Olaf

that's even more awesome than I'd pictured it, when you first mentioned this project. More pics! More details! What's left to do?

BNT are really good to deal with. Do tell us which Fuchs ATF you got. This will help others in future seeking the same solution, via the Search bicycle. Re big beard; is this what you tell your wife? "no darling, I can't go back to being clean-shaven, I'll lose my parts discounts!"

and pics, maaaan!

loving this. exactly the same as the one I missed out on last year... it's like I'm haunted by the e61 M535D... whenever I don't have a contract! GLWS. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

here's a thread I made earlier for the ZF 6HP26 (same trans, just greater torque rating)... I believe this has the info you seek. make sure you replace the bolts and the mechatronic sleeve (seal) too. If you're DIY-ing, you'll need to have the car dead level, and you need the software (or an infrared thermometer) as you sort the level out at cold (initially) and then warm (running - but not hot)...

Good call!! Until it's worn out, it'll give you better (more reliable) service at a lower cost.

Hi Tim FWIW, my e46 also has ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z variant). It was fully rebuilt by Hutt Automatics, reinstalled by Page European with Penrite ATF Full Synthetic (ATF-FS). It's running like a swiss watch 5 years later. Sorry, I forget if mine has the Green rating plate! You might consider a pre filter change drain and fill... run it for 500-1000kms then do the full dump and filter change. Buying the Penrite in volume (e.g. 20L pack) brings the price down, esp during sales weekends. HTH.

What's the part number for the steering coupler, please? And are they pricey? I think my e46 touring (325i) could do with one.

165xxxkm: CEL. Last week I had a CEL come up during the school run. '! warning, reduced power' my son read out from the main display. it felt a little different... just about at school and I accelerated out of an intersection... well, my right foot said 'go' and the car said 'wait, what?'. I popped in to Page Euro, they did a quick scan... looking like lean codes, so it may have an air leak. We reset the oil change counter reflecting the recent oil and filter, and reset the codes... monitoring. If I get more, it'll be in for air leak diagnosis and repair.

Araldite or similar epoxy?

since last update, it went for the WoF. It failed on a broken fog lamp, which turned out to be a bit of a hassle... I ended up sourcing one brand new from ebay from USA for USA40. And it needed left hand LCA bushings. That's why it had been pulling to the left under braking! For the last TWO YEARS. Nice one VTNZ, you were on your 'a game' for the last three WoF's, eh?! More on the LCA's - I'd replaced them five or six years ago (so only about 25k kms at most) with Meyle HD parts. Odd that they'd died already. Anyway, my partner in volvo crime had a set of genuine volvo bushes in his parts stash, so we had those fitted. Job done. It's now had a coat of wax, and is going up FOR SALE. It's looking spiffy, running well.

Hiya Gaz, sorry I'd not seen your question earlier. 2005+ - should be a comfortable, safe swedish battle tank! Your family is much better off in that than a Mazda MPV. You'll find it a little different to work on than BMW, though not particularly difficult. Plenty of support via forums in the US and UK. I'm pretty sure the running gear is essentially the same basic kit as the P80 (850/V70) and later P2 platform. P3 platform is shared with Mondeo etc. Congratulations on your impending fatherhood. Nothing will ever be the same again! Though, in a good way.

Bimmersport is one forum, all parts of BMW, throughout the country. Many participants are also members of the BMW Car Club NZ. The club is largely Auckland, though there's a Waikato/BOP, Wellington, and Christchurch. Each of these have their own Facebook pages. You should find plenty of info and experience about the 335i - on Bimmersport, or from BMW Car Club NZ. HTH Loving the Le Mans Blue!

replace.

welcome! Nice looking e90, which blue is that? good to see Christchurch continuing to grow, hopefully there'll be some meetups happening soon too...

my 2002 e46 325i trans was fully rebuilt, they refilled it with Penrite full synthetic (it as 8L for a full fill from dry) ATF F5. It's still running nicely - and shifting really smoothly - since Jan 2013, around 60k kms... oh, nearly time for a precautionary change! You should be able to source it in 20L barrel or enviro-box... as you're doing two, may pay off in bulk-buy saving. http://penriteoil.com.au/products/atf-fs-full-syn You might consider doing a drain and fill, running it for 500-1000kms, then doing the full drain, pan clean, filter replacement etc, and refill... there are pros and cons, and plenty of opinions. Other option (which I did for my Volvo: the home driveway 'power change' ... draining 1.9L each time via the outlet pipe from the trans into the cooler, shutting off, replenishing with fresh fluid, re-starting, running through the gears, then draining out another 1.9L, rinse and repeat until nice raspberry coloured fluid came out again (14L DEXIII in total). Worked well. HTH. EDIT - I see REPCO advertising Oil Bonanza (50% off) this weekend. Let them buy your business! Read the fine print - it's probably *not* restricted to store stock.

the e46 does not have this problem; completely different cabin filter and shroud design. this is an e60 "design feature"

1561kms later (trip to Auckland and back), it’s running rather well ?

w00t! loos great, Dave. good score.

163945km: Oil and Filter. Hengst again, and Penrite HPR5 5W40. What came out was more like very brown coffee, rather than black dirty oil. It had only been in 5,511kms/6-odd months. Filter looked good, doing it's job, no filings evident. e60/e61 owners please note: I also vacuumed out the housings around the wiper cowling, ended up removing the covers and cabin filters. WOW - that was an electrical issue waiting to happen, with the amount of leaves and debris that had built up since I replaced the filters. If you're running an e60/e61, and it spends any time parked outdoors (particularly near trees), please DO check this regularly.

today I washed and waxed it, using Auto Glym products. 3 days, 3 cars. (Volvo, then e46, now e60). Neighbour said "they look like they've just been bought! What are you using?". @Barryn you can expect another call... Tomorrow, interior detail, then later on, oil and filter change.

If you choose that route, please, ensure the space saver spare is strapped down. Imagine the mass of that item airborne in your cabin in event of a rollover; this is why the WoF guys check that the spare is secured.

clocked the interwebs!

PS: Oil Leaks that make my Volvo 850 look oil-tight.

your optimism is breezy and encouraging. I take issue with your characterisation of the contributions here as "negative". Please, take a read of the tales of woe as regards e46 with N42 and N46 on this forum. They're well known - deservedly - as the BMW engine to avoid. From plastics failures, timing chains jumping teeth, and the costly repair/replacement and re-synching of the valtronic kit, it's generally a question of when rather than if on these particular motors. It's fact, not negativity. Don't expect a "there there you can do anything" optimism where the N42 and N46 are concerned. The kind of drugs required to maintain that view cut deep into the racing/repair/acquisition budgets! If @zero's experiences - relayed in detail here don't convince you to tread carefully, crack on! You should - on the whole - find this a supportive and informative forum. Welcome, by the way.