aja540i

Im no expert but i believe the BMW tacho will just receive a 12v pulse from the coil supply and interperet that internally to display rpm,,the toyota tacho probably gets a signal from the ecu which could be a changing voltage or even a PWM signal, it might be as simple as running a 12v supply wire from the low tension side of one coil pack into the tacho, but more homework would be needed on that.

I know this has probably been covered before, but i am having trouble understanding the mentality of some NZ business owners! I needed a rebuild kit for the e21 carb, im a realist so i didnt expect to waltz in and buy one off the shelf, but after talking to a local supplier who quoted me $207, i said go ahead and order it, ring me when it gets here. 1 week later i havent heard anything so i call in to see if its arrived ? No, we cant get it, they dont make it anymore would you like to buy a new carb for $1000? No, i reply, i would like to rebuild the carb i have and get this car going so i can sell it. We could order one from italy but i only order once a month so it wont be until the end of the month, should be about $90. I will get back to you, i reply, and leave. I have just spent about 3 minutes on ebay, found the exact kit i need, from a reliable seller, for $102 NZ shipped, and it will arrive before the other guy places his stock order, but i bet he keeps moaning about how hard it is to compete with "the internet". If anyone can explain to me the logic behind this i would love to hear it, in the meantime i will support local businesses who make an effort to help me out.

Nice car, i actually quite like that colour and a NZ new MS is a good find, good luck with the tidy up.

I have only driven a 518i e34 (see profile pic!) so that doesnt really count, but i can see how a nice e34 would be a better driving experience, but for an inconspicuous cruiser with the ability to scare the backwards hat brigade at the lights, a manual e39 540i is just the ticket!

Manufacturers also tend to bundle in more "free" options as a model nears the end of its cycle to move stock, earlier cars would have had very little as standard.

Mine is a conversion, originally by hellbm, and i have gone back to a dual mass flywheel and self adjusting clutch since then for a bit more driveability. Really is a great car, if i didnt get the M5 unicorn i would definately be keeping it.

Not sure how many there are, but yes, rare. I still have my e39 540i touring manual for sale, even rarer!

Or a more powerful waterblaster....

From my experience with engines in general the m10 was, typically of BMWs of the time, slightly over engineered and quite simple. It has famously made huge power figures in various forms and found its way into legend, but it is not magical and like all mechanical things it has limits. I am certain you could build one to rev to 10,000 without self destructing, but there will be a downside, and i suspect the cost will be the first one! On the positive side, because of its age and legend status there are plenty of people out there, including BMW, who have gotten results from the m10 and you have access to a wealth of info about them! I have kept an m10b20 to put into my keeper e21 at some stage, but at the moment an m42 is a better prospect in bang for buck terms. I hope you go fully mental with it because i want to see it done, but from my research it is a labour of love, not common sense!!!

Not sure how they will register that, no way it meets current impact or emission standards! If they used the special vehicle category then it was a waste!

Nice wagon! GLWS.

When i say sit on, i mean weld up the crack, put tyres on them, and keep driving it! Also, decent axle stands $160 a pair!!

I seriously doubt they would fit over the brakes

If you bring them to the meet on sunday i will take them off your hands, i need a set for the m5 to sit on while i tidy up some of the POs curb rash!!

Yeah, Audi seem to have it over BMW when it comes to exhaust noise, i probably wouldnt own one, but there used to be a lady who drove an rs6 past my work every day at pace and i could listen to that all day!

If you put a gun to my head i would say i prefer the V10 sound at full noise, but only at full noise, the v8 sounds much sexier at low rpm. There is no doubt in my mind the the e60/61 m5 is the better car, but if there was an e39 m5 touring that would be my pick.

Hah, i can get 300ks to a tank no problem!

Supply and demand, easier to find an e60 m5 than a nice well looked after e39 m5!

Check the tyres you are using have the correct load rating. I cured this issue on my e39 by changing to tyres with a higher load rating, usually a bit more expensive but lasted twice as long!

A bit more on the e21 saga.... changed the alternator reg so it charges now, tested the thermo fan/ switch, pulled out the rear seat and cleaned it, realised one of the previous asshats who has worked on this car put the rear seatbelts in ass about face, left on the right side and right on the left side so they didnt retract properly! There is a locating pin on the mechanism to prevent this exact thing, but they still managed it! Sorted that mess out, new HT leads, new rubber seals on bonnet and firewall. Its moving slowly closer to beoing roadworthy.

Ah, so its your fault its pi55ing with rain now!

That thing is nucken futs! But i have to say that MG metro was pretty impressive too (now i will go and shoot myself for saying that)

I believe they can also be melted down and re-cast into wheels that are a size you can use!

I am truly astonished that BMW didnt think to tune their 4.5 litre v8 to M5 spec from the factory, that would have saved them the trouble of developing a 5 litre v10 for the M5! I bet they would kick themselves if they knew!

I wonder if it comes with that sweet, sweet steering wheel cover?