The pilot strike was actually in 1989 and extended over course to 1991. Unfortunately Australia was gripped by recession around this time. So alot of the cars are truly battered examples. You don't see that many 1992+ E32s which would be of interest to me...and even when you do, a car with 350k km still commands at least AUD$4k so not really viable parts cars. Nor do I have the space for one (as our real estate is so overpriced). Melbourne was given the crown of the most overpriced English speaking city in the world for real estate just yesterday infact (7 years of average income to purchase an average home).

I think it is also the attitude of the Australian driver. Many people are very happy to drive around cars needing attention. There isn't that "disposable vehicle" mentality that other parts of the world have. I think that's because they are expensive to purchase and for European cars, relatively expensive to repair, insure and keep fuelled (given the vast distances covered and our expensive petrol vs US petrol prices). And then there is the harsh Australian weather which does no favours for glossy paint. Some people just seem to hang onto cars until they die. Although I do see a trend emerging amongst the emerging wealthy to buy the newest and the best but I think we have only seen this growing level of wealth for perhaps the past 5-10 years.

A bit off track I know, but I always find it interesting reading about other people's lives within their respective country. I hope you do too.

3/93 BMW 730iL
Lazurblau/Silbergrau
5-Speed Automatic
160k KM

• Test drove an E39 540i today - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-22 01:28:53 (114 views)
  • The 540i is a great car. - bolkow105 2008-02-09 23:26:29 (77 views)
  • Doesn't Australia double or triple the list price of imported cars like BMW's? - bcweir750 2008-01-22 10:50:06 (72 views)
    • Yep they sure do. New 750Li - AUD$250k - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-22 20:48:03 (79 views)
      • who can afford that? - steinway 2008-01-24 19:03:05 (71 views)
        • Only the very rich - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-25 03:14:07 (78 views)
          • interesting, so... - steinway 2008-01-25 08:18:14 (66 views)
            • Well not really actually... - Nick (Australia) 2008-01-25 10:42:24 (77 views)
              • I do, that's why I inquired - steinway 2008-01-25 19:29:32 (77 views)
                • Nick, what about importing Japanese cars? - Shayne 2008-02-10 14:13:54 (65 views)
                  • Not allowed anymore - Nick (Australia) 2008-02-11 08:41:51 (71 views)
                    • Re: Not allowed anymore - Shayne 2008-02-13 11:58:17 (77 views)
                      • Probably similar reasons - Nick (Australia) 2008-02-14 23:04:14 (60 views)