Re: Q. for NZ owners (archive)

2) sort out your approach BEFORE BUYING. If you're a DIYer, OK, work out how much do you go for - running OK, looking good, perfectly original etc. All costs for spares, and some 3rd party stuff just isn't available here. If not-DIY then you need to sort out a good mechanic - and they need to KNOW THE ELECTRONICS too. These cars are complex electronically for the engine, gearbox, brakes - it's all comprehendable, but the spanner-man needs to consider them (effects AND wellbeing!) at all times. Had some horror stories here (this forum) of "Needs a new tranny, $4000 bucks please" and it's a bad sensor, $200 fitted.

3) you need to work out a repair timeline in your mind. E32 suspension parts, for instance, seem to last definite amounts for each part, and when they go they go NOTICEABLY - because they're DESIGNED to be replaced, right? Just you don't want to buy a vehicle needing everything replacing all-at-once after having brought it at a premium... and when you do replace, you won't get your money fully back until the replacement wears out, so if you don't keep the car 3-5yrs it might seem to be heavy on repairs up front (if it needed them)... like tyres, once all 4 are done there's a "steady state of not needing to spend except for the unforseen.

4) Beware butchery - aftermarket alarms, stereos, go-faster bits are all OK if done well - diabolical if not

5) Personally I prefer the 735 straight 6, although I have never had the money for a v12 anyway. The v12s are near to double everything - performance, complexity, diagnosis. Your call... beware the boy-racer previous owner too, they're torquey cars, but the trannys & driveshafts can get worn-down by excesses. They're replaceable, of course, but the $$$.

6) Last, I love my 735, after all these comments. I can't bend a singls door panel. The whole thing is GALVANISED and no rust after 14+ years. It loafs at 100kmh, I used to get about 27mpg on the Wgtn motorway at that. ABS is great. Space is great; kids love all the seats & stuff & my wife falls asleep in it on long journeys. I've seen crashed ones & they're definitely NOT TINFOIL. And all for $9k... plus some repairs, plus not having much of a market for reselling, it's done 155000 miles, but that's just young yet.

Hope this helps.

Max (christchurch)

Hi,

Here in New Zealand we are seeing an increasing number of 735 and 750 imports from overseas, esp. Japan. Are there support/service/parts problems with these cars that I need to be aware of?

Thanks,
Ross.

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