hotwire

Looks great - certainly better with these wheels than the ones you got it with

HB Jonno. Hope you're having a good one

In the eye of the beholder Back on topic, if the low compression was confirmed as not a "hard" issue, then this has been a comparitively cheap fix

Do a search of the site, plenty of discussion has been had on E30 suspension setups

He has the car as 95, E38 came out in 94, hence me assuming it's E38

Seriously, after all that, I suggest you take it to an Auto Sparky to connect it properly. You can easily stuff all sorts if you get connections wrong, eg ibus circuit

Yup, must say - Ive had to look twice with you guys too

I would wait & go for Tec II steering wheel as well - keeping the theme

Mtec II kit would finish it off nicely BTW, Much as I do like shadow chrome, this car is suited as it is with chrome IMO

:bounce: Nup, it gives some contrast as it is. Looks great, well done

Not built like they used to be huh. Our 1978 E12 still has the original unit in it... and it's still fine That said - The E39 still fine on it's original too... sh*t just realized, that car nearly 13 yrs old now, geez time flies + 1 on the correct maintainance & inhibitor.

Dave, yours is F/L in that case. Can't say I have dismantled a F/L lamp though - only the pre as I had to replace mine a few years ago.

Activates a light - what - illumination for keyhole type light? Not aware of any of these keys having this, earlier non EWS cars did. When you say "unlocks the car" you mean manually rather than remote I assume? It turns on ign but wont crank - will mean that it is not chipped, or atleast not talking to the car. You mean if you start the car with your original key, turn it off, remove then immediately start it with the new key? Never tried but in that sequence that may well happen if the new key is not chipped, or not programmed. Post a pic of this key you have:-

Easy fix, door open (once you can) remove a bung at the open end top edge - to the rear of the lock. From memory an allen key screw to remove & the lock slides out. Get a locksmith who is familiar with them to repair - you or them supplying the repair kit

Good points... Dunno Bad points... its a Fiat Seriously though, Maurice Thomson Motors in Te Awamutu - Fiat/Alfa specialists. Well regarded & been playing with these cars forever

Great to hear. Guess I have something to look forward to - VANOS & cooling system. Getting close to the 120k mark To date though - still running like a clock ... Touching wood

Yup, agree. Also, FYI three screws & a two minute job to remove the mirrors. Quicker than the time to mask

Back to the topic opener - Love the car!

Shouldn't need programming to start the car. If the key was ordered from the vehicles VIN & it operates the ign switch then it should start the car:- A full remote key does require programming to the car to operate the locking side. This can be done by the owner. I thought you said this key they supplied was non remote - no button?. As I said earlier - the car was originally issued with 4 keys: Two master - full remote, one service & one valet - neither of which are remote or have buttons - only the EWS chip

Just noticed too - sealed beam headlights, geez the yanks are behind the 8 ball with some things

Nup, 540's had an electronic suspension option

Not actually true Darren. Not many NZ cars came with TV monitor as OEM. Common in M5's & some 540's though. Usually not heated seats. These along with Nav - very common ex Japan. NZ cars did often get alarms & PDC, both uncommon in imports. Also, as mentioned, RF remote rather than the crap IR of the Jap car. Ex Singapore did often have an incomplete heater system - due to their climate - that certainly a concern. Have said before, & will again, there is NOTHING wrong with ex Jap cars, our one a perfect example. I got it at a low milage (24k), documented service history, all keys, we have done nearly 100k in it & it has been totally reliable to date. I was also still under 5 yrs old when I bought it in. That said, not all cars ex Japan are equal - there are some dogs. Tim (as Allan) summed it up well - there are NZ cars too that don;t get looked after. As also said - trans should be serviced - I am going get mine done shortly (120km ish) Being in the trade - over the years I have seen many horror stories of both examples

Nice looking Touring, good luck with it. Hope it is all good for you Need a reversing camera & NZ Nav now

Looking great. Agreed on above comments too. Like the fact you are keeping the chrome trim. Much as I like black trim in some cases, it is refreshing to see them stay as OEM

Yup, E38/39 the same & yes to the VM as well. The X5 monitor, although looking the same, is not as it has a different pixel layout to allow for the different viewing angle. One thing though, a while back I supplied a 16:9 monitor upgrade to a person for an E38 about the same vintage, apparently the monitor body fouled slightly with the heater ducting or enclosure behind & not allowing it to fully seat. I think the problem was overridden ok. I am not aware of the A/C variations between early & late E38's myself