Avenged.SSE

NOD32 System security business edition (Firewall + Antivirus), Spybot with windows defender in the background = best security imo. I also have Adaware for scanning everything once in a while (not active all time, but this may be a bit overkill). I hate viruses/malware/spyware/phishing crap. Norton is also not recommended, it's a heavily commercialized antivirus designed to look nice, NOD32 is the computer geek's choice!

Hiya, I estimate the tyres will be gone within the next few months, hence I want to set my sights on some new ones before this happens, what do you guys recommend? I'm after something mid range and preferably decent (brand wise) like Michelin (factory tyres on the W220) or Pirelli. Cheers!

Because big chrome wheels are associated with disillusioned teenagers that either; a). think they are 'gangsta' (This is very common amongst kids in rich suburbs, which is laughable). or, . think that chrome makes their $3k car ultra luxurious. or, c). both of the above. Hence why it is *rare* to find cars worth over 25-30k sporting chromes!

I sat my full last year. Most stupid test I've ever done. The officer basically asked me to verbalize all my actions, and then when I did, they told me not to. Because of my age, the officer though I had only done occasional weekend driving, when in fact I had been traveling a solid 60-100ks daily for the preceding two years.

I think insurance will end up being the way to go... I just really hope it doesn't happen again, I would not have expected someone to have the balls to key a 2004 S class tho!

Hiya, well I was lucky enough to have some bastard key my car! I have gone to a car painter and he said I should repaint all the panels affected ($900). The scratch is pretty deep (I really wish I could find out who did it so I could set their car alight). Anyways, what do you guys recommend? I really don't want to spend $900 fixing up the scratch, any other options?

Yeh exactly... when did $10k cars become luxury O.o

Value for money +10. Features +10. Bonus points for the fact that it's a jap car. In terms of handling and braking my old facelift E39 buries it (the ES300). My current 2004 S class (in terms of features, handling, turning and braking) leaves both the ES300 and the facelift E39 in the dust. But then again this may not be a fair comparison because I'm comparing the flagship Mercedes vehicle to the entry level Lexus one, so maybe it would be better to compare it to a C class merc.

Ahh well, I'm a fan of ultra luxury cars, so it was either the S class or the 7 series (which quite honestly both aren't your typical teenager car!) By all means, it impresses clients a lot more when they are in the back of a long wheel base ultra luxury sedan than a tiny 3 series So sadly at some stage the transition from Boy -> Man needs to be made hahahaha!

S280L, smallest of the lot, but just as powerful as my old E39 525i (prolly a tad faster) so am happy with that!

Yep sure do. Almost bought an E66, till the report (and problems came out), same with the next, and the next... hence ended up settling for a W220!

Hehehe I had a silver facelift E39 before the merc, wanted to upgrade to something with a few more toys!/not as common as an E39er! But yeh, other than that, it is a really nice car, the clear lights/mags just add that extra nice touch, body kit looks nice too, but rates about a -8 on the practicality scale.

W220 mine, E39 is me friends! Am really tempted to swap the W220 for a 2002 boxster as the LWB is just a plain bitch to park!

Auckland uni carpark is uber safe, I park me 2004 S class there all the time, no problems whatsoever!

I think facelifting is a gradual procedure, it doesn't 'just' happen. i.e. once parts become avaliable, they start using em, hence many 2000 E39s have hella tail/headlights. I haven't seen any prefacelifted 2001 cars, so I think its January 2001, after which all cars were facelifted. Cosmetically, if the car meets the following criteria it is most likely facelifted; hella tail lights/headlights, multifunction steering wheel and rounded fog lights in front bumper. Obviously there will always be some person out there who will do all of these things to a prefacelifted E39 in the hopes that they can save some $$$, but I don't think they are too common (especially with the rounded fog lights in the front bumper, they are most often the easiest way to tell).

Couldn't have put it better myself

Check your car temp, if the water is comming from radiator then that needs attention as radiator needs replacing in these units. Not meaning to be the bearer of bad news, but that doesn't look like an AC Schnitzer E39. it looks to me as if the previous owner has replaced the side mirrors, mags and added an M5 badge... This is what an E39 AC Schnitzer should look like. http://www.cecwheels.com/images/medialibra...-front-view.jpg (note: the side skirts, front spoiler, wheels)

Any idea how much it would cost to replace them with OEM brake pads?

facelift (2001+) 520i has a 2.2L engine in it, performance isn't too bad (comparable to a 2.4L Audi A6). My friend has 2001 AC Schnitzer, the fuel consumption on his is horrible (round 16L/100km) but I'll attribute that to his driving style more than anything. Actual fuel consumption should be between 11-13L/100Km (judging by my old 2002 525i). In terms of performance, I think you'd still be better off with something like a 525i/530i. oh and the facelift 520i (from memory) is at least equal to a 523i in terms of performance, even tho there isn't much point in comparison as the 523 and 528 were discontinued when the E39s were facelifted. [Edit] the kit looks goods, but the front spoiler is an absolute bitch due to how low it is, so prepare to drive VERY carefully! In regards to watching out... check the radiator, they are known to go 'boom' when kms near 100k.

Jap ones are half that? so for a 2003 540i 12.5-15k O.O?

Hiya, I've been looking everywhere at BMWs, was initally going to upgrade to an E65/E66 but I've been sorta put off by the fact that I haven't spoken to a single satisfied owner as of yet, all complain about high maintenance cost and the majority of the 735s I saw have some problem or another, so I figured mebbe stick with the E39s and upgrade from my old 525i to a 540i with all the toys. Question... what would be an average->good price for a 2003 540i? (Mileage around 80-90ks)

Upgrade fanatics! I am one of them, Cars don't depreciate as much in value if you sell em within a year or so. I lost about $800 on my 525i within a year, if I had kept it for another two years I reckon it would have dropped by $3-4k not to mention all the money sunk into maintenance! Only problem is... you start to run out of choices sooner than anything else.

I was watching an old[ish] episode of topgear, I think it was in season 7, and Clarkson was talking about how the Germans were insulting British cars (jags I believe) and then he proceeded by saying they design nice mercs in germany, with the side mirrors (or was it indicators?) giving Nazi salutes, wereas the sat nav is programmed to go straight to Poland lol. He must have gotten his balls frieeddddd for that one. Rich and James were both sitting there dumb struck, not knowing whether to laugh or not! Absolutely priceless moment though.

Sorry, I just had to mate I used to be a big fan of black myself, but I think it goes horribly with amber bulbs, it goes beautifully with clear ones. I reckon this goes for both the post-face lift E39s and E65/66s, silver goes better with the amber lights imo!

So I was wondering.... I've never really considered car colour when choosing a car, but more-over the exterior features/interior features (provided it's not vomit coloured). What about you guys? I've talked to a few people who wouldnt buy a particular car solely based on colour (i.e. it's blue not green, or white not black)