Olaf

Take a look on the parts search on realoem for the rear bar 33556751267 https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=33556751267&series=E46 - it shows that it was used on a bunch of models including M57 and M54 engines, sedan, touring, vert. I figured out what I needed, asked Brent if he had it in stock, lucked-out. For your clubsport, you probably wouldn't need 20mm rear as less mass behind the front seats than a Touring or Vert? [EDIT]: - unless you had a really heavy front bar, like (say) 26-28mm?

I went with the following, sourced from @BM WORLD FRONT 24mm: 31351094542 (M-sport most e46) REAR 20mm: 33556751267 (from the cabrio with M-Sport) It's fairly flat. @adro can comment, I will cop as guilty (M'lud) in helping him 'see the light' for e46 Touring. He did utter something representing surprise, on driving it 😉. I think the 20mm extra rear track from the style 194 (over e46 ///msport), and 1/2" wider rims on front marry up well with the fat ARB's.

Date: 13 Jan 2023 Distance: 205,829 kms 1. Pad bed-in I took the car out early to execute the Hawk Performance pad bed-in procedure. Best done while roads are empty. I did ten moderate stops from 60km/h down to 20 km/h, then ten heavy stops from 100km/h to 40km/h. Drove the car for 25 mins to cool the brakes down, avoided dragging the brakes (not my style anyway!). Result, they're working as intended now. By the time this set of pads wear out it'll be time for new rotors. The Stop Tech slotted rotors have been nice, but they're now more than USD150 each - I won't bother again. I think I'll gather Zimmermann Sport Z-cote drilled rotors when they're on sale, in preparation. They're performing nicely on my e30, and the z-cote works nicely. I prefer slots, but not as much as to spend double! 2. Replaced wiper blades front and rear the old wiper blades had gotten hard and crusty. Genuine BMW 61610037009 (575mm and 500mm set) and 61628220828, respectively. Time to re-do the Rain-X on the windscreen too. 3. Oil top-up. 1 litre of 5W40 HPR5 added. Used a litre over the last 2000kms. I suppose that's better than average for an M54; I think BMW reckon a litre per 1000-1500kms is acceptable? 4. Interior clean-out, exterior wash. It had gotten pretty grubby in it's existence as grocery-getter. Interior thoroughly vacuumed, mats shampooed and dried, interior wiped and cleaned. Exterior washed - looks better. Next time I'll give it a thorough claybar and wax. The paint has suffered living outdoors in my ownership, particularly with pohutukawa resin and bird-sh*t. We'll describe that as patina, yeah? 5. Headlight refresh underway Bought a pair of headlights in excellent condition from @Autoglym, I'll use the lenses along with a new set of gaskets, and keep the rest for spares (ignitors and bulbs useful to have in the parts stash I think). My lenses are pretty crusty, and I noticed a somewhat reduced light output on the Hurricane Highway on way back from Marton the other night.

Date: 11 Jan 2023 Distance: 205,567 kms 1. Maintenance Replaced leaking water pump (weeping - was just over two years old) - this time went with GRAF. Last time was HEPU, same as previously. Refilled cooling system with fresh BMW coolant and distilled water at 1:1 ratio Replaced vacuum bungs on inlet manifold 11611437560 and 11611727176 Replaced High Pressure Fuel Line clamp 13311716049 Transmission Service with ZF kit (24152333915), filter, machine flushed/refilled with Lubeguard Complete full synthetic ATF. Front Brake Pads replaced with Hawk Performance HPS Rear brake calipers replaced with rebuilt units; rear brake pads replaced with Hawk Performance HPS Full brake system flush and bleed with DOT4 brake fluid Road tested Observed the previous service agent had used gasket cement on the Auto Trans oil pan and stripped one of the bolts. BIG shout out to Begley Motor Worx in Marton for exceptional care. 2. Next steps: replace windscreen wipers and rear wipers rebuild front calipers source and fit replacement touring rear caliper carriers new headlight lenses diff seals (input, both outputs), replace diff oil back box replacement (slow corrosion at top) Fit new sunroof seal (precautionary replacement) I really enjoyed the drive home last night. Trans is shifting like butter. Brakes offer much faster retardation with better feel than the old Akebono Euro that (finally) wore enough to be replaced. EDIT: for the avoidance of doubt, Akebono Euros are the Supercat of brake pads... they last for ever and don't grip! Avoid.

Date: 16 Sep 2022 Distance: 203,854 kms 1. Maintenance replaced VANOS Oil line (11361705532) replaced high-pressure fuel hose (13537548987) oil and filter change - 5W40 Penrite HPR5 full synthetic air filter change replaced windscreen wiper cowling (51718189100) replaced cabin filter VANOS oil line breaks down over time from engine heat, starts to drip oil around the front of your engine, so worth replacing. High-pressure fuel hose - check yours in case it's getting crusty. Spraying fuel at injector line pressure - should it split - will see you meeting the team from FENZ. Best avoided, replace! They're all ~20 years old now...

There will be a somewhat random and tangental listing on this thread as I recall or dredge up adventures/maintenance/experience with this vehicle. Broadly: Transmission shat the bed in late Dec 2012. Jan 2013 it was left with a local specialist for a couple of weeks while we holidayed abroad. The trans was fully rebuilt by Hutt Automatics, and a bunch of remedial maintenance addressed at the same time (the standard valve cover gasket, oil filter housing to block etc) Full set of coils. Sump gasket, engine mounts, trans mounts. Full suspension refresh (stock) with Sachs shocks. Revised suspension refresh (thanks again @Herbmiester) with MSport ARBs, e9x style 194 rims and e46 msport tyre setup MD stereo swapped for factory CD stereo. Sunroof slider repaired. Vacuum issues resolved - PCV system replacement and brake booster replaced after diaphragm contaminated by oil in the PCV system. A couple of cooling system refreshes (including metal pulley) Touch wood, it's never needed to be towed. More detail later. also replaced scrennwash pump a couple of times; then replaced the whole reservoir tank. Despite a diet of exclusively BMW screenwash for about 7 years, the tanks break down and produce a kind of white snot that clogs the pump. No issues since replacing pump and tank together. Replacement (heated) washer nozzles still await fitting.

You must already know the correct answers to this: 1. My wife is of course perfect, how could one question her eyesight? Now, we shall step outside and discuss this like gentlemen as you've cast aspersions on my beloved wife (note we're not doing Will Smith). 2. The e39 is similar though sufficiently different; have you never witnessed (or participated in) the discussion of the difference between mauve and lilac? 3. In any marriage there is usually an unspoken language, where one's spouse may say one thing but mean completely another. For example the simple premise of 'that's ugly' might be code for 'looks difficult to park' or 'there's someone on the school run with one of these and I'd not be seen dead in the same car; or 'it's really ugly and I simply will not drive it'.

Having owned this wagon nearly eleven years (purchased 28 Mar 2012) and mentioned it several times over the years on this forum, "why not start a showroom thread" I wondered aloud yesterday - so here we are. A potted history I wanted another BMW, having sold my e30 325i Touring back in '01. Needed a replacement for our family car (A32 Maxima) and fancied an e39 Touring e39 eliminated as Mrs Olaf thought them ugly e46 fitted the bill, though in 2012 330i tourings were very rarely sold, and 325i's were generally ~$15-20k from dealers. e91 6 cyl were still over $20k and beyond my budget. This one had dropped from ~$16k to the $12k range. 112k kms, fresh import from Japan, good order, best colour - Orientblau metallic. Got it inspected, flew to Auckland and bought it. Drove it to Wellington, it broke down the next day (fuel gauge issue later sorted with replacement pump). Remedial maintenance sorted by BMW Specialist in Welly. Did an Easter Tour to Auckland and back laden with family and it performed flawlessly We've had lots of fun with it over the years and done a shedload of maintenance on it. Here it is about a fortnight after we bought it, after I'd spent time on full body detail. More later.

I wonder if - in the spirit of BMW LEGO - the e46 item might easily retrofit? I'm not able to visualise, but hey - perhaps worth nutting out?

Not enough detail on "car was sold without knowledge". Likely car was not paid for, and sold to defray expenses... was it in fact 'stolen'?

not at all. Aramex completed the same totally useless service on my most recent parts order; a week in-country, UPS declare it's delayed, then it shows up without any update to tracking. Useless. You're just lucky it would seem.

happened to me, took 10 days for Aramex to get to Welly, lost my request (Via UPS) to call me to collect from depot, delivered and left by my mailbox (no authority to leave), box damaged. Aramex are the worst courier company I've encountered in any country. Rebranding from Fastway has not improved anything. #complaintoUPS I said "Had I known UPS would assign my parcel to Aramex I'd have requested my vendor use another carrier"

Did somebody mention.... 8-Bit?! 😁

Did somebody mention.... 8-Bit?! 😁

3M tape is bloody brilliant for mounting number plates, monsoon shields etc… I’d use it happily for body parts. It’s not coming off in a hurry so you’ll not see paint damage unless you cause it by removing the panel 😀 edit: oh and my use of windscreen sealant wasn’t ideal for the spoiler - that was more about keeping water out. Good hints on my thread follow. next time I’ll be using a non-drilled lid, and non-penetrative fixings. 😀

Not recommended - slippery to stand on. Use a purpose-built rubber mat. Safety first.

quietly take them home. they're excellent as insulation when you're working on your car, particularly in winter.

this!

I have Apple TV 4k on both TVs, and Amazon Fire TV 4k on both TVs. In both cases, the boxes outperform the built-in TV apps for picture and sound (TV is the latest sh*t-hot LG G2 65" from which I should rightly expect stellar performance, or a 3 yr old Sony that is a UI nightmare with decent picture, don't ask me about apps on it). The Amazon box is marginally better (than the ATV) on some content, it's got more grunt in the hardware. I have no issues with the Apple TV. It plays stuff easily from my NAS, as well as the apps that I use like numerous News apps, AppleTV+, Disney, Netflix. Seems the only people having issues with Apple are folks that expect to be needed under the hood to make things work. As soon as one accepts there's rarely any need to roll one's sleeves up with Apple, life is a great deal easier. It just works.

Pre-Purchase Inspection by someone who *knows* the e60 M5 is essential. There are Autosure discounts as member of BMW Car Club NZ, not sure about anything offered by Bimmersport? You'll have to be cautious about year of manufacture, you could find yourself outside of MBI coverage. The e60 M5 is a very special car, very rewarding to drive. Buy carefully, it could be the difference between very very expensive, or just expensive maintenance. FWIW I was spending "more than a few k a year in maintenance" on my 545i... with an e60 M5 you're at the High Roller's table! You could buy my 545i, spark the joy, and your accountant would be happy too and cash in your pocket Food for thought. Welcome to Bimmersport! PS: mostly made of Aluminium, so not scared of water and not generally plagued by rust (unless a badly executed panel repair). The e60 (all drivetrains) likes to be cared-for, water is your enemy if drains are blocked and can kill a car with many of the computer modules being easily drowned. Regular routine maintenance reduces that risk significantly.

oh and re your suspension refresh, can't go wrong with Lemforder. Shocks and Springs, there's a whole 'nother wormhole. Why not just go with Sachs OE Msport, and the existing Msport springs if they're still good? With everything else sorted (you're being thorough on bushes, rods, arms etc) it'll ride and handle like new, and certainly nothing at all like most of the flogged-out e36s around (particularly those that have had just shocks, or just shocks and springs, and maybe a peppering of poly bushing because still baggy...) I'll get me coat then!

@BozzaFC you've been busy, mate. This car just gets better and better! SH2 Akatarawas, BMWCCNZ Wairarapa & Castlepoint trip, June 2022.

At the end of the day it's your money, spend it how you like. Stockmarket investments, reduce your debt, take your family on holiday, Hookers & Blow, a project car that you'll never realise the money you spent on it should you or your family need to sell to settle your estate.., it's all up to you and nobody should presume to give you advice. Except for the bit about driving it unrego'd unwof'd uninsured. You play the odds and won't even have a holiday t-shirt or a sore knob & hangover to show for it if they don't fall your way, for want of a $500 flat-deck ride, and you could have $50k+ of debt for the damages. Madness! Good luck with your decision making, a great first world problem to have.

PFL 323i and 328i. LCI 320i, 325i, 330i. Fond memories driving a colleague’s near-new e46 323i on the M40 into London in ‘99 in torrential rain. I thought ‘this chassis is as Top Gear and the motoring comics described it at launch. What a sorted car.’

I can't remember where I bought mine from FCP, Amazon, Rockauto, Schmeidmann. ISTR around $400 at the time. If HPS are found noisy, ("terrible noise and squealing"), they didn't bed them in correctly (Read: suffering from stupidity). Have a read of my e30 project thread - I followed the Hawk Performance Bed-in procedure for the pads, and the Zimmermann bed-in procedure for my (new) rotors, and they're quiet and work brilliantly. Same with e60, except I put them on with new Genuine BMW rotors. About the Akebonos: "would not recommend" should do you. That morning that you've not applied them a few times, and then need to stop in a hurry will be your moment of regret. I'd recommend ATE or Textar and an Auto Glym wheel brush instead of the Akebonos, if you're not convinced by Hawk HPS. Amazon often have competitive pricing on Hawk HPS.