tonylauno1

wow - who cares what it looks like on the outside when you have Bentley leather inside! Becareful you don't over do it, just some clear corners and watch our for aftermarket lights which are not recess, they look very funny when you put it on the car.

Post #1 did not have enough room I still can't get over that fact that this car I bought did not have a 1) rain sensor (It's not a big deal until you drive one which has), 2) CD-stacker (just in-dash single cd), 3) cruise-control (could get a ticket easily when it's so quiet, compared to a Honda and a throttle which doesn't need any encouragement) 4) volume & radio control on steering wheel (would probably still reach for centre console after driving a Honda for so many years) 5) Sat-Nav (can't watch TV while driving anyway, just looks better + there is wiring for a DVD player in boot and it has a 7inch TV on dash; good substitute) So if anyone can help me out with a CD Stacker and a Multi-function steering wheel to help with item 2), 3) & 4) - that would be much appreciated or just tell me how expensive it is and I will leave it as it is [/font][/font][/size]

Thanks mate - The sat-nav looks like too much work from the photos. I am going to forget about that. Wondered if this guy would install a Multi-function steering wheel for a fee.

I have always had a taste for BMW cars and budget for a Honda (closest thing to a BMW in my opinion), no guessing what I drove. It wasn't until my old man came to NZL and started driving a BMW E39 528i that I found out maybe the cost of running one is not as expensive as I thought so now I have a 2000 E46 328ci. Now my little brother is wanting to sell his Honda for a 1997 E36 Coupe which has what looks like brand new full white leather seats. The only problem now is trying to convince my relatives, friends, colleagues & neighbours that these cars do not cost that much money to maintain (if you love cars) and I am not loaded nor did I struck it rich on a dodgy business deal. Another problem encountered by BMW owners is the perception of other motorist. This was highlighted in the new Top Gear series which Jeremy Clarkson had what he called the Cock-o-meter camera and Richard Hammond driving a BMW E92 M3 scored the highest; as always those three and their test are hilarious. Maybe if I leave my erratic driving behaviour behind then this could be a good start to changing the perception of non-BMW owners. By the way, new camera so there is alot of learning to do before I can take good photos. These have all been photoshop to display the correct contrast & brightness. Continue on Post #4

I am no pro but have done alot of homework before purchasing a 97 e39 528i and happy to say that this car has every option available except for PDC & EDC and even has a service history from Japan. My only advice to you would be to drive lots of them then you will see for yourself that some are fast and some are slower than a 1.6 Toyota because they have not been properly maintained. This is a website with common problems and remedy, a few items such as valve gaskets and radiator only applies to V8 but I reckon everything else will be related to you. At 70km there should be anything to replace but water pump, fan belt, tensioner, front wheel ball joints might need replacing soon http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html This is everything you need to know when you own the car. http://www.e38.org/e39/ Since you are after 2002 then there is no more 528i as they are now 530i Have you seen the 2002 530i (40hp + 55Nm of torque more compare to the 525i) - havent actually come across a 530I Motorsport before http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C....htm?key=329590 There is always the 528i (96-02) which has the same hp as the 525i (02+) and it has an extra 35Nm of Torque. All these figures came from http://en.wikipedia.org By the way, out of those 3 cars #1, #2 & #3 - I agree that the white is better specs however it looks like there is no rear blind, heated seats, ASC (might be called DSC in 02 cars), PDC - apart from these everything else look cool; would be cooler if it had leather seats.

I have a BMW Business CD - single indash headunit and wanting to add a CD stacker in the boot. Does anyone know if the wiring for a CD stacker is already available in the boot of a e46 328ci? Thanks