hqstu

Just ordered new loom , genuine filter, gasket, zf lifeguard 5 fluid from Alltranz in Auckland. Not cheap but these trans need genuine stuff and the price was not too much more than sourcing offshore in this case.

On its first decent drive, the biarritz 540 held up in 3rd gear, and would not shift higher until I had stopped "spirited" driving and cruised for a while... Upon getting home I read the trans ecu with INPA and "temp sensor fault" was up. I suspect that the trans temp reached a point where the sensor faulted/spiked and the trans went into a protector mode to keep revs high thus oil flow high? It looks like I may need a new electrical harness for the trans as the temp sensor is integrated into the loom. Trying to get a trans shop to advise or look at it is difficult as everyone is getting sick... FCP and maybe DIY here I come...

OK, so Biarritz is all back on the road. Latest round of work included; Finishing timing chains, guides, tensioners, vanos seals. Intake manifold gaskets and all gaskets and O rings associated with getting into the engine... Then spark plugs, fuel filter, transmission mounts, and finally out the back for lower suspension ball joints and integral links. The engine is a bit cruddy internally so a few short interval oil changes coming up after some decent highway driving. Also the repaired and repainted front bumper (with new knockoff East European pork chops) has been fitted and it's quite an improvement on the old nose. M5 style grid. I'm pleased the colour match came up OK. My new spray gun worked great so gives me confidence to try more paint stuff... It's fair to say I'm liking this car - must be the colour...

Serious goodness going on here...

Ex Japan 2011. This is the car I want.

Also VANOS Orings and sealing rings, and with intake off, I'll check the CCV system and do intake gaskets, water pipe Orings. Think I'll leave the water accumulator and heater hoses alone, all looks OK there. Need to flush out block and heater core of coolant and really just a damn good clean. Will also replace fuel filter and change out the rear suspension lower ball joints.

And now off road for the big job... as much time on cleaning as there is on the more fun stuff...

Wing mirrors are on: Plus Art v Imitation...

No update for quite some time but things have been happening (quit my job just before Christmas, last day yesterday and have 3 weeks off before starting a new one in Feb... garage time...) and the Biarritz has been the main beneficiary... It now has better front seats fitted, a facelift steering wheel, windows that work, better grilles, the spare M5 wheels have been painted an Audi Mineral Gray and fitted, the spare M5 mirrors have been painted, and a mate gave me a front bumper in need of repairs etc. that is better than the existing. So I'm at the stage where fitting is about to happen... Also some vanos seals have been ordered, and next week I think I'll crack into the chain guides replacement. I need a daily work car for the new job and this one will be it I think, the others as backup... The Titan has developed an annoying oil leak that I can't quite sus, either a upper sump or lower timing cover, or maybe a bent lower sump. I've put it away in storage and forgotten about it for a while. I really need to fix that and a couple of paint defects before selling.

Great work Jared !! It is disappointing re the slave cylinder. I could provide some "feedback" to supplier if required. This ultra rare car is really getting serious attention - and one to watch...

And again.... cracked bumper must attract a premium... 2002 BMW 5 Series 530iSE | Trade Me Motors

New springs - give it 20 years or so..

"Due for a service" no sh*t...

To be honest, with 3 540's sitting around, I don't know which way to look or what to do next... but Biarritz has been getting most of the attention. Adrian kindly posted up his old but still useable front struts, and Topaz has new tie rods for Biarritz to take the old ones... So Biarritz now has a WOF, license, wheel alignment, fresh new plates and is finally road legal after a bit of a break. Various component swaps (with Topaz) like exhausts, lights, trim, wheels have been going on. The rear lip spoiler was coming a bit unstuck so before I lost it, it was pulled off, awaiting some tape to arrive. The box of timing chain guides and associated parts has arrived, so next up I guess is opening up the front of the motor and getting into it... Been trying a bit of paint "correction" with ahh mixed results but will get there, the PDR man has also been and worked his magic over several panels - amazing work... I've also decided the Titan 540 is up for sale, so if anyone is interested in a pretty well sorted car (with timing guides, vanos, suspension, trans rebuild being highlights) then please PM me.

Keen to know what peoples experiences are with M62 etc lower sump gasket replacement. I have a couple weeping/leaking oil after a gasket change? Do people add RTV as extra sealing? Seems to be more on the rear edge of sump as opposed to side and front? Cheers.

Great stuff Jared. As we can see, it's in good hands...

May have to update your car on your profile perhaps?

Sold

With biarritz also came a set of style 32 staggered wheels and I thought I'd throw them on topaz to see how they look. Once refurbed they may find their way onto titan.

Well the latest biarritz 540 has failed a WOF on left front strut and right tie rod. The plan now is to give biarritz a few hand me downs of good parts from topaz and spoil topaz with new struts and tie rods. The exhausts will also be swapped over as I prefer the factory pipe out the back. The non factory exhaust currently on topaz is subtlety louder and sounds quite nice which hopefully will appeal to a buyer of biarritz... I've also replaced the upper rear suspension control arms and sway bar links on biarritz with some (much) better ones I had lying around (thanks Jared), and all the door cards / vapor barriers have been checked and re-secured. Sunroof closing issue fixed, it hadn't been closing since 2015 as the small wind deflector was sitting too high... simple 1 minute adjustment. Xenon headlights polished and adjusters replaced, tail lights replaced (thanks Adrian). Couple of PDC sensors replaced and all working now. Washer hoses to windscreen replaced. Rear brake hoses replaced. Leather recolouring is ongoing. Coming along nicely. The M5 wheels also have been sold. Standard sports 66's will find their way on.

Yes, just figures in the cluster... that's what happens when plenty is thrown at it... Cheers.

.No just a mix of time, sugar soap, elbow grease, and the odd stronger "solvent" as required... Thanks,

My Clubsport is up for sale. I am the 3rd owner, the first being BMW for 10,000km, then a regular long distance commuter for 290,000km, car currently sitting at almost 310,000km Much work has been completed on this very rare car to lift it back up... The SMG is all good following a slave cylinder refurb, and spares include a complete gearbox with all hydraulic equipment and computer (unknown condition but at least all the parts are there for refurb as required). Many trim items have been changed / renewed including seats, doorcards, steering wheel, gear shift. A later radio/CD with a Bluetooth dongle wired into AUX input. A new road wheel is on due to an unrepairable crack in old one. Tyres / brakes / suspension - good. Plenty of engine work of maintenance items and oil gaskets. The OFHG was leaking badly upon purchase... Alternator voltage regulator / brushes replaced, brushes finally gave up after 305km... Cooling system has new water pump, thermostat, expansion tank (the original tank was still going strong...), hoses. CCV system has some new hoses / pipes. DISA valve is new G.A.S. New engine / transmission mounts. New oils / fluids / filters from radiator to diff. AC all good. Headlights / taillights / indicators refurbed or replaced. The paint is OK, with stone chips on front and a few little indiscretions here and there. Best to contact me directly 027 278 2940 for further discussion. $12,000 firm.

Yes, genuine staggered, and yes, ex Japan. The car will be on sold with standard staggered sports 66's.

... and another - the price I could not refuse - and shod with M5 wheels - Individual Biarritz blue with extended leather / Premium DSP / rear blind / rear PDC / glass roof / heated seats etc. Needs a lot of love but will look to on sell in medium term once I've gone over it to some degree. Already sorted heaps of stuff, but with guide fragments in the oil pickup - timing chain guides will need doing...