Olaf

@adro Just putting together details for trip to Auckland this Weekend. Contact me if you want an exhaust carried. Preferably clean/wrapped.

I'm thinking VANOS seals are on the near horizon for my e46/M54. One of these days I'll have someone who's done the change, drive mine. It's not throwing codes, though my impressions are that it's lower on torque than it used to be... Do you ever attend the Wellington BMW Car Club/Bimmersport events?

Penrite HPR5 (5W40) meets LL01, and is effectively heavier than standard 5W30, if that's any help. Runs great in my M54. Have you changed out oil pressure sensor?

today (Tuesday 2 May, 2018): e46 at 184035kms. (6 years ownership, 72,000kms). - oil change (Penrite HPR5), oil filter (MAN-HU9254), Air Filter (MAN-C251141) - replaced steering coupler (BMW 32-30-6-761-571). E10 E-torx and wobble joint and extensions, 16mm socket, long pry-bar, red threadlocker. A ramp helps. Need to figure out how to straighten the steering wheel - oops. - also changed out Air Box mounting grommets (BMW 13711702508). There's a squeal that can occur when they wear out, at around 3000rpm. Many thanks to @Barryn for assistance! Next steps: Windscreen replacement, lock barrel replacement, new key, headlight lens remediation (again). And then in the next few months, the list of remedial maintenance; replace valve cover gasket (again), oil filter housing gasket (again), new spark plugs (again), auto trans filter and fluid (again), and probably VANOS seals.

It's nicely optioned up, too. I pulled the vin details:

you buy it, I'll (carefully) bring it to Auckland for you.

Arggghhhhhh, my eyes! I can't un-see that. What did that nice M6 do to deserve that cruelty? "ahem. If one needs a car with that appearance to attract a mate, perhaps sir might consider vacuum technology?" Seriously though, nothing that some decent wheels/tyres and a few hours removing wrap wouldn't fix... Chick magnet indeed. He'll be beaten by angry fathers!

"get rid of that bmw NOW! I can't fit the pram in it, and we need the money to rep[air your Audi for family duties - the lawn is growing around it and we're looking like rednecks!"

Not back to square one. Get it scanned by a specialist! Or are we wasting our breath here?

Wow. Just wow. Great work, tremendous attention to detail, and some beaut fabrication in there. The videos with the exhaust notes were music. Can't wait for the next installment!

Indeed, common issue with e60 is battery replacement without registration (cos people get charged for that), then the charging is wrong (it's still optimised for the old worn-out bettery), and new battery ends up pooched in a year or less...

The Koni Sports should be ideally suited with your M-Sport springs. in addition to the Demon Tweaks, you could try ebay.de - you'd be surprised how reasonably priced they are. The only reason I didn't go Koni Sport for my e60, was my 545i is on standard suspension and the sports are intended for lower springs (which your MSports are). I didn't want to change springs and have to consider impact on the active anti-roll. It should be much more straightforward with your e39. If I can beg a before and after ride with you, I'd be delighted.

Nice one. What's the score with the Airbag recall?

remember, the NZ customs website is your friend. used to be 'whatsmyduty.org.nz'.

you get to choose your carrier and service. DHL, UPS, FedEx, or 'bulk discount', and sub-selections for service. It's all on their site, go read and explore. I prefer FedEx express. The MyUS website is good, your in box works well, and you can use a phone app too.

yep, I recommend them. If you join under the Visa promotion, you get a bunch of benefits for no cost.

^^ this. Hey, one thing to bear in mind - after scanning and professional diagnosis - is something I read recently about e60 start problems (turns over but won't start): Bear in mind, this is a US site, don't think they got the diesel e60's... so you'd be reading the following, then checking on realOEM to confirm your vehicle has this module. http://www.bavtek.com/category/guides/n62-ism-module-issue/ To reiterate: As Grant mentions: please don't go merely substituting parts on an educated guess; these are very complex vehicles with many interrelated systems. You'll need extra-deep pockets to throw parts at it in the hope you'll sort it. Do enlist an experienced specialist (BMW Dealer or BMW Independent) to diagnose. The link above is not intended to provide you with your second avenue ahead of an experienced specialist! May the force be with you.

https://www.myus.com/welcome/visa/

nice tidy-looking example. nitrous? wow, that'll be interesting...

sweeeet! (link added above)

So this morning, after a knock on the door from the courier, I did this to my 2002 (LCI) e46 325i Touring: The reason I got these was: A 16 year-old Original Equipment LHS front indicator unit this morning, looking a bit foggy and worse for wear. PN 63137165847 A 16 year-old Original Equipment RHS front indicator unit this morning, looking slightly foggy and impact damaged. PN 63137165848 These were 18 Euro each (NZD29) for the TYC units (which are German TÜV approved), and eliminating the condensation and cracking keeps my car legal, so it won't have any WoF issues. The part numbers (2001-2005) are different from the US market ones. for info: RH= 63137165848 LH= 63137165847 I chose aftermarket (for a change), rather than Original Equipment, or the OEM option... these were cheap enough that I could have them lobbed in to the box with my new Steering Coupler. Which I purchased abroad as the $60 saving paid for these two indicator housings. Though I like to support our local dealers and BMW NZ, I just couldn't swing it on this occasion. Now to sort out e-torx socket for the steering coupler (steering guibo), and fit that.

Yeah, I find the BMW washer fluid good. I used to use Bars Bugs. And I've used a few others, like Castrol, Peak, some Supercheap house brand, and years ago I even tried Rain-X washer fluid. I was sticking with Bars Bugs, but found the chaff in my washer bottle less than ideal. A mechanic I used to use added some in a service, he reckoned it just worked better. With the BMW fluid you just run it down till the light comes on, then knock the top off the bottle and pour the whole lot in, then fill with clean water. Job done, till next time. I buy the BMW fluid by the ten or so, just put em in my workshop, and always keep a couple in the boot. Easy. I think they're less than $4 per bottle, from memory. So yes, it's more pricey than Bars Bugs, but it works better. And there's no webbing. It also has a nice lemon scent YMMV.

Yep, if you take a moment to consider and interpret the images, that supports the claim of asymetric. If you're ordering from abroad, I think you'll find the prices a little less spendy on FCP Euro compared with Amazon. Just order all three. You're paying the same freight anyway!