Palazzo

“Speed will be a factor” Well of course it will, fatalities in stationary vehicles are practically unknown.

I had this discussion with them, they are adamant the service intervals are fine, but I’m aiming for 12 month intervals with them, at the reduced cost, why not? Talk to The Gearbox Factory or similar about the trans.

That is a nice looking Cayman, classic Porsche colour too and should have a known history being Nz new.

I believe (and could be entirely wrong) that the gearbox either needs to be coded to new or virgin status to be able to be coded to your car. Or the mechatronics unit has to be swapped over (assuming this isn’t the part that failed). Have you checked the gear ratios are the same? Wouldn’t surprise me to find they were completely different for diesel/petrol engine power/torque curves.

Great work and write up. You make it sound so simple, I’m tempted to go out to the garage and start pulling something apart. I think I’ll resist and have a beer instead though.

A simple question might have been, how did you acquire the car for $10k? Being experienced in the sale and purchase of similar vehicles. Was it because there was no provenance/ownership papers?

How prophetic that was.

FCP order arrived a day early, ordered just before Christmas, by Aramex. In an enormous box. Spareto order arrived exactly on time.

Of course. Duh. Christmas brain. Thanks.

Best place to source? Anyone local? NLA at BMW. Or am I doing my second Spareto order for the week?

Well done, not surprising.

There’s also a 523i for sale on FB now.

https://spareto.com/products?utf8=✓&keywords=61618217706

An X5 is 4-500kg heavier than a 535i, before you load it up.

A 30d SE was $128.5k in Jan-11, plus the Performance pack, 7 seats etc, probably more than $100k. $1/km?

According to the net, yes. I can only truly reference mine. From what I’ve seen, the multi turbo cars whether M57 or N57 seem to have more issues. I’ve seen at least 5 M57 35ds on TM with timing chain issues, but it’s only anecdotal.

Here’s your car. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x5/listing/3890381992 I can’t imagine an N55 will move the car with the same ease as the diesel. I think Breakmywindow(?) found the same with his X3? I get an easy 900+ kms around town, doubt the petrol would come close and even worse when loaded. At the risk of cursing myself, mine has been perfect for 2.5 years.

Close to rust free. That’s encouraging. I assume they still have the 1996 540i to keep this company?

Doesn’t “signed as received” mean they are saying it’s delivered?

Following a 1 series? Looked like e39 to me, but regardless, what a loser.

I thought that was you. Good to have the original option.

Says in the article, the SW20.

Looked blue there.

If I remember correctly, the date of first registration in Japan is often used as the vehicle year, possible explanation.

I’m with you.