jeffbebe

Thanks I'll give them a try. The lumbar support mechanism is a bit fragile IMO but the extra comfort it provides (for an old bugger like me) is second to none. Couldn't do without it now on longer drives.

There are 3 for sale on TM at the moment... They sit on my watchlist tempting me.

Seems outrageously expensive. Mine was less than $6K for the same year and is in better condition IMO, though it has done approx twice as many kms and I've spent a couple of grand on it. Still couldn't justify $17.5K for a 17 year old car.

I've taken the old one apart and it looks reasonably straightforward... I hope. My bigger issue is getting the seat out, I don't have the torx screwdrivers required and can't seem to find them anywhere (tried Repco and local Placemakers, Mitre 10, etc).

Okay, here's the situation: The driver's side lumbar support was b*ggered in my car and had become pretty uncomfortable to drive (I'm getting old!). I picked up a working secondhand active seat from Brent but neither of us realised (until I'd installed it) that the newer one didn't have the steering column adjustment wiring harness. So the new seat throws up an airbag fault. I want to put the original seat back in to clear the fault (before WOF time in Feb) and fit the working lumbar support from the other seat. It doesn't look to complicated to swap the lumbar supports, just got to clip some cable ties and unhook the thing (unfortunately I have no idea what's wrong with the old one so probably best to swap the whole assembly) but I don't have the right tools to remove the seat. I have been gradually recolouring spare leather skins and was planning to get an auto trimmer to reassemble but have run out of time and money to do that. Just wondering if anywhere on here might be able/willing to help - or has some experience of changing seat parts. I can pay or bring beers or whatever. Thanks in advance.

Happy New Year all... If 2012 was average, all the best for 2013. If 2012 was excellent, more of the same please.

Just saw my mechanic driving an E39! Clearly since working on mine (regularly!) he's decided they are the pinnacle of vehicular engineering.

Welcome... That's my dream car right there. Well done.

Slightly lowered!?!

The license plate belongs to a 520i from Singapore that was originally Alpine White, so I'm inclined to agree!

It's not proper luxury until it's got a champagne chiller.

Yeah, I noticed that. I've seen something similar on and M5 in the UK. Also had headrest monitors. Not sure if it's aftermarket or an Individual option on some overseas models.

Or you don't have the handbook... And yes, I believe it is.

PM if it does!! First refusal please, Ray!

That's a beautiful and subtle vehicle.

Yes.

Previous owner very kindly replaced the original headlights with new Depo projectors with clear indicators so they're in good nick. Wouldn't mind a set of these but can't really justify the cost when the ones I have are fairly mint.

Will do.

Good stuff. Mine too (though there's always more to do). I replaced all the coils when I bought it and have now done all of the vacuum hoses and fixed oil leaks in the rocker cover gasket, oil level sensor and dipstick. Engine looks very tidy and is performing well though I wouldn't mind a bit of low end acceleration - most of my driving's around town so not too worried about top speed. Thinking of looking for a replacement diff with a higher ratio... But that's somewhere in the distant future. Main focus at the moment is the interior. Need to put the original driver's seat back in so the correct memory module is there (to clear an airbag fault) and want to recolour (either restoring the black or to cinnamon) the leather. All in all though, very happy with mine. She's looking (almost) new again!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=544380743

It's on my watchlist! If I happen to win lotto this weekend I'll be all over that M5 like a rash.

No, I've got the standard armrest with no space for the cradle (and I've only got a 3GS!).It looks very cool but I've got other priorities at the moment (like keeping the engine running!! haha).

Yeah, I looked at the Axxis ones too - recommended on Turner Motorsport as the best for street use (low dust, good bite, low noise, etc) but it was going to cost twice the price of the Posiquiet ones which have a tonne of good peer reviews online.Since it's only $200 I'll try out the Posiquiet pads and if they aren't all that, I'll go for the Axxis when my bank account's flush again!

BMW make a cradle that replaces the old armrest phone cradle for iPhone 4 - http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e5...t-goodness.html Not sure if they do one for 5 yet but probably will soon.

Hear hear... If I had $99K in wallet....