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So, my 330i has been getting gradually slower to start over the last couple of weeks, But until today, had never failed... all dash lights etc on as per usual; but no turney over of the motor, at all. Nothing. Deadski. Got the AA battery dude out who waved his arms a lot and tested the battery; said the cells are at 12.2 and they need to be at 12.65 to turn the engine over. So, no worries, new battery - and Bob's your Uncle. Bob however, had other ideas. New battery achieved nothing, so the AA tech gets his torch and long screwdriver, and (channeling 18yr old me with my Mum's old HC Viva) reached down and gave the starter a bit of tap... and whaddaya know - away she goes. So there's my a bit p!ssed that I've just paid $300 for a battery that I don't need (no job/redundancy, hence keen to sell the 330i), but happy that at least the beast is firing again. Except the third time, it didn't. And hasn't since. So the AA tech assures me it's a starter solenoid and a piece of p!ss for anyone that knows a bit of mechanical stuff to pull it apart, give it a clean and she'll be as right as rain (clearly, this is not me). He can't do it of course, cause he's a mere battery tech. But as if by coincidence; he suggests I use my AA Plus m/ship and get it towed to his mates garage in the Hutt. I enquire why wouldn't I get a mobile mechanic for such a "simple" job, and he replies that to access/remove the starter you need the car on a hoist. Oh, well fudge me if that's not more of my (very) limited $$$$ going down the dunny - so he rings his mate in the Hutt who reckons it's a $3-400 job to fit a recon starter (I know, I know... what happened to simple?). So, once he finally stopped contradicting himself, took my money, and got the hell off my driveway - I now have a Titan Silver Touring paperweight sitting in my driveway. I'd appreciate any advice on whether any of what he was saying was likely (I'm sure it was, I'm just not sure which parts exactly), and, who I can get it taken to to get it fixed? I've used Winger before but can appreciate that they want an arm, my remaining lung, and my Kiwisaver. Not really an option lol. Sorry for the rant.

Hey all just a quick introduction of myself and my 06 i650 e63 BMW. My name is Tony, I am 47 years young and have lived in New Plymouth for around 18 years now. I've owned a 540 and a 730 in the past, and have now recently purchased a Japanese i650 off trade me in as is condition since the gearbox didnt operate. $7000 later with the car getting transported all over NZ trying to fix the SMG transmission the car is now all go...ended up been the clutch sensor. I also replaced the clutch while the gearbox was out of the car...made sense. Car goes very well but rather a hard ride on the butt but sticks to the road like glue

Best to buy one new, they’re old cars now so any spare is likely to be perished.

Hirschmann antenna?

It's a rubber tube with a hose clamp attached. Not fun to reattach..

I'll see if I can see/reach under to advise on the connector type (I have a feeling it's just a press fit tube), in the meantime the OD of the pictured fixture will be ~27mm because the ID of the tube and gasket is 27mm (#4, #5 - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BG92-EUR-07-1996-E36-BMW-M3&diagId=11_6024).

In reply to the original question of E61 or E91? ... The bottom line: Neither model are that different in either size or performance (that is with any engine over 3L) except in one area - The far superior ride quality of the 5 series Touring on Sport suspension. To elaborate: I own both the E61 and E91, both 3L diesel and ask myself this question a lot (!) Which should I sell? Btw, I also own an E46 Touring (NZ new 328i SE with MSport trim and seats and the perfect standard suspension) and have had it for 12 years and neither car is a great improvement over it. Size: I've been over each of them with tape measures and there are very surprising results. Despite what several people have said above about the 5er being huge cars, weirdly they are in fact almost identical in every external dimension except length. Yes, it's true. Even the interior space. Exterior: E61 is only 17mm wider and 317mm longer. Yep only 17mm mirror to mirror. The length appears as 100mm extra wheelbase and 100mm front and rear overhang. Interior: The front elbow room (door armrest to door armrest) is 5mm more in the E61, B pillar to B pillar is 20mm more. Back seat width is only 30mm more in the 5 series but the backseat to front-seat distance is exactly the same with my driving position in each. Yes exactly same. THE big difference is in the boot space. The E61 has 200mm more length and because of the rear air-springs sitting under-floor rather than creating wide strut towers, the width is 100mm greater at max and min widths but also the widest part is squarer. Engines and gearboxes: I have essentially same engine in each (160KW vs 170KW, both with 500Nm) and same gearboxes. The E61 was UK market so came with dpf in exhaust. This was deleted, so while the 3 series was marginally better performance when new (lighter), now the 2 are pretty much identical in performance. My E91 is NZ New and like all the NZ new diesels it was built to Euro3 spec so has no dpf (bonus!). The 5 series really was built as a higher grade car. Trim, solidity, interior details, door heft etc. but the main area that all this shows itself is the suspension and chassis. In my experience, which is mirrored in other reports, the 3 series is far better on standard suspension (both the E46 and E9x). On Sport suspension the ride becomes way too harsh and fidgety on NZ roads. Motorways are fab, but anything else? No way. However the 5 series Touring is the opposite. The standard suspension is great but the Sport suspension has all the tightness, response and control while at the same time being the best overall ride of any car I've owned (there's been a few!). I have 19" wheels with 255/275 tyres and even catseyes on the m'way hardly cause a murmur. I can't personally speak for the E60 sedan because it has a standard rear spring, but I do know the E61's Sport-spec air-springs are superb. The E61 can lack feel through the wheel but the steering is well weighted and precise. As a commuter, the E61 wins all the way. It's just far more relaxing when you want it to be. Stuck or cruising in traffic it just feels nicer. As a nip and duck city car though the E91 is super nice. It feels way more 'darty' and zippy. Of the engine options I'd def recommend searching out a diesel - the most reliable of the engines. The grunt and ease is astonishing in itself but the fuel economy is crazy. I get 6L/100k easily on the open road, and overall combined with urban and city hills etc it averages 7-8L/100. Crazy for a car whose midrange punch-in-the-back feels like a sports bike when overtaking. I also ride a TL1000R bike and while it def can't really be compared in outright power terms both the 530D & 330D are the closest I've felt on the open road to the LOW REV ease of overtaking that big bikes have.

I think the next thing you need to buy is a phone/camera with auto stabilizer

Oops yes you are correct, should have read e46 330i front, and e46 328i rear. It was a great improvement when we did it on @BatMansWilly 's e36 coupe. We also used braided lines and high quality fluid.

So just another small update, doesn't look much but spent a few hours on my back putting it in. Now i can officially say it has three pedals Best part was i didn't have to take the steering colum off which i read online that i was going to have to do. master cylinder and clutch lines all put in and ready to go.