Allanw

Really? So here in Whangarei, where the average annual humidity is about the same as Singapore, I'll have the same problems? Singapore 84.2, %, Whangarei 82%. Singapore is warmer than Whangarei, so the moisture is less likely to condense on the metal surfaces. I'm not sure how they can be the worst - at this point, they're the same, but with less UV damage. The wiring problems I have heard of ( not experienced) are usually in particular Mercedes models, which were prone to the insulation breakdown regardless of the climate - the recycled plastics used in the insulation went brittle over time. Even NZ new cars were affected. I've not heard of any harness problems on a BMW (or any other make) limited ONLY to Singapore imports. I hear lots of people bagging Singapore cars, but very few actually have any first hand experience with issues. It's usually regurgitated from someone trying to sell something which didn't come from Singapore. The wiring problems I have heard of (not experienced) are usually particular Mercedes models, which were prone to the insulation breakdown regardless of the climate - the recycled plastics used in the insulation went brittle over time. Even NZ new cars were affected. LOTS of these cars were imported from Singapore, and mis-informed people blame it on the climate, when it was actually a production fault with the wiring. It wasn't limited to specific markets. There have been some very rusty/rust-prone cars imported from Japan. They do salt their roads, as you say, and can actually be worse than UK cars. Fortunetly most importers avoid the worst affected areas/cars and bring in better quality than they used to. Remeber the crap-boxes they brought in really early on? You could watch them disapear - plus loads of them came over as deck cargo! I would always pick a NZ new car first, but manual E39's don't come along too often. The autos just aren't the same. The advantage of a Singapore car, is they are European spec, unlike the Japanese versions which are built for that market. My radio etc works in NZ without mods.

Awesome - You're a LEG-END! Thanks

I've been Googling for quite some time now, to work out what bulbs to use to replace the Multi Information Display (MID) unit backlight bulbs. Some seem to think 6V, others say 12V. Some even say 12V 1.2W. Does anyone know for definite? I have one blown, and would like to replace the lot. I'm ordering some high beam LCM Mosfets (in case my LCM gets the dreaded high beam on syndrome) and some oter bits from RS, and thought I'd throm in some bulbs. I too tight to spend an extra $20 and get both types though! Cheers,

I did mine recently: Thread Here.

Sweet, we get down that way sometimes Will get hold of you about it one day. Cheers!

Where are you based? Do you do minor panel work too? like door dents and minor scrapes - just need a skim of filler etc.

The NZ UV levels ruin exposed rubbers way faster, but I've seen Jap imports with really hard rubber components hidden under the dash etc (was swapping parts between two cars, one Jap, one NZ new). It's like the environment in Japan sucks all the moisture out of the rubber. Our Singapore 525i has rubbers in very good condition though, everywhere. I guess there is less pollution or something, to harden the rubber, cause the sun certainly doesn't seem to do it over there. I know it's very humid there, but maybe the temps are lower??? even the window rubbers only have minor perishing on the corners, where my mates NZ 540i has completely disintegrated rubbers with splits all over the place. I think the biggest advantage of the NZ new cars, is that the history is FAR easier to verify as correct.

The V8 sounds awesome though. Cheaper if it grenades too... She's my older sister... althoguh she did used to model wedding dresses No Pics though. She wants to replace her Prado (man those things are hideous drays! Slow as hell, ugly and handle like a ute. Hasn't cracked a head though. Yet. Doesn't appear to have been here that bought it

+RUC at $34 = $102ish. I'd only get 500 to 560 in the 525i. could probably squeze it out to 600 if I REALLY tried. 'spose I could turn off the AC too So far, our economy is 2L/100kms better since doing the Vanos seals! Mrs hasn't been driving though

Do your rocker cover gasket when you do the Vanos - You may have a slight drip onto the exhaust from it. A radiator hose isn't hot enough to create the smoke - the exhaust is! If you're doing the work anyway, the rocker cover gasket only take about 2 minutes, as you have the cover off anyway.

That probably depends on which branch you're at. The guys in Whangarei here have been great - I helped fit my VW one, and they guy was VERY particular (More than I was!). I'm insured with AMI too. There weren't any aftermarket in stock anyway, but they fitted and OEM VW one (the repair bill was about $3500!). Try it. Genuine screens probably aren't all thay expensive - BMW body parts are often cheap.

Same. some is sh*t, some isn't. reviews are the best idea. Shipping is fast, unless it goes out of stock. If you want the "carsoft" kit from them, you can buy mine

Sent the link to my sister I've been telling her for ages that she should have a V8 though...

Did you read the comments. Some people have too much tme on their hands. And too much STUPID apparently.

I stand corrected! You're more resourceful than I thought! My keys are all programmed now - was easy :-)

How many watts (or VA) is your telly rated at? I have a surprising number of UPS's sitting in my garage! All are online types. Kinda heavy to ship, but I can probably get one to the North Shore (Glenfield) on the Friday after Anzac (when I'm at Car Folie ). Pretty sure I've got a small/flat rack mount one, which might be big enough, prolly $100. Will have to check its specs though. I was going to use it for my phone, but I've got a bigger one now.

The UPS should help ONLY if it is constant online - most cheapish ones flick over to batteries when the power goes off. An online one is continually running of the batteries and continually charging them at the same time (in effect). With online, your next issue is ually the noise of the fan :-( Surge protectors are generally useless, but usually offer a warranty/insurance of some kind, so all you're really buying is the warranty. You may have quite a number of outlets connected to the same breaker or RCD, or mutliple breakers connected to one RCD in the house, so many of the power points maybe reasonably closely tied.

Yep, I get all my parts there pretty much, it's just the Vanos seals which are oddball to get hold of Beisan has them, and some eBay sellers. I trust Beisan more! It's all on the beisan site. On the products page, it states the engine type (M50, M52, M54 etc) for each kit. On the procedure page for your engine, It has a list of required parts, and optional parts. The rocker cover gasket and plugs can always be done some other time anyway - not too big of a deal. Sweet! This thread got made a sticky

I got it at Ripco, because my usual doesn't have the right oil I used to be a Wurth rep, so have a LOT of contacts, mostly up this way though. I also managed my brother in laws rental car fleet (120 vehicles) Plus I've been in the VW scene for years (aircooled and transporters). My other brother-in-laws are a Wurth rep still, and the other owns a diesel and turbo repair shop. One neighbour works from home as a engine reconditioner (and aircooled VW specialist - he's a long time mate from before I moved next door!) and the other has a large marine business and slipway. BOTH of them have hoists at home! I'm in a perfect spot for my hobbies! Annoyingly, I could have got us facelift Hella Xenon lights (ballasts, self levelling and EVERYTHING - a full retrofit kit! Brand new) for only $100 more than we paid for halogens, BUT would have to ship them from the UK which would have been a couple of hundred probably. Plus customs charge GST etc on the way in. The REALLY annoying part, is that I have a pile of VW parts coming over in a van belonging to a mate of a mate, and could have got them in there Grrr! Anyway - Sorry! Tangent over

yeah - it's on the Beisan procedure page for our engine. as the BARE minumum you'll need the seal kit. STRONGLY recommended (especially because they are CHEAP) is the left hand thread torx bolts and the vanos cover gasket. May as well do the rocker cover gasket, as they're a common leak. The spark plugs are RIGHT THERE, so may as well do them.

Boy... there's a can of worms! The extended interval type oils are VERY expensive - The castrol I use retails at $100 for 5L at repco... I get trade though through a mate To the original poster, a decent service isn't required very often, so if you aren't comfortable doing it, get someone like Glenn to do it - he's VERY familiar with BMWs. If you want advice on what oil to use - everyone has a different opinion. Mine is right though

I got all the other bits from Milland.co.nz Beisan only does the seal kits. (and rattle kits, but I didn't need one)

Vid says "removed by user" Could it be the dreaded Vanos rattle (which is ANOTHER vanos problem, apart from the seals). Apparently it affects the M54B30 more than other models.

Ha, It was a CRV - apparently still full of camping gear or fast food wrappers... There's not too many "SUVs" you want to take around there... A lot of the far more impressive cars got quite squirelly on that corner, the CRV had no chance really! Probably on under-inflated tyres as well!