Allanw

Did they give back your old airflow meter and credit you for it? Reading codes is easy - knowing what they really mean is where the good mechanics are separated from the parts replacers. A code for a particular part does NOT mean that part is faulty - it means that part is giving unexpected readings, which can be caused by a lot of other things. A $40 intake boot is a much cheaper repair than a $700 MAF!

What wheels? I see a stain... I looked quite thouroughly into what you're thinking a long time along. Redrilling the wheels won't work at all - there are some wheels that it can work on, but I don't think any OEM BMW wheels work - the hole areas are reinforced to take the weight etc. The shape of the generally doesn't allow redrilling (unless they're certain 80's tridents or hotwires or similar) To put 5 studs on an E30 you really need a 5 stud conversion. From what I remember redrilling the hubs and discs puts the bolt holes too far out to fit (or be safe anyway).

Maybe the M5 should come standard with that weird/ghey air freshener thing from the 3 series... it should hide the smell of passenger (or driver) vomit I'm sure a lot of you have been through the Mangamukas up north (south of Kaitaia). I once made myself vomit there... there's over 130 corners between the 2 signs saying there's lots of corners for the next 13kms Sucks doing it in the work Hiace though.

I can remember getting the BMW magazine for free (for a year? maybe more???) after having some work done at Jerry Claytons... in the 90's though Also got hundreds of dollars in vouchers sent out. Apparently they were supposed to be when you spend this much, this voucher entitles you to this much discount, but they weren't - they were actual vouchers, as good as cash! I drove around buying stuff without spending anything I still have the Calvin Klein undies from a shop in the Atrium on Elliot.

Perhaps we should start a "Shed Of The Week" thread. That qualifies.

That is correct - there was a short crossover period where they hade both, but the 16 pin by your right knee is the one to use. Those Peake tools don't seem to do much for the money! I got some "other" software from a guy on a UK forum - he's super helpful, and the software can be used for coding and eveything. PM me if you want his details.

All the chemicals he uses are probably sucking all the plasticisers out of the crappy recycled plastic BMW uses I wonder if he's single? His Mrs probably isn't

Would have been easier to just change the ownership at the beginning Reporting it stolen when you've been paid for the car, means you can be charged and fined, for wasting police time. I always get all the details I need to change it online into their name - costs under $10, and can be done online in a couple of minutes.

I've already got a sore neck There was a bit of Retro going on last night... a few one hit wonders too... no Tiffany though!

Nah... Last night I watched "Gangnam Style", "Crazy Frog" and "Can't Touch This" with my 3 year old boy, and danced like mad fools in the lounge. PSY is the new "Tiffany" is seems.

They didn't all have cross spokes when new :-) Also has shadowline trim around the windows, rear headrests, body coloured boot spoiler, the proper "motorsport" exhaust (two straight exit pipes, not angled to the side - originally came with chrome tip covers) and everyone knows the "touring" sideskirts are tricky to get hold of... and even harder to get the correct moulded mudflaps that fit them! They're pretty awesomely specced. There's a factory oil cooler in the front too (dunno if that was on all 325i's, or just some markets). Apparently I'm an E30 325i SE Geek!

Buy the software and have a play yourself - then you can adjust things later :-)

Auto lights were only for facelift E39's I think??? and even then may have only been the later ones (02 on???)

It does look tidy. I thought that leather looked a bit different to normal. A lot of them had cloth. And it doesn't have wood trim - BONUS!

Yeah... NAH. Trying to hard not to be a one hit wonder. Couldn't watch the hole thing - got bored. Gangnam I can watch, and do. Actually... I have a carboard box at work from Gangnam - I should trademe it.

WHAT? judging from what I've seen (on trademe etc) big wheels and stupid/UGLY taillights, cone filters etc are FAR more important than cooling systems, brakes, suspension and things that actually help the car perform as it should (or better even). My sister had a 525i (which is actually really a 523i with a different badge for the Japanese market) and it certainly wasn't a rocket ship, but they do go well - certainly no slug. I think people think they're gutless because the 530i and 540i etc obviously go so well, but they aren't. You could argue that the 540i is gutless compared to an M5 too

Agreed - MOST (the vast majority) of E39's will require at least some of those things, and more. People THINK they maintain them well, but really they just do the bare basics to maintain them, and often that's not done correctly either. Most E39's feel OK to drive, but the suspension is poked and has had bits and peices done as they were required for a WOF etc. I've replaced the vast majority of the suspension components in mine, and it feels like an entirely different car. They basically need a complete rebuild every 100k to 150k. I did mine at 120 ish, and it was entirely needed - it was shagged. Most E39's don't get it done and drive like a Corolla, instead of the complex, great handling and nice riding car they are. There is also a really good chance it will require other cooling system parts done. NEVER EVER let it overheat, or dive it hot, or drive when it has over heated and may be still doing so, or maybe low on water. If the gauge reaches the red, it may already be WAY too late. Generally, ANY E39 probably needs at least $2000 spent on parts for it at the time of purchase (some a LOT more) if you want to make it "right".

Mmmm... Glacier Blue too! That's the same as Dads, except his has 15" cross spokes - the last of the SE's sold in NZ were very well specced, and are German assembled with the proper dip priming and rust proofing. That SE will have the complete boot lid liner, OBC, sunroof, "premium" sound, fogs, AC, proper electric windows, no emmisions equipment (not even an O2 sensor!) headlight range adjustment (that won't work anyway), illuminated M stripes gear knob, sport steering wheel, ski flap, ABS, body coloured bumpers, sills and mirrors and even blue tinted glass and side mirrors probably more too..... Pretty awesome compared to most E30's. Dads was about $88,000 new in 1991. that was a lot back then for a 3 series!

You could use non-setting winscreen sealer (for use on rubber fitted windows, not bonded). I use Wurth Dab-Off, which semi sets, but remains soft. It's a butyl rubber type sealer, but is black, so you want to be careful it doesn't squeeze into the inside too much.

Do you have good tools?

Price them at Milland - the one for Dads E30 bonnet was stupidly cheap...

I realise this is a VERY long way away... Manual 528i BUT, it's manual and pretty cheap - I'm sure it's not a stunning car, but it's prety low priced, and the manual box means no expensive auto faults and way better performance. I'd be tempted to call the guy and ask for an honest description, and see if he sounds genuine about it. Then maybe fly up and drive home

Actually, I didn't spot it (It was in the UK), but.....

True...and a bit "ix", especially the back!

Everyone is too scared - what if we get it dirty