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Actually, having seen and driven this car it presents very well as an original vehicle with an excellent provenance, and service history. The seller is a bona fide car nut, and a very genuine guy to boot. If the car is of interest to anybody, grab it quick, before he changes his mind (again) and withdraws it. Personally we prefer the 3 litre / 5 speed over the 3.2/ 6speed, the 3.0 just seems to "get on it" a bit more. The seats will respond well to a clean and recolour where needed, for not a lot of money. The bolster are is in good shape, the dove grey just will not take the wear that regular use gives it. It is a 25 year old car after all.

With the airbag light on the suspicion from the previous owner was that the seat occupancy sensor was the culprit, but the codes were indicating something different... 3 codes were up - the right side impact sensor which is under the carpet under the drivers seat (this was suspect in my mind due to the above water pool being constructed when it rained...), a module general internal error, and a module power supply. The internet led me to all places on this subject... as it does... and it seems the modules of this era e39 (and others) were susceptible to "failing" If this happens, you either trundle off to the dealer, bend over, and well... you move the car on with airbag light on... or you try and deal with it yourself. So I went about looking for another module in the first instance. I trawled the VIN's of the pick a part e39's and as it so happened, for $34 I found a near identical module, same part number, same airbag configuration, and the next software version on. The modules are located under the back of the centre console so trying to remove one with no power to move front seats to gain enough access is problematic... if you need a centre console - don't go to that particular car... Yesterday I fitted the module, applied power, coded it to the car with NCSexpert, and tried to clear the modules historic codes which were both front head airbags... the sinking feeling of defeat was lurking as the red dash light persisted... but after about 5 minutes or so, the codes cleared and stayed clear and my dash is now dark... A major hurdle (for me) overcome as we head down the path towards a WOF... It also appears that these modules don't necessarily fail, but rather "lockup" with bad data from a rouge sensor, or after a number of crash incidents... They can be "cleaned" and I intend to send the module extracted off to a bloke I met on the internet (?) and let him wave his magic wand at it... A good day and also thanks to @BreakMyWindow for his expert guidance as always. In other news I replaced the power steer reservoir with a new one in the hope of stopping the seepage down the hoses, and also the AUC sensor (the air cons "sniffer" for hydrocarbons which shuts off outside air if detected). I had grabbed one at pick a part. The drivers door seal and sill trim were also replaced with good spares I had "in stock"... Transmission is still behaving, no codes present, but haven't really driven it too much with no WOF and slicks on the back... I have another transmission lined up, still researching details on that subject...

Hi Guys, Newbie here to the wonderful world of BMW's. Purchased my first one in December - a slick looking 2009 E61 550i (which I have named Bindy - LOL yes, I name my cars). Not long after I bought it, it had to go through the dreaded valve stem seal replacement (which thankfully was covered under the dealer warranty). I've had the radio updated to NZ frequencies, and have tinted the windows to as legally dark they can go. Main reason for purchasing the vehicle was for work; travelling around the country for events and concerts, so needed something that would perform well on the roads, have plenty of space for equipment/gear, and look the part for my corporate side of work. I will continue to follow this forum for tips on maintenance and general care for this beast of a wagon! - Jimmy

@BMTHUG

Well after a couple of weeks, I've made a bit of progress and the 540 has started to give up a few "secrets"... The car was purchased with the following known issues... Failing transmission Airbag light on Brake pad wear indicator on A bit of oil about... Cosmetics and lack of tyre tread... As I said above the car drove home well, and in the few drives I've had since the transmission has not faltered.. So whilst I research the transmission options, I thought I'd tackle some other things in the meantime... The airbag light had my attention so I turned to that. But before much happened... it rained... and rained... and to my dismay the drivers side footwells filled up with water... bugga. As it turns out, the right front sunroof drain had become blocked and the water found an alternative way down.. A week of drying later, all is well again, all the electrics under the carpet are ok, and I thought maybe this was contributing to air bag light on as a fault indication was right side impact sensor, which was right in the line of (water) fire.. But drying it out it seemed OK... Whilst drying was happening I sorted the brake pad wear indication issue. It was the connector on the back sensor, gone bad, and it crumbled in my hands trying to take it apart... so it is hardwired with soldering in the meantime. I'll splice in another connector etc when I get a round tuit. I also took to the roof, boot, bonnet with clay bar to get rid of old tree sap or something like that, started work on cleaning up the wheels, grinded a bit of surface rust off the b pillar, and a few other minor bits and pieces... Next issue - the airbag system...

Yeah I had it its pretty goofy (it exploded my FRM, made all the tail lights on car go crazy), support is sh*t, and the subscription model is horrendous. I cancelled it. Bimmergeeks protools is light years better, does all the same stuff and more, and is a one of purchase. Very recommended.

Ah, with that chrome sMg badge on the centre console it is DEFINITELY worth 70k!!

Ahhh of course, reverse marketing, sure to produce a result?

Hey Jimmy and welcome to Bimmersport... nice touring! E61 550i Msport is a great blend of practicality and performance...

to be honest, I think you need to look for staggered wheels in order to fit staggered tyres on. I would put 235 40 17 on the wheels you have now (7.5" and drive that as it is, then keep an eye out for a set of staggered wheels then fit the correct 225/45+245/40 combo then.

All you armchair eggsperts are on line tonight?

9 years is a long time... Maybe you should consider an F80, or an M2... Prices are coming down, higher km ones (60-80k) can probably be negotiated down to low 60s or high 50s. Eg: https://www.trademe.co.nz/2688530281

Sometimes you see an M5 wagon on trademe and you just don't have any choice....not often, but it does happen!

I have e39 adhd

I think you’d be right , more hp and torque form the later especially and far more refinement. Issue with a daily is that Id end up with an m3 , a Motorsport project and a track day motorcycle limited edition motorcycle and probably would have to make some hard choices with parting with one of them. Not a bad problem to have but probably like many a classic bmw in great condition will come along and challenge status quo.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333582785947

Precise fit...

As a matter of interest, what bulbs did you use Nick?

I keep looking at AW11 MR2s, Subaru Alcyone XT/Vortexs, and Porsche 944s. I think I have a problem (and also like cars that consist of straight lines)

Welcome! Nice looking wagon. That V8 is great on trips. Handles well, comfort, passing with ease.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m3/listing/2701259581 Another one, pretty low Kms!

228XXXkm Rear end refresh. Jon at Auto38 did the work in a very timely fashion. Still needs a wheel alignment and a highway run to see if it’s cured the vibration. - Integral links - upper control arms - guide links - sway bar links - swaybar bushings - wheel carrier ball joints Bit of a mix of Lemforder, Meyle and TRW I also have put the roof racks back on to carry the bike since my desire for a wagon has been put off for a little bit longer.

I'm often commuting alongside JJS3 in the mornings. Striking car.

3/4 ain't bad...(red E87 notwithstanding). The blue one is a manual, maybe the only one in NZ?

He's a nice guy actually. $37k - call your insurers folks! Holy crap.