Olaf
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Everything posted by Olaf
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I'm comparing a modern 5 star rated small hatchback with a twenty+ year old 'designed in the 80's' vehicle. (edit) with little in the way of 'active safety'. Yes, of course. In the recent small Japanese and Korean instances I've seen, the crumple zones acted in such a way that there was no space left for a living occupant. Think rear hatch - whole left rear passenger space - compacted into the front passenger's seat. Only Harry Potter or Scotty at the controls of the transport beam could escape that vehicle/accident unscathed.
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looks smart, and that beading betrays that someone's lavishing the love on it, despite your claims of riding it hard and stabling it wet. looking forward to an update. -
Answers in order: 1. Yes 2. Agreed 3. Hell no! I'd already gotten a taste for BMW as the e30 was first released; I still remember getting a short drive in a (UK import) 323i in early '83... and when I saw a head-on accident in Wellington CBD between an e30 and a HiAce courier van that left the courier van a steaming smoking write-off, and the doors still opened and closed on the e30, I was impressed. I had an A32 Maxima for a while, I'd not have wanted to hit anything in that! More recently on some of the family weekend trips I've taken in the last year, we've driven past accidents with the meatwagon still in attendance, often a compact Japanese or Korean hatchback where there's no longer a back seat area. I look at my wife and say "that's why we're spending more than we'd like servicing these euros. I'd never forgive myself if we'd made a conscious decision to drive something small, light, and built to a (small) budget, and one of the family was seriously injured in an accident.
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Scary Reading? how about: "Odometer32,163 KM Showing" it's not like she's pregnant, guv. "ohhhh, you're 23 weeks darling and barely showing!" I dunno, these auctioneers will do anything for a laff.
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hey, just remember they're a BMW underneath, and handle pretty well for a front-tugger.
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so what's the *real* story? We need catching up, mate. A bunch of somewhat specific questions: The wheels look awesome (I'm biased), particularly that colour in low light against the red. Are they Lewis' old ones? What ratio is your LSD? Are you out of the 3k rpm at 100kph zone, yet? How's she running overall? Getting plent of use? Your new donor car - whats it going to be donating? What's up with the red one that you need to fix? ... Or are you coming out on the welly roadtrip to Ngawi in March? cheers
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sure looks tidy. GLWS.
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it doesn't mention that in the advert - or am I missing something? If you do manage to win that vehicle, please, please, don't mod it. It looks really really clean and original, hopefully someone will maintain it sympathetically.
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must keep an eye out for this one.
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more seriously though, the thread that explains drilling two large holes with a holesaw in the rear seat firewall and using long extensions, seems the best way to go. http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/67104-help-boot-stuck/
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yes, I was denied the opportunity to drive it back when it was unsealed.
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looks like the LCI diesels are alloy-blocked. Well, those that are suffixed TU2. from good ol wiki: "The block and the crankcase of the first M57 engines and the TÜ (Technische Überarbeitung = revision) engines are made of cast iron, TÜ2 engines are made of aluminium instead."
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I drove the crown range in my e46 back in october, nice flowing road. and some great scenery to boot. ++recommended.
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PS: I'd have no issue with the M57D25 variant. PPS: as with most e60 (except the M5 or other smg-equipped of course), prudent service of the 6HP26 or 6HP19 trans is recommended.
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yes indeed, I'm looking at the same option. Though need a new contract! I've driven a couple of the earlier 530D's, they're comfortable mile-munchers. the heavy lump in front changes the balance a little over benzine powered e60, though still a lovely BMW drive. They certainly pick up when the loud pedal is encouraged. Sadly diesel doesnt seem to be covered in the "so you've bought yourself an e60" pdf. As Dan mentioned, swirl flaps potentially disastrous - easy and inexpensive delete. LCI seem to be harder to find, I understand the improved iDrive is favoured, and lower risk of flappage issues. Options commonly found in NZ include the lighting package, active headlights, active steering, spare wheel, leather interior. Filters seem more expensive than petrol. Service intervals seem good. So overall, the same e60 areas of concern (water leaks flooding electronics etc - see the "so you've bought yourself an e60" pdf), and as with any BMW, evidence of regular maintenance. Needs good long runs to avoid soot buildups and DPF problems. There's been a nice e60 530D for sale in CHC for a while, has Dynamic Drive as well (I think similar to the M5)... wonder if that's a maintenace liability with age, or just a seriously cool option to feature in a mile-munching distance car?
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drill a fekking great hole in the boot lid for access, and when you're done, cover it up with a huge 1990's shopping trolley handle spoiler. job's a good un. oh wait, it's not an e30. I'll get me coat then.
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Last I heard, Vijay had moved on, wanting a change. He may be tutoring?
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well it's possible, Kyu. Oil leaks, one immediately thinks M54 - but of course they appeared in early e60's as well... so a good point you make. so Kylie, is yours an e39 or an e60? Time to post some pics, too!
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I'm not up with the play these days. Used to be reinforced concrete block wall for boundary (with neighbour's permission), or if you had to do a fire-rated wall (a metre from the boundary), it was two layers of fire-gib (not a huge inconvenience/expense)... I dunno about the parts... having had all that machining done, perhaps best to put it all together with plenty of assembly lube and turn it from time to time. Someone here who knows the real oil will no doubt be along soon. Perhaps storing with plenty of protective oil is the go. What's your lvvta guy say about the brakes for your cert?
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Hopefully this is the turning point, John!
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welcome, Kylie. Your e39 should benefit from the skills and expertise of a trusted independent workshop (or indeed a BMW dealer if you're feeling flush). Welcome to the joys of BMW ownership. You'll want a good assessment to figure out what's up with the tractor noises, and, what's been deferred/missed/avoided that should be addressed to bring it up to spec. When they're well-fettled, our BMWs give joy for the way they drive and perform. They can be a bit fussy though, and don't respond to neglect. Fortunately you're in the right place, there are a bunch of experienced, friendy and enthusiastic BMW-heads around here, and we have the benefit of some excellent forum sponsors. You might want to contact Botany Motor Worx - you'll see *Glenn* around here providing intelligent and precise advice and moderation (sposor of the Maintenance room - to discuss your needs. Also take a look at the "Meetings" room, you'll see the Auckland contingient get together for cars and coffee meets regularly. welcome! Keep us updated on how you get on, and don't be afraid to ask. cheers
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Bho is still at Page European, along with Clive of this parrish. New owner is Umesh, they seem to have more peops on the tools and are getting busy. In short, my experience is that there's the same old honest, reliable and engaging professional independent workshop. ** Auto38 also worth consideration, I was a customer back when Jon & Keren were trading as JK Southern Euro. ** new branding underway, now with an Audi instead of an M3. Page's have been doing "other marques" for some time, now they're branding to reflect this. I think they do plenty of VW work given proximity to Gazely.
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welcome, Sam. Tastey looking motor. I believe factory bluetooth wasn't introduced until later, though there should be options available for you to bluetooth in. e60's rock.
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looking good, Toby. A couple of questions/suggestions/comments having read through it. what bhp/torque are you expecting to make? I note you're looking to go coil overs; you going for stiffer ARB's to match? You going to uprate the braking to match the new power? May be as simple as slotted rotors/better pads/braided lines, or a retrofit from a newer model? suggest you store that lovely manifold in a box on the ground; a good shake (quake) will see it slip off your toolbox Water main under garage shouldn't be an issue, likely you'll need to encase it in thick concrete. My mate has a large stormwater drain under his, when he built it around '86 the council just made him encase it as part of their buildiing consent. That'd just increase your building and comliance costs. Keep the updates coming, looking good. Mind no surface rust forming on those parts, yeah?
