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NZTA are an over-sized under-performing governmental anachronism. They don't actually do anything, other than collect money. No-one there actually contributes directly to anything: they simply engage a sub-contractor who will engage their own sub-contractors, who delegate and sub-contract... More layers than a really good Baklava, and every layer is taking money out of the system. I read that it is estimated that for every $100 spent, around $22 finds its way to the road and those people working on it.

Struggling to name one government department that is not a complete shitshow of incompetence...

Road to Zero BS. There is now 19 posted speed limit changes on SH2 between Featherston and Masterton. And the cops are loving it! This is a State Highway!

Chocolate biscuit to you Sir (and everyone else that mentioned compression). Cylinders 4 and 3 are ~300psi. Cylinder #2 is 270psi and #1 is 50psi! Acetone soak with ATF didn't help at all. Oddly enough with each cylinder at TDC, there's very minimal leaks that I could hear. I'm determined to get this going before my 1 year anniversary of ownership. Considered a donor engine but I think I'll do it properly and give this engine a birthday. New timing chains, sprockets and tensioners. Water pump and thermostat. Piston rings (bores look fine, so I don't thing I need to do anything too drastic there). Head gasket and head bolts. Trans filter. Let me know if there's anything else I should tackle. Won't know the condition of the bearings until I have it out. # P/N Description Amount 1 11257807289 Piston ring kit (3 rings) 4 3 11137807302 sump gasket 1 4 11147797491 timing case gasket 1 5 11288574958 accesory drive belt 1 6 11517807311 water pump 1 7 11517805190 water pump gasket 1 8 11517805192 thermostat 1 9 11517806975 thermostat gasket 1 10 11427802114 oil filter housing gasket 1 11 TCK133C (FAI) FAI AutoParts TCK133C Timing Chain Kit 1 12 11127807017 valve cover gasket 1 13 11317797516 camshaft sprocket bolts 3 14 13527800395 hp fuel pump sprocket bolt 1 15 11417807350 oil pump sprocket bolt 1 16 11128506130 Head gasket 1 18 24152333907 Trans filter kit 1 19 17227581147 trans cooler o rings 2 20 11128513128 cylinder head bolt set 1

Sent you a PM earlier @Harper just mentioning in case you've missed it. You know you want the bits to go to a good Auckland home where you can check on them from time to time 🤣 Will pickup also so no need to package, we all hate wrapping things.

Think I sold mine for $150, replaced with the rarer Piano black which I paid $300 for. Mine were not as nice, but probably just keep them unless you get good money.

We need National to come in and privatise the roads. That'll fix it. And give the top 1% some tax breaks whilst they're at it.

I have a CCC unit form a 2008 135i, I will check for the part number

My wife always says I think I know everything... 🤣 Nice to find a fault... but not as nice when it gets expensive 😞

Hey Team Happy new years Been a while but have got so much done and a few plan changes. Certifier has popped in, seen the drive shaft hoops and he is happy with the outcome. Heaps of little jobs done to get the motor finally running. Relocated the heater water valve, DIY oil catch can, relocated dip stick, welded O2 sensor bungs in, coolant and heater hoses, finished off the rear end of the exhaust, AC lines and other small stuff. So I have had the motor running on the hoist for a good 10- 15mins to bring up to temp checking for any leaks or issues. But ran like a dream, custom oil pump has pressure so very happy it has worked out. Cant wait to take it for a drive. Also a massive update on the v12 swap, Nelson at Hartley Motors has started on the intakes using 3d printing to make the runners which will be glued to the alloy flanges, very light when I held them in my hands and look very cool. But big changes in the direction with the builds now ( I know I change my mind quite often) I'm going to twin turbo the v12 motor now instead of ITB's and I will be swapping the v12 in to my X5 4.6is manual. The opportunity popped up which I thought would do more justice for the M3 rolling body. I will be doing a S85 v10 manual swap into it Cant wait to get a start on this swap. Thanks Team.

I went in to Rapid Radio the other week, they seem to be focusing on the higher end of things and will likely have a few clues depending on what you're after.

https://www.autolign.co.nz/profile/website/view/accountId/14978

10,000km\1 year is a good compromise for most driving assuming a good quality oil I dont what your suburban roads are like, but city driving is typically worse for engine wear as you are doing more idling\engine run time, start\stopping, low rpm driving etc. Modern diesels tend to suffer carbon build up issues from people doing this and not enough highway\higher rpm driving to help keep it clean. 80,000-100,000km is a good time to change the transmission fluid. Seems to be what manufacture ZF recommends as well 100,000km\8 years.

Yep... maunal... don't they know it's supposed to be manuel???

Cleaned out the drains before Christmas. Cars happily in the garage. Turned on the de-humidifier though.

Hi, update for you- TPS didnt change anything, and the car sat for a year neglected (big sad face) but good news, im able to send some more time on it, ive replaced to coils that were faulting and cleaned the MAF, this made a huge difference, theres still a little stumble at times and the MAF is still throwing a fault code. Ive now ordered a new MAF. Interesting talking to a highly regarded BMW/Targa mechanic explaining what im seeing he said it could be a number of things but that a bad MAF is the most common cause of issues by far.

Last week I had the lights protected by Obsessive Car Detailing in Auckland. Great team and you can't see the film unless you're really, really looking. I installed the headlights last Sunday afternoon (11 December) after the 24 hours waiting time for the protectant film to fully set in place. They look amazing both off and on. the Auto levelling works as it should and they are adjusted pretty well but will need some fine-tuning at some stage to ensure the aim is in spec. After a short drive in the rain on Sunday, I noted some very light condensation in the left-hand side. This dissipated pretty quickly but was concerning as it meant the seal wasn't weather-tight. I decided to remove the light, separate it again, and reseal it from scratch. Upon removal, I could see I hadn't been liberal enough with the sealant on this light and it had rolled rather than bulged when I had pushed the lens home. ( I've also read that Xenon and LED units don't get as hot as Halogens, so won't evaporate moisture to the same level. The sealant was heated up in small sections and scraped out using a plastic trim tool. An all-new more liberal bead of sealant was laid in the channel and the light reassembled. The light is back in the car now and working great, fingers are crossed that the condensation doesn't return as I don't fancy pulling it apart again This closes the lighting chapter in project E39.

Well, sh*t. Car has been at the painters. Just got the call the shop was completely flooded on Friday. Owner has lost it all. Car was almost completely submerged. Could salvage by sandblasting it all and starting again, with a big budget increase but no warranty. Sigh.