hotwire

To be perfectly honest, IMO they are best the colour they are. I cant imagine a colour to suit the car more. Possibly a shadow chrome effect to enhance - as the BBS style 65's are on my silver E39. I have seen the standard silver style 65's & I think they look boring in comparison to the shadow chrome version

Much cheaper to just install CCFL rings to the existing PFL lamps. I did that years ago & they look fine. The correct set installed correctly looks pretty much factory. - I hate tacky rice looks but these don't IMO

Those magic eyes are a total waste of time. I have seen numerous showing green (charged) when the battery is flat. Also, as it is only monitoring one cell - it is no indication of the other 5 not monitored. Yes when new - all cells should be the same charge state but on a failing battery - the cells often vary. I know this is not relevent in the OP's case.

As far as testing the ign switch properly - check the voltage in & out - Simple! I pulled ours apart & cleaned the contacts when it failed - again - straight forward. Albeit - it is my job. Was no reason to replace it as the contacts were not worn/damaged but merely dirty on the acc contact. Although set up differently internally, they are no more troublesome than any Jap ign switch, infact more reliable than many

Ahhh, but it's not a manual....

I just cannot understand why anyone would have the aspiration to build one, let alone own Even me being paid to take - I wouldn't want the hassle of it's disposal. If you cannot afford the genuine...

I take it the problem is the usual striped nylon gear? There is an outfit in Auckland who machines up a metal replacement. Is quite a while since I had one done & can't recall exactly who does them. From memory European Auto Spares may have put me on to them.

Originally 4 barrel Solex on an M20. I converted it to Ljet a few years back so the "i" badges are true to label. Apart from that conversion, the car is original. That pic stolen from one of many from its appearence on e12.de

Now three...

2000 was a F/L of the E39 - subtle as in head/ tail lights, 10 air bags as opposed to 8, OBD2 engine management plug, widescreen monitor (if fitted, phone prep. That's all that comes to mind at present. DSC - Dynamic Stability Control - a more advance system of ASC - Automatic Stability Control Depends on build date of 00 as to F/L or not

Well, you need another battery for a power source, so presumably the "another battery" source will have some jumper leads too...

Or, open the bonnet & connect jumper leads onto the jump start posts then push the boot release button...

^^^^^ Drivers seat - wont be occupancy mat. Seat belt pretensioner wiring/plug probably

$250 - $300 to programme a blank ABS unit to an E39 - what an absolute rip off!!!!! I got the dealers (CJ in Hamilton) to programme mine - $20 & 5 mins max on GT1

Will certainly look better than the original alloys. Our car had those too, when I saw pics of the car while it was still in Japan with them - I had already decided they would have to go. Was no more impressed when I saw them in the flesh. A near new set of 18" style 65's BBS's were soon spotted on TM which solved that problem. sh*t BMW have made some ugly alloys over the years.

I have replied to this fault multiple times on here over the years. Windows & mirrors (fan too from memory) are all controlled by the unloader relay. It opens circuit while engine is cranking. Look for (from memory) a black/green wire out of connector C101 (engine loom plug) this wire connects to the starter solenoid to earth the relay

^^^^ & the last E30 I bought as a wreck had a shaved bonnet - did absolutely nothing for it IMO

Jap specific. These units not known as Mk... Bin it & replace with Euro spec - you know you want to...

^^^^^ My sentiments exactly! To the bloody hell post actually

As to sentiments above - glad you came out ok Russell. The E39 is one hell of a car, period! As Brent alluded to, the airbag system has sensors facing each direction, (along with the much discussed passenger seat occupancy sensor) which dictates which/how many airbags deploy in an event. As for insurance companies - don't get me started. AMI & agreed value too but an argument every year on policy costs... Edit - what bloody right do they have to cash in on the remaining rego too. A one way street with them!

Maybe it keeps coming up cause it's ILLEGAL. You seem to be an authority on this system - I guess you know auto electrics better than me. Regardless of the age of a the car - if it has the system - by law it must operate as per OEM spec. Yes, you can remove the system & get it certified BUT you must remove the entire system. As for weight sensing - more that it will ignore up to a certain weight before deploying & hence a vaguery of a bypass module actually operating.

I can't recall fuse 57 circuit offhand but quite likely more circuits on it than just the radio. I would doubt the radio itself is faulty, there are other more common issues for battery drain in the E39. I suggest getting it checked by an auto sparky

Exactly, it is illegal & no professional person should be quoting this repair - full stop! The theory is as you say BUT - there is no guarantee it is going to work as intended. Frankly its a pity the WOF inspector cannot identify this mod.

Ha one rule huh,,, I remember many years ago, one Sunday afternoon following a Patrol car from Te Awamutu to Hamilton. He (I assume he) was doing between 110 -115 kph all the way (no lights/sirens), I sat on his tail the whole way, we both passed several cars which was quite strange feeling. I was merely testing the water as to if I was going to be stopped & questioned. Never happened which was a bit of an anti climax really.

Just seen this, love it - a great example. Now that you have lowered it I recon it highlights the need for bigger alloys though...