TermiPeteNZ

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...

Agreed. You sound like you're a good fit and going in eyes open. I've had a coil go too, plus bonnet struts. Previous owner had the E60 sunroof drain blockage issue that needed a lot of the interior removed to be dried. Done 2 front tyres after getting a massive bolt in the front left Fuel level sensor is a bit meh - replaced one sender but still not quite accurate. Since my final drive/diff service at Winger I'm getting LSD binding/slipping which is irritating - even after replacing the fluid with the stuff containing the special additive.

You might like this article: https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/m5-e39-vs-m5-e60-vs-m5-f90/39295 And if you are buying a vehicle and getting an MBI, please do join the Club and you'll get a great deal on an Autosure policy that you can attach to a privately purchased vehicle, provided you have had a PPI from an Autosure-approved garage or inspector. However you buy the vehicle, pre-existing faults that came up at the inspection or that appear immediately won't be covered by an MBI.

Hey @Jun and welcome to BimmerSport I'm based here in Welly and have only had my E60 M5 for just under 2 years. It's an epic vehicle and I have one as it is a 'bucket list' item for me. In terms of MBI, if you look at Autosure (DPL/Turners) an M5 fits into Category D (Executive) and the thresholds for claims are: Gold policy - max age 12 years, max KMs 160,000, excess $500, max claim value $5000 Platinum policy - max age 10 years, max KMs 100,000, excess $500, max claim value $10,000 This is based on the latest rate cards I have - so don't take this as gospel. Gold example is below. So you'll have trouble attaching a MBI to most E60 M5s as they're just too old. In the last year I've seen 1 2009 M5 come up and most are 2005-2007. So if you want a performance 5-series with your risk covered, you're best to go for an E60 LCI or F10 550i MSport (Category C) where you can get affordable cover for longer for less money, or step up to a F10 M5, with prices starting around $55K. My M5 is on ~143KMs now and has had clutch done, along with one actuator - but not the rod bearings yet as my MBI expires in a few weeks. Rod bearings is on my to-do list for next year and I'll get prices from a couple of places before doing it (e.g. Winger, Page). I've had my regular garage (Driscoll Motors) service my 545i (Richard's now), my E53 X5 and my M5 and they've been good - but recently I've had Winger look after the M5 (service, actuator replacement) as I just wanted M-car specific knowledge. I love the vehicle and it puts a grin on my face every time I drive it (windows down of course!) Happy to catch up and have a yak. Presumably you've driven one already? FYI this one in Welly is being sold by one of the techs at Winger: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1822874372.htm Pete

Think I've seen this in a speed camera pic been shown by a young chap snapped speeding in his E90. Likely there's been some hooning and this is the result Sad to see and hopefully everyone involved is OK.

Meh. Still waiting to get my X5 back... not sure if the parts have even arrived. That 4.8is sold pretty quickly

Beautiful car and hard to price given it is so rare. Recommend looking at UK values as the biggest RHD market.

@NZ BMW most offers vary by region, but some are available nationally to members as is the case with the MBI deal. Please note the Autosure offer is through a particular dealer, can be attached to vehicles you already own but a vehicle condition inspection will be required ; and pre-existing issues won't be covered (which seems fair!).

This was the first thing that needed to be done on my M5 … a droopy bonnet sucks!

Still waiting on parts for the transmission - using the E60 M5 as daily driver but that's in at Winger today for O2 sensor and thermostat replacement to deal with stalls occurring when idling. Here's the summary of what Zane found: BMW X5 V8 Reg JHC777 236744 KMs Transmission fault : leaking oil from front of transmission. Remove exhaust , covers, drive shaft, part of suspension to enable removal of transmission. Disassemble transmission clean & check. Convertor lockup lining has broken up causing damage to front pump housing, gears & convertor neck. Clutch packs showing signs of burning. Bearings through hardening. Ouch! Total cost to me for rebuild after Autosure max claim on old high km vehicle = ~$4500 Just saw this 4.8is come up for sale not far away... tempting (I think? ) https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1836240753

Welcome Stephen - time to go for a classic! Both of these will be relatively rare - especially the E28 so I expect patience will be required. Hope you've had a blast with the F10 - I certainly enjoy my E60

Welcome back Mike 40D must nice - lot of oomph for low MPG!

Welcome!