Olaf

Agreed - the sticky ring scenario is a bit tenuous. And hell, why would anyone use other than oil conforming to BMW LL01 5W30 unless it’s used on a race track? Assuming no leaks, Misfire due to coil breakdown is more likely. After my PCV System was done, I was getting occasional misfire codes. I replaced all the coils, it’s been sweet since then. If your coils are the later clip-in (not bolt-in) style, and don’t want to go to the expense of a full set, there’s three for sale in the ‘For Sale’ room, it’ll be a good few pages back now. HTH

nahhhh. someone will recognise the genius in your revisions and remediations.

yep, I got the recall notice from BMW NZ for my 2002 e46 last week. will be visiting the website soon. it's already had front passenger bag replaced under recall, I guess now it's time for the driver.

I've rebuilt my DISA with a kit - with a kit from i7 automotive https://www.i6automotive.co.uk/vehicle-parts/bmw/bmw-disa-valve-intake-adjuster-unit-aluminium-repair-kit-2-2-2-5.html Improved throttle response and midrange to a small degree... nothing to do with misfires. i6 Automotive quality kit, arrived quickly from UK, I think I bought via eBay (easy!) and it was less expensive than German Auto Solutions. Took me less than an hour, including dropping a couple of bolts. First: a good scan of the car. Then, if it's air leaks (lean codes), PCV system (all those hoses etc), intake boot etc are likely culprits. If you're getting misfire codes on specific cylinders, probably your coils. Replace all six at once, might as well do your plugs while you're in there. HTH

Wow, that's comprehensive work. It'll be time to sell it, when you've finished!

the V12 will give you better fuel economy!

Buying: @zero - purchased e46 parts. Would trade again! @TermiPeteNZ - would I buy a used car from this man? I did, and have no regrets! @Barryn - Autoglym... can't beat this! @Lewis91 - straightforward, great comms, a number of transactions. @Family Wagon - Hagen is superb to deal with, exceptional communications, accommodating, patient. @Rob HB1 - brilliant to deal with @modz - outstanding. great comms, item as described, easy to do business with. @Mikan - accommodating, great communications, a gent.

Since I last updated, I had annual service check and WoF done. Ahead of the WoF I had the seat ocvupancy Mat replaced (the light had come up on the dashboard, and was diagnosed). The intelligent battery sensor cable that I sourced isn’t a direct replacement (it’s an updated part), so install was deferred. And, significantly, the PCV diaphragms were replaced (there’s one for each bank in the N62), which seems to have reduced smoking at idle. I’ve been away down south, and the car ran beautifully. On the weekend, this happened: Batty was as flat as a totally flattened thing. Couldn't get it idling after a jumpstart. Flat-decked to workshop (thanks AA!) yesterday. Now it's getting batty recharged, investigation, update to the new Intelligent Battery Sensor, and battery fully tested. Also checking to see any recalcitrant items not shutting down correctly.

not at all! the 850 is *all curves*, cleverly designed to look like it's boxy, carrying on the familial identity. with a cD of 0.32, it's gotta be curvaceous!

PS: what's the point of waiting for "the right one" to dip your toe in the water? Get your ass behind the wheel of a 550i, and a 550i motorsport. If you like it, you can then do your sums, and find the perfect white one to buy. And also drive an e90 330i. I think the complexity and associated costs of a 335i will really scare you off.

I'm pretty sure you're already spending more than $2k per year already on your Subaru. If you're not, it's just another Subaru WRX waiting to hand-grenade at 180k kms, surely? Is an estimate of $2k-2k5 concerning you because you don't currently have a clear understanding of what it costs to run a car year to year? Tax department says around 73c per km this year; I don't have the current AA costs though on previous history they'll be higher (fuel, rego, insurance, maintenance, depreciation). Yes, at 73c/km that's $7,300 a year based on 10,000 kms running, and most people say "what, how'd they get that?", 'cos they just pay rego, insurance and fuel without thinking about it, suck in their teeth when they get a repair bill, and never think about the cost of depreciation. I think you'll find the BMW isn't a lot different to a high performance Subaru needing servicing, diff oils etc, and what about that cabbelt service and sparkplug replacement? They're costly on Subaru due to access issues. Suggest you price the parts for an e60 550i: Retail on Air filter, oil filter, 2x cabin filters, 8 litres of longlife synthetic oil, a couple of hours labour. There's your annual service covered. Now add rego and insurance. Tyres are $1000-$1200 over two years (unless you've got staggered 19's). Add a $350 excess for one unexpected repair covered under MBI. $60 for an alignment, annually. And then add a margin for a service item or two with a couple of hours labour; perhaps it's your suspension end links, or a couple of coils and a set of plugs; these are once-in-100kms items. Might be the year you do the cooing system service, or the brake fluid replacement; each of these is every two years (it's smoother if they are staggered alternate years), they're not drastically expensive but they must be done. Seriously, if that seems expensive, just make "The Sony decision" and buy the appropriate Toyota. That is, in the same way that buying a Sony product will generally get you a reasonable level of reliability and performance in any consumer electronics segment without needing to compare against anything else in the market, you're basically sorted with a Toyota. As my mate says, in any given field: "if you play, you pay". Hope that helps.

yeah mate, on the previous page

today on my 855-T5, I replaced an H1 dipped beam bulb, and a sidelight bulb. Under $8 incl GST, sweet. Took about 7 mins, no tools needed. Ready for a new WoF next week. It's done 195,700 kms now. Pretty good for a 20 year old car. Happy days.

cool car, man. and indeed, rare as rockinghorse sh*t. keep at it.

$2k5+ per year would be my guideline. that covers an annual service (about a grand), tyres every couple of years, and some claims excesses on your MBI. Pretty good for a car that was over $150k when new. It's not a factory hotted-up japanese shopping trolley! Sounds like your mileage isn't high if it's weekend fun only... be prepared to travel out of town more, though; it makes long-distance travel very accessable and enjoyable.

I can't work out what's "rare" (referring to the advert). An e30 coupe? The Toyota V8? I'll get my coat...

yeah, there's something about the stance and tyres with the protection version as well.

nope, they all have the ZF 6HPxx trans. the V8's have the 6HP26, the sixes have the 6HP19 (from memory). It's totally sublime the way it shifts. They have a sports mode (aka tiptronic in other marques) - sharpens the shifts, holds gears longer, kicks down sooner etc, plus you can manual shift it.

I love how the OP comes on, says he really likes a 550, and others start recommending 3ers. How soon before an e92 V8 M3 Coupe is recommended?

Welcome, Amrit. Pete has pretty much summed it up, above. My additional comments re e60 V8: PPI esstential: DO NOT BUY without a PPI from either a BMW Dealership or a known BMW Independent specialist. Anyone else just will not know enough about these cars to make the $150-200 you spend worthwhile. Acceleration: the 550i will give you the punch in the back you're accustomed to in your WRX, it just does it in a different way... it subtly propels you to 100 in the range of 5.4 to 5.7 seconds; I think that falls into the "quick enough" category. Info: If you can't find info on the web, you're just not googling hard enough! There's a bunch of fans of the e60 in the USA. There's a pdf from one of the forums that is frequently updated called "so you've bought an e60" (or similar), it gives you plenty of what you need to know about these cars. (I see Pete has provided linkage). DO Continue to ask here though; we're a welcoming community and all are happy to share knowlege and experience. an e60 - particularly a V8 - will not reward you for scrimping on maintenance. You're buying a $150-180k car at around 12cents in the dollar; there's a reason it was pricey, and a reason it's depreciated. Bangernomics does not apply here! Be prepared to open your wallet along with your heart, as the e60 V8 charms the pants off you and cries out for parts. MBI recommended. As Pete says, you should consider a comprehensive MBI from a reputable provider. There's no dissent amongst our ranks that the Vero-backed policies are preferred. You'll read about valve stem seals and the 550i. 5er vs 3er: As for the comment re preferring a 3-series, the 5 series is a far more sophisticated car; you'll be surprised about how capable the 'big' saloon is. True 50:50 weight distribution in the e60. And yes, I'm hugely impressed with the active anti-roll system Dynamic Drive. You should try both a Motorsport and a standard (with DD) and then choose what your butt needs. The 5er is remarkably capable in the bends. Try them both (3er and 5er). Transmission. It's the 6-speed ZF trans, it's a BEAUTY. What it isn't, is lifetime fill as per BMW advertised servicing. at 100k kms you should spend the money, have the trans serviced by a specialist... this requires new pan/filter, new bolts (x21), mechatronics sleeve, and the correct ATF for this trans. Do not f$%k around with the ZF6HP series, they'll bite you if ignored. Do read up on this, it's pretty straightforward - ZF has recommended service periods. Living with it - every time I drive it, it puts a smile on my face. Great brakes, amazing drivetrain package, 50:50 weight distribution, more power than I need, and reasonable fuel economy on a trip. The active steering is superb. People bag the origninal iDrive; I drove a brand new Commodore SV6 for the last two days and although the latest Holden equivalent has continued to improve, it's still nearly impossible to use while driving, in contrast to iDrive. There are a variety of interior finishes to choose from; take your pick. In summary: They're a comfortable, capable, spacious vehicle with excellent safety and a spacious boot. I call mine an SS Commodore in a German suit. They're not cheap to keep on the road, though they do reward. You can hunt out my thread in the showroom that I generally update with maintenance.

the armourer's dream. Speaking of armour, I saw the US Ambo's offical BMW 7er the other day, can't be sure but did think it was a High Security 760Li. the window frames were very different.

sounds super, nice work Michael! has it improved your perforance too?

those are rather efette looking rims!

there are a few in Wellington; my choice of the Bridgestone franchise in Torrens Terrace in Wellington is very good. I deal with the owner, he's been in the trade for many years, knows his onions, and is very good to do business with too.

you need to select the correct mode in the Prius. they can be driven very briskly indeed, though forget about corners. 'POWER' mode can get you away from the lights very quickly (think V8 speed).