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Being the hoarder that I am, I had managed to acquire a couple of spare sets of black cube trims over the years and finally got around to doing something with them. All of the pieces, including the ones installed in the car, had varying degrees of wear and scratches so I've been meaning to do a mini-restoration for a while. Could always just redo it in semi-gloss black but fancied a bit of a colour change and went for a silver tone to sort of emulate the clubsport silver trims. Went to Spraystore, showed them what I was after and instead of custom-mixing something they recommended the off-the-shelf silver wheel paint, which was pretty close to the tone I wanted. Gave the pieced a light sand with 600/2000 grit, masked off the inner edges on a few pieces, wiped down with alcohol and gave them 3-4 light coats (10 minutes between coats), followed by 2 coats of matte clear for a bit of protection. The coats were light enough to retain the cube texture and not look too dull. Might have turned out a tad brighter than I would have liked but on the whole I do quite like it. Will see how I feel about it in a few months' time but so far I'm pleased with the outcome. The wife said she liked it better all black. I guess haters gonna hate.

That looks fantastic. 🤩

I did a similar repair on mine. That part is borderline impossible to get to without cutting open more of the chassis. The rust starts on this piece underneath and spreads to the cowling area and under the windscreen. Check through the opening the inside of the lower windows in the corner, it usually starts from the inside. Take the fender off and you can slice open the inner fender. Also check the inside through those openings, feel up under the bottom of the windscreen and down (shown where I cut below). Generally the lower windshield corners rust from the inside out.

Why is there always someone asking if the cruise control works?

So, he spent $50k on a $10k car. That's a bad investment unless you keep it and really enjoy it. Also, (rant coming) it's a classic car. Don't put adjustable suspension on, it's not a race car! Stock springs(airbags) and B6 shocks, there's nothing better for NZ roads. Big stereo, ok, but you can't get the money back. $7k for seats! You can't get that back. 19" wheels, I don't get it. 17" nice, 18"- a stretch.... really, there's no need for 19" (but that's just me) ok, I'm done. I'd love to have it but not anywhere near the asking price. I think I'll buy that M5 for $26k on FB and spend $5k on it, which I will get back (eventually)

I take that as a personal insult An engine rebuild isn't cheap. An engine swap, unless like for like, is multiples of that.

Chipping away at re-assembly while waiting for parts. An old coil must’ve been arc’ing on cyl 6 as the Mg has blown out turned in to dust. Had to clean alot of crap out of the spark plug well. Cleaned up the corrosion out of all 6 holes then brushed 2 coats of epoxy enamel to give it a seal. Giving some high heat jb-weld a jam on the blown out damage.. Vanos oil strainers had no sludge but a couple of small bits of swarf on them. Gave everything in the engine bay a good clean to help with future traces of oil and coolant leaks. 😄

That was me, because I love CC and every luxury car should have it*. It's shocking to me the lack of CC on 'classic luxury BMWs' in NZ. I'm not from NZ. In Canada every E39 sold would have had CC as standard. I use CC on every 'out of the city' trip I take, which is all trips, since I live rurally. *every car should have it, and people should use it! (also, I have a 523iT, manual, with working CC (imported from UK))

Def go the e90 booster over the clio one. #1 easier to find (and remove from donor) and #2 better booster feel.

You can cheap out and not buy a clutch module\wiring so no cruise control. Unlikely on a car like this though.

Seller: "thank you, looks even better in person. sometimes i go into the garage just to look at the wheels lol" Those wheels are nasty. When the light catches them they look bright yellow. Nice car though (minus the wheels). Love the look of 19" LMs on E39. Don't mind gold on green. But not those. LM gold would look good on it.

Sadly, i am now dismantling this car at E3x Ltd! Was just doing some reasearch on the differences with the SA engines and found this thread! sizeable dent on left rear door and quarter panel and was written off. A shame to see these ones go but parts help to allow others to live on!

Can recommend Dinitrol cavity wax for the back sides and spaces that will be hidden away.

I'd buy that! LWB though. Comfort!

I've had dreams of putting a 4.6is motor into an E38 740i short wheelbase and 6 speed manual conversion. 740shortysporty.

I could come up with another dozen fresh ads that are worthy of the same title. Free listing days bring out all sorts of loons.

Flap disc take it back to clean metal, probably need a die grinder, dremel and\or a finger sander for the blower motor area. If its too thin or gone through in areas then get someone to weld some patches in. Brush on 2k epoxy primer, seam sealer where needed. 1k base coat matched to body colour if you dont want to spend on a 2k base coat, probably get away with it since that area is not subject to much wear and UV. Cavity wax back sides of any areas you cant paint if especially if welding. Should be around a few hundred in paint and supplies then whatever welding costs are if needed (maybe a local member etc can do it for cheap).

Making the most of this incredible run of Auckland weather - got up early (for me) Saturday to do the classic but great run from the City to the Pohutakawa Coast > Kawakwa Bay / Kaiaua - a good 4+ hour in the saddle allowing time for exploring / photoshoots / more photoshoots 🤣 Zero car issues, aside from a few old rattles on coarse chip open road speeds - nothing opening the windows won't fix.

Hahah yup it sure did, has gone well beyond what it was meant to but always seems to go that way. There’s nothing I hate more than having to do something twice so may as well do it now.

I'm running the Sachs m20 clutch in mine and it's great for daily use. Haven't had any issues with the axles on my swap, but aside from a few track days it's seen mostly daily use (though now it's more of a Sunday driver). I have a clio booster, and after testing someone else's e30 with an e90 one, I want to swap mine.

Took her in for a WoF inspection the other week, sailed through without a hiccup. Always enjoy getting compliments from the mechanics, even got thanked for bringing it in. Clearly preferred dealing with what he dubbed a "full restoration" than the clapped out Altezza that came before me. Hit 240,000 km's on the way home. 12,512 km's since the engine rebuild and 10,308 km's post driveline overhaul. Here's to many more.

All the hooning around was a good excuse to bust out the camera and take some glamour shots though.

Yeah need right tools for sure. Worst case it may have to all cut out and a patch welded in.