allan

Do not wish to rain on your success but I would be watching the whole set up very carefully for a while.

Thank you for the rego idea I will give them a call and see what unfolds.

+1 to what Jono just said . The e39 has a couple of different types of thermostat fitted to them. If it turns out that this is the problem then by all means replace it along with the water pump with a metal impellor. For what it is worth check the anti freeze concentration and ph levels of the coolant as well.

A good point a lemon would be the last thing I would want to purchase. A possible touchy point how impartial would the firm be if the vehicle was serviced and even sold by them from new. As I have had one bad experience with this where the owner was show the report first.

Thank s Mark adding to the list.

Hi! could some one from Christchurch give me the names of places they would consider getting a pre-purchase inspection done at. The only place that comes to mind is Jeff Gray but their must be others. Thank you

As you know doubt have parts for e36's is it not worth more repaired and on sold. That is if the current damage is not to great and most people on here have raved about owning a "M" at some stage.

A well balanced vehicle but still has faults, best used on the highway as they are a cruising car and designed to do just that. Get 735 to 750k on a tank of gas highway running using 95 if 98 goes up to 775 plus if a gentle foot is present. Have seen a couple of 528 tourers but as Paul stated have not come across any 530's. Where I to buy again I would be looking at Msport or Diesel version, 2003 models. This has been tempered by the rise in the ruc and rego charges placed on the diesels lately. Even after owning a 530 for 4 years I'am still amased at the amount of plastic these vehicle's have in it's construction and still they tip the scales at around 1600kg's. Cheers

Where would you like me to start. The e39 range 2001 2003 and possibly earlier models use a lot of plastic components most of this I'm told is recycled stuff, Greenies for you. These have a shortened life plus the fact they are being heated and cooled does not help. If used in the cooling system which is the same for all E39 models I believe. They can split expansion tanks, water pump impellors have been known to fail, thermostat housing split The 540 model has a different steering system to the other e39 models and have been told is not as responsive The 540 is some 80kgs heavier in the front due to the v8 engine it has not sure if this effects its handling / balance They do have a fair bit of boot if you stick it to it but the e39 is not a light vehicle so it needs that extra grunt Final stage heater resistor block Oil filter housing gaskets/block attachment Serpintine belt tensioner, spring type failure need to have up dated to hydraulic Front seats these carry the adjustment controls in plastic housing. The seat over time flattens and as you get in and out pressure is applied to theses parts and they brake the securing lugs off. Pixels disappearing instrument cluster and other units Their is more but cannot think of it a present. Cheers

Fishing skill nil, In late November work mates and I got to spend three days away. Left from Foxton Beach out over the bar at the mouth of the Manawatu River. Then due west to D'Urville Is ended up travelling right around the island stopping to fish at various spots. Mainly blue cod, but had some fun with barracouta and 1.2mtr sharks stealing our fish/bait. Was a dam good trip and got to see some of Gods own that most people wouldn't ever see although the trip home was a little on the rough side.

As always do your homework on the vehicle. Have had mine for 4 years now and yes the heater was blocked off and no trouble with the heater core when I got the system to function correctly.Also the demisters to the windscreen had been covered over for some reason later found out both are common in Singapore vehicles. But have had the disappearing pixels a common e39 fault, final stage resistor fault, typical bmw cooling system faults, front seats side holding brackets breaking, wiring in boot loom / boot lid been broken, replacing rubber hoses et but thats a e39 for you. Cheers and good luck.

Hi Matt as reguards the headlights I have changed mine over to Xenon but not a cheap exersice. From the research I found the lense set up is different from the halogen one's but a far better quality light. The headlights on a facelift model can be opened up so it's not a big a deal have done it a number of times. Try the search button I know this topic has been raised before. Also their are some nice M5 copy type mirrors around if you wished to change them. Cheers Allan.

Hi Matt as reguards the headlights I have changed mine over to Xenon but not a cheap exersice. From the research I found the lense set up is different from the halogen one's but a far better quality light. The headlights on a facelift model can be opened up so it's not a big a deal have done it a number of times. Try the search button I know this topic has been raised before. Also their are some nice M5 copy type mirrors around if you wished to change them. Cheers Allan.

Welcome to the E39 family and that is a nice blue. Do you have any plans for it? Cheers Allan

Have you given any thought to improving the light quality of your halo rings. Also do you have the Xenon low beam set already http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/al...t=halorings.gif. As for the mirrors something like these. http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/al...=our530i002.jpg. Just check to see if you have the tilt option on your mirror when you are in reverse and you retain it when you change the mirrors over. Something not right I feel the balance of tints / blacked out area around the doors is a bit much IMO. But some staggered M parrallels on the only wheel for the M sport some 18" on trade me. If putting larger dia wheels on just check out the loading you are applying to the steering and suspension have heard 19" are as big as you want to go and these can course you problems could be wrong. Always liked the twin tips but not sure on the sport version maybe a nice 75mm chrome tip is all that is needed. Shaneg I think a few of the NZ SE model e39's had those alloys on them

If it is your suspension bushes coursing the trouble this may be of help I used it for the photo of the Control arm and the Tension strut or thrust arm. thrust_arm_bushings_procedure.htm you may find the write up helpful also. Not sure if this will show the pic's

Thanks for the input on this. As usual more to it than meets the eye. Cheers Allan

A BMW of course.

From the photo that looks painful. What area is the nerve damage you mention as they must be deep burns to have affected them so. Best of luck in your rehab now and long term.

Has anyone experience at doing this and how did your conversion unfold. What is required in the cert department. The cost of the change over plus any other info Your thoughts/opinons welcome. Cheers Allan

Take your time look / drive as many as you can the 5 series has taken a big price hit so their are some bargains out their to be had. Try for a late 2003 assembled model with high spec, by then they had sorted most of the bugs out. Also PDC on these can be a God sent as the E39 is not an easy vehicle to see out the back to reverse. As usual get a pre-purchase check over done by a BMW specialist this can save you $$$$$. Best of luck with your search.

Let confusion rain yet again on the roads Haha!!. On a more serious note it shows yet again the faults present in the NZ's road system, still in the sixties trying to deal with 21st century traffic volumes. With any vehicle changing direction danger is created so all care should be taken by the road designers and motorist alike ie a lane provided for that direction change and the driver knowing the road code. The left turning giving way to the right has always been an ifee one imo and could be gotten around without too much trouble. The person turning right and blocking the highway is the one that really gets me, pull over to the left and wait for a clear spot then do your turn or is that exercising to much common sense. No matter what we say this will happen and we will all have to change our driving habits to suit and if nothing else the only constant in life is change so get used to it.

Dare I ask have you added in the RUC's into the total running cost?

Hi some info I found on that 530i. 2001 530i Black DTM 266 has had other plates RNAV8R, CUP15 Rego in NZ August 17th 2005 Japan Jan 2001 Assembled 10/2000 Has the fold back wing mirrors, exhaust has been alterd good or bad not sure No rear PDC can be a real pain when reversing with out it sometimes By the look it has the Xenon lights Black is that your colour? they look very nice but show every bit of dirt Good hunting

+1 on the Ultimate Guide. Both the vehicles mentioned are reasonable price wise for the age and k's traveled are you set on the 540?.The reason I ask is that the 530 gets a better write up for weight balance/handling than the 540. The 540 sure has that extra umff if that is what you are after but it comes at a cost. If not mentioned in the guide the e39 range has a few weak points. The cooling system with all the plasic components used these degrade with time and as the k's climb. The headlights can and do fog up the vents need to be clear to allow air circulation. Instrument cluster pixels drop out as do the radio unit one's a common fault. The front seat side bolsters collapse over time putting pressure on the plastic housing below and these brake. They do have that typical BMW handling and are a nice car to drive long distances in when you have to. Do your home work and get it checked over by a BMW specialist first. As a back up get yourself a warranty on it should anything go wrong. Best of luck and let use know how it all goes