E.Man
Super Member
The aircon was cactus too which gave me a clue as to how maintained it was. Something from the 1980s with odd bits needing $$$ and no experienced mech = a "Do not Buy" here.It was probably a big SEL with air levelling suspension. Can be serious $$$$s to fix if not looked after properly. They're pretty easy to work on, most things are modular and pull off/put on.
I've had no issues with Benzes downunder, have a BMW trained mechanic in the Blue Mountains who looks after them. Mobil 1 oil and they purr like kittens.
I usually buy one 10-12 years old that has depreciated to 10% of original sticker price with less than 100,000km (60,000 miles) and a good service history. Latest is a CLK500 which I took for a drive on Friday and enjoyed every minute of it.
Less than 100, 000 seems to be the magic number. I've read some bad news about BMWs not aging well.
Some stuff just doesn't work in the sticks and people with 'exotics' end up having them trucked to Canberra 200km away for fixing !! (Limp home mode cos a wombat got too close !)
The '02 'Commo' I got has just hit 300, 000 and the aircon is Chill and it's the last of the big wagons which is very useful in the country.
Some discussion where our holdens will be coming from now. Kia or Opel ?