Arma

Yeah I think mine is the 14mm (I don't think I have the M Sport II Suspension - which is 15mm, just the regular M sport suspension). Talked to BM Workshop if they have any parts in stock. They don't but they said they'll contact BMW regarding part compatibility and get back to me. Not sure if it is sold as a kit or whether the sway bar, rubbert mounts, links / brackets would need to be ordered as separate parts.

I think this is the one of interest: http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E39/Seda...tabilizer_rear/

Can always change the brackets later on to stronger ones - but I think being a new part it should last me a while.

there you go. 1 broken bracket and the other is on it's way out too.

The bracket is the same size for all e39's. They are a standard thin alloy pressed design.

it's the bush that varies in size for the various bar sizes. If you went to a M5 bar you would need to replace the bush also.

This is basically what I did to sure up mine.

http://www.bimmerzone.com/product/BEP-E39-RSBB-KIT.html

Beastpower are thicker CNC machined brakets. Alot stronger.

Thanks, geez those brackets cost as much as the stock m5 sway bar .

Regarding the size, was a bit unclear - I meant to ask whether the m5 bar (16.5mm) is the same as the m sport bar (??mm)? Or does the M-sport kit still have just the 14mm sway bar? Does beastpower deliver to NZ? Might just order from there.

Found these on beastpower too, that are CNC machined:

http://www.beastpower.com/p/bmw/beastpower-rear/BP-BE39-RSBB

Though the Eibach ones are likely better.

Was having a flat tire changed in the morning and had a look under the car while it was hoisted up. The left rear sway bar link seems to have broken (can loosely slide along the sway bar now - with a little push) and the right rear link seems to be doing something weird / on its way to breaking / broken. See pics:

Rear left:

Rear right:

Are the m5 sway bars ones thicker than the stock M-Sport ones? Or does the M-sport kit come with the stock m5 sway bars 16.5mm. Since the links above are broken/breaking, I'm considering upgrading the whole bar with new links, rather than just the links/brackets - that is unless the msport kits come with the m5 ones already (didn't get a chance to measure the bar, was in a rush!).

Two suggestions:

a) Sensor against the windshield behind the rear-view mirror may have fallen

B.) There are different speed settings on a "sliding dial" on the windscreen stalk

Unlikely option B, because no matter what the setting on the sliding dial, it still behaves oddly. Think it might be something up with the sensor (e.g. has fallen); will check tomorrow. Gotta get that front right tire changed finally - seems to have gone almost flat somehow, noticed when driving back home

the rear bar is an easy option with immediate benefits that will not be lost on future enhancements I would highly recommend you do it.

Thanks Ron. I hear the m5 sway bars are prone to breaking and are a weak point to the m5s. If this is true would it just be better to go with an aftermarket one, like Dinan etc.? Although i'd imagine those would probably cost a fair bit more. Then there is this kit: http://www.beastpower.com/p/bmw/eibach-fro...BE39-525-SUS-SB, or http://www.vividracing.co.nz/eibach_18mm_r..._1013841335.php just for the rear , which seem to have thicker rear bars than the m5 ones - though no idea how good those ones are.

When I put wipers in interval mode (whatever it is called - the first mode, where it is supposed to wipe every set interval), it behaves very oddly. Sometimes it will be raining down a lot, and it just does not wipe the windscreen at all, and sometimes it wipes the windscreen in odd intervals e.g. wipe, wait 1 second, wipe, wait 5 seconds, wipe, wait 2 seconds - and it sometimes waits only 1 second when there is almost no rain, and waits 5 seconds when it is raining a lot. Not sure what the issue is - not a huge deal as the next two wiper modes work fine, but was just wondering what might cause this, or if it is for some odd reason suppose to behave like this . This is in the 2001 530i.

Saw a aqua/turquoise (no idea the colour code name) e46 m3 parked outside the Grey Lynn Repco.

Cool, thanks guys.

Will try to get those leaks fixed soon. Hope it doesn't end up costing me an arm and a leg to repair - have replaced so many parts in that 520i now I lost count .

So I had my radiator and water pump replaced in my 520i last month as they were leaking. Also had main drive idler and tensioner replaced at Botany Motorworxx.

I knew there were existing oil leaks, but none of them were major back then (that I knew of). The invoice noted the following leaks and I'm wondering which, if any, of them are major (as in I should get it fixed immediately and shouldn't drive the car). Also wondering if any of them are very expensive repairs, or just fairly cheap and worth getting out the way:

- Rocker cover gasket leaking

- Vanos hose leaking

- Dipstick breather tube leaking

- Possible leak from oil filter remote housing

- Possible leak from sump gasket

Thanks in advance for your wisdom

Seriously, ABS plastic is really easy to work with. By a cheap set of standard eyebrows - there were some on my old car when I bought it and the fitted well. Put them on the headlight with some blu tack and close the bonnet. Mark exactly where you'd like them to end and start sanding. ABS is soft so if you start with some gritty paper you'll make light work of it and when you get close to your line use a a nice light paper and then finish with 1500 wet n dry to get a nice smooth finish... Then off to the painters. Easy.

Cool. I might give that a go.

Cheers

The ones pictured were made by a company called Element 6 designs. There's a fair bit on the US boards about them but all old, so I'm guessing they went out of business. You can try emailing them and see if you get a response info@e6designs.com

If you can't find them just get a pair of $20 standard ones from Hong Kong on eBay and cut/sand them. As long as you get ABS plastic ones it'll be easy.

Some slightly thicker ones here: http://www.kit-tuning.com/?mod=23&t=pP...61&pID=1530

Thanks Julian.

Those thicker ones are a bit too big, I really like the thin subtle ones. Out of business , oh well will have to surf the net to see if I find any more of those on the market and see if I have any luck.

Anyone know where / if it is possible to get a hold of these eyebrows?

Though subtle, they seem to have a bit of character that I like! Anyone have these / know of anyone that does / know where abouts they could be found, if anywhere?

i keep going through the photos to try and knit pick on something (to make myself feel better) but i cant find anything... its perfect...

Word.

Tristan, you tried applying the tech 2.0 yet?

Welcome to the forum

Glenn out at botany motor worx comes highly recommended, and is also a forum sponsor. Give him a bell, I'm sure he'll sort ya out with minimal fuss

+1 about Glenn. Although, he's a bit out of the city (at Botany Junction, near Flat Bush). He's sorted about 90% of my car related stuff out, the other 10% was at BM Workshop Grey Lynn, which was before I knew about Glenn.

Yes call me next week ,

Cool will do.

Hey Brent, have you still got those side mirror glasses still available and selling? (just the glasses)

Thanks Adeeb - Has that packaged shown up yet?

I got mine at Repco but it's available at Supercheap Auto as far as I'm aware; just in the detailing section.

It looks like this:

Sparkly, holographic box

Package hasn't shown up yet - might arrive tomorrow or sometime early this week hopefully .

Oh cool, there's a Repco not too far from mine so might check it out there, thanks Tristan!

That interior is just awesome!

Where can you get the tech 2.0's?

Saw my old 530i on Symonds St.

I often drive through there in the morning (and sometimes evening)

On another note, spotted a <something> blue e46 M3 going down Queen st on Friday evening. Thought it was Tristan's at first but turns out it might have been some other one.

Looks nice.

Plans to upgrade the speakers?

Ouch! Where did they mount the amp?

Also - can you get the spare out? Just wondering

How much would a reasonable sub + install cost @ Rapid would you say?

Are you providing any of the parts or buying all from Rapid?

My sub install cost $800 - I only supplied the amp (which would've been an extra $300-400). They quoted me $800 for the install - the actual price + labour came to around $970 but they stuck to their quote so I essentially got a $170 discount. There was another soundstream single sub (12" I think) that was $800 just for the box, so + labor would probably come down to $950-$1000 assuming you provide the amp.

I guess putting some really rough estimates together (incl labour costs):

Assuming that you will be buying all the contents from Rapid Radio (Sub + amp)

Low end single sub (Some cheap JVC 12") + 1600w amp - Probably ~$400-$500

mid range single sub (Some OK Alpine, Pioneer, Soundstream etc.) + amp - Probably $600-1000

semi-high range single sub + amp - $1000-1500

Something crazy + amp - $2k+

I'd say mine fits in the higher-mid range and I'm loving it so far. But labour costs might be slightly different for your e46 opposed to my e39 (not sure how different the wiring and stuff is between them).

On my 520i a lower end sub + OK amp + decent head unit cost $1000 to install (all parts bought from them). I'd advise getting the a decent sub and amp from elsewhere and have them install it - unless you are not too fussy on saving a few bux ($50-$200).

Good result. Did Rapid do this for you?

The relay install? Yeah they did it for free (since they installed the subs in the first place - guess they forgot the relay). Took like 20 mins tops.

Had the delay relay fitted. No more popping sound during power off.

Thanks. I'm running a Fusion amp rated @ 1600W - can't remember the exact model name.

Noticed one thing - when I turn the car ignition + power off, the subs make a loud thump sound. Think I need to get a relay or something connected there to change the timing after power has been switched off - will take it in tomorrow to get that done. Other than that though these subs sound excellent.