aja540i

Not sure what he thinks is JDM about it either, maybe its a jap import, but you cant tell by looking at it! Wheres the sticker bomb and the huge bozo exhaust or the hideous clear taillights with water in them?

Or you could buy my 2.0L M10, in the e21 i think they were only about 8.5:1 as standard.

Could be one or both of the heater valve solenoids clicking open and closed, they would do that under certain conditions.

I dont know a lot about the e38, but if its similar to e39 then the 6 cylinder will be quite different to the v8/12 models, possibly have to swap the whole front subframe, steering, suspension, brakes, etc. Plus it will need certing, so you want to use all factory parts if you can!

'Always run on 91' WTF? How is that a selling point?

I have a small electric oil pump that i got when i did the 540 trans some years ago, it has only had new trans fluid in it, you are welcome to borrow it if you want.

Yeah, the unit i got just has 1 wire that taps into the bus wire from the original loom, and plugs into the headunit, (plus 2 power wires) it takes about 1 minute to program and everything works, if you have the phone button on your wheel it even uses that.

I have gone full aftermarket in my 540 and there are a few issues, you might just have to kiss the phone goodbye, and if you are not carefull you will loose the trip computer. I managed to get a sony single din behind the fold down flap above the computer, its a bit of work but i think its worth it, i now have bluetooth phone and music streaming, and can use a nav app on my phone and hear through the stereo. I installed a unit that keeps the steering wheel controls, you just need a headunit with a plug for a wired remote, and the unit from trademe. I also upgraded the factory speakers to jvc, but kept the tweeters. Mine is a touring so the sub is slightly different but it was a dual voice coil 5" driver in a plastic box, i replaced with a pioneer 8" all in one that fits in the original spot and it is a huge improvement. The wiring is the biggest headache as all the wires go from the headunit, back to the amp, then out to all the speakers, and there will be extra wires to the fronts for the phone. Good luck, its worth the effort.

All e39 tourings have SLS (air bag) rear suspension, i think e34 tourings had it as an option.

Sounds like low/no fluid, should be relativly easy to check, does your gearbox have a dipstick?

Oil level sensors fail pretty commonly, the m62 one is in the bottom of the sump, i assume yours will be down there too, triangle shape alloy thing with 3 bolts and a plug. Drain the oil first!!

Vanos solenoids, budget at least a couple of grand unless you do it all yourself. Nice wagon though.

Probably best to find a powder coaters and have a look at their colour range, there just arent as many colours available in powder coating as there are in paint, if you want to go matt black or something its easy, but you might have trouble getting shadow chrome! I did my e39 rims in a dulux colour called coal dust, basically a metallic black, looks ok.

Awesome project, if anyone doesnt like the colour, punch them right in the mouth, its perfect!

Hmm, good luck! You could try Stocks for the shocks, but when i was looking a few years ago they were rare as rocking horse sh1t. Which interior console are you after, i may have some spare bits lying around for pre facelift models. Most parts are available from BMW, but usually have to come from Germany, ebay.co.uk can be your friend but even there they arent common anymore.

Trade parts on the shore, flywheel and clutch kit for about $1500. Last time i looked they had 1 on the shelf.

No, i did this instead!

Powder coated the modified cam cover for the e21-m42 conversion, wrinkle black.

Ive just gone and had a closer look, mine doesnt have the little indent for the M badge, and the spoke design is very slightly different, et38.If you want it its yours for $20 plus shipping.

I have a 17 inch one of those, its a knock off, not sure of offset, but i know it doesnt fit my e39!

Yep head and/or gasket is gone, the thermostat in these is easy to pull out and clean, just undo the 3 hose clamps and pull it out. If you need new motor i have a spare m10b20 i can sell.... No viscous fan in these, just bolted straight to the pulley.

If i "found" an M12, you would have to pry it from my cold dead hands!!!

Looks like it could be a head gasket, does the car overheat? If you remove the radiator cap and start the car, are there little bubbles forming on top of the coolant? Does the coolant look like it has an oil slick on it? Is there steam coming out the exhaust even after the car is warmed up?

I use torque pro on my tablet and a cheap ebay bluetooth adaptor, reads codes ok, good live data, can't reset lights or anything though, but for the price its great!