MrDevine

I put the Toyos on the front of the 'forty (as recommended by Jono), they're pretty sweet.

Was thinking about having a look at this, not sure about those rims though. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-345527848.htm

That's a cool forty, I'd 'delete' the spoiler though. How much you reckon for a manual swap?

Rockin, 540's rule. Mr D

Yeah, I think $7k is great value, however you might get a few bids at the death to $7500 – $8k, its really not a lot for that much motor. Did you get a pre-purchase check? I think it'll need a new set of feet pretty soon, at 3.5mm average all round, and remember you DO need to buy good quality rubber ($250 each) don't buy cheap tyres as you'll get the shimmy (can be front or back), and the shimmy sucks. MrD

I think that bidder is 68gtmustang – man I'm tempted, might be better than mine. I mean how often to you get to buy a car like that off the first owner?

Are you going to buy it?!

Just put up a new topic, check that E34 in CHCH, its even got M5 throwing stars http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-296198231.htm

Ah, the link http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-296198231.htm

This 1993 540i ASE – apart from the dopey mudflaps, looks quite the part. You will buy it off the guy that drove it off the showroom floor 17 years ago. Unbelievable depreciation that, -$10k per annum, cars are a shocking investment. So, rip off that tow bar, delete the mudflaps and you've got a cracker, just like my one! (nah that interior is nicer). Mr D.

Yep can't go past H&R's. My 40 now handles like a go cart. Since the shocks/springs have worn in too, feels even better. Totally recommend talking to Keith. C.

And heres the link to TMS… http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/show_...=Engine%20Chips

Now that the 40 is lowered, maybe it's time for a few more horses. Anyone here have any advice on chipping a M60 V8? I surfed up on the web that a Turner Motorsports Jim Conforti chip is pretty good, they are $249 USD. Looks like a simple install for another 30hp. Anyone had any issues with chipping these engines? I like the fact that a chip can improve fuel consumption. Have seen that Hi Velocity is the local electronic performance shop, but could someone like Glenn put this chip in for me, if I got the right one shipped in? (and I will ask him). Ace, C.

Keep hunting for a E34 540i there will be one out there. Do buy a good one though, thats been driven nicely. 2 key areas you'll have to look out for: Radiator and cooling system bits break. The dreaded E34 shimmy, this can be wheel alignment, bad tyres, thrust arm bushings or all three! I can't believe how sensitive the front end on a 540i is (extra weight of engine and complex setup). Expect fuel cons of about 14L around town, 10-11L long trips. But the power under your right foot is awesome! Oh and you'll need to drop it on Billsteins + HR's, it looks better, drives great. Please stay away from that 740i, if the electrics go bung – you'll be taking her to the tip at that price – plus they're a massive car. Get a 5forty! (PS sold my wife's car this week, gotta be quick off the mark)

Glenn, the leak is coming from the hose that's attached to the side of the radiator, so the coolant is pooling in the ridges on the tank thats attached to the radiator. Is this a seperate part or do I need a whole new radiator? I've attached an image here. Thanks, C

Hey I've spotted a coolant leak (green stuff) on the wifes '40. It appears to be leaking out from under the large rubber hose thats attached to the left hand side of the radiator. This pipe connects into the top of the expansion tank. Is this an O Ring gasket that needs replacing, a new expansion tank, a new radiator maybe? (radiator has been replaced by previous owner) or how about a new thermostat? Any advice? Ace

Hey thanks for the replies guys. The updated story is : Took the wifes 40' back to Mag and Turbo Panmure and they said alignment and balancing is fine, we reckon BM Workshop put the bushings in the wrong way (WTF?). So I took her back to BM Workshop yesterday and Anton was like "Nein Nein Nein! I would be very disappointed if we put the bushes in the wrong way!" He took it for a drive and said "your new front tyres are sh*t'. To prove the point he swapped the pretty worn rears to the front and Accelleras (yeah I know probably a bit cheap) to the back, and hey no shimmy! Now I know the E34 has a sensitive front end, but not that sensitive. So the lesson here is get good quality tyres. I'll get some Bridgestones, like on my other 40. Can probably keep the Accelleras on the back tho. Oh and the alignment still average. So probably back to Autolign, as they did the Billy setup on the other one. Ace, C.

Took the wife's E34 540i in for new front tyres recently. Because they were bald (don't know how they passed a warrant) and I was suspicious of a slight front end shimmy and steering slop which turned out to be worn control arm bushings. Picked up a set from Euro Italian and wow what a difference, steering slop gone. The tyres are Accellera (not top end, but the reviews online were OK). However after a wheel alignment it still has the infamous shimmy at 85kmh+. I would have thought the replaced bushings would have done the trick. I wonder though if the tyre shop isn't so flash on the balance and alignment front, as it still pulls to the left. I'm going to take it back on Monday and ask them to have another go, but there might be another place someone can recommend? We're in the Ellerslie area, somewhere local or downtown would be great. Ace. Mr D.

The forty is pretty sharp. Shark rulez too. Keep them both!

Yeah Apex, we brought it off a guy from KeriKeri – cleaned up sweet – should be a good runner.

Yeah Nicola mentioned that the other day – she tells me you're putting a V12 in a E34?!! How's that going? Have you got a picture somewhere? The green forty is not too bad at all. I think it will need a new cv/ball joint/bushing or something as I can hear a knock in left front at low speed. Will let Glenn have a look at it next week. Other than that drives good. Mr D.

14l per 100 is about normal city/motorway driving. Hows ya M3 go?

Yeah probably, I work in Ponsonby.

The wife liked mine so much she got her own. The 96 Oxfordgrun isn't quite as good condition as mine – but has service history. Things like radiator, water pump et al been replaced. Has 169k on clock. I suspect needs a couple of front suspension bushings as can hear a knock on left front. But overall for the money not too bad. The wheels are scuffed as – anyone know if its worth having them repainted or replaced? Other picture is my E34, which I had dropped on Bilsteins and H&Rs and picked up this morning. Rides sweet as. Mr D.

!