TermiPeteNZ

This. Great vehicle to drive, cheap as to buy but purchase price = tip of the iceberg. Just wish I'd gone for a 4.6is or 4.8is in the first place and at least I'd feel like I'd sunk money into a truly special vehicle. Sorely tempted to pick one up as there's a bunch on the market but without thorough service history I'm paranoid I'd be starting all over again!

My 2001 M62TU V8 is sitting on 16l/100KM with the vast majority being work commute ... Never had a diesel but yes they use less fuel but don't like short journeys so much.

Welcome Wayne - sounds like a great collection!

Howdy Simon! Do add some pics of your 530D and hope to see you at some local events soon.

Good to meet you at the coffee meet Matt!

Welcome Phil +1 for Eurosurgeon

Well - this wasn't some - it was a lot... If you're not sure then get a trans service done. As per advice above … Even if BMW says 'lifetime sealed unit' change the oil in your transmission at each interval 50-60K KMs, and only use ZF oil. This will help it last longer.  "

Nup - 5HP24 in the pre-facelift/M62TU vehicles. No real symptoms actually - it drove well (maybe a bit of a mechanical whine when giving it some welly) - but there was an(other) oil leak which my garage was concerned about and recommended the trans specialist investigate. When he dropped the pan he found the metal filings.

Still enjoying my X5 - had a good blast over to the Wairarapa for the recent airshow … but not sure if fuel usage is worse since trans rebuild … Have seen quite a bunch of 4.6is and 4.8is for low $$ recently and wish I could switch without (a) writing off all my repairs and (b) feeling like I'd be starting all over again

Have you ended up doing anything @Gabe79? Have a read over this thread: E53 is a great vehicle - Greg's description of it being like a high-riding E38 is probably not far wrong. BUT like lots of old BMWs they can be a money pit so PPI, MBI are a must unless you'll be doing the work yourself. If you're going to get one, either buy one you really like and look after it ($$), or (eek) treat it as disposable ? Service history is highly desirable to see if some muppet like me has spent all the $$ sorting things out - so you don't have to.

Welcome Chris - see you tomorrow morning @ Chocolate Fish!

Looks beaut - agree on the colour scheme. For some collectors Alpinas are the bee's knees - typically rarer than M cars.

Welcome Scott - and congrats on the 135i! Looks great in blue - I'm assuming you swapped the black alloys off the car and had the OEMs put on?

I've had the thermostat replaced in my 545i, X5 and E60 M5 … ? I had a low RPM stall issue in the M5 and it had thermostat codes so in went the new one. Don't think I've noticed a change in fuel consumption in any of the 3 vehicles... so don't get your hopes up!

I've asked Driscoll Motors about doing the job with the Turner kit, and will also check with John at Auto38.

Hey Matt - I've got an E60 M5 with 143KMs on it here in Welly and I'm planning to do the same thing - but haven't started making enquiries yet … let me know if you get any positive responses.

Welcome to BimmerSport!

Welcome Mathew … nice M3 I'm planning to do my rod bearings later this year.

Welcome Simon E61 550i Motorsport is a great vehicle! As Leon says there's a few things on in the Lower North Island... http://bimmersport.co.nz/forum/26-wellington/ Southward Car Museum coffee and cars this Sunday 13th Jan and next 2 months Wgtn British & Euro car show in Upper Hutt 10th Feb https://www.facebook.com/events/2266755816938378/ Shannon Spectacular Car Show 17th Feb https://www.facebook.com/shannoncarshow/ Hawkes Bay Car Club Wheels on Windsor Show 10 Mar https://www.facebook.com/events/2216341551987238/ BMW Car Club National Festival Tukaanu/Turangi - 30 Mar - join the Club if you want to be part of this. The Club will be present at all of these in some shape or form I'm attending 1,4 & 5

Grinding noise going around tight slow corners is normal (grumpy diff) . Yes I have binding/slipping with my LSD since Winger did the 'Final Drive' (diff) service recently. Kinda annoying. Had them change the fluid to the one with additive but it's still doing it - but I'm not sure if they did the recommended driving pattern on the service bulletin. Am sceptical and have asked them if they did it ...

Well yes I am something of a keen bean ? The extended leather is a rare option. This is what the regular interior looks like... (well, except for the aftermarket steering wheel cover). And this is yours: Both look good, but yours is rarer.

Yep interior wear (usually driver's seat bolster) is a gauge of mileage There shouldn't be much at 55KMs. I think PPI is a good idea even from a dealer, especially for an older car. Also clears the air re MBI and state of the car when cover commences. The dealer may be thorough and responsible, but independent verification is always a good plan as you have to remember that they have different objectives ? It looks very tidy! Silverstone II on Silverstone Merino extended leather. I particularly like blue on white as a combo but it doesn't come up very often... Have you looked up the VIN on https://www.mdecoder.com/ to get the full detailed spec?

Congrats Jun! Yes the white interiors look beautiful - as long as you keep em clean 55KMs sure is low. Look forward to catching up at a meet in the near future. Be careful with all the tourist traffic on the way back, but it should be an epic drive. Make sure you tank up whenever you get the chance too! In terms of temp - yes no revving after turning the car on - keep it below 3-4K RPMs until the engine has warmed up (and there's a gauge for that …) Did you get a pre-purchase inspection done? - as an MBI won't cover pre-existing faults. If not, recommend you get a thorough check done here in Welly, or get a service done with check as part of it. BMW Club members get a free code scan from Auto 38 too - at the very least get this done.

Just got my 2001 E53 X5 back from the transmission rebuild by Automatic Transmission Repairs Ltd. Had a good chat with Zane who runs the place …and here's what he had to say: With the more modern 6-speed trans in E70s, they're coded to the car so you can't just swap in another unit. The older 5HP24 ZFs in the E53 and similar are not coded and can be exchanged with a 2nd hand unit. A BMW dealer processing a MBI claim will likely specify a whole new transmission rather than a rebuild which can be A LOT. So - better to use a reputable indy. We have seen a similar situation with the E60 550i repair quoted for the car Brett Taylor just purchased. Even if BMW says 'lifetime sealed unit' change the oil in your transmission at each interval 50-60K KMs, and only use ZF oil. This will help it last longer. A lot of the modern transmissions don't carry much oil, and don't really cool it down - and over time the oil degrades. Whatever you're doing always use the right oil, and the best oil you can. The 5HP24 is a decent transmission but you should expect a a rebuild as KMs go up. If you're getting a rebuild done, then it should be done thoroughly and using the newer iterations of the components as the 5HP24 was improved during its lifetime. After a rebuild, your vehicle it needs to go back for a check-up after 1000KMs Good guy to talk to, and he knows his stuff. Very pleased to have it back - enjoy driving it Transmission seems all good.

My wife is a bit fussy and she doesn't mind the SMG. She also doesn't really like it, but she copes fine. My kids love the M5 Also note that any Audi S is now in Cat D (not just RS) - here's the updated Autosure tables from ~March. Again - check with Jono at MTF...