Young Thrash Driver

Aha so it was you I saw heading into Papamoa at New Years! Nearly drove off the expressway when I saw your car, seriously very nice looking. With a bit of luck, I may chase you up at a later stage for a twins photoshoot (if you are keen)

A while ago, I went through a few months of having only one driveable car... they'd take turns breaking, sometimes on the same day the other one was fixed I'm starting to get used to this BMW lark, there's half a cooling system and various other E39 bits in the garage. While it is exciting getting a "new" car, it is kind of annoying starting from scratch with all the common bits that go wrong- cooling system, seat cables, ABS modules, SRS sensors, oil gaskets, window regulators, door seals, electric seat buttons, ABS sensor cables... I dunno, there's a thousand things!

Turns out the bumper is the same as M5, the cross shaped trim is removable. Keep scaring everyone else off guys, I know you have my back

Thanks... it's late and it was a lazy question. Removing and refitting shouldn't be too hard. As you say, there aren't a lot going around spare, so overseas might have to be an option. Not keen at all on the M5 style though.

Yeah I'm trying to sort a PPI this week sometime. It sounds like a good car, and it's nearly everything I would have wanted if it was me buying it new. I don't suppose anybody knows if a sedan front Motorsport bumper will fit a touring?

Is it bad if this is how I view my car spending too?

My old E36 328i coupe had folding rear seats. I have noticed with E39s however, this option seems to be standard on NZ new models- can't remember anything about this for Japanese new 3ers.

I have these Style 32s which do not have a huge amount stamped or cast into them- "BMW", the offset and width on the front, and a couple of seemingly random numbers and two dating stamps on the back. Is there any definitive way to tell if these are real or junk- before I waste money tidying them up?

Don't be silly... English cars don't rust!

It's difficult to gauge in the pictures, is there any sun fade or clear coat peel to the paint?

No the star was the Peugeot that somehow kept up with the M5!

As a "younger thrash driver", I can assure you the Motorsport variant is much nicer to drive, no matter what speed you travel at. This is why they are sought after. If you sell to a wrecker, it will be cheaply. In which case, they will just flick it on with their own markup. Where then does that leave your gesture?

So what ended up happening with this? Auction never reached reserve but was never relisted, did it get sold?

A Suzuki Swift has 5 stars. I'd love to see one up against an E39.

Don't ever trust what some random dude tells you on the interwebs... but fear not, looks like a simple rocker cover gasket failure, which has thrown oil everywhere. It would be nice (even if only to save you the oil smoke embarrassment) if you could avoid driving it until you get it sorted

Good luck with this. Am currently watching the auction but unsure if I will be the one who buys it. Black M Sport and Style 32s is certainly a nice looking combination

Fair comment. Just bear in mind the VW faults mentioned are well documented, and frequent.

Research might also reveal numerous serious transmission issues with the Golf too...

You could always try the later model 3 series, good compromise between 1 and 5 series.

So, uh... whatcha doin' with the old one???

Oh so that's who bought it... had a good perve at this car just before it was sold. Very nice Ray, well done.

Cor blimey, the dash still has all it's pixels! Does the EDC still work?

I'm going to put my oar in and remind you that the M54B30 as used in the 530i has no such timing guide failure issues. It's one of the things that helped me decide not to buy one of the V8s.

TM listing now says sold?

Well that escalated quickly. My intent was that Andy, who lives near her area, would see this and recommend a local workshop. No disrespect taken, Glenn. This would be a sorry excuse for a sandpit without your experience and knowledge.