| Author |
Message |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3374
Reg: 11-2005
|
While looking on Trade Me this weekend I noticed a fair few higher end mid 90's BMW sedans and rather low prices. I've always been quite keen on them over the years but aways figured they are a 'expensive' car to own - which I hear they are.
For example, this 540i 1993 Sedan, http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/BMW/auction-202281728.htm
I mean, only $5000, for a top end in it's day V8 sedan that can actually go around the bends (Unlike a Celsior - which was in a similar market). Best of all that one appears to be fully factory and has moderate mileage.
They often seem tempting to look into, but I think part of the reason why they are so cheap is their high up keep costs if your serious about enjoying their performance.
Id love to see what RRP BMW parts prices are compared to Toyota parts for our Soarers.... I'm sure they would be just as shocking if not higher.
What do you chaps thing of em?  |
Matt Petersen
TryHard
NA
V8
Posts: 465
Reg: 01-2008
|
Funny you mention this Mike, I have been seriously looking at late 90's early 2000's 540's.
If you compare them to the E Class or the A6's they are amazing value.
I think for the money you pay you would just have to drive them until they are broken. I remember what the maintenance was like on my S Class and it's difficult to keep them fully maintained with everything in perfect condition.
What I found was that parts weren't that expensive but there was always something to be done with the amount of features and functions that were available.
Matt. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3377
Reg: 11-2005
|
Very true what you say!
I think though the E39 540i's would be more desirable to go for, being slightly newer and more refined, though they do get into the 5 figure prices and personally I prefer the classic E34 BMW styling. I do still like the E39, thought they did appear a little sedated.. what do you think of the styling change?
From what I've gathered they are definitely cars you would want to do your homework on and find one with a detailed history so you know what your buying - other wise you could be in for a rather expensive toy more so than planned.
Occasionally I have had the desire to sort out the final touches on my Limited, get it sold and buy something along the lines of a BMW saloon - but really I don't think I could, Ive put too much time into this Soarer so need to get some use out of it, otherwise all that TLC would have gone to waste in a way... even so I doubt I would be able to sell my Soarer in this economic downturn, especially since I would price it higher than most Soarer on the market because what has been done to it. |
Ben Socratous
Goo Roo
SA
as i drive though the valley of the 1/4 mile, i shall fear no falcodore, for the angel of boost is with me
Posts: 2160
Reg: 07-2005
|
Parts prices for BMW are stupidly expensive! I have a mate that had a V8 soarer a few years ago and he ended up getting rid of that for a '91 3 series. The BMW parts made the soarer parts look like falcon prices, not to mention that the insurance for a grey import soarer V8 (market valued at $16k back then) was around $380/yr LESS than the Australian delivered 4 cylinder BMW (valued at $10k). |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
Thunderbird
Posts: 7308
Reg: 05-2005
|
Odd that you should mention this Mike, as yesterday I was down at my friend's car yard, and he has 2 BMW's for sale as we speak.
A 2001 320i (2.2L) 4 door in Red with Charcoal interior, auto, and very mint, with 61,376kms.
A 2001 530i in Navy, 32,428kms, also mint.
Can't sell em. He was saying that the BMW market has dropped like a lead balloon.
The red 320i could be had for $17.5k for cash, that's how slow the luxo market is down here
http://www.superiorcars.co.nz/stock.htm |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 4120
Reg: 10-2005
|
Driving back from the 'tron yesterday I was wondering to myself "why do all bmw 318 drivers drive like such tools?". Random observation of the day |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L
Posts: 215
Reg: 10-2008
|
I'd probably have that to be honest. Nice interior, wheels are good too. The only real problem is you'd be driving a BMW-if you know what the Hutt is like, that is not a good thing  |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
Thunderbird
Posts: 7310
Reg: 05-2005
|
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 09:07 am:"why do all bmw 318 drivers drive like such tools?".
because they can't afford a REAL BMW!
318's are total puss!.
They are a TOTAL Yawn to drive, and should be reserved for Old Biddys that use em to go to the shops in!
ps; It's no coincidence, that in South Africa, BMW's are known as "Soweto Taxi's"!
 |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3379
Reg: 11-2005
|
I agree with Don on that! |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 4127
Reg: 10-2005
|
Yes, I took two for a test drive back in 2002, it was one of the many cars I was considering before I got my first Soarer - I couldn't believe how slow they were for such a small 1.8 litre car - they just had nothing.
Glad I didn't as I had not one, not two, but three 318ti's (two of them the same colour red) cut me off on my way back from Hamiltron.
Back on topic, I'd happily own a BMW, and that '94 looks nice (though the dash is pretty awful) but likewise would be terrified of the cost of parts, and the reputation that '90's BMW's have for difficult electrical issues. |
Mark Donovan
TryHard
Auckland
V8 Limited
Posts: 383
Reg: 07-2005
|
another theory behind perhaps why the BMW/Merc market has tanked could be because of the numbers of boy racers now buying them, turning them into lowered •••• cans, thus turning off potential buyers from wanting any association with such idiotic pond life/scum.
i leave the floor open for debate.. |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
Thunderbird
Posts: 7320
Reg: 05-2005
|
I agree Mark.............Even down here, we've got the Fulli Sik Bro, Backwards baseball cap wearing, greasy, Retarded, IQ of a Pet Rock loosers getting into the Merc & Beemer scene.
Thank God they can't afford the SLK's, otherwise I'll be heading back to Soarerdom!
 |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 223
Reg: 10-2008
|
You guys didn't get my Hutt quip then? |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3386
Reg: 11-2005
|
Mark Donovan wrote on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 04:40 pm:another theory behind perhaps why the BMW/Merc market has tanked could be because of the numbers of boy racers now buying them, turning them into lowered •••• cans, thus turning off potential buyers from wanting any association with such idiotic pond life/scum.
Mark, I couldn't agree more - In fact I was thinking about this today and in what a shame it is.
A word to Don's input too!
Sad...... but all we can do is turn a blind eye to it all and look at the good side of the story.
Say mark, hows your Soarer going? Are you using it daily? |
Mark Donovan
TryHard
Auckland
V8 Limited
Posts: 384
Reg: 07-2005
|
Hey Mike - Soarers great I have been using it a bit more recently because I have been doing alot of all nighters at work, and I am looking forward to taking it down to bay of plenty 7-8 March for a well earned break. Haven't given it a proper clean inside & out for a while, so will do that next month, and then get on to killing 2 squeaks that have started up in the cabin.
I see you're selling your extractors on Trademe - best of luck, it's a hard market to sell anything at the moment. Just sold my rx-7 rims for $161, having paid $5xx just before Christmas.. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3387
Reg: 11-2005
|
Mark Donovan wrote on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 06:38 am:I see you're selling your extractors on Trademe - best of luck, it's a hard market to sell anything at the moment. Just sold my rx-7 rims for $161, having paid $5xx just before Christmas..
Haha, yeah - things have gotten a bit tight as of late so I cant quite justify having them right now, will probably relist them if they dont sell but might still keep them and fit them.
See what happens. |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 227
Reg: 10-2008
|
If I had the cash I'd probably take 'em off you Mike, but I don't just now, its a little tight all round I think. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3388
Reg: 11-2005
|
Joe Russell wrote on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 01:42 pm:If I had the cash I'd probably take 'em off you Mike, but I don't just now, its a little tight all round I think.
You can have them for $820, just a thought. But yeah I do know what you mean, Im sure someone will want them eventually.
|
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 233
Reg: 10-2008
|
Stop tempting me Mike! |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3389
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha, I'm sorry. But Ill continue!
How about $750 + shipping through mainfreight? They cost me $802 from Australia delivered when the rate was like $0.59 NZ-USD in November. |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 236
Reg: 10-2008
|
Damn Mike that is a great offer but no... I just stuffed my p/s pump so I need a new one, want that done before anything else. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3390
Reg: 11-2005
|
Joe Russell wrote on Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 03:28 pm:I just stuffed my p/s pump so I need a new one, want that done before anything else.
Oh dear, what happened, just fail as they do? |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 238
Reg: 10-2008
|
Na, was having a bit of fun, went full lock and have just found out that's not a good idea!
Thankfully no leaking 
By the by, can anybody think of a car that has a good p/s pump, and that is similar to v8 Soarer? Might try fitting a commodore one or something, I don't want this happening again. |
Mike Beck
Goo Roo
New Zealand
Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 3391
Reg: 11-2005
|
Rebuild yours perhaps? |
Joe Russell
TryHard
Marlborough
4.0 V8 GT-L(UZZ31)
Posts: 240
Reg: 10-2008
|
Really? I don't know a huge amount about pumps but I suppose I could try... how? |
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