Cammsport

Awesome video, I should've googled it earlier.

$28,100 for that white X5. Not bad buying to be fair, for whoever won it. I hope the new owner cares for it well, especially if this is the tidiest X5 out there. I also wonder what it was worth brand new 10 years ago? Would it be $100k in depreciation?

Good Idea I reckon

He has spent a heck load on maintenance. EGR cooler failed, rear door actuator and stuts failed, rear air bag struts leaking, various suspension components replaced (expected). Couple grand each visit.

It's on the watchlist! Ticks all my boxes. I totally agree re power. And the n57 could be a lot better than the N47?

Hi all, about this time last year we were looking at diesel E70's. I never got around to pulling the trigger on one and we moved to the South Island. Now that we've found ourselves being in a more "outdoorsie" situation, we're back on the hunt for a 7 seater 4WD. I was keen on a E70 30D/40D. But since last year we have bought a e87 120D N47, and it has been an absolute lemon! (have a look here if you like sight-unseen lemons) Since then I have realised that diesels are pretty expensive to service with things like injectors, HP fuel pumps and timing chains (on the power delivery side of the engine) if you're unlucky. Not to mention the carbon build up if it hasn't been cared for correctly due to the emissions critical componentry. Also, my main parts suppliers like FCP aren't euro diesel friendly. Also, diesel isn't far off premium petrol prices down here. Not to mention diesel kms on top. I understand that the 35i's aren't as torquey or efficient, but are there any other cons to the N55? The forums seem to suggest they're ok and single turbo vs the N54 seems like there's less to go wrong? Tell me what you reckon. P.s my ideal checklist, if you happen to know of something on the market is... Alpinweiss (for sun baking avoidance). 7 seats. Leather (heated). Adaptive cruise. Facelift. NZ new. Some form of servicing history. Less than 160,000kms and $20k. I don't ask for much, right? More post-script.. I love this forum. Cheers everyone.

Does it make you feel better that its an Aussie company too? Dogs.

E30 coupe M52B28 0.175 hp/kg 0.1304 kW/kg 😅

@Bronsk that's a bugger. Some satisfaction I guess in that you found a fault? Yea I'll pull the motor out regardless and change the timing gear for peace of mind. I'm also going to borrow the borescope from work to see if there's any damage to bores etc.

What's everyone's consensus on mounting exterior panels? I've used 3M auto tape before but I worry it eats into the paint. I've seen @Olafpost about sealent/windscreen glue. What's everyone's thoughts? I don't want anything too permanent as my mind changes like the weather. Definitely not keen on drilling through the boot lid.

Hi all, I'm after a few tools for N47. I'd hugely appreciate any leads on where I could source/borrow them. -compression testing adapter -leakdown test kit -timing gear tools Thanks in advance!

It seems extremely unlucky to me too. I'm definitely not going to another garage, after receiving thst bill. I would've rather spent that money on a borescope, compression test and leakdown test tools (which I'm now going to do anyway, to double check). Apparently acetone down the cylinders is an old trick to free up seized rings, so that could be a goer too. Don't have much to lose.

Hahaha, anything on the cards at the moment if I can't source a nice N47D20. I've always been loyal to the M52... 🤔 Kidding 👀

8 hrs seems like alot of labour, but I'll take it on the chin and move on I guess! Trying to find a motor and I'll start on the swap as soon as I get the car back.

A BMW/MB/JAG independent in Queenstown

Have had another chat with the workshop. Getting pretty frustrated to put it lightly. I asked what was the compression on the other cylinders. "have only checked #1 and #2, #1 is 250psi and #2 is 150". Compression significantly picked up with abit of oil in the cylinders and then faded again. No air can be heard/felt from tge intake/exhaust manifolds. Apparently to check cylinders 3 & 4 "would be around 3 to 4 hours labour due to access". I asked if they had a boroscope to check inside the bore, "oh yea we might do, I'd have to ask around". I asked if the timing had been checked, "yea that could be another step". He said if the timing was off, he'd expect error codes. They can't see any codes, like i couldn't with ISTA. He's going to get back to me with a full job card of what they've done. I don't know how I'm already $1k+ in the hole for a code readout and for compression testing two cylinders. I've been watching alot of m539 lately and old Streten has definitely given me some motivation. The madman puts himself through alot of pain. I'm considering collecting the vehicle and doing my own analysis. I'd find a leakdown kit and really make sure what was happening on all 4 cylinders. I'd buy a boroscope and check to see what the bores/pistons look like. Then most likely pull the engine, split the block and go from there. Options would be rebuild (if the cylinder walls aren't too damaged) or find an engine to swap out. The N47 is looking hard to find. Either of these options gives me tge chance to replace tge timing gear too. First lemon I've bought. Frustrating, but worse things have happened. Let me know if you have the scoop on an engine!

Long time, no update! Not a Heck of alot to tell on the E30 front. Had a dyno day Aug '21 that was great fun. Was interesting to see what power the M52 put out with 200,000kms on the clock. 122rwkw or 163hp at the wheels. We've recently moved south, so in the mean time the E30 has been put on the back burner (modification wise at least). Recently bought an E87 120d and it's turned out to be a lemon. So the e30 has come to the rescue! Happily carrying out the daily commute around Central Otago. Making some friends at work. And some more E30 goodness (or maybe sadness?) at a museum down here. Cars look to be in a pretty bad way. I don't think the owners realise the fairly recent rise in value of these cars over the last couple of years. Bought a replica Mtech1 spoiler from Mr Bodykits as I have always like the shape. Technically not correct being on a FL E30, but I like it! Only mocked up in the pictures. Need to colour code the forward portion and find a rubber like paint for the rear portion. And then mount it. Probably this weekends job.

Could've been "bad compression, especially on #2", but I'll ring them on Tuesday and go over a few things. Like checking the timing

Not the best news from the mechanic. Compression test shows low numbers on #2 cylinder and a leak down check shows its not from the top end. He thinks because the engine was so sooty, that it could be coked up piston rings that aren't spreading freely. He said if it was his, he'd be replacing the motor. Couple of options. 1)have them investigate further, head off etc and see what the issue is. This will take me further down the rabbit hole with no garunteed fix. 2)have them source a 2nd hand engine and replace it. This'll be very costly I'd imagine but the quickest. 3)i source and swap the engine myself. The cheapest but most time spent. And I worry that its something electrical and the car still doesn't start 😅 Anyone have a N47D20 lying about?

No solution yet @Bronsk. I dropped the car off to a place in Queenstown on 27/08 that specializes in BMW/Jag etc. They called called a couple of days later, and they couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start (partial relief that I didn't miss anything obvious/worry that they won't find the fault). Their next step was to order a special compression tester from BMW in AKL as their one kept getting blown off apparently. His suspicion is that its compression (or lack of) related as it sounds like it is turning over too quickly. Bloody diesels.

Unfortunately not. The plan is to replace the leaky injector and the throttle body that keeps throwing codes (I don't think this will fix it) and if it still won't start, it's getting trailered to an independent euro place in Queenstown. I don't have the space/time/patience to continue fault finding to the point of pulling cam covers to check timing etc. I'll have to suck it up and accept the bill! Support local right... 😅

Does anyone have N47 cam locking tools to check timing?

Target pressure is being struck. Voltage spiking at injectors when turning over.

Yea private sale. And I don't *think* she put me wrong. My friend collected it and had no issue for the couple of days he had it. No chain noise. Quiet as a diesel can be. I'd be interested to hear what a N47 sounds like with the injectors unplugged. I feel like it's cranking fine considering there's nil help from combustion. I'll prep for valve cover off 🤦 Like I said earlier, I don't feel like it's anything catastrophic because it drove 450kms with stops in between, no worries. No laziness to it at all and ran fine. I'm sure it's a sensor/DDE/electrical fault. Whether that's induced by the negative temperatures or pure bad luck, who knows.

Give me some of your motivation Sam 😅 I reckon put the badges on. Doesn't look too much at all!