Harper

I've been waiting for the right spec 740i to come up to manual convert. This one is so close, so rare to see a slicktop 740. I think no sunroof is a perk. If it was newer than 2000 I'd probably buy it.

Honestly it was sort of a rush job that came out way better than I expected. Had a couple aerosol cans of 300/0 BMW Alpine White III mixed by Smits Group, paint match turned out to be really good. Not much prep, didn't even want to sand them because they had a slight surface texture to them that I didn't want to disturb. Just gave them a decent clean and primer, paint, clear coat. I figured trim pieces are pretty forgiving in terms of needing perfect paint, but by blind luck they ended up basically perfect. Way prefer the colour matched look over the strange silvery grey colour that was original.

I've got no regrets after chopping the centre muffler resonator section out of the compact. Made the car maybe 10% louder and just sounds a bit throatier and more low speed burbles. I'm not sure how different the 325ti rear section is though, totally different shape and smaller than the 330 muffler so maybe that contributes.

Think I saw this when it was for sale, seemed like a bargain. I was tempted by it

Hughes Race Engines did my M42/44 motor machining. High end setup in a small shop and pretty quick turn around considering how long machine shops often take. Would go to them again and would recommend.

Yeah the cost of all those gearbox detent parts jumped up significantly not long after I did them on my compact. Worth doing imo, the ZF in my compact has probably the best feeling gear change of any car I've owned. I also have a set of the detent punches if you need them. Based in Beachlands.

Getting rare to see a set like this. Tempted to grab them just to have another set of style 67s in stock

Honestly my experience is that it's more durable than people make it out to be. I basically give my alcantara wheel in my M3 a scrub with a damp microfibre cloth and some soap every so often and it still looks like new.

Compact is so underrated man. It's gotten so bad they even turn my head any time I see one driving around. Interesting point about the exhaust tips. I debated it when I had the donor 330 because it had chrome tips, maybe I should get a set from pickapart and see how they look.

I don't have any production numbers so I really have no idea. Anecdotally though I've been watching E39s on FB marketplace and trademe for years. Maybe 15-20% of them have that interior, and only half of those have a surviving driver side bolster.

Yep M5 only and hens teeth. I don't even think there are any M5s in NZ with mtex.

100% agree. That interior would be one of the primary things I'd be looking for purchasing an E39. Same when I was looking for my compact. It's actually quite rare in the E39. Almost all of them came with some variation of leather.

I've had dreams of putting a 4.6is motor into an E38 740i short wheelbase and 6 speed manual conversion. 740shortysporty.

@exextatic would be the guy to ask for a swap like this. Probably would be some wiring and coding required for full functionality.

Mint M3 Evo on the morning commute