hqstu

The aerial from the c pillar connects into the radio module in the boot. I'm also suffering from very poor reception. Apparently it could be anything from the rear screen itself, to the aerial amp modules in the c pillars, lack of power to aerial amps, the radio module itself, and connectors. I've tried a fair bit and given up for the meantime after connecting up the aux cable and going Spotify off phone...

Drove it - New Plymouth to Hamilton .. washed it... as you do...

Caffeine and Classics 25th Feb, smales farm,north shore.

Always good to welcome another e39 owner along Cheers Stuart.

@BreakMyWindow Those pictures look very very familiar , just done this to the LR door on M5 but not sure if it has worked... may need to rip it off again...

The fun continues , today was mancave day on the 530 for: Upper rear suspension wishbones (right side was going to fail next WOF), new radiator (original one still in car, not happy with fit of new one, Schmiedmann claims its OE quality but the shroud not quite right, it's in though..), and exhaust bracket replaced due to breakage. Lucky I parked the other e39 out front as an emergency trip to SCA was needed for more tools... also had to hunt high and low for a nut to fit exhaust bracket, happy to say there's a little bit of HQ Holden in the Beema...

Now coming up 18 months of ownership (got it at 232k km, now sitting at 244k km) and it's been a great (and somewhat $$) journey. I absolutely love this car and as I've spent far more than it's worth (price of a hobby..), it might be around for some time... although everything has its price... As a short summary of some work...; Interior and exterior trim/seals and underbody shields, centre console compartment and cupholders, watermark and clear coat scratch removal (2000 grit wet sand + 3M 3 step buff & polish process), paintless dent removal, rear bumper paint, VANOS O-rings, DISA (G.A.S kit), new CCV system, thermostat, waterpump, belts, hoses, gaskets, O-rings, fan clutch, fan shroud, wheel refurb, oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket (weeping again damit), spark plugs, washer jets and pipes, fuel cap, radiator cap (1.2 bar) and a fair bit of underbody and wheel arch cleaning. New tyres Falken FK453 all around (rears today..). Also today I had windscreen replaced under insurance for a faulty rain sensor, now got a BMW screen in with the optical bit of the sensor factory glued... Also today headlight adjusters replaced and lens polished (not cheap exercise but cheaper than new lights...). Also informed that top right rear suspension arm is getting tired so a new set is on the way from FCP Euro. AND finally a new radiator from Schmiedmann is sitting in the garage waiting to go in (the original 2002 built one is still in the car - on borrowed time...). Most of the work above been done by myself and YouTube... some exceptions... In the year or so prior to me getting it, it had a front end re-paint (spoiler not original as headlight washer jets are missing - indicates a bit of a biff in a previous life), a radiator expansion tank, OFHG, and trans fluid renewed among a few usual items... Next year I think I'll have to address the paint on roof as a few historic stone chips up there need dealing to... Like all of our cars - it's had a lot thrown at it, but I wouldn't have it any other way...

Eight exhaust pipes - now that is just plain greedy...

I think when any car gets old and has been owned by a "normal" person, they need a lot of love to get them back to "enthusiast" standard and I don't think the e39 is any exception. Pro's: it's an e39. Con's: owning two of them and indecision on which one to drive on any particular day....

I had the wheels repaired (curbing and one dent on inside rim) and refinished in shadow chrome. A good job done but I understand they (the contractor to CJ BMW) had to try 3 times to get it right.... Cost $300 per wheel which I think is pretty good really considering the SC finish required. Also had the headlight adjusters replaced, aiming system checked and set, and the lenses fine polished and UV coated.

Went for a drive.... I like my "new" wheels

I hear ya... The adhesive pads are a "use once" deal so of course they would not replace it, unless a new screen comes with a pad which you'd like to think they would? I have some on the way off ebay. Interestingly with the sensor disconnected the wipers revert to a normal intermittent mode... Also bought one of those cassette tape input thingys, plugged it into a cheapo Bluetooth thingy and now have phone media connectivity with a sound that is surprisingly good... eat ya heart out Dynavin... Console back together now and looking good...

Today, on the 530 I removed the centre console cover to reveal 14 years of meal consumption evidence for ahh removal... Also glued down the silver trim which had broken away, and replaced storage compartment with sliding cover. Cleaned all switches, leather boots etc. Going back in tomorrow when the glue dries. Must do this on the M5 to see what hidden treasures lurk... Also going to remove rain sensor as it is not working (and have really needed it lately...). I suspect the clear adhesive pad is coming away there is a large area of "air bubble" across the sensor face. Hopefully can get another pad...

Sweepstake? Come on - put yours in to nearest hundy... prize is basking in 15s of online glory.. $5.3k

Cheers, I say three fantastic cars as the 530 in many respects is a seriously good practical and awesome performing vehicle - that looks the part... I was a certifiable Holden nutcase back in the 90's when one could actually afford them. I'm very lucky to have this LS Monaro (a CV8 Monaro made way for it..) and now having discovered Beema's, my allegiance's are very much split... and my credit card is consequently more plastic than elastic...

Yep replacement plates for $17 (much better than $400 for replacement new euro style plates), different font of course to the old one but importantly the same number, and coincidently new rear brake pads and washer fluid lines recently as well... I see there is another topas blue 530 up for sale at moment... Cheers Colin.

Put up a shade sail in the attempt to stave off the bee poo bombardments this coming summer.... Also over the weekend took the Monaro up to Auckland for a "End of Holden Production Cruise" - Not BMW but thought I'd mention it...

Got my DISA and VANOS repair kits from germanautosolutions.com plus a 1.2bar radiator cap.

In the end I think it was just the VANOS (not 100% sure) but that just may be in my case... It's a transient issue on cold start so not likely to be the type of thing that would cause issues all the time like a leak or something.

There is a myriad of postulations on this one online. I've had exactly the same on both M54's I've owned. In the end I suspect on one of them it was VANOS O rings. But I'd start checking and cleaning easy things first like unplug and plug in all electrical connectors you can find, Intake hoses/tubes, MAF clean, throttle body and idle control valve, CCV hoses, coolant temp sensor, then VANOS. I did all of the above with my current M54, and all sweet. And on mine, the longer it was left without running (days) the more likely it was the roughness occurring and also the degree of roughness... Hope it helps...

Yes 244k now, just fitted new radiator and thermostat as well as replace hoses and belts etc whilst in there. Car has just gone in on Monday to have wheels fully refurbished and headlights sorted (adjusters and aiming system). After that it's all done for a while, and I need to drive it, as well as cool the credit card down...

Yes, I sense there is increasing $$$ being sought offshore for e39 M5's, dunno about here though - yet...

It will be interesting to see how these cars appreciate in different markets, Europe, US, NZ/AUS, LHD, RHD...

Got mine done by "The Circuit Specialist" in Manukau https://www.thecircuitspecialist.com/ Charges $350 and does not use new parts but rather repairs/reapplies existing materials, somehow... Takes about 3-4 hrs, I took my cluster out and took it into him for the morning. Can courier of course. Also a crowd "Get Electronics" in ChCh who did a commodore VY dash for me. Went to use them again for BMW but they did not reply...

Having both a 6 and an 8, the 530 is a very very fine car, and just easier etc as a daily, nimble, grunty enough, bit more fuel efficient, same creature comforts, etc etc. If I was in a position where I had to go down to one car, it would be a very difficult choice but I fear the 530 would win out all round (except for the badge)... I'd be looking at that nice blue individual 530 on Mpars and beating him down on price (after a thorough inspection...).