aja540i

Took it for a WOF, battery went flat while it was waiting in queue, went to auto sparky next door, paid too much for a battery that is not quite the right size, but also not knackered, installed new battery, started car, went in for WOF.... it failed its last WOF on 3 things, I have fixed many things, including 2 of the 3 from the last check, this time it failed on 10 things, which I believe is a much more accurate representation of its condition. I don't know how it only failed on 3 things last time, maybe they just got bored and gave up checking?? Nothing particularly major, a few light bulbs, wiper blades, headlight adjusters, and the airbag light, which throws a code for the drivers seat buckle switch, so another trip to Pick a part/ Zebra is in my near future.

Dusted off the ancient laptop with carsoft 6.5 on it and scanned the car, also re-coded it to show mileage in Km, and reset the service lights, every module except the EWS has a fault code!!

Are the rims nice and round? They can be balanced and out of round if they have smacked a pothole etc, some tyre places will look for it but some don't...

Bumper and under trays back on, number plate on temporarily, test drive around the block, airbag light on, bugger ! Will have to check code and clear so I can sort that, hopefully just from having so many airbag parts disconnected over the last few weeks. Certainly goes better now than when I collected it, trans is much happier, a LOT less smoke! New front suspension arms ordered, that should sort the shudder under brakes. Will take it for a WOF on Friday / Saturday and get a new to do list! Photo in the dark shows the bumper at its best...

I am chasing a similar issue in mine, apparently some of the keyless entry modules can fail preventing the car from going to sleep, but I haven't dived into it too deeply, I had some serious wiring issues in my tailgate loom, but have fixed those, I have also replaced a faulty alternator regulator and my IBS/ earth cable, which needed doing but haven't fixed all the issues!

Don't forget, you can sleep in a car but you can't race a house....?

Engine oil and filter changed, 6.5 litres of Penrite. Stereo holder frame welded up and painted Matt black, ready to go back in. Finally used my 3D printed BMW engine oil funnel, it doesn't fit the M5, turns out it doesn't properly fit this either, needs some slight trimming...

That would be awesome, thanks!

Success, managed to get the trans to swallow another 0.5 litre! Also finished welding and tidying the stereo surround, and made a hole in it for the boost gauge, it will get powder coated with black wrinkle powder, if I get bored I may try and fit a cup holder in the bottom section, but not today...

Awesome, thanks, I will give that a go.

Managed to get 4.5 litres of transmission fluid out, looks like someone paid the extra for the "metallic" option! Only managed to get about 4 L back in, ran through the gears, car is level etc, might have to take it for a once around the block to see if its working. Electric oil pump is worth every dollar for doing this job, Stereo surround welded and fettled, test fitted, not sure how I am going to attach it yet, might have to try and hide a couple of small bolts somewhere, or blu-tac?

Transmission fluid draining out, a bit of conflicting info about what fluid it should have in it, but I am going with Penrite Dexron VI, I will drain and refill for now, then do a full pan off service and fluid change once I put a few more miles on it. Started on a new stereo surround panel, had some aluminum lying around, looks like 1 or 1.2 mm, cut and folded some bits, Marked out for welding, Tacked up, Also hooked up the battery charger to "top up" the battery!!

I'll probably just wait until someone backs into it and get it re sprayed under insurance!!

Took some time off from working on the E39 to replace the tyre sealant in the M5, 9 years after it should have been done!! Old one out... New one in !

painted the front bumper, very badly, it is now all the same color but that is about the best thing I can say about it! Also painted some headlight eyebrow things I had left over from my previous e39. The obligatory run in the clear coat that reminds me how impatient I am!!

Trailer plug has suffered from a sudden and unexpected lowering of the rear of the car that accompanies a leak in the SLS airbag, my 540i touring did the exact same thing! Old plug removed, hole cut in the bumper, new plug installed.

Sprayed a guide coat on the front bumper, knocked up a wooden stand to hold it, started wet sanding, remembered why I'm not a panel beater! Also picked up a new genuine roof basket for $150, trying to decide whether to mount it here permanently, or leave it removable so I can use it on the M5??

Ahhh, good times, are you having a quick look over the tailgate wiring while your head is in there?

Something like this....

About 23 I think, I had it lying around so in it goes.

Modified the lighting in the boost gauge using some leftover ashtray led lights, a bit ocd but it does look nicer when all the lights are the same orange...

bought this on trade me, it originally had the E60, but I contacted the seller and got him to fix that, very pleased with the result!!

? I suspect this has what's left of its original " lifetime" fluid! There are no strange noises or vibrations, it just revs its nuts off (3k rpm) and doesn't move, its only when up on the ramps so fluid tide is probably out.

Flicked a coat of 2 pack primer on the front bumper, a few more small patches of putty and a sand then top coat this weekend, it won't be perfect but I'm not aiming for perfection on this one, its a workhorse not a show pony! The transmission service might be a bit more urgent than I thought, it wouldn't back the car off the ramps today until I rocked it back and forth a couple of times!!

Bought a staggered set of style 66 wheels, they look a little bit rough which will match the rest of the car perfectly!!