Audidude

Awesome job! Braver than me!

These wheels are OEM on the Z4 M Coupe. Need them because previous owner sold them off my Z4 M Coupe! ? Cheers

Sorry, mine's a 1999 too. You running an E39 M5 in Targa?

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Here's another for the project..... Sent from my SM-G928I using Tapatalk

Congrats Alex! Pity we couldn't meet up on your way up, but definitely need to got these two Avus Blue classics together for a photoshoot soon. If I had a slot free in my shed for another car, an E46 M3 would be high on a very short list, as it's a great daily driver. My current daily driver is an Amarok............ Chalk and cheese of course but as a daily driver, a race car tow and service vehicle, plus transport for 2 Labs, the 'Rok has no peers! I'm sure you know heaps about the M5 already, and I'd be really interested to hear your feedback of the driving experience. As I said to you, I am more of an Audi fan than BMW (ducks), but ever since the first M5 came out I've had a huge desire to own one. In the year of owning mine I've put on about 5000 km, every one a total driving pleasure. I'm stunned by the sheer grunt of the engine, the massive torque from the very bottom of the rev range, the instantaneous throttle response from the normally aspirated engine, the brilliant steering on lock (a slight vagueness about the straight ahead courtesy of recirculation ball setup, unique in the E39 range due to space constraints), the short throw 6sp manual gearbox, and the wolf in sheep's clothing stealth. Things I don't like? Having driven Audi quattro for 20 years, I still haven't got used to the danged traction control lighting up so regularly. Much improved since fitting a new set of Bridgestone RE11s. And the horrific fuel consumption. But in an occasional uses car not a huge problem. That's about it. The E39 M5: last of the pure Driver's M5s!! And before Bangle screwed up the styling!! The epitome of the Ultimate Driving Machine

Absolutely. The attraction of this car at this age is it's collectability. If all you want is a fast good looking driver's car there are plenty of good options for less money. But the E39 M5 is a very special car (I don't need to tell this forum why) , and as such worth more the more original it is. Modified examples will always sell for less than factory originals. NZ new with full service history, and personal contact with owner is worth gold. That's what I bought. I paid good money and got what I paid for..

1999 E39 M5 Avus Blue Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's a bit plain, thoght I'd sticker it up a bit................

No, last year was 2011. Needed new cars for class entry, too hard basket sadly. That's why I drove with Gotz last year, who had hired their RS4 previously to KTN. the Scirocco was a fantastic car with great history having been driven to 11th overall in 2008 by Hans Stuck and Carlos Sainz. Much faster than the Civics. A blast! ☺

Thanks and yes I've already decided to keep original headlights - I am a fan of keeping collectible cars as close to original as possible. This car is definitely a keeper..........

Main course plated up:

And here's the final steed:

Right here (and you're right - the best ute of all): [/url]

Are these a straight swap-in for a pre-facelift car?

Always great to read a good story from an enthusiast. Excellent write up thanks.

Underwhelmed by a car that outperformed supercars in its day? Maybe you had the wrong goalposts ☺.. Even today my 20V is a ripping drive and devastating cross country GT. But you need to stretch it and drive it hard to appreciate it's qualities. And also not be biased towards RWD

That's the one, Phil.

Finally got some decent photos done: [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url]

Ordered. Should be on car in couple of weeks............ will post pic.

Those are old pics, no time for good ones of M5 yet. Promise some this weekend. New plate going on too.

1996 (the original) DC2 Integra Type R low ks (80,000) long term keeper - despite what my service crew keep saying, it is NOT a donor car for the race car!! Note that the ill-fitting bonnet has been replaced with a perfect one. [/url] [/url]

My 20V Ur quattro - 1st road trip from Hamilton to Cromwell for the opening of the Highlands Motorsport Park, Easter 2013: [/url] [/url] [/url] [/url]

Thanks Matt - remember well our last meeting and the meeting of icons of the road!

Thanks for the welcome guys - very late here - picked up car off transporter then strangely got lost on way home............ Can't believe how agile and responsive this car is despite weighing in around 1800kg! Will put up pics of M5 tomorrow, and by request the quattro and DC2 also. (not the race car - that's undergoing an engine transplant - K20A ftw in a dc2 chassis!) Cheers