charles28

Where do I find this online ETK to check the options list? Cheers

I think the car seat covers have been on the car since it was new (going by the wear) I had a look at one of the seats, it was like brand new

Hi Guys, I sold my last E30 some time ago now, this time I decided to get something cruiser and more comfortable. Its nothing exciting however, its a Jap Import E39 528i with the much hated Jatco Tranny, (but it seems to change nicely and have no current issues). However at 97,000ks I thought the car was a good buy for $4000, I couldn't imagine purchasing a safer car for this money. It needs a bit of a tidy up and some minor repairs, I have ordered a new part for the Climate control system (Fan Control Hedgehog looking thing) and have arranged for a guy to repair the LCD Display in the dash Cluster. (Basically replacement of the Bonded Ribbon cable that fails on most of these cars). Next thing I am going to do is replace the Rear window regulator then attack the headlights with the 3M headlight restoration Kit. In the new year I'll get the front Lip repaired (Fibreglass) and some paint touch ups done, along with getting the front bumper lined up properly, also refit factory Fog Lights. This is the car in its current state: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Its behind the rear seat, (Jap Import Model) I almost had a picture on it earlier, but not quite, gave me the option to store what it found, 1st time its done that.. perhaps its an antenna problem of some kind

I think I see the problem, the cable in the below Picture, where should this plug into? I can't see anywhere, the TV appears to have everything connected (pic shown). Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I couldn't get mine to work, I tried Austria and Pal Europe, but what I noticed is, it still goes back to the Japan setting.. I assume once I select the country I then do the search option? when I choose this option it seems to scan channel numbers and basically do nothing else..

Yesterday I purchased an old Jap Import E39 528i, has 97,000ks on the clock, a bit rough around the edges. but I got it for $4000 and its a bit of a project for me. It has the old style Video Monitor, that's got a nasty line through it and only allows me to get 1 radio station (no Band expander), the TV doesn't seem to find any channels even when set to Austria etc, so its time for it to go. The car is missing its CD Changer also, I can only listen to 88.9 Canterbury FM for so long. I am looking at replacing this factory unit with a Head unit Fitting kit + normal single din head unit with USB etc. It seems to me that most of the workings for the stereo are in the boot.. so I assume this will make installing a normal head unit more of a challenge? or is it as simple as any other install? Pictured is the TV and what I assume to be a factory amp. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Hehe i'm such an idiot, they are in actual fact, very well made car seat covers, that fit so well you'd think they were factory looking seats. Underneath is the normal cloth seats, which are in brand new condition, I suspect these covers have been in place since the car was sold new in Japan.

Nevermind, i now own the car, purchased today for $4000 and collect it tomorrow

I'm looking at this lowish priced E39 528i and I see that it has leather seats, however they don't look the same as the ones in many of the other E39's for sale with leather seats, are these perhaps a lower grade version? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=429290041

Thanks, Yeah, it finishes tomorrow, i might take a punt on it, I have emailed 3 transport companies to see who comes back with the best prices. I've had E30's and E36, and some VW's, had plenty of issues with some of the Euro cars i've owned.. but they have something the Jap cars don't. Thankfully i can afford to spend some money on it if need be, although its meant to be my house deposit.. hopefully my partner doesn't see this page hehe.

I'm looking at buying: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=422963286 Other then the obvious high km's and excessive fuel consumption I'll get.. does anyone see any reason not to buy this car? I've been looking for an E34 for some time and this one seems to be in original condition (which is what I want). The biggest issue for me is that I have to trust the seller and get the car sent down on a truck, as I don't have time to fly up and drive back for the next month or so. I want a comfy Cruiser, I car repair minor faults on most cars, I just told my Honda Prelude as I found it too uncomfortable and low to get in and out of.

Nice car, I just had a look, couldn't really afford it right now though, and bringing up wheels on a plane would be a major hassle so I could drive it back, also have a turbo CRX i need to get rid off 1st.. or one of my other cars..

Ahh good point, if it had the nice seats i'd be quite interested I think.. and Tech 1 wheel, have emailed the seller asking for more pics. so will see whats what.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...=&district= This "Looks" like an MTECH1 Bmw, however, it mentions automatic Tranny, has anyone seen this car in the flesh, I'd be interested to know if if has the Motorsport seats etc, I thought it might be a nice wee car to convert to manual, as it looks the part at least. Cheers

Hmm I like the idea of that model, cheap way to get a Manual BMW with a bit of Grunt. I assume that model has a factory LSD also

Its been over a year since I had a BMW, while the Golf VR6 isn't a bad car, its really the partners car and she has put her horrible Playboy Mats and seat covers etc in it now.. ewww.. ok, they aint that bad I guess, black at least, but I prefer stock looking seats etc. I was thinking I'd buy an old E34, automatic, cheap, not that worried about economy as I only drive about 120k's a week on average. (To work and back), really just want comfort more then anything, my Honda Poolude is uncomfortable. So repair cost wise, would a 535i be a better proposition then say a 525i with the M50 engine? Would NZNEW be preferable? I don't want to risk getting one of those Jatco gearboxes. Then there's the V8 Models.. but will end up costing more to buy usually, which E34 model handles the best? (Besides the M5, since I can't afford one of those). I don't want another E30, awesome cars, but had 2x of these already and the E34's are cheaper. And when I go looking at these cars, what problems should I be looking for?

The Bidder is on these forums, his names Dean, lives down the road from me

It seems rather cheap, however being a UK import it could be hiding a bit of rust, which could be what it really failed its WOF on in march, who knows, but for that price its almost worth the risk. If it had the proper seats i'd probably have bid on it by now

Haha yeah, they havn't advertised the car well at all, its a normal UK import 325i http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-312044991.htm Go the E28, this is an ETA model, but has 885 Head fitted, only $1600 ono, auto, but at least its a BMW

Yeah, was like that when i got it, would have prefered the factory look. Am thinking of getting another old BMW soon, but this time i'm going for an old E28, as E30's are way too expensive hehe.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-312352620.htm Its looking a bit worse for wear now, I had it looking pretty tidy, looks like its lost its front lip and hasn't had a clean since I sold it and they want $1000 more then what I sold it for lol

Now back on at $1 Reserve! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=297217909 I need it gone, its a good tidy example..

Yeah, it would be good for that, no sunroof = more structural rigidity, no ABS etc. = Lighter, in a way it annoyed me that my 325i had sunroof and ABS, as they were features I didn't really need/want. Although you would want to change to 51mm front struts, diff etc, but no doubt you have already thought about all that stuff. Just send me a PM for my details if the car doesn't sell via trademe, I could hold off relisting it until you have had a look, no pressure though, not desperate to move it on as such cheers.

These are one piece from what I can tell, they are factory motorsport wheels from a UK E30, which is why they came in the 15" size, its fitted with 205/60/15 tyres instead of 205/55/15 which does put the speedo out slightly. Assuming I still have the car then your welcome to have a look when your up in Christchurch. I looked at 8 E30's when buying this one and it was the best condition E30 I could find in Christchurch (in my price range), at the time it was my 1st E30 and I didn't know much about them, I soon discovered that my ideal E30 was a 325i in Manual, which I did end up with, but sold again due to the fact it was a UK import and had rust problems, this car doesn't seem to have any problems with the bodywork. I wanted to convert this car to manual transmisson and 325i spec, however my focus is now on saving to buy a house, so have had to put that first, which is hard when your a car nut . Cheers, Charles