jeffbebe

Good luck, mate!

I have a spare. Works fine but the top two buttons (for front L&R windows) are worn. Free to a good home if you pay for postage.

It's more of a lifestyle, I reckon... But a good one.

I'm deadly serious

Here's my M52 engine: As you can see the previous owner has installed an aftermarket cold air intake. Another Bimmersport member has suggested that I replace with an OEM original as the current modification is likely to increase fuel consumption. I gather these intakes are designed to improve performance. Since I'm not racing the car and 80% of its use is around town, I'm wondering should I replace this intake? Would love to have this explained. How does it improve performance? Is that pretty pointless if the car's not getting a thrash on the open road very often? And are their negative impacts like fuel consumption? Cheers in advance.

So you don't think this is a good idea then? haha

Definitely, I was on the fence anyway. Didn't expect quite such a vehement reaction to a bit of extractor fan mesh though!

Think I just had delusions of grandeur...

hahah! Sh*t... Now that you come to mention it, it really does look like that, doesn't it?!

Yes, was only considering black.

hahah! I think you've all answered my question. Actually my question was answered when I looked at how much they want to charge for these things!

Ha! I hear that but you have to admire the lengths some people will go (and the money they are prepared to spend) destroying perfectly good cars.Seeing that kind of thing on a BMW makes you cringe but I love it for laughs when people do it rubbish cars. See it all the time in the UK where small cars are king. I remember seeing a Vauxhall Nova with a Ford Cosworth rear spoiler glued on. Amazing! Here's proof you can't polish a turd:

Toying with the idea of race mesh grilles like these: I quite like the look of them but is that straying into BMW Nightmare territory? Also, assuming I'd then have to modify the bonnet release - anyone done that? What's involved?

Yep, great taste and either a) an enviable bank account or an unenviable mortgage!

*like*

Couple of slightly better pics: Still got a few things to sort out: grilles were badly painted by previous owner and they wrecked the fitting when they pulled them out, shadowline window trim is temporary (still deciding whether to stick with chrome original or get it properly vinyl wrapped), need to replace upper radiator hose before it gives up, tints are buggered and rear door interior panels are no longer fitting flush (probably just needs some new clips... I hope) and would like to get the wheels fixed up and repainted/polished.

That's why we both drive 528is!

Yep, I third that. Amazing. Want. Anyone got $70K they don't need?

I've never driven an E39 M5 but they're a bit of a dream car but are they really $17K better than a 540i that's done less than half the kms? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-478020108.htm

I love my new old E39. I've never really cared about cars before but now I do. Unfortunately, I know jack sh*t about how to fix them. I've already had some awesome help from Bimmersport members and there are a heap of people on here who know their stuff. There may already be a thread somewhere about this, so please point me in the right direction if there is. If not, I think it would be a great idea for everyone to share their skills - especially if know-nothings like me can pay you to share your skills on my car when it f*cks up! If we could have those listed by region... Even better! Maybe we can even trade a few skills. I don't have many skills when it comes to cars but I do think I've got a little bit of taste. So I'm happy to share my advice when it comes to modifying your vehicles to help prevent you creating nightmares like this:

They were thinking, "I love this car so much I won't ever need to sell it..." They're now thinking "sh*t, WTF did I do with the factory wheels?" Still at least it's got an on-board 'puter.

Nice!

"To avoid dump questions it has a M5 badge but it's a 540i as it said in the heading" To avoid deserving ridicule, don't stick an M5 badge on a car that looks like it was stolen from the set of 2 Fast 2 Furious. Weirdly, I don't mind the Commodore style front wings (the'd look okay with M bumper and skirts) but the rest of his bodykit is ludicrous, not to mention the carbon hood, which just looks like he hasn't had a chance to paint it yet.

ha! "like"

He doesn't like it enough to keep it!