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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#175126 18-Jun-2015 11:05

Ullo forum.

So lets assume I know the risks, the potential money-pit and associated tears and blood of buying an older, used Luxo-barge in NZ and get to the "how"?! Having been bloody boring for most of my life and living in safe, sensible jap saloons or 4x4s, my looming mid-life crisis is pushing me to at least try something interesting/different for a change.

The sorts of thing I am considering would be 2006-2008 Bimmer 540i or a Mercedes E500.

On the more ludicrous side, perhaps even a 2006/7 S-Class Merc (lol etc...)

Probably avoid the Audi and Jag equivalents from around this time as I understand they are worse than their peers for failures and running costs.

If I were to tread this daft path, does anyone have any experience (other than DON'T DO IT!) as to recommended dealers, cars/models/years, warranties, parts-dealers, maintenance tips etc?
Budget would like top out around the 20k-ish mark if relevant...

Cheers peeps!

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1049 posts

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#1327174 18-Jun-2015 11:45

For BMW's checkout www.bimmerpost.com

This will give you a wealth of information on the E60 5 series

trig42

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#1327200 18-Jun-2015 12:07

I am wondering whether to risk an imported BMW. Can get good value 323i, about 2007ish low (<50,000k) kms for around $14-15k, sometimes cheaper.
I like the look, and TBH the only thing I am getting stuck on is the lack of Bluetooth.

I will probably play it safe and get a Toyota (Mark-X I think), and SWMBO will be anti-euro because repair costs.

Fred99

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#1327201 18-Jun-2015 12:08

I think Peter Reader needs to programmed to respond to threads like this.

My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

Inphinity

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#1327237 18-Jun-2015 12:46

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.

mattwnz

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#1327243 18-Jun-2015 12:59

Perhaps looks at the lexus? You can have it both ways, as you get luxury, but the reliability of a toyota.

heylinb4nz

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#1327251 18-Jun-2015 13:05

What about some Italian goodness ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-888644488.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-884316677.htm

mattwnz

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#1327255 18-Jun-2015 13:08

heylinb4nz: What about some Italian goodness ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-888644488.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-884316677.htm

Having owned and alfa, I wouldn't recommend buying one out of warranty, it will suck you dry. Also a very hard ride. If it had to be European, I would stick to BMW. But I wouldn't buy another euro. But whatever the OP choses, I would suggest it has ESP for safety

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networkn

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#1327256 18-Jun-2015 13:09

Fred99: I think Peter Reader needs to programmed to respond to threads like this.

My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

Stop holding back and let everyone know what you really think?

Good grief!

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#1327257 18-Jun-2015 13:11

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?

Fred99: I think Peter Reader needs to programmed to respond to threads like this.

My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

Heh - is your distaste at the general idea based on personal experience or "common wisdom" for these things?

I have heard almost as many anecdotal stories about those who chose and bought this kind of car carefully and had many years of trouble-free motoring as I have those about disaster and lemons!

I want a daily driver and something with a bit of practicality - hence the bimmer over something like Porsche.

A fast, practical, well specced and fun-to-drive car without breaking the bank...not too much to ask is it?

:)

mattwnz: Perhaps looks at the lexus? You can have it both ways, as you get luxury, but the reliability of a toyota.

Good point! Not sure why I forgot the Lexus... Mind you, like Toyotas, they seem to have a much higher price of entry in the second-hand market here in NZ.

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#1327286 18-Jun-2015 13:49

Wondering if a 2008 lexus is350 would be a good compromise?

Interior pretty minging compared to Euro (Japanese "luxury" is weird!) but everything else seems decent and reliability and running should be better than the Euro peers

BinaryLimited

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#1327306 18-Jun-2015 13:58

Item: Ullo forum.

So lets assume I know the risks, the potential money-pit and associated tears and blood of buying an older, used Luxo-barge in NZ and get to the "how"?! Having been bloody boring for most of my life and living in safe, sensible jap saloons or 4x4s, my looming mid-life crisis is pushing me to at least try something interesting/different for a change.

The sorts of thing I am considering would be 2006-2008 Bimmer 540i or a Mercedes E500.

On the more ludicrous side, perhaps even a 2006/7 S-Class Merc (lol etc...)

Probably avoid the Audi and Jag equivalents from around this time as I understand they are worse than their peers for failures and running costs.

If I were to tread this daft path, does anyone have any experience (other than DON'T DO IT!) as to recommended dealers, cars/models/years, warranties, parts-dealers, maintenance tips etc?
Budget would like top out around the 20k-ish mark if relevant...

Cheers peeps!

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

Binary Limited - Safe. Secure. Simple. ™
www.binarylimited.co.nz

mclean

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#1327339 18-Jun-2015 14:17

My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

A lot of people who can afford it think that buying a Porsche is "worth it" rather than "blatantly pointless". Tell us what you drive and in what respects you think it is better.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1327343 18-Jun-2015 14:23

mattwnz:
heylinb4nz: What about some Italian goodness ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-888644488.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/alfa-romeo/auction-884316677.htm

Having owned and alfa, I wouldn't recommend buying one out of warranty, it will suck you dry. Also a very hard ride. If it had to be European, I would stick to BMW. But I wouldn't buy another euro. But whatever the OP choses, I would suggest it has ESP for safety

Having test driven a 166, where the thing stank on fuel and some of the electrics didn't work...avoid them. Yes the 147 GTA has the glorious Alfa 3.0 V6 in it, but it is an Alfa. The 159 might be more reliable, as I believe the 3.2 in that is a GM sourced engine.

Fred99

13684 posts

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#1327354 18-Jun-2015 14:28

networkn:
Fred99: I think Peter Reader needs to programmed to respond to threads like this.

My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

Stop holding back and let everyone know what you really think?

Good grief!

I thought I did - buy a Porsche! (or at least something "interesting").
I don't see ordinary large luxury cars as being particularly interesting, not suited to a real mid-life crisis - where one might hopefully question orthodoxy, pretentious social class values and symbols, and set forth upon the future path to decay into decrepitude with a deliberate plan to do it as disgracefully and with as much fun as possible (without harming others, nor embarking on some suicide-mission). Buying some luxury car in middle-age is about as radical as buying up-market slippers, a Louis Vuitton beige cardigan, or a ticket to be a prisoner on a cruise ship.

Fred99

13684 posts

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#1327365 18-Jun-2015 14:39

mclean:
My only suggestion is that if considering doing such a dumb thing, make sure it's worth it. If you're going to buy something which is going to cost as much to keep on the road as a Porsche, then buy a Porsche. Much more consistent with "Mid Life Crisis" than some luxury barge, and so blatantly and inexcusably pointless, you don't need to invent reasons to justify buying it.

A lot of people who can afford it think that buying a Porsche is "worth it" rather than "blatantly pointless". Tell us what you drive and in what respects you think it is better.

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.

People even use the term "invest" when referring to cars. Ohhh - I'm going to "invest" in a new <name car>. With very very few exceptions, cars are liabilities - not "investments".
"Worth it" is mainly at an emotional level. Nobody in NZ needs a (road) car which can do 280 km/h - and from any rational POV, such cars are all blatantly pointless.

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