mud, much more likely to be "keyed" when parked in town, most owners seem to park them in empty far corners of the supermarket lot (or in a disabled park!) so they don't get "trollied" or whanged by swinging doors or scraped by idiots who can't park. I'm not so sure about lights. The old truck has 24V, high output old-school bulbs, headlights and driving lights, and they're set high above road level. P 911 - like most low sports cars - have very low set lights, and I've found them to be not very good at all - especially in wet conditions - regardless of how bright they are.
Anyway - we're probably way off topic here - as the OP wanted to spend $20k. It's going to be very hard to find a good reliable Porsche 911 for that price.

w2krules

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#1327453 18-Jun-2015 17:30

Avoid used imports, especially from Singapore. Try to buy something with a service history, as German cars are not Toyotas and do need regular maintenance.

I was a geek before the word was invented!

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#1327465 18-Jun-2015 18:12

Item:
Inphinity: If you're going to bother, get an M3/M5/E63 AMG/RS4 or something, imo. Talking about boring, a 10 year old entry-level luxo barge is about as boring as they get in my opinion... no longer new enough to sport 'new features and gadgets', oversized, awkward, unwieldy and expensive. Perhaps if we understood what it was about them you are interested in, it may be easier to make suggestions as to what to look for or avoid.

a 540i has 85% of the performance of an M5 but with lower maintenance and better reliability - hence my shortlisting it. It certainly isn't "entry level"!

Once you head into the "performance versions" of these cars, you tend move up a significant bracket in terms of running costs....unless you know otherwise?

It depends what you're after in a car. The M5 is fives times the drivers car as the 540i, but yes it is reflected in higher costs both upfront and maintenance how much depends on which particular models, but for the same generation it's perhaps only 10% more maintenance for something 6 - 8 years old. the 2007 model year was the facelift for the E60 series, and brought mostly cosmetic changes, but some mechanical/technical ones, too, so bear that in mind if looking at 5-series of any type around that year, and try to get the post-facelift variant.

If you're less after the performance, then yeah, a 540i (or 535i - they are very similarly specced, its a turbo i6 vs a V8 - personally I enjoy the 535i more) can be a good buy - they are not too out there in terms of maintenance, and they are generally pretty reliable vehicles that are comfortable to be in. But get something with a solid service history. As another poster said, they are not a Corolla, neglect their service and it will more than likely cost you in breakdowns down the line.

blakamin

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#1327540 18-Jun-2015 21:07

Item:

Any tips/hints/dealer recommendations?

Is yours an NZ new or Jap import?

I'm in Aussie now, and it was Oz new..
Both my E34s I had in NZ were NZ new.
For hints and tips, I totally recommend http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?7-BMW-Models
and pick the model you want. While it's based in the US, there's a hell of a lot of very knowledgeable people that help out anyone.
They also have pre-buying guides and common problems.

Surprisingly my car costs less to maintain than the Mrs 2008 Mazda 6.

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#1327554 18-Jun-2015 21:50

I heard the govt is getting new limos ...

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#1327555 18-Jun-2015 21:53

On a slightly more serious note, why would a jap import cost so much less? Is it good or bad?

My dad's experience. He always buys Mercs. They always, without fail, on schedule, will break down. Like clockwork.

Heard similar things about Audis.

That doesn't leave you with much ... BMW? VWs in that era is pretty ugly

networkn

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#1327566 18-Jun-2015 22:21

joker97: On a slightly more serious note, why would a jap import cost so much less? Is it good or bad?

My dad's experience. He always buys Mercs. They always, without fail, on schedule, will break down. Like clockwork.

Heard similar things about Audis.

That doesn't leave you with much ... BMW? VWs in that era is pretty ugly

I got a Jap Import 2004 S4 Avant, and I LOVE it, best car I ever owned and I have had newer more modern similar cars. I am driving it again waiting for my new car to arrive, and every day, it puts a smile on my face.

Yes it's thirsty. It's getting a little tired now, but boy I have had some great drives in it.

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mudguard

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#1327567 18-Jun-2015 22:23

A friend of mine seems to revel in this type of car 5-10 year old uber Euro's. A couple of AMG Mercs,, M5,which was truly horrendous on gas. I know people say, what do you expect, but we couldn't take it anywhere on golf trips as he'd moan about filling it up.
None of seemed to have functional Bluetooth oddly either.
However, I agree about the post about finding something unique. An RS4 wagon perhaps. Just get a decent mechanical warranty (I think my friend for about $3k, I presume he transfers it somehow). I often think what I'd buy, for that money probably an S2000 but convertibles aren't for everyone and I have a VTEC bias. But then I play golf and mountainbike so would need another as well.

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#1327570 18-Jun-2015 22:42

Can't beat a 2007+ shape RS4 Avant for pleasure

networkn

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#1327575 18-Jun-2015 23:06

joker97: Can't beat a 2007+ shape RS4 Avant for pleasure

Well for open road driving I'd agree. Around town they are just too aggressive and hard. LOVELY cars though.

DonGould

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#1327576 18-Jun-2015 23:20

1976 Ford escort
1987 Honda civic
???? Dyhatshu
Brand new 1997 Honda Civic
Brand new 2000 WRX
1992 Honda Accord
1999 Nissan Plusar
1992 Audi 100 station wagon... humm now this is interesting... europen
1999 BMW 728il - Ok now I get it!!!

I love my BMW. You can keep the two brand new cars I owned. You'll find nothing but euro on my drive currently (yes I still have both of them, while the Audi has done over 200k miles, it's fantastic work horse!)

So in response to your question OP, I don't know why you're having a discussion here.... get busy, go look at cars, have a drive and jump in!

You say you're doing this for fun.... well have some fun. Fun comes with risk... but I'm sure you already know that!

Promote New Zealand - Get yourself a .kiwi.nz domain name!!!

Check out mine - i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz - don@i.am.a.can.do.kiwi.nz

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