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So I've got an opportunity to cannibalise the 528i before resale. Not too much I plan to swap apart from the wheels but am toying with the idea of swapping the bootlids. The 528's got a euro lid and the 540 a US lid. I think the euro makes the car look wider and a bit sportier (I guess?) and the US a bit stockier and more staunch. Thoughts? Preferences? EDIT: I should add that both cars are Cosmos Black, the 528 lid is in mint condition but no spoiler and the 540 has the spoiler but also has a small dent. Not sure how easy it'll be to swap and am guessing it'll be easier to fit a new spoiler than try and get the one off the 540 lid. Need to think fast as I've got to sell the 528i fairly quickly!

I just resurrected that thread, as it happens... http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....mp;#entry486023 Stay in touch... If we're both doing black it might pay to do it all at the same time and split the cost of the materials. Also a lot easier taking seats in and out with two people!

To the OP... Dredging this up but I'm going to do this soon on the 540i I've just picked up. Seats are in good shape but leather's well worn in some places. Do you think it would be possible to do it with the seats in the car (garage space... Or not having a one, is an issue for me)? Imagine Tristan might be interested in the how to as well for his M3 - though he might need a different product to change colour.

Yep, dye it. If you're going to black it'll be no problem and a fraction of the cost of reupholstering. What colour is the two tone wheel? PS Congratulations BTW!!!

Ah... I misunderstood and thought you needed to replace the rocker box covers themselves (which are around $500 per side for the M62). Mine's an early 2000 M62TU.

Thanks Tristan. Cashflow means this one will be a slower process with more DIY but hope to have it looking and running perfectly in the next year or so... Then on to the upgrading the power! Was bitten by the bug driving the 550bhp new M5 at Hampton Downs! Glad to hear it but not concerned. This car's going to become mostly a weekender so I can be more concerned about using all of its 282bhp than the price at the pump!!

Yep, I drove one on the track at Hampton. Nuts!!

Thank Brent. I'll drop by and Sunday... Pity I can't bring both of them because I bet you know how to swap the boot lids pretty quickly!! haha

Great car. I prefer the black grill, though chrome for the purists.

Yep, though I'm trying to balance swapping to the new car and ensuring I can get the most for the 528i... Spent quite a bit on a widescreen DVD, bluetooth headunit which I don't think's compatible with the new car, which is a bit of a bummer!

Thanks. I've only had a little play so far but it's a rocket ship compared my 528i. Just switched the wheels and it looks great although the m-sport II suspension looks a little higher than the m-sport suspension in my 528i. Now that I've got them side by side I have realised I much prefer the euro trunk to the US one on the car, so I might have to swap those over at the weekend! Hoping that's an easy job but imagine the lock barrel might be the challenge to swap over. Any advice or DIY threads on how to do that would be welcomed!

Was a bit of dodgy logic. We needed some cash fast so I put my 528i on the market, but realised I didn't want to have no car. I looked around for a cheap 540i from a dealer so I could finance at low payments. Basically... I mortgaged the 528i!! Or at least... I will have done when it sells.

For the dash trim or valve covers... or both? I'm interested because I've just got a 540i and reckon the valve covers will need replacing somewhere down the track (plus I like things to look... just so!).

This would look better with a hatchback instead of saloon boot, I reckon. I like the bonnet styling.

Thanks mate. It definitely has to go as I need cash soon as I've just financed a 540i (boys and their bloody toys!!) and the missus will string me up if the holes in my wallet are not filled as soon as possible.

I picked up a pretty cheap ($8.8K) 2000 M-sport 540i. Think a couple of members had a poke around it when it was for sale. Anyway, it's not in as good shape as my 528i but I love a project and the engine seems fine barring a small oil leak form the oil filter housing (just an o-ring, I think). Cooling system looks to have been recently overhauled (new radiator and hoses), has a bit of a rough idle from cold, rocker box covers are a little corroded, nothing major but something I'd like to fix along the way but I'm taking baby steps. So in the next few months I'll do the following... Mechanical: Full service (oil, filters, transmission) Check for vacuum leaks (otherwise rough idle may be vanos) Clean engine bay Skim rotors (bit of a shake on heavy braking but pretty certain it's just the rotors as suspension looks and feels good) Clean injectors Interior: Good clean inside Re-colour black upholstery (few cracks and worn bits of leather but easily and cheaply fixed) Replace a few broken buttons (climate control, etc) Exterior: Good wash and wax Fix small dent in boot Put the 18" BBS RSIIs from my 528i on Replace headlights with projectors (might swap from my E39 if the person buying it wants to save some $$$s) Might take advantage of the Car Folie deal at their new CBD workshop too if my 528i sells quickly My long term goal was to get an E39 M5 but I've thought long and hard and decided to travel a different (and hopefully) less expensive road. I'm going to start saving for a manual conversion (Ray!) and a VF supercharger kit so will be looking for advice (probably in a year or so when I've got some coin) on what else I'll need to make that work (e.g. brakes, exhaust, cooling, etc).

Yep, love the interior. I'm a big fan of wood but in this case I think a darker finish (piano black) trim might suit the caramel leather better. Valve covers will be a bit pricey won't they? Looking forward to seeing this as it comes along.

Cool, will give you a buzz in the morning to confirm.

From what I've read it should mostly be perishables (brakes, filters, etc) that need replacing before 100,00kms. Once these cars get up to 130-140xxx kms general consensus is that cooling and suspension parts my need looking at. Incidentally, I've only seen a couple of pics of your car. Surely a project thread needs lots of pics to set the scene!

Perfect. Might whizz over on Sunday if you're free. Will give you a buzz. Might grab the centre console arm rest too, if that's okay.

Hey Brent. How much for the climate control unit (or just the buttons)? Cheers

As you all probably know I've put a lot of time and money into this car but now I need some cash back. I know I'm going to lose out but I want to minimise the damage. On TM for $7950 but can do better for bimmersporters. Very, very sad to see her go... But have plans for something new as soon as life gets back on track. Visit My Website

Yep, it's easy. I did front and back on mine. Buy online or from one of forum sponsors that stocks new parts (I know that Gavin @ Euroitalia or Brent @ BMWorld do) as it will be way cheaper.

I had nussbaum in mine. There is also a light golden wood (forget the name) try eBay. They tend to have a pretty wide range and plenty of them will ship internationally.

I did say 'apparently'... At least it wasn't on Wiki! haha Our house was mostly my wife's hard work... So I was pretty lucky (or smart, whichever way you want to look at it)!