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I reckon my MG midget is smaller than one of the kidneys on the X7

For those who cannot justify another BMW grill you could aim for the Mitsuoka Ryoga, drink enough and it totally looks the same. Avant version. Glorious, sleek grill, dripping with chrome, you would never know that there was a Nissan under that beaver front end All this for the sum of $12,500 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/other/other/listing/3406935925?bof=jWXxlIBH

Hopefully tomorrow, pending potential hangover 😂

update us on the carplay install on the F31 once it's done @Sammo - need some glamour shots too. reasonably tempted to get one for mine.

Don’t have a link sorry but I’m pretty sure all the ones on Ali Express / EBay are essentially the same, unless they include a replacement touch screen (which you don’t need - the stock Audi screen looks great once it’s fed a pretty interface). Just bought one for the F31 and it looks really similar too.

Nice work. Any chance of a link to the CarPlay module you used? I've just picked up a 3.0tdi B8 which has the same cockpit & interface.

And sold to first viewer at full asking - wish they were all this easy! Hoping it's all plain-ish sailing for the new owner - should be with all the work we had sorted on it.

I quite like it. It looks imposing and sophisticated while appearing sleek. Looks like a 7 to me. Blacked out ones don't photograph properly. The new 3/4 is also much better in person and seeing them all lined up at the dealer they look pretty sharp. They make Audi/merc look very generic.

Want to buy the sensor related to ABS that mounts on the bottom side of the brake booster. thanks.

"Please insert card OR select payment type" ... me inserts card hoping for a logical experience and quick transaction ... nothing happens ... forced to select 'EFTPOS' on stupid f**king machine just like 99.9% of ALL transactions they perform ... just liven up that sh*t straight away and make the people who want to pay with some cash, a gram of meth, some vouchers and a prezzy card push the stupid button !!! ... and then ... "Would you like a receipt ?" -> "No" ... *prepares to walk off* "Please take your receipt" ... *double back swearing at machine, throws paperwork in bin in disgust*

Stumbled out of Pick-A-Part on Saturday to find this beauty parked next to me. Looked absolutely immaculate, UK-import 330d, sitting on clean Schnitzer's. Absolutely beautiful package, props to the owner, looked really well taken care of.

Seen this beautiful 1987 M5 at CHC BMW yesterday afternoon. Incredible condition inside and out Credit to the owner for looking after it so well.

More fearless buying by @Kees 😂

Finally got the welding done. Certainly not a job i ever want to do on axle stands again but i think it looks decent for an amateur? Penetration appears good so certainly don't anticipate any future problems. Paint will have to wait due to weather.

Revealed a hairline crack on the subframe floor awhile ago whilst cleaning (the usual L\H crease). I was planning on dropping the subframe anyway so went ahead. Luckily it didn't appear to be any additional failed welds or cracks, but Redish V3 plates will be going in anyway once Fedex Australia sorts their sh*t out. New subframe bushings and inner control arm bushings done whilst its out. Inspected the clutch\flywheel. Very little wear so must of been replaced not too long ago. Re-used the flywheel and installed a new clutch kit. New winner for the hardest job on this car. Not something you ever want to do on axle stands with standard floor jack with a cramped transmission tunnel to boot. Unfortunately the refurbished slave cylinder was weeping, probably due contaminated fluid from wear given the marks in the cylinder. Seal still looked ok so honed the better spare cylinder swapped it over and bled it. Appears to be holding for now but will refurbish the old one again for insurance. Cleaned all the solenoids, drained all the fluid and flushed some new stuff thru using the pump so hopefully cleared it out. Driveshaft nose bushing, Meyle HD flex disc and Febi center support done. FAG front wheel bearings, replacement rack and new Meyle HD control arms also done while everything is apart. Just need to do install rear wheel bearings, put everything back together and parts cannon along with the operator can retire for awhile.

Finished off the rear suspension - Trialing a set of TRW rear shocks which are suppose to be Msport equivalents (Sachs don't make any now days). RTABS + limiters - old bushings weren't as bad as i expected but are '02 labeled so probably the originals. Front struts done - old ones were completely gone as expected, the weight of a 19mm 1\2" impact socket would compress the piston to near bottom. I only noticed one of the strut towers was mushroomed upon strut removal, likely caused by worn struts and mounts combined with pot holes. Have hammered it flat and will be putting in some reinforcement plates before re-installing.

@hqstu has passed the torch onto me so i thought id just continue adding to this thread. Lots of time and money already gone into this so just taking it to next level mechanically whilst keeping it original as i can. Cosmetically it's pretty much already sorted for me apart from a few trim bits i need to install. Still looks tidy despite the age and k's, only really let down by the classic NZ stone chips on the grill and bonnet which require a proper respray to sort. Engine wise its same as above, again Stuart has done a good job here. Engine still pulls strong like most higher k's NZ new cars ive owned. Vanos seals will be done for a likely improvement. Very minor seepage from high pressure power steering hose and rear main seal, otherwise one of the cleanest well running M5X's ive seen. SSG transmission takes a bit of getting used to, it can be shifted quite smooth in lower gears\rpm around town once you adapt but its really at home under sprinted driving using 3-5th gear. Still prefer the manual overall but it's far more enjoyable than the 5 speed auto. Suspension is average BMW, it appears most parts are still original items as expected but beside front bump stops nothing has outright failed. This is the main focus for me and is always money well spent in my experience. Steering isn't as razor sharp as it should be. There slop in the linkage from rubber steering coupler which is past its used by date. This will be replaced with poly version of some sorts due to cost\availability of genuine RHD one. Doing that along with the front control arm bushings should vastly improve steering response. Tyres appear to be flat spotted somewhat which is likely the cause of minor shimmy at highway speeds (lesser degree once warmed up). Re-balance, alignment and new parts installed along with more driving should help that. Following parts have\will be ordered: Sachs front struts with mounts and bump stops Sachs rear shocks with Meyle HD mounts Meyle HD front control arm bushings Lemforder rear trailing arm bushings and ball joints with limiters TRW brake rotors front and rear to go with supplied Akebone ceramic pads Brake hoses front and rear Caliper guide bushings front and rear Vanos seals 2x coolant pipes under manifold with associated seals and CCV + hoses (for piece of mind) Hood struts Front and rear sway bar bushings (maybe poly, genuine ones seem overpriced) Future: O2 sensors (reading slow) Rest of rear control and subframe bushings (will re-evaluate once above suspension parts done) Inspect clutch\flywheel and driveshaft. Replace flex disc and hanger bearing\support same time.

^ HELLBM installed the CMP kit (and plates). HellBM has done all the work on the car in fact. Future plans... perhaps a 4.1 diff and seat upgrade?!? (BTW that plate is tongue in cheek - I actually like SMG and would buy another in a heartbeat #SMGismanual)

Just kidding. It's the new BMW 7 Series. Hoping it's just a bad render. But not looking likely.