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Well 2019 is looking promising so far! Late 2018 I dropped the car off to Steven Sole Customs here in New Plymouth for a full panel and paint. IMG_5774.MOV With the car back home now I'm still slowly piecing it all back together. joined_video_ce80f80f32c2432181c062f99dc66cbf.mp4 Next on the list is the interior, Stay Tuned.

To be fair, not sure the 18” wheels look right. A nice set of staggered 17” style 5’s would add to the look!

I did check if I could find replacement used ones in better quality and wasnt happy with what sellers were offering, so we decided to make a couple of days out of it and combined skills to refurb what we have. Basically: - No foam/sponge left in originals, no softness in the horsehair molded bases. Cloth itself in pretty good condition. - Forced stripes of cotton wadding inside "piping" on the back piece - Kept the horse hair mold but added middle strips of 35-160U High Density foam and side bolsters of 28-170U Medium density foam - Hand washed rear cloth, did not remove from seat as it was riveted to the frame (and no need). - Machine washed base - Wife sewed in "Interface" material into the base stips to create new "loops" to hold the side-centre-side metal bars in place (original channels disintegrated - Initially used OEM like Bull Ring pliers to reattached metal bars etc but found that large cable ties work a lot better. Used lots of them (13per base, 5 on each side and 3 in the middle). Very happy with result, firm but soft, smells great too thanks to the washing and cloth shampoo!

Probably good to be honest, E81s are rare. Dont want to sell it to a numpty who isnt prepared for basic maintenance things like changing shocks (which isnt expensive, nor difficult)

And all that’s left of the red M5 we had lives in 6FTNDR M5 Dif, mirrors, wheels and interior

Count on rear-drive, manual for next BMW M3 as global M chief talks up CS and CSL specials BMW’S M division remains committed to offering purely rearwheel-drive variants of select highperformance passenger cars, despite a shift to all-wheel drive on various model lines including the latest M5 super-sedan and the forthcoming all-new M3. In an interview with Australian journalists last week, BMW M GmbH chairman of the board of management Markus Flasch also confirmed that a broader range of pure CS variants – and potentially the long-awaited return of CSL– were part of the performance brand’s future. Mr Flasch stopped short of officially confirming that the forthcoming M3 due to be revealed in 2020 would offer both purely reardrive and all-wheel-drive versions, but made it clear that customers of its smaller models, including M2, M3 and M4, were still asking for rear-wheel drive – as well as a manual gearshift. “With M3, we were able to take over the entire drivetrain concept that we offer in the M5, and we were able to do a rear-wheel-drive version as well plus manual transmission,” he said. “I won’t disclose today how we configure those opportunities, but we can do whatever the markets globally demand. “I can’t confirm it, but I’ve driven the cars!” Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers was recently quoted as saying that a clear AMG customer preference for all-wheel drive will see the threepointed star brand’s performance arm shift towards this drivetrain configuration across its range. Asked by GoAuto if he could see the day when BMW M no longer offered rear-drive variants, Mr Flasch said: “No, I don’t see the point why this would happen.” In terms of customer preference for all-wheel over rear-wheel drive, the M chief said there was a clear differentiation between buyers of larger and smaller models. “In the larger segments, SUV and also sedan, our customers typically drive the cars long distances, they drive them all year, they drive them on dirt roads – for instance, an M5 driver or also the X5 M driver, they clearly go for all-wheel drive,” he said. “We also know that on the M5, the current model, with the switchable all-wheel drive, people hardly ever switch off AWD because it’s just such a great drive with it. “On smaller segments, more let’s call it iconic M2, M3, M4 cars, they are typically either ‘entrance’ cars to certain customers or they are second or third cars, and rear-wheel drive makes the most sense for these cars because they are taken out in good weather, for special occasions. “This is not black and white, but in general there is a differentiation between the bigger cars – longer wheelbase, V8 – smaller cars, straight-six (engine), more like ‘the good weather car’, are still asking for rear-wheel drive and manual stick shift.” Mr Flasch said the M division would also continue to cater for different customer tastes through the sportier Competition spec and more versions of the CS – and potentially CSL – racetrack-oriented variants. “We will see more limited editions, especially models like the CS and, I can imagine, the CSL,” he said. “We won’t do this for every car but I would go as far as to say that we also don’t have to stick to coupes only. I can imagine CS and other special versions also will turn up. “We won’t see the GTS sub-brand in future. There will be CS and maybe CSL. There won’t be a GTS in parallel with CSL"

Became a trim level for utes.

BMW M GmbH chairman of the board of management Markus Flasch has revealed that the high performance division is close to showing its first electrified vehicle – and that it could be an M-only car rather than one based on a mainstream BMW model line. In an interview with Australian journalists last week, Mr Flasch confirmed that the M division is working on the three major powertrain alternatives – seriesparallel hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full battery-electric – and while he was not prepared to divulge launch timing for the debutante, he said “it is not too far in the distance”. “Everything that brings competitiveness and performance to a car is relevant for M and we see a lot of potential in both technologies (hybrid and full-electric),” he said.“There is no dogma in how we equip our cars, so as soon as one of those technologies qualifies for proper M specifications we will make them available. “We cannot yet disclose whether it will be an M-only car that we will first launch this technology, but it has potential. “It might also be a standard, as you call it, car that offers thetechnology.” Mr Flasch said he had “no fear” that M would remain as relevant as it does today as tougher environmental regulations prompt the accelerated development of electrified powertrains. “It’s like in motorsport, if the rules change, you need to see these changing rules as an opportunity,” he said, pointing to the fact that electric drivetrains can enable much higher outputs. “When we talk about electric vehicles, this offers a huge opportunity for us because if you think about current systems, you pretty much control the engine output over braking, or brake systems – you destroy energy with it. “On an electric car, if you think about four independent engines, you can do this type of control on the power side, not on the braking side, and this is where we think we will make a difference when it comes to electric cars. “This is where we are very strong compared to the rest of BMW and also compared to the competition. “As long as you get the exact right amount of torque to the wheel in the right situation … then there is no certain number of horsepower or limit to the power, it’s just about how you control it. “Today’s systems with combustion engines and hydraulic brakes are pretty much on their limit, but we will push that further when it comes to electrification.” Asked if BMW M was working to a definitive timeframe to have electrified vehicles across its model range, Mr Flasch told GoAuto:“There isn’t, but if there was I wouldn’t disclose it. “We won’t see a switch, black and white. There won’t be one point in time where combustion engines disappear and hybrid will replace them, and then another point in time where battery-electric vehicles replace hybrid. “What we might see is that, depending on the market, depending on the segment, we will see different technologies in parallel.” MW M EV plan

AFE intake. Haven't had a good chance to wring it out yet, but pretty happy with the sound, (i.e. purpose of install).

Between the 3 of us we could almost get a bulk discount ?

Nice work! Looking forward to reading about your experience with the wheels.

Springs have arrived. I'm making space in my workshop (over the past few years had become unworkable due to amount of sh*t in it), so that I can prep the wheels, prep and paint the fatter ARBs (20mm front**, 14.5mm rear), the 51mm strut housings, the rear shocks. A few more parts to come; decided on Hawk HPS pads for the front as I really like what they're doing on my 545i. And I have to re build and repaint the Girling front callipers. I saw this. Perfect timing. I'm not planning on going so far, I'll be concentrrating on the front faces. ** and funny thing happened on the way to the workshop. My 20mm bar that I lovingly stripped and repainted earlier in this thread, turned out to be a 19mm. When Jon went to fit it, the specified 20mm bushes were too big. Hey ho, new 19mm bushes and game on. The 20 & 14.5mm bars are on their way to me now. So the heat is on. I'm not sure I have enough time to complete all the prep work in time to take this on the Castlepoint trip in mid-June, but I'm going to try. It's time for some Glen Frey. Oh f#%k that...I Need some motivation and pace. And some greater authenticity, real 80's rather than commercial pap. Fortunately I'm wiring up a new workshop hifi to keep myself motivated while working. While I do that, here's The Cure: Yeah, once upon a time, The Cure were truly edgy and completely outside the mainstream. I think I may be some time, so much back catalogue to explore. Here's some obscure B-side material:

Awesome, I actually might consider doing mine instead of swapping out for another type of seat.

any e34 i will ever own will have three pedals

I wouldnt sell my old prelci E87 with a squillion ks on it for less than 15 Prices on these things is going to climb at some point, its only very recently its plummeted, the tide of japanese imports will stop at some point.

Just found the receipt for the tints too. Also unless I'm mistaken he's also put a usb into the glovebox, I'm sure it wasn't there before lol I don't really know the deposit rules, but I use one if I want to buy a car and the seller will hold it for me, so its usually not a big amount, or if I want to get a ppi done. It's always refundable except if something goes awry, and differs on circumstance. Like in this case where he basically had paid for the vehicle, in terms of the deposit amount, because he would have it for a couple of days and I was away. I did return most of it, but kept enough to cover the estimated cost of the bumper. He could have at least put some wheels on it lol Yeah he didn't seem like he thought it through that well, but to be fair he's been reasonable to deal with so far. The cheapest comparable E87, so LCI and lowish kms (70k) on trademe is $12k. Someone is selling one supercheap on here for 7K which is a steal if you want one. I'd buy it if I didn't have two atm. Next cheapest would be my E87 which is 6k, but that has done over 200k kms. So if you have a secret source for E87 130i for 5k I'd be super interested.

Sounds like there could be a profitable business venture in the offing Take deposits from potential purchasers, allowing them to apply various upgrades before causing minor damage and paying for all of it, then returning the car in exchange for the balance of the deposit. Perhaps hand them a wish list? ? 'If you're going to apply some unauthorised upgrades while you're testing it, an Eventuri air intake would be my preference. Failing that, some cross bracing? Thanks mate!'

meanwhile im just having a chuckle at the mismatched drivers door handle hahaha

Yeah I was super surprised when he returned it and it was tinted. He wanted me to pay for the tint and I told him no, he's tinted my car and I told him it's not yours unless you buy it. Then told me he had damaged the bumper, and I was like wtf man. Yeah, because it needs new shocks(a shock is losing fluid) he doesn't want it if it needs work done. So far its cost him whatever tinting costs, ppi cost and the bumper cost to fix :shrugs:

Now this is different, and very cool... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-2040115387.htm?rsqid=328e9095f5824d11b41e0eb99d68f557-005

My understanding is you can get these from the dealer cheap?

One ended up in a ditch courtesy of a naughty son borrowing it from dads garage......HellBM was the recipient. Another regularly goes down Quay St in Aucklamd City as a daily driver with the plate AWSUM5. The pre-facelift spec has grown on me - if the front lights are in new condition they look great. I think the running costs are pretty reasonable if it’s a Sunday car. Daily it and the costs are more crippling. I think an M5 is a lot of car for the money. You could spend $30k on a HQ Holden and just accept that is the price!

That's rough. You break it, you bought it, buddy. At least that takes care of the couple of small cosmetic issues it had, I guess! It's a cool car and in damn good shape, can't believe no one has bought it. It drives really well too, with some nice punch.

Cant wait to see this finished and go for a roll with you

New Year. New Update! After getting the car back home it was time to start fresh and sort out what needed to be done. First off i knew that the sump had a pinhole leak in it that needed to be sorted so the front end, suspension, subframe and cooling system was stripped back again to remove that to be re-welded, while i was at it i replaced the waterpump that was also leaking. A new clutch line was also routed up and over the gearbox, to keep it away from the headers, and the accelerator cable shortened and finished up with all the correct clips and grommets. After a couple of months everything was bolted back up and the car was taken to Sam Smith, of Smith Industries, to get a couple things tided up and fabricated, this included a slight change to the rear exhaust tips, a cold air box, a sump bash plate, heat shielding around the headers and a battery hold down in the boot. His work is amazing and id definitely recommend anyone who needs some fabrication done of any kind, for a good deal, to contact him. Once the car was back home it was time to tidy up the wiring side of things, as this had been worked on by a couple of others over the last few years. Local guru Nigel from Ignition Autosport was enlisted to undertake this job. While this was being done, the cooling system and necessary sensors were also completed and fluids checked before it was fired back up and ready for its first drive under its own power! A crack in the power steering reservoir was discovered, so a new one was ordered before this could happen. Coolant return hose and washer fluid hose from the rear bottle are neatly hidden away inside the front guard. A few parts were starting to accumulate over time, like the fresh bumper trims, thanks to fellow touring owner Dylan HJ, some small goodies from overseas and another set of perfect smileys from a local guy who didn't know the value of them, also thanks to Andy, Lucan, Richard (e46v12), Mike from EuroTurbo for the help over the last 9 Months sourcing small things. With things not going smoothly at times, photos like this just remind me how far things have come, and how it will all be worth it! First drive under its own power! IMG_4022.mp4 IMG_4198.mp4 IMG_4201.mp4 With the car running and no issues so far, panel and paint was on the list to get ticked off. So a few long weekends were spent striping it all and documenting, labelling etc so i knew how to put it all back together! DJI_0007.mov Watch this Space....

Oh yeah, it runs! Thanks to Will for his time and knowledge at the start and also massive thanks to Troy for finishing off the rest of the wiring recently. Turn your volume up or use headphones for the full effect! IMG_2648.MP4 IMG_3035.MOV Current State: Home time! And time for me to get stuck into a list of small things to be complete before certification and hopefully a full panel and paint this year too. Lastly a huge thanks to Kerry and his team at Mosen Euro Parts in Hamilton, can't thank that man enough for his countless hours and knowledge to help me get to where the car is today.

Back for sale, but not available for a bit as potential buyer put some damage on the car parking it(after I told him it was low) :facepalm: so will be at the panelbeaters shortly for repair work. Will have new front bumper and new undertray fitted. Pre purchase inspection showed a new shock was needed so will be fitting new front shocks too.