Arma

Cheers. Whatever parts I can't source locally at the moment I might be getting from Schmiedmann. Getting a plastic m5 front bumper cover from there too for a good price (wanted to avoid any fibre glass replicas as much as I could). They also have some cheap used parts on there such as the metal bumper carrier. Hoping it doesn't take them months to send the stuff to NZ though... few weeks is ok; but not a few months. Will order the parts either tonight or tomorrow after a bit more research.

I find the e34 540i quite nice actually - steering feels a lot lighter and the engine is definitely torquey. I always notice that the brake pedals seem very stiff in every e34 I've driven - not sure if this is an e34 specific thing or whether something is wrong with the brakes.. They are nice cars to drive. In terms of comfort the e39 definitely wins for me though. I think I've decided that I'll repair the car as I've managed to source some parts for decent prices. Will be nice to have it tip top looking from the front.

Awesome cars. Love the m5 - be sure to come around to one of the meets sometime!

Went to see Brent today, bumped into Andy too (ethrty-andy) - was good seeing you guys. Looks like a few of the parts that were on the quote list aren't really needed because I already have them undamaged (guard liner extensions and what not). Will probably be sourcing some of the parts from Schmiedmann and the rest locally. Have found an m5 bumper for a decent price which I'll probably get - will deal with the aftermarket mesh with brake ducts later. Current one comes with the stock mesh (without the brake duct holes). This will, hopefully, bring down the cost of parts and hence the whole job. Fingers crossed. On another note, test driving an e34 540i tomorrow.. just to keep options open.

I live in eden terrace yeah - crash happened inside my car park there. Cars at the PB atm, awaiting my verdict. I'm just pricing parts up from various places to see if there is a path that falls within my budget for repair.

Yep. Kind of wish I spent some time learning mechanical workarounds earlier on - but time is always a limitation! May or may not get required parts from Brent depending on how much it comes down to - waiting to hear on that. If everything falls apart, might just get an e34 - been wanting one lately.

No CCTV . Otherwise would have grabbed a copy already to relive my stupidity over and over again. But yeah 3k labour only. Drew the line at 5k+ will mean possible write off. Anything less, will repair. Really don't want to write off though. Rest of the car in too good of a condition!

Yeah, if I go through with it it's going to be costly unless I can find a used nose cut for a good price. Already got a quote on the labour including repair, refitting, refinishing/repainting, regassing aircon, jig hire etc. adding up to the 3k mark. Just need to source all the parts I need (don't actually need everything from a nose cut but apparently it's cheaper/easier to just buy a nose cut from a wrecker). Brand new parts (out of the question here) adds up to $8.5k just parts. I really don't know what speed I was going but it wasn't a very big car park and didn't feel very fast at all. It is literally a 10-15m strip of ground before my parking spot. Perhaps turning the car slightly, just before the 'crash', caused the momentum to cause more damage? But the max it felt like was 15kph. What kind of speed would that kind of damage be caused by anyway cause there was no way I was going over 20 (didnt even feel over 15 for that matter) - but I could be wrong and perhaps I lost my sense of speed.. Only good news out of this is that the motor doesn't have to be taken out to fix it, which is what they said after someone from BMW who's done a similar repair had a look at it. If I write it off, i'd imagine I would get barely anything from selling the whole thing as a damaged vehicle. And I just don't have the tools or mechanical expertise (or space) to strip it apart myself to sell parts separately. If it was a computer or other electronic then that'd be piss easy for me, but not vehicle mechanics . Decisions decisions...

Need to get myself a nose cut of an e39 msport. Anyone got one?

I'm keen to help with photos if needed. Need to look at a nice e39 while mine is munted - I call it e39 therapy.

Panelbeaters had a look - still waiting for a quote but went to have a chat with Shane this morning and it's not looking that good. Left side chassis rails have bent/crumbled/folded a bit and Shane says they might need to take the motor out to fix it - but won't know for sure till everything has been stripped down. Possible write-off if the cost gets too up there.. but really don't want to

Yup i try to stay genuine as much as i can. Going to buy the parts from a used msport hopefully. Will order mech parts through Glenn, whatever is needed.

Can I just use the ones I have for the current bumper (assuming they aren't damaged) - or use the same mesh insert/foglight/brake ducts and the brackets as ordinary msport cars do? Or did you have to get new ones specific to the m5? In other news - had a chat with Shane @ Prima who said to get the car to him tomorrow so I can get a quote. Think they are booked out for at least a week, but that's not too bad. Will organize the tow for tomorrow - though the car is in an underground car park and needs to be lifted from there (unless i push it out of the park).

Took both the grills out cause they were annoying (wanted to see state of the fan). Can't open the bonnet as the latch seems to be locked - will need to have it pushed out of the lock position to open - i'll just leave it to the panel beaters. Also found what looked like a coolant leak on the undercarriage directly below the area I'd say where the upper radiator hose is located - have a feeling this must have snapped off the clamps / broke / became loose during the impact.. can't really see with the bonnet stuck. Hoping it's not the radiator, but meh if it is - it's due for a replacement anyway. Either way, not going to risk driving it - will have to tow. Couldn't locate any other leaks. Does anyone know whether the stock e39 m5 bumpers fit normal e39 msport cars? Plan is to contact Prima tomorrow to see how busy they are, then organise a tow. After panels/body parts are sorted, will send to mechanic (most likely to you Glenn if you aren't too busy in a few weeks!) to do any mechanical repairs.

Oo, didn't know that Thanks for the heads up Dave.

What are the specs of the 18" mpars? (width etc) Also, how much for them?

Yep, I usually deal with Shane when I'm there as well. Good guy.

Located in Eden Terrace. Though I usually use a panel beater out near botany (Prima Panels) - which is what Glenn also uses and recommended to me I think. But a recommendation of some place closer would be good too!

Yeah long story. I didn't bring my German drivers license with me to NZ (ages ago) and they wouldn't convert it so I pretty much went through a licensing process from scratch (learners, restricted etc.). So since they considered my license to be so young, the comprehensive insurance cover at the time was quoted ridiculously high for me. I've fully insured my other car (the 520i), which I had bought before this 530i. Did not get around to insuring the 530i too. Was meaning to get that sorted out in the next two months, but this accident happened at the perfect time before I did.

Hoping the chassis rails won't be bent, I think I was only going at like 10km/h ? or something like that. Regarding replacement parts, was considering getting some shipped from the US - maybe a CF hood (no idea if I like them yet..), and an M5 bumper if they fit the non-m5 e39s - anyone know what kind of taxes are involved if I bring in these kind of parts? Anyway, will have to take it in for a look before I make any of these decisions. Car is drive-able but I'm assuming I should avoid this right? Since the front bumper part in front of the intake pipe is gone and water can go in? (and there might be other damage that I'm unaware of so don't want to be a risk on the road). So thinking of towing it. Too busy next couple weeks so might contact Ray after that to see if he has time. Towing it to Silverdale will probably cost a million dollars. Thanks for the input guys. Am pretty bummed. But either way, will see what a panelbeater / Ray has to say. Unless I can convince AA that the puddle being there was out of my control but I don't think that will get anywhere (or just say the wall crashed into my car).

Only got 3rd party insurance which don't cover damage to own car from what i recall

My car decided to lose traction in a straight line today on a surprise puddle (not going fast at all) and slammed straight into my car park wall... :( Positive notes: - no leaks, radiator seems fine - engine runs - steering etc. seems to be ok - all electrics working, including lights Bad notes: - front bumper is stuffed -> needs replacing - bonnet is stuffed -> needs replacing - guard is bent -> repair or replace? - fog light might be stuffed - need new headlight cover for one of the headlights - intake pipe near the bottom seems to have cracked slightly - not sure what else might need fixing inside Question is. Is it worth fixing? Had a chat with Brent, who has some of the parts I'll need so I think I might. I really want to fix it cause I love the car. But not if it's gonna cost 10k. Also - should I just take it straight to a panelbeater or to a mechanic first? Since I need to assess whether there is any internal damage. What else might need to be looked at that I haven't already mentioned above? Not my day today. Will need to drive the 520i for a bit.

So my driver side mirror motor seems a little stuffed, or the gear has no teeth or something. Pressing the fold button seems to make the motor work because I can hear a loud as hell grinding sound coming out of the driver side mirror, but the actual mirror does not fold. I can manually move the mirror with my hand but can't get it to click in position or anything. Also, since the driver side mirror does not turn, it seems to be stopping the passenger side mirror from unfolding/folding as well. (I know the passenger side mirror works fine because the gears don't make any noise and if by chance the driver side mirror 'clicks' in place by forcing it forward and out of position, then passenger side folds/unfolds fine). My question is - has anyone come across this before and is this pretty much a dead mirror that needs replacement? Or does it sound like a DIY'able fix / needs some grease or something Going to take it in for a look tomorrow or day after but wanted to get some ideas prior. (If broken, maybe time to replace both mirrors with the m5 ones I been wanting..)

This is so badass

Looks awesome!