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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#1328106 19-Jun-2015 21:32

No regrets. You could have been left begging on the streets after every scheduled servicing

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#1328107 19-Jun-2015 21:32

I haven't read most of the thread, but I bought in January a late 2009 BMW 550i from QMotors (on facebook/trademe). Running the VIN through the various BMW sites said that it had all options except sports button and paddleshift (rubbish on this age of car) and unfortunately the iPOD connection. Cost me $31K at 85K kms... Bargain from what I could find, no faults on inspection and purs like a beauty... 4.8l v8 pushing 270KW... Qmotors has a lot of decent cars of all the premium brands coming in to NZ and can search the Japanese warehouses too.

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#1328108 19-Jun-2015 21:35

Item:
joker97: Umm .. Budget
Edit ok maybe not today but I've seen them for under 20k

I came this close -> to buying a second-hand 2003 S8 when I was living in Dubai - wanted one ever since the movie Ronin.

In the end I plumped for the ubiquitous 4x4 instead. Still regret it.

HAHA... I can't watch Ronin without wanting an E34 M5!

In fact, That's probably one car I'd sell my 740 for.

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#1328109 19-Jun-2015 21:38

blakamin:
Item:
joker97: Umm .. Budget
Edit ok maybe not today but I've seen them for under 20k

I came this close -> to buying a second-hand 2003 S8 when I was living in Dubai - wanted one ever since the movie Ronin.

In the end I plumped for the ubiquitous 4x4 instead. Still regret it.

HAHA... I can't watch Ronin without wanting an E34 M5!

In fact, That's probably one car I'd sell my 740 for.

My e60 550i is the closest I probably will ever get to M5 power, and even then its no where near, but it is close enough given the price of M5s!

blakamin

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#1328110 19-Jun-2015 21:46

One owner E34 M5... with less than 25,000kms http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/BMW-M5-1991/OAG-AD-1891785/?Cr=0

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#1328118 19-Jun-2015 22:13

blakamin:
Item:
joker97: Umm .. Budget
Edit ok maybe not today but I've seen them for under 20k

I came this close -> to buying a second-hand 2003 S8 when I was living in Dubai - wanted one ever since the movie Ronin.

In the end I plumped for the ubiquitous 4x4 instead. Still regret it.

HAHA... I can't watch Ronin without wanting an E34 M5!

In fact, That's probably one car I'd sell my 740 for.

Plenty of non M 5 series in Ronin. Have a look at the gauges and the steering wheel next time you watch it.

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#1328120 19-Jun-2015 22:16

I guess the other question is, do you need more than two seats and a boot?

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#1328121 19-Jun-2015 22:21

mudguard: I guess the other question is, do you need more than two seats and a boot?

Not desperately, but I like the flexibility a decent sized sedan or wagon offers.

At the moment we are getting by on one car (no kids) so that one car does need to do it all and cater for those times there are more of two of us in it!

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#1328123 19-Jun-2015 22:29

Fraser. Caterham, Lotus 7? It's a really tricky price bracket, I mean Japanese cars come to mind, 350Z, Evo, WRX. Heck even the 08 NZ New Accord has 200kW.

I guess the problem for me with the Euro mobiles is that it seems every second car in Auckland is a silver Audi. But you don't want to buy4 4something that goes bang, or has service costs that make you cry. Lots of modern cars are fast, so it needs to be something you enjoy.

blakamin

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#1328159 20-Jun-2015 01:40

mudguard:
blakamin:
Item:
joker97: Umm .. Budget
Edit ok maybe not today but I've seen them for under 20k

I came this close -> to buying a second-hand 2003 S8 when I was living in Dubai - wanted one ever since the movie Ronin.

In the end I plumped for the ubiquitous 4x4 instead. Still regret it.

HAHA... I can't watch Ronin without wanting an E34 M5!

In fact, That's probably one car I'd sell my 740 for.

Plenty of non M 5 series in Ronin. Have a look at the gauges and the steering wheel next time you watch it.

Everyone e34 knows that... but still.. //M

mentor

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#1328231 20-Jun-2015 10:18

I've recently got a 2009 E550. 5.5L V8 and the thing brings me a smile every time I get in. I get it serviced at EC Mercedes in Mt Eden (Auckland) who seem to be very reasonable.

On ramps have never been so much fun...

I read somewhere online that if you don't turn around to check your car after you have locked/parked it, then you've got the wrong car!

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#1328233 20-Jun-2015 10:28

mentor: I've recently got a 2009 E550. 5.5L V8 and the thing brings me a smile every time I get in. I get it serviced at EC Mercedes in Mt Eden (Auckland) who seem to be very reasonable.

On ramps have never been so much fun...

I read somewhere online that if you don't turn around to check your car after you have locked/parked it, then you've got the wrong car!

Nice - but out of my budget for the next few years at least!

The 2008/9 E-Class face-lift made a huge difference to desirability for me. The previous frog-eyed version is hideous IMHO!

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#1328269 20-Jun-2015 13:13

Update!

I sat in a Lexus IS350 and it felt boring and kinda cramped.

I then drove a 2008 BMW 335i M-Sport Wagon around New Lynn...and I bloody want one.

Loved it.

Oops.

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#1328273 20-Jun-2015 13:20

Describe why you liked it?:)

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#1328286 20-Jun-2015 13:42

joker97: Describe why you liked it?:)

From the outside it looks clean and unassuming - not lairy, not flash, but muscular all the same.

Inside I was able to tweak the seat and steering wheel to get a really comfortable driving position - plenty of driver space (I am a tallish fat bloke!)

Driving around at 50kph in normal auto, it felt smooth and composed - easy to drive and not too firm over the bumps...

...then when I flicked into "sport" and put some weight on the peddle out of a roundabout, the thing suddenly snarled into life, I got pushed back in to the leather and it bloody hurled itself up the hill like the hounds of hell were in it's wake. It gripped round the corners and threw itself into them with a re-assuring weight - the steering felt bang-on. Totally epic!

I honestly laughed out loud.

Jekyl & Hyde - calm enough and big enough to pootle around town with luggage and passengers but with that joyfully brutal acceleration and handling for those times when it seems appropriate.

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