hqstu

Time for a bit of an update... The OxfordG 525 turned out very nice and has now been sold to a lucky recipient, excluding my labour I even turned a very rare $299 profit lol... If it weren't for the fact that the X3 is the ideal daily for my work/play at the moment it would not have gone anywhere... Being rather time poor I farmed out the painting of the Topaz 540 to a mate of a mate who did come well regarded... the result was OK, but there is a bit of orange peel correction to be done at some point. It has been assembled, a replacement windscreen fitted, WOF'd and the a/c regassed. Lots of other stuff has been done when assembling such as rear parcel tray re-dye and interior clean, rear windscreen trim, side trims, M5 mirrors. Things to do include repairing an assembly scratch on the rear bumper I just can't unsee, perhaps alloy wheel refresh and new tyres maybe. I can't make up my mind which 540 msport to sell so I just may advertise both and see which one goes first... As a refresher this 2002 topaz one has had a fair bit done, just review this thread... timing chain guides and all stuff in there is the main feature (as is with the Biarritz too), and now the paint and interior. If anyone is interested now in either the 99 Biarittz Individual 540 or the 02 Topaz 540 then please message me. Prices negotiable and will depend on how much more I throw at these cars.... and I can fully expand on the extensive work done... The dark M5 style 65 wheels on Biarittz will not be sold, which ever car sells will come with style 66's as pictured. Oh yeah.. in other news, a 2000 e38 740i Msport has found its way here... much to be done in the e39/8 rescue centre... although my business model /community service of "buy cheap / spend heaps / sell for a massive loss" I realise is unsustainable... just ask the missus... 😂

Sold

After a period as an in-patient to the "e39 rescue" hospital, this 217k NZ new Oxford Green II 525i Msport is now ready for its next lucky owner not to have to do what I have... The parts list is long, the hours are unrecorded, and anyone interested should contact me via private message here.

When PPlates were first released in early 90's, and when the HQ Holden was my weapon of choice... I bought HQ STU and HQ SS for $380 each. Original pricing. Still have HQ STU. How would it go on a Beema me wonders...?

On the earlier cars there is one fastener for the cowl in a slightly different place than the facelift car and they only supply the facelift cowl I think. So you have to cut out a hole and fill the non-used hole with a blanking plug which I think BMW sell. You also need the two corner triangular rubber pieces which are about $55 each... take your time installing these, work it out on how the old one comes out if they are still there. You can re-use the fasteners (plastic rivets).

BMW NZ is best place to get windscreen cowl, side triangular rubbers, and surrounding windscreen trim. And it's an easy DIY, just need a suitable puller to get wiper arms off. Else any windscreen repairer, but they will charge......of course....

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the kind words. Yes I'll have an oxford green 525i and a topas blue 540i msport coming up in next few weeks/months. And yes the timing chain guides have just been done on the 540, that and a fair bit else... it's currently still in paint shop for full strip and paint...

Barely had the silver 540 departed down the drive when a rather nice (albeit a bit daggy) NZ new 525 Msport came up for sale on the quiet. Nec minute... Cracked bumpers and a pile of engine work, great night in the e39 rescue centre tonight...

I'm prepping for paint but willing to take an offer for it as it is, can come with the paint

Yeah if I can keep focus, I'm fully painting a 2002 Topaz Blue NZ new msport. Engine has had the usual extensive work and interior / other mechanicals done.

Bump, I understand these are left and right side fitting. Thanks.

Topaz is now largely stripped down and now attacking the very old stone chips on roof that have rusted a bit, had to get severe with it, and a bit of filling to do...

Agree - the manual tax is hitting hard here...

I've read and watched that silver is harder than others. I'll be painting entire car(s) so as long as I get the paint at once then should be OK.

Titan is SOLD (the new owner is keen as), onwards with focus turning back towards Topaz, with a full prep and paint Summer coming up. Also on Biarritz a power steering hose is going on as well as new under car plastic covers (today's job). Biarritz also needs full paint, but is OK in meantime whilst I practice more...

Thanks Martin (the actual man to ask...) This car has the Motorsport II suspension but with Bilstein B8 shocks.

Not too much of an update for a while but things are ticking along. The main news being the Titan Silver 540 is now seriously for sale after a bit more work on it, paint being the main focus. $7,500. Please message me for further information.

Always the way... Can't wait to see it and drive it - again... 😎

(as above) It's not a "legal limit" I believe it's a limit set by the "industry" as a "standard" and having just been through all this drama with a rental home - it is all a complete load of smelly BS. The "industry" use 1.5 ug/100cm2, the guvmints own chief science dude has said that anything below 15 (10 times higher) ug/100cm2 is safe to occupy (for their state houses)... Millions of $$ and a sh%t ton of heartache has washed behind all this... Anyway - great to get the M3 back...

Plonker...

Certainly not this one - this ad has been discussed before I think. The blurb is very very dodgy to the point of fraudulent, talking about an opinion on a typical face lift msport model which is certainly not what is for sale here. And it even suggests the "near beer" (which I assume is a 540 msport) e39 is "better" than a M5 which is just pure laughable BS. The price is about triple+ what someone might start sniffing at for a pre-face lift non sport model, despite the low km, which doesn't necessarily mean it won't be without your typical e39 age related treasures... Having had my cynical rant on that dubious Ad, I do think the e39 540 msport is a fine car in its own right and good ones, one day, may have their day... (well that's my investment strategy anyway 😁)

Changed out the Biarritz trans wiring loom over the weekend, in addition to a new genuine filter, gasket, and Penrite ATF FS fluid (LT71141 compatible) Went on a Club run up highway 22 yesterday and can report transmission is happy, as is the rest of the car, and owner

Hi, As the title indicates I'm after one of these air bag sensors. Part number 65 77 3 414 264 Cheers Stuart.

Yeah - that applies to any e39...

It's heading that way... and it's loved every km...