23 replies to this topic

[Captn_Awesome]

So I'm looking for a certain car to buy.
I've been looking on carsales but the "right" combination of the car I'm after is quite ellusive and I can't seem to get my hands on one.
Are there other sites I should be checking?

[bobo333]

carsguide, gumtree, specific forums for the model your after with a for sale section?

[Captn_Awesome]

Carsguide is carsales is it not?

The car I'm looking for is

BMW E61 530i Touring in Alpine White

I've got about $55k to play with but ideally I'd like something closer to $40k

Edit : wrong picture link posted previously

Edited by ~Sparkles~, 31 August 2011 - 10:49 AM.

[broadz]

Passat R36, easy choice

[~Spyne~]

mmm, either or...

[Captn_Awesome]

An Audi RS6 would be nice. But then an E61 M5 would be nice also - both way out of my budget.
The A4 is too small in the legroom for the rear seat. Its significantly smaller than the E61 - remember the 5 series wagon is one of the largest estate cars/touring wagons on the market.
I haven't yet really looked at the Passat but I would be supprised if they had as much room as the 5 series. Plus in photos they seem cheap interior wise compared to the BMW. I'll check a few out though.

The only wagons I've seen big enough IMO without going to an SUV are the 5 series and the falcon...
You can imagine which I'm more swayed towards...
They should make prams smaller.

I dont really want an SUV. I could get an R51 ST-L Pathy brand new for my budget - but two 4wds is a bit wanker. The patrol is here to stay (actually I've got a cab chassis leafy now too on its way down from tamworth) so I've got something for the trips away and for pulling a trailer etc. If I was getting a Pathy I'd really preffer an R51 Ti 550 but I cant afford $80k and they arent readily available second hand yet.

I need something for the minister of war, finance and recreation which is big enough for two medium sized dogs, two kids and associated paraphernalia that is nice to drive and looks good as Kel has to have a car that impresses clients (stupid I know) as who wants a contractor book keeper that can't afford a decent car. All her clients drive BMWs, Merc, Audis etc and a lot of her clients are CBD based and in real estate &/or development. Her boss drives a benz so gotta keep up apperances (a $15,000 2007 Mazda3 Maxx Sport with a f**ked up rear bar and a ding in the passenger side door doesnt really give clients the impression that you know what your doing - I love shopping centre carparks...).

Plus I've always had a thing for BMWs - I grew up in the BMW Drivers Club of Victoria as a youngster as dad had a string of BMWs (mostly 2000's and E28's).
I always wanted a black E39 528i but its just not practical (although a shed load cheaper and easier to get my hands on...)
I don't like the X series BMWs just not my cup of tea and they are SUVs.
Dads offered me a RR Sport TDV8. But again its an SUV and I'd look like a knob driving something like that at my age. Plus I'd loose my licence again. They've got way more go than they should have and lets not avoid the fact that its british.

I'm fairly set on the E61 and I'm happy to wait for the right car to come up. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some website with a heap of them listed that I didnt know about.

[broadz]

If cargo space is a main decider:

BMW 530i estate cargo volume = 33.6cu foot
VW Passat estate cargo volume = 36cu foot

[perrin_07]

http://www.carpoint....79%204294966841


not alpine white but some for 40-45k......how much to have it repainted?


http://australia.tro...0e61%20touring/



some of the 2006 seem cheaper....do you happen to know what year you were after? there was a 06 for 35k (not white).

Edited by perrin_07, 31 August 2011 - 02:41 PM.

[Captn_Awesome]

It would cost $10k easily to have a BMW painted to "near" OEM quality and resale value would drop dramatically due to paint numbers not matching. I need the vehicle to retain 25% value in 5 years time for finacial reasons - which shouldnt be hard. Start changing colours and you might have a bit more difficulty. People ask questions of a fairly recent vehicle with a colour change. Its not normal to see a car under 20 years old with a complete colour change.

Cargo space is a main concideration but its the combination of cargo space and space between the rear seats and the front seats.
You have to be able to use the cargo space too. The Passat looks to have a lower floor and higher roof - reality is you need space from the back of the seat to the tail gate and between wheel arches. Useable floor area is probably more important than total volume of the cargo area as your not going to be stacking dogs 3 high. Like wise you cant put a lot of stuff ontop of wheel arches or behind them. The 5 series would rival the patrol for usable floor space in the cargo area.
Plus AWD Vs RWD - Im afraid RWD is always going to win for me.
E-W engine config is going to be a hard one to convince me of also.

Like I said the E61 I'm fairly well sold on. It would take a lot to convince me other wise.

Year im not overly concerned on - there were 3 different 3L engines and naturally the later model engines are worth more and produce more power. None seem to have major issues. I just want something neat, honest and clean.
I should be able to pickup the right car for around 42 less than that and Id start asking questions about why is it so cheap. There is a blue/black one for sale at baysidestar for 48k and I'd be putting that at something worth 35k the seats are shagged the suspension on the drivers side is shoddy and the paint is f***ed. I'd suggest some rich fat bitch drove it - and drove it into the ground.
I'd rather a good clean older vehicle than a newer abused vehicle.
Like wise Km doesnt bother me. Its not 1960s any more all engines are built to last 500,000+ properly cared for. Even when they do crap themselves its usually ancillaries rather than the engine itself. The internet has opened europe and north america as sources for replacement parts.

[Captn_Awesome]

So probably not getting an E61 any more...
SWMBO has put her foot down shes sick of waiting for a new car.
Should have something new (to me) this side of the new year though with a bit of luck...

[perrin_07]

what do you think you will be getting?

[Captn_Awesome]

something white and diesel

[fuddbutter]

something white and wheezing?


did you get on the Euro Car Club of Aust and ask around there?

[Captn_Awesome]

Nah I'm getting something british. Sucker for punishment...

[fuddbutter]

nothing wrong with British cars.. as long as its not built in the late 70's or 80's or 90's

actually, is there any British cars any more?