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Wow, has been a really long time since this was updated! have pretty much just driven the thing for the last few years when I can. Have started my own electrical business and now have a one year old boy, so don't have much time for toys at the moment. Bit Have replaced the engine mounts, and a few oil changes and that's about it. have entered in a few autocross/grasskhanas, to the oamaru drags, and a few sealed hill sprints, and the clutch has been getting worse and worse. So finally ordered a new one and replaced that over the last week. This included the new flywheel, pressure and clutch plate, spigot bearing, pivot bush, new gearbox mounts, and new shifter bushes, and did the rear sway bar bushes I've been meaning to do for years. Have done a few auto swaps and a manual conversion before but to get the bell housing bolts out on this was a major pita compared to the others! But finally got it finished up today and man, what a difference. Was always hard to get a smooth shift, but now is sooo much better and tighter on the shifter too with the new bushes. So now I've replaced every bush, mount, or joint apart from the steering shaft coupler and the inner and outer balljoints. Was trying to get it done for today for a hill sprint but didn't quite get there, but is ready to go for the oamaru drags this coming weekend. My best time was a 13.9, on just road tires( non prepped track and no burn outs since it's a airstrip) and with the clutch slipping bad between gears. So hopefully this time with a new one and some semi slicks tp try should get it down a bit further. Oh,and my head liner has started sagging finally.

Please get a bigger wing also - There needs to be exactly 5mm clearance between the edge and the mcdonalds drive through barrier

Do tell us @Toast, how have you come to ending up actually needing one of these?

Guys, he's talking about the ZF 6 speed. It's *very* finicky about what oil it uses. The *KEY* spec is Shell M-1375.4 If you take a look at the specs for Penrite ATF-FS specs (which I rate for the 5SP), you'll find i) it doesn't list Shell M-1375.4, and ii) there's a specific note about "not for use in ZF 6 speed...". In summary, finding an oil that meets both Shell M-1375.4 and ZF Lifeguard 6, $20/litre isn't too bad... even if they are Aussie Dollars! cheers

Today I looked at it and thought to myself that it desperately needs a wash. Our 6 month old has been in and out of hospital a lot since birth so understandably attention for the BMW has been minimal. When I find time it'll be getting a good clean and an oil and filter change as coming up about 1800km since the rod-bearings replacement (the car not the baby).

I wish . Unfortunately I get blisters from doing any 'labour intensive' activities' . Main reason for getting the crewman is the need to cart fishing/dive equipment, transport the vast catch home and do the 'green waste' ie gorse tip run. Also wanted the convenience of four doors with the practicality of a tray with canopy. And I didn't want a Colorado/Ranger cos everyone has one of those haha. The X5 is/was awesome but after doing close to a 3K km trip over NY it was becoming obvious that it was not the type of wagon we needed. Would get another in a heartbeat though! Hard getting used to this V6 thing...

Not quite as that would be too sensible as well haha. Went for something a bit more 'practical' and I got this (even with the stupid wheels - but I have a plan for those). And I'm not even a tradie!

Pretty sure a member down here in Wellington purchased it

Yes, start a project thread, we're always keen for that shiz.

4k? lolwtf?!?! Even 2.5k is criminal. 1k landed sounds expensive but relative to the others it's a right bargain. And you can be assured that the Ross one will be far better than a cast original. 360* timing marks will probably also come in handy.

Thanks for the reply I've got the kit now as well as the mechatronic sleeve My usual bmw parts store has this oil which seems to meet the specs, $20 per litre so not too bad Motul Multi ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1L Specification: Dexron IIIG/IIIH/IID/IIE, ZF 03D/04D/14A, Esso LT 71141, Shell M-1375.4, ZF Lifeguard 6

I seem to be very poor at communication in writing. I was saying one of the things that puts me off the E65 is that it seems more complex to work on (as compare to my M54b30 e39.) I could go the route of the MBI, and drop wrenching on my car altogether and just take it to an authorized garage (as I was under the impression this is what I had to do to maintain the MBI...) but to me, that is a major put off, as I like wrenching on my car. Some other folks have suggested that I could still wrench, and just get a certified mechanic to sign off that the work had been done. Keeping my parts receipts from FCP Euro as evidence I actually replaced parts, etc... I am going to just go spend some time reading the Autosure website and see what their fine print says about wrenching on my own car... I do read American forums. I also happen to be American. It's a hood. You're just wrong. There is also a trunk.

Thank you for clarifying that. I do have a good friend who's MTA certified and runs his own shop. I should be able to work something out with him for stamps if I go that route. Thank you for your perspective. I agree that whilst things may not pay off all the time, the long tail sometimes catches up and years of 'wasted' insurance can pay for itself in a day...

bump $1400 without tyres