My Christmas present…

[Zephyr]

Love Greece, but can't speak the language...

Is that a car phone in the centre console? I had one in the 90's and also remember travelling for work to Ghana and carrying around a satellite phone (suitcase sized).

Learning Greek was also a pain for me. Getting married to a local helped me a lot and also put me back on my feet -I really admire their hospitality and caring- so I now I am fluent and can communicate and even participate in complex conversations.
My job is in IT/Telecoms so I know exactly what you are talking about, I was representing a satellite network company in South Africa and neighbouring countries, and as you already said, delivering five phones to their owners was a trunk full of brief cases.

 

[Mus Musculus]

I really admire their hospitality and caring-

Yeah, I know what you mean. Not that we don't have friendly people in the UK, but Greece and Italy (South) in particular, have a particular culture of hospitality. Which reminds me that host and guest have the same etymological root… All good!

I am also an IT guy who spent many years in Telecoms (IBM/O2).

 

[Stevo7682]

The one advantage you have there is at least whatever you end up with the shell will be solid not like here cars that are left sitting for years ( especially if outside) or in the more northern parts of the uk they just disintegrate into nothing.
Stephen.

 

[Zephyr]

The one advantage you have there is at least whatever you end up with the shell will be solid not like here cars that are left sitting for years ( especially if outside) or in the more northern parts of the uk they just disintegrate into nothing.
Stephen.

True this.
I have a friend who travels two times a year from Germany to Greece and picks old Mercedes and even some 1st Gen 5 series to use for parts in Germany. He is actually making a good income out of this.
Actually I have two of these in my garage waiting to be collected.
and was offered a solid loaded (and i mean SOLID and LOADED) Z3 pre face lift with blown engine for 1.500€ (electric roof, heated seats, harman kardon the lot) but I already have the one I wanted.

 

[DomiMik]

https://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/view/2020745-bmw-740

i have this on my radar and had a discussion with the owner last year. My offer is still on the table and he is still thinking about it.
when these were new, I always wanted one, but my life failed miserably and I had to relocate, change continent, find a new job and start over from the beginning.
now that I have somehow reinvented myself I think I can enjoy this along with the Z.
these were the two vehicles that I intended to buy back then before some most unfortunate events smashed me to the ground. (and I moved to Greece that almost gave another heart attack with that Grexit issue, but somehow I also survived this… hahaha).

That's a very nice E38!
I wouldn't want the long version due to unnecessary weight (and the proportions don't look as perfect compared to a regular 7 series in my opinion), but I owned one two years ago and it was absolutely gorgeous to drive! Yes, it's heavy, but the 4.4 V8 has seemingly endless power, such a great engine!

I still miss the license plate

 

[D R Oldfield]

personally I love the e30 touring i have had 3 , a 318 , a 320 and a 325 Alpina touring that was some car !

 

[Zephyr]

Ok. So… here are the contestants….

1

https://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/view/2020745-bmw-740

2

https://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/view/316038809-bmw-740

3- new entry not 7 series but

https://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/view/329965551-bmw-m5

what say you?

 

[Mus Musculus]

I don't know, but I prefer the last one (M5).

 

[RB2]

It's got to be the e39 100%

 

[Althulas]

Mmmm M5 as long as it’s got good servicing records.

 

[Stevo7682]

How about buy the M5 keep special.
Buy the cheaper 7 series rip out the v8 and install that in the zed break the rest of the 7

Stephen.

 

[Jam03]

M5. Less fat cat, more fun.

 

[DomiMik]

I'm a bit sceptical about the M5, it's simply too cheap (especially with such a low mileage). Looks like this is the cheapest M5 in Europe and from my own experience it won't be without a reason.

If everything is fine then go for it, but if something's wrong with the engine it could cost you a fortune.

edit: if I understand it right, that's not an original M5? Then I understand the low price. The question is, was the conversion done properly...?

I would definitely prefer an original M539!

 

[Jam03]

On closer inspection the “M5”might be a bit of a project. It looks like it will have an interesting history and a few cosmetic things to sort out as a minimum. I’m sure you will be able to uncover this once you plug in all your software.

 

[Zephyr]

I'm a bit sceptical about the M5, it's simply too cheap (especially with such a low mileage). Looks like this is the cheapest M5 in Europe and from my own experience it won't be without a reason.

If everything is fine then go for it, but if something's wrong with the engine it could cost you a fortune.

edit: if I understand it right, that's not an original M5? Then I understand the low price. The question is, was the conversion done properly...?

I would definitely prefer an original M539!

Just had a call with the owner.
the vin reads for a 520. He sent photos of the original car (M5) smashed in the back. It was a write off.
so he transplanted as he says everything to the 520.
i am not confident about such a deal but will take it for inspection. Personally I think it will be beyond my standards but this will have to be investigated.

Both the 7 series checked ok and the long version is the one that needs a full service asap.
the other one just had one.

 

[Zephyr]

Very confused here.
the “m5” is a full nut and bolt mechanical transplant
seriously, it appears that the donor was in good condition and that they had the cars side by side when they worked on them.
some minor leftovers from the 520 are still onboard, but in general, it is a solid and loved car.
but it is not original and definitely I have no idea on what to say to my insurance company about it. I dont even know if they will accept it.
The 7 series are as expected for their age. Need some love and preventative maintenance for parts never been changed and thats about it.
my only mistake in this quest is that I drove the 5er… boy oh boy… totally out of my league but what a monster… almost fell in love with it but it feels kinda awkward, like desiring a wonderful pair of boobs that unfortunately are on body that also has a twelve inch schlong….

 

[Zephyr]

Not that this would be necessarily bad… but I am too old to experiment….

 

[Zephyr]

And I was referring to the M5 not the…..12’’