jeffbebe

Nice looking cars - especially in black. Would consider one to replace our Mazda 6 wagon... If I had $30K+ to spare!! Not much help, am I?

This is the last time I did it but it looks much the same now: Took about 2-3 hours in total.

Choice! With a caramel interior that would be mind-bogglingly cool. A bit like this (but darker caramel/tan):

I gave my E39 a full on VIP clean at the weekend. Wash, clay bar and detailer and Tech 2 wax finish. It looks pretty shiny but I didn't realise what a good job I'd done until this morning. I watched as my cat jumped onto the bonnet from the front porch and slid not very gracefully off onto the ground. Times like those you wish you had your iPhone handy for a youtube sensation!

Most of the online DIYs indicate that demolishing and rebuilding is the only way to go... Seems weird that you can't easily separate the components for repair, etc. I guess ordinarily you'd just replace the whole door card.

Was originally going to ship a full interior from overseas (which was surprisingly cheap, including shipping) but I've not really got anywhere to store it when it arrives plus I don't have a tow bar to move the staff around easily. As a result I'm thinking of ordering just the leather seat skins and door card inserts. A bit more work to install but will be a fun project. Does anyone know what kind of glue is used the on the door cards or where I can get it? It dries to hard plastic-like yellow. When I pull the existing ones apart to replace the leather I want to make sure I can restore them as close to factory as possible.

Looks good.

Black kidney on black or red looks good, I reckon. Chrome looks better on other colours agreed. I have gloss black PFL kidneys that match the car with matte black grille. Looks like it's part of the bonnet and I much prefer to the FL kidneys which overlap. Would probably opt for matte black with the FL kidneys.

Saw a black E39 M5 this morning on Richmond Road, AKL. Looked in v. good shape. Love those cars. Jealous.

Gave it the VIP wash and wax. Even used the clay bar so she's very, very shiny right now... Until it rains again. Oh how I wish we could afford to build a garage under the house!

Couldn't find any leaks. My mechanic's checked everything and anything and couldn't find any issues - plus the problem hasn't returned. Guess it may have been a bit of air trapped in there - fingers crossed it was a one off. All the checks has uncovered a few other issues... Choice.

Anyone know where I can get some valve adapters for RS-IIs? Didn't get them when I bought the car. Just replaced the wheels and managed to air up the tyres without them but no way of checking tyre pressure.

Two new rear 265/35/18 tyres ($700... ouch!) and alignment to try and fix camber - they've been wearing on the inside thanks to the lowering. Replaced rear brake hoses. Can't find vacuum leak so still not 100% sure what's causing the rough idling when cold but it's not that serious (yet). Also found an oil leak from the oil filter housing. The seals probably need replacing but it's a pain to get at so probably will need pro help for that... So it'll have to wait! Replaced worn steering wheel buttons. Still on the look out for mint working front comfort seats and/or tan leather interior to get a two-tone thing going.

Just come back from Perth. Expected to see a heap of nice Euro cars bought with mining money but nothing. Highest per capita HSV ownership in the world I reckon though. Every other car's an HSV.

Thanks, gents. It's due for a warrant in the next couple of weeks so I'll just take it to mechanic early and get him to check this out at the same time.

Nice looking wagon!

Link doesn't work?

Thanks for the advice, Brent. Think new engine temp issues and replacement front seats for my E39 are going to kill any thoughts of another car for now!!

Background: Short drive today and in the last couple of kms home the temperature gauge started showing much higher (close the red) temperatures but only on heavy acceleration (e.g. up hills). Once idling gauge returned to its normal central position. I've never noticed this before and am certain it's not normal. About a month ago I replaced a the upper radiator hose and fixed a small leak where a small hose had split (not sure the name of the hose). No noticeable coolant leaks anywhere. Had a bit of coolant splashed around but that was from before I fixed the radiator hose. When I replaced I topped up coolant and bled it; since then the coolant level has not dropped noticeably. Have noticed a little bit of water on the ground near the front right of the car when it's parked but it doesn't seem to contain coolant so I assumed it was from the A/C unit. I don't know much about this stuff but figured that if its was a cooling system problem then the temperature increase would be permanent not just on acceleration. Any ideas? Faulty sensor? Sod's law it happens just before I have to head to Perth for work for a few days so I'll have to stew about it wondering if it's gonna cost an arm and leg 'til I get back!!

Anyone know this car? Really keen to get an E34 wagon and seems a reasonable price for age and kms.

It's been on TM several times. Think he/she wanted more last time. Does "ACS and Motorsport" modified mean he stuck some extra emblems on?

Saw a couple of M3s yesterday: Very nice, new looking, metallic grey coupe on the southern motorway and a silver E36 on Ponsonby Road. I was driving so no pics, sorry.

I feel your pain!

Easily restored and not that expensive to replace if needs must.

How about this one?