Gabe79

I think you're speaking at cross purposes. Any key needs a battery, full stop. The BMW Diamond shaped key charges off the coil around the ignition where the key rests. Your car probably does not have this feature, but even if it does... moot point, unless you are ordering the key from the dealer. The aftermarket keys that cost $15, and work perfectly well, do not use that system anyway, using a watch battery instead.

Very nice. Price? EDIT: I've never driven SMG, or even hand paddles. I can drive stick just fine. I need to address this gap in my experience...

That is a pretty car!

I am happy to program keys. Post your EWS and key to me and I can sort you out. I don't like to get involved in cutting, as the prices vary wildly and I don't have a good cost-effective solution near me though. Make sure you buy the right blade type for your key. If you post pictures of your key, I can advise which on ebay. Send me your VIN too, so I can verify the frequency you need.

As a driver of an electric car who doesn't fit any of the rest of your descriptions... I think you're incorrect generally. Surely there are people who love their petrol cars, just as there are those lovely folks who like "Rolling Coal" and such, but given there are viable electric daily drivers around, and the sheer quantity of Nissan Leafs on the road in Auckland... I think electrics as dailies are already here. It's waiting on the Teslas of the world to come down in price that is the ticket.

bump

My wife just informed me I am not allowed to buy another car. When questioned "Why not?" she wouldn't even dignify me with an answer! I'd love this as a project too. Good luck with the sale!

My dad had one like it back in the US... How much are you after for it?

Hi Brett, I know you have photos on trademe, but the rules here say you need photos here too, or your post might get deleted without warning... Nice car too, good luck with your sale!

Bump. Make me offers. Wife is not impressed with the garage space these are taking up.

Why do you have different wheels front and back?

Can you send me some detailed, up close pictures of the key? The key costs what it costs on that link above, $18ish. Round up to $20. Actually coding transponder to EWS takes half an hour or so, send self-addressed return envelope and I can post back same, or next day.

This is an interesting story... The original keys had transponder and remote built into the same board. The coil around the ignition being a charger for the electronics in the key. Assuming then this is an aftermarket key, like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/EWS-Remote-Key-For-BMW-3-5-7-Series-E38-E39-E46-433MHZ-315MHZ-W-Chip-HU58-3BTN/172103766805 Note the little black thing next to the key, and the green electronics board. That's the transponder. You can buy those on ebay for a few bucks each, no fuss. You then need someone with an AK90+ to code it. You take out the EWS from the car, read it, code transponder to it. EDIT: Search ebay for "chip:PCF7935" to show just the transponder for that key above. EDIT2: I have keys here, and an AK90+ if your mate pays for one key, and sends me his EWS, I can code it no problem.

If he’s American and going home, it isn’t too hard to import. If hes he’s a kiwi going temporarily, it isn’t too hard to import either, but he rules are very strict and the car has to leave with him at the other end too. Cost-wise, this is not a good car to do this with, in my opinion.

I'd encourage you to watch some videos on fixing the adjuster. You'll spend $20-30 and a couple of hours at worse, versus a headlight which will be much more expensive. That said, quite a few headlights on trademe, or Facebook from local folks wrecking E39s.

Do you need a whole new headlight? Or just the adjuster?

If you have a part number, it's worthwhile checking the US/European sites, as even with shipping, the prices can be quite competitive. If you must have local... Give BM Workshop, or Gavin at Euro-Italian a call.

Nice car. Good luck with your sale!

These guys? https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/525i/Subframe-Mount?year=1989&e=177&m=20&page=1

Hey mate, your car looks lovely. Good luck with your sale! Note, to post something for sale on this forum, it does need a stated price, or it might get taken down.

Hey, thanks for that. Sorry, I haven't actually been into town by myself since I saw you last! I have a plan to go into town next week, or the week after though, and will drop you a note when I do. Jon makes a good point, the dealer will have them bolts. You'll pay a bit extra, but not too much when you account for time/shipping. Also, BM Workshop has a parts department too.

If you can wait till January, I’ll be in the US and happy to bring some back. ?

How? Yuck.

Bridgestone RE003's are very popular around here.

Got a picture from the back/front? I'm curious whether the wheels stick out at all.