Bmw 8 Series From Japan?

[RS4StagMan]

Gorgeous cars. Choose based on condition first, wheels and other items can be added later. The Parallel M-Spoke 18"s look the business on the 8 Series (E31).

As has been said, would avoid a V12 (850i) and choose the V8 for reliability, but it's all relative; the V8 in either 4.0 or 4.4 still needs to be serviced regularly. The earlier V8s in particular had Nikasil coating on the bore liners which tended to wear prematurely with the excessive sulphur in our petrol (and in other markets too). This should have been fixed under a recall / warranty but not all cars were done under the warranty period. If you start the car cold and open both doors, looking at the trailing edge of the doors will magnify any vibration from the engine and could indicate bore wear (obviously a leak down test would be even more ideal).

.

I thought the Nikasil issue was related to cars delivered in some other markets not in Australia??? i.e not high enough sulphur in our fuel for it to be a problem?

Furthermore, if your car was sold in North America, there is no escaping the sulfur damage issue if it is a Nikasil block. Sulfur content of gasoline sold in the US was as high as 500 ppm in the 90's. It wasn't until the early 2000 the Fed starts to mandate decreasing the sulfur content of gasoline sold in the US. The gasoline you are using today has sulfur content in the 15 to 50 ppm range.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=440712

[God_speed]

I thought the Nikasil issue was related to cars delivered in some other markets not in Australia??? i.e not high enough sulphur in our fuel for it to be a problem?

Furthermore, if your car was sold in North America, there is no escaping the sulfur damage issue if it is a Nikasil block. Sulfur content of gasoline sold in the US was as high as 500 ppm in the 90's. It wasn't until the early 2000 the Fed starts to mandate decreasing the sulfur content of gasoline sold in the US. The gasoline you are using today has sulfur content in the 15 to 50 ppm range.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=440712

I thought I remember reading something similar; the US had some of the worst sulphur content but the issue was still discussed here in Australia, and caution advised... I suppose it could be a blessing and a curse that the degradation of the coating would occur more slowly due to the lower S content and therefore perhaps only manifest itself long after the warranty had expired. I first read about it when I was looking for an early 90s 530i (3.0 V8) years ago.

[RS4StagMan]

I thought I remember reading something similar; the US had some of the worst sulphur content but the issue was still discussed here in Australia, and caution advised... I suppose it could be a blessing and a curse that the degradation of the coating would occur more slowly due to the lower S content and therefore perhaps only manifest itself long after the warranty had expired. I first read about it when I was looking for an early 90s 530i (3.0 V8) years ago.

Yes agree has been discussed, but don't know of a confirmed case yet for the M60 V8 engine in Australia....some of these engines like mine are now 17 years old (covered 200,000kms).

Yet they do rock a bit at idle normally due to PCV valve or valve cover gasket failure and oil getting to the plugs and in way of the coil energy path (therefore misfire)...both easy fixes. Both of these are well documented cases and incorrectly diagnosed as Nikasil wear.

[God_speed]

Yes agree has been discussed, but don't know of a confirmed case yet for the M60 V8 engine in Australia....some of these engines like mine are now 17 years old (covered 200,000kms).

Yet they do rock a bit at idle normally due to PCV valve or valve cover gasket failure and oil getting to the plugs and in way of the coil energy path (therefore misfire)...both easy fixes. Both of these are well documented cases and incorrectly diagnosed as Nikasil wear.

Sounds like you've got it covered (and you're the man to speak to if OP wants advice on the BMW V8). Did say that he should get a leak down test performed if he's serious though.

Agree that vibration through the chassis when cold could be attributed to a number of different things.

With engines such as these being at the leading edge of technology there are bound to be niggles and even failures of some sort before the tech trickles down to lesser cars.

[funkymonkey]

The only way to get one cheaply would be to move to the UK, own it for a year, and move back.

Or pay someone you know is gonna be moving there for a year, and trust them with your car.

[God_speed]

Well they are continuing to come down in price. As long as you've got money kept aside for potential repairs and maintenance and have a specialist inspect before you buy, it's still a lot of car for your money.

This looks like a nice example but was an import from HK: Calypsorot

At the other end of the scale, this one's been for sale for ages, and the history is guaranteed, but you pay through the nose: Arctic silver

[R-SPEC]

i've seen those on carsales, that Calypso one is so friggin sexy and those wheels are perfect for it!

i have already considered the e36 m3 but as you mentioned they are getting old with most of the ones within my budget have 150Ks+ which is too high for my liking. also the interior is pretty outdated IMO. e46 m3 is way more than what im looking to spend.

i have narrowed it down to 3 cars since the 840ci is no longer an option

also given up on the r34 gtr at this stage

im left with:

v35 350gt - newer, nice car all round with decent performance. good value

350z - same as above

350z roadster - same as above + bit different

audi s4 b5 - something different/practical and nice car all round. always loved the S4s

[God_speed]

Love the original S4, it's understated and came before the days of the pimp-style daytime running lights of the current Audis.

This one looks quite tidy

Grey S4

And this one a less desirable colour I think. Not sure what is with the shag-pile seat bolsters though??

Green S4

Redbook says you should pay between $18K - $22K for a 2000 / 2001 S4.

Jag XK? Kind of similar to the 8 series being a "GT"

XK8

[Ten Four]

Since you said S4...

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...4&silo=1011

Redbook is bollocks. It valued my 1998 black 540i at about 13k. I sold it for 18.5k with 2 offers of 20k coming the day after i sold it.

Also values a 2005 530iM at 42k. My mums bf is considering buying one listed at 55k.

Edited April 19, 2010 by Ten Four

[God_speed]

Since you said S4...

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...4&silo=1011

Redbook is bollocks. It valued my 1998 black 540i at about 13k. I sold it for 18.5k with 2 offers of 20k coming the day after i sold it.

Also values a 2005 530iM at 42k. My mums bf is considering buying one listed at 55k.

Nice pick on the C43 mate. Depends on if he wants manual though, which would also write off the XK

Of course you can't always follow RB to the letter but I still like it as a guide to locally delivered cars (i.e. not GT-Rs like ours).

I used to use Glass's Guide and found it was a little too optimistic. RB can be harsh but I find it's more realistic.

As for your Bimmers, we've also had a few in the family and if I'm not mistaken their demand largely depends on 1. condition 2. options 3. colour with those cars in particular. I can only guess but the fact your car was black would have helped? We've had two BMWs without sunroofs and one of these was an 'odd' colour (Glacier Green) and these took longer than other BMWs to sell as people would quite often ring up and write the car off immediately on the basis of it not having a sunroof, etc. Meanwhile I'd be cautious on the E60 as I think sellers are still a bit optimistic in how they're pricing them. I'd maybe wait until the F10 comes out (on sale from June) if you can, and the values of the E60 will then drop further as people trade up to the new model.

[Ten Four]

I've looked though, E60 530iM are usually 5-8k more than regular ones..

Less performance orientated but awesome imo. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer...id=127E0A818BD9

They do make turbo kits for these. Oh, and they sound like this

[R-SPEC]

Matt im surprised you didnt pick this s4 http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...8&silo=1011 beautiful colour. doesnt mention the Ks though. actually might give him a call and see whats up with it. looks pretty good.

Redbook is on my side however the actual sellers arent lol

never been a fan of jaguars or mercs. i dont mind mercs too much but definately not jags. mmmm Brabus...

and yeah i'd like a manual this time, been driving the auto too long hehe

why is that C43 a "collectors car" ?

oh and ive actually looked into the boxsters back when my brother was looking for a car to buy. i do like em... but would hate pulling up next to a 911 in it lol

[God_speed]

I've looked though, E60 530iM are usually 5-8k more than regular ones..

Less performance orientated but awesome imo. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer...id=127E0A818BD9

They do make turbo kits for these. Oh, and they sound like this

Nah, for mine it would have to be a Boxster S, minimum. I know you said there are turbo kits but I wouldn't bother... To my eyes Porsches are incredibly overpriced; I'd pay for a 911 GT3 in a heartbeat, perhaps a Turbo, but those povo pack Boxsters leave me cold! Not to mention Panameras and Cayennes. Anyhoo...

Matt im surprised you didnt pick this s4 http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...8&silo=1011 beautiful colour. doesnt mention the Ks though. actually might give him a call and see whats up with it. looks pretty good.

Redbook is on my side however the actual sellers arent lol

never been a fan of jaguars or mercs. i dont mind mercs too much but definately not jags. mmmm Brabus...

and yeah i'd like a manual this time, been driving the auto too long hehe

why is that C43 a "collectors car" ?

oh and ive actually looked into the boxsters back when my brother was looking for a car to buy. i do like em... but would hate pulling up next to a 911 in it lol

I saw that S4 mate; at second glance it looks alright. At first I kind of thought, aftermarket wheels, suspension... I'd prefer an untouched example. Also, I'm really not a fan of eyelids and while I know they can be taken off, I dunno, to me it kinda says something about the owner...?

But if he's close I reckon a test drive's in order. Let us know what it's like!

[R-SPEC]

ah yeah i know what you mean. apparently the s4 does 0-100 in 5.6 secs which from memory is about a second quicker than a r34 gtt? hmmmm gotta get me a test drive somehow, would be interesting to see how it compares to a jap turbo.

[God_speed]

Yeah this looks like the neatest proper-manual M3 going atm

M3

It's been on sale for ages. I saw it ages ago when I was contemplating an M3.

I don't think an R34 GTT would be far off in the dry, but in the wet, no contest vs. an S4

[Marlin]

What's your budget? A doctor friend of mine has a blue 840 he's owned from new and he's starting to make noises about moving it on. Could be your car?

He had an 850 prior to it and he said "I'd rather have a wart on my dick than an 850".

[R-SPEC]

Yeah this looks like the neatest proper-manual M3 going atm

M3

It's been on sale for ages. I saw it ages ago when I was contemplating an M3.

I don't think an R34 GTT would be far off in the dry, but in the wet, no contest vs. an S4

the amount of 318i's i see on the road with M badging and kits etc for some reason puts me off the m3. and i cannot get past the dash area, possibly the ugliest interior/centre console IMO

What's your budget? A doctor friend of mine has a blue 840 he's owned from new and he's starting to make noises about moving it on. Could be your car?

He had an 850 prior to it and he said "I'd rather have a wart on my dick than an 850".

lol that bad is it?

for my next car i'm looking at spending $25-30K max

im no longer in the market for a 8 series, shame.

im kind of set on a B5 S4 however i still havent ruled out the v35/350z...

cheers

Edited April 20, 2010 by R-SPEC

[Ten Four]

^Really? I thought evo 5/6/7 have the worst dashs' ever...

I've never really liked the v35... Love the 350z though.

Considered one of these? http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...id=127E0A818BD9

Always been a fan...

[God_speed]

^Really? I thought evo 5/6/7 have the worst dashs' ever...

I've never really liked the v35... Love the 350z though.

Considered one of these? http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...id=127E0A818BD9

Always been a fan...

That bloke's got good taste... R32 Golf, and a Diamondschwartz E30 with Simmons rims in the background. Reminds me of my old E30

The R32s sound fantastic with the narrow-angle V6. For some reason though, despite having very high perceived quality, Volkswagen regularly rank way down the list on customer satisfaction studies in Australia.

I never really minded the dash design / layout with the E36s we had; I guess when I look back now it is quite dated by today's standards. But you can't argue with its driver-focused ergonomics - everything within easy reach and angled towards the driver. That's one of the things the latest generation of BMWs is missing IMO

[R-SPEC]

how tough is that golf! why did you have to show me that im having trouble making up my mind as it is! haha

ive never really been into small hatchbacks other than the pulsar gtir and the audi s3...

im loving that r32 though! im guessing they are 4wd? or is it fwd like normal golfs?

and yes i agree EVO interiors are up there amongst the worst

as for the E36 dash yeah i guess it has its benefits. hate how the headunit sits up top. looks weird