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I might be leaving the Bimmer family, but don't worry Peter... BMW will always be in the family. Thanks Faizal! I know it's a Mercedes... but I'll try and come along to the next meet up, so I can show it to everyone, and so that you can hear that sweet 6.2ltr V8 as well . And as promised... (better late than never) here are some photos of the new machine that I took on my drive from Christchurch back to Wellington. It still needs a proper detail haha!

Wife phoned Auckland City BMW last week to book her E46 Touring in and was given the choice of days next week, so not a massive wait and that is to change at least one bag over. And it's an import as well... Even got a letter from BMW NZ (lol) ages ago that it needed doint, finally got around to booking it in with the dealer.

It's a good watch, in that Doug-sort-of-way.

road trip in a new to you 5 series...life dont get much better than that

not me. I found my supplier through the recommendation of a friend, while shopping around. I found his price was very sharp, like the service, and always return. I know he'll always give me a sharp price - and it may not always be the cheapest. I return because if I don't, he won't be in business... and his service is excellent. I maintain a social connection to a local business, and prefer that over using something like Hyper. In fact I went to see him today, need a pair of RE003's for the rear of my e46. PS: Kelvin at Bridgestone Torrens Terrace. Rated, recommended.

Got put to work in Scott Dixon's garage on Sunday at Watkins Glenn. Was picked out as a kiwi and they know we don't refuse. Parked next to this clown shoe. I used to love these. But for some reason I have fallen out of love with them. Maybe it's just not dating well?

Manual E60 over all the other M5's for me.

I think all the 5 series since the E39 have got worse. E60 was ok, bit weird but it's not too bad, interior lets them down more than anything. Personally not a fan of the noise the V10 made over the previous S62 V8 but that's just me, an engine in such a car should soothe your ear rather than attack it like bees. Then theres the debate of the diff thumping SMG they had... All the new ones, whatever the chassis codes, are just massive 7 series with dozens of M5 badges, and run click button automatic manual gearbox. Yes they might be hugely fast and full of fancy computers... but why is that good, especially when it comes to age and longevity, or the simplicity of fun? I think true enthusiasts can see the purity of the E39 M5 as the last great M car, Doug got it right, it's just the right blend of old and new. Classy styling, not over the top, real manual gearbox, tried and proven technology. Plus, 400hp and 500nm is plenty, and it's an amount you can use in the real world. It's also worth remembering the E39 is basically the same size as a new M3. It's all gone wrong in the new era!

UPDATE I was in the UK for a holiday last year and brought these back with me in my luggage; SPAX rsx coilovers. Adjustable height and adjustable damping. Stainless steel adjusters and spring seats. Really good quality for a reasonable price. I got the subframe and diff into the car. I had to then take it back out again because the lower and upper control arms couldn't be bolted in with the diff in the way. Rookie mistake. But second time is a charm. Because there are 2mm subframe strengthening plates, there needs to be 2mm spacers for the front brace to keep everything correctly aligned. People seem to just sit a spacer in like a big washer, but I wanted to weld the plates to the front brace for a cleaner look. I got the front brace and a couple other missing subframe attaching parts from @BM WORLD so big thanks to Brent. I also wanted to make some strengthening plates for the upper control arms as they are aluminium and known to fail with coilovers. So back to cutting up more 2mm steel. I hammered them to match the contour of the control arm and then I sandblasted them and took them to @aja540i for Andrew to do his powdercoating magic. Front brace was installed, and so was the control arm strengthening plates. I have just washed and reused the rubber spring seats for now. When the car can be driven I can make a decision on what thickness replacement rubber seats I will use. Springs and height adjusters went in easily. Then it was the turn of rear trailing arms. I'm using 330i trailing arms that I got from zebra wreckers, so I can utilise the larger brakes, and larger bearings. Of course they were sandblasted and powdercoated like everything else. I then pressed the new bearings in. New rubber bushes for the control arm attaching points, and powerflex bushings for the trailing arm to body mounts. Then they were installed with the zinc plated bolts. Rear shocks are next. The spax gas shocks got new top rubber mounts, washers, and custom stainless steel reinforcement plates and gaskets. Starting to take shape, and I'm really happy how its looking. Then the sandblasted and powdercoated brake backing plates and hubs were installed.