rusteee

I love seeing Bimmers like this =D inspirational

One thing I found really helpful when looking for bimmers, which most people advised me on, was buying a NZ new as opposed to a JAP or Singapore import. Some people may disagree, but generally they have better service history (not always) and no Japanese parts =D. Amazing the difference between the gearboxes on the NZ new compared to the jap, just something I noticed between all the cars I tried out before I bought my one.

Hi guys I have an issue with bad pinging all of a sudden, in my 2002 530i E39 233,000kms. Hoping someone can help with a bit of troubleshooting or a way to locate the problem, if possible. It happens around town when the cars hot, if I put my foot down slightly or going up hills, really cant stand the sound. 95% of my driving is highway as you can tell by the km's, but through town I drive in "sports" or in a lower gear to keep the revs up to reduce it. There is no flat spots of power that I can notice, and the car drives smoothly. I run Mobil (97.5) octane, I have changed spark plugs (BKR6EQUP), New viscous coupling, and no fault codes are present in the system. It has had cold idle issues ever since having the cooling system replaced, which they never managed to sort, wether that's related or not I don't know (vacuum leak?). I was hoping to take the car on a road trip around the north island as of Wednesday and hoping I could atleast try reduce/eliminate the issue, as I know what sort of damage this can do. Is there any way to check, diagnose what could be causing this? Or can a live data diagnosis by a BM workshop locate the issue? I have the car booked in at a BM workshop but not till the 14th, and not for this issue, but I'll add it to the list if I can't get it sorted before then Cheers

PM'd, cheers

Cheers for that mate. I had both those on my watchlist already, was really keen on the second one listed there, was hoping to buy this weekend, but they've randomly changed the name/price of the auction and taken the pics off?? Not too sure why Had a quote of around $250+GST per wheel to have my ones redone and 2-3 days without them, so still after some if anyones in the know =)

Nice looking wagon, quite like the old E30 touring

Hi there. Hope everyone had a good xmas =D Am after some E39 17" Msport rims, same as the ones in the pic I've attatched (stole off google images). I have the exact same set but they were painted black by the last owner and they look shocking. Want to try buy a set before having to get these ones stripped and repainted. If anyone has a set they would like to sell or knows of any? Cheers Russ

Does anyone know a good way to take this stuff off? I had the spare on my car today (original colour) and looks so much better then the black. The black is chipping away and looks a bit tacky, but the original colour underneath still looks mint so im assuming they've just been coated. Or any idea of cost of getting them profeesionally taken back to normal?

Very nice, tidy looking car, quite like the 328i. Haha yeah its amazing the difference it makes when you take that jap number plate bracket off

I had this issue with both my E36 and the parents E36, both drivers and passengers door, got extremely frustrating as it made it almost impossible to open the doors. This may or may not work for you, but worked mint for both these 2, over a year now hasn't happened again. I just lubricated (CRC) the latch/tongue clip in the side of the door whilst the door was open and manually clipped it (simulate the door closing) and open with the handle and repeated a few times. Worked a treat, is worth a shot.

Sorry may be a dumb question, but do you know if this can be used as a replacement for the "Tape/basic MID unit without the phone etc"?

I'm sure this is what the previous owner had done to my Msport rims, didn't look to bad at all, just doesn't really suit the blue car though. He said he had paid someone else to do it for $50 a wheel, hasn't really stood up to living down a gravel road though, slowly chipping its way off. Hoping to get it taken back to original when I get new tyres. It's pretty good looking stuff though, and always cleans up real well.

Yea would be good to fix myself. Have been in contact with someone in the know thanks to HOTWIRE =)

Hi guys Am after a MID display for an 02 E39 530i, the one without the phone button, just the audio and clock buttons on the right, and the turn dial, arrows and M button on the left. My one has a row of dead pixels, and not quite rich enough for the dynavin yet . If anyone has one for sale could you please let me know how much etc. Cheers

Brilliant! Thank you for the responses, appreciate it. I think I will use the 5W-30, as since last oil change (when this 15w40 grade was used) I get a couple second tappet noise when starting on very cold mornings, and from what you've said, it makes sense as to why unless its a pretty good coincidence. I always live by the 10,000kms or every 6 months oil and filter. Which it usually ends up every 10,000kms as this cars all highway driving =D Should the gearbox be done aswell? I know its lifetime seal etc but i'm always a bit iffy about that. It changes gears etc smooth and no hassles, but it has 230,000kms on it? Otherwise use it till it dies then change it I suppose.

Hi there My E39 (2002 530i M54B30 Msport) is due for a service again. Asking for a bit of advice on oil as a bit confused. Done a bit of research on oil viscosity and what to use with my car. Last time I had it done a Total 7900 I think 10w40 grade oil was used, multi deisil or petrol. I questioned it firstly because of the detergents, being both grade, and secondly as the manual specified 5w-X. The mechanic absolutely swears by this oil, and I havn't had any issues between service, as well as he's been using it in my old BMW over the 60,000kms I had it, and still using it. Will it be OK to use the same oil again? I know it is very good oil, just don't know about being in a BMW specd for 5w-X, or should the 5w-30 oil be used? Also, I have a strange hassle where going UP the bombays the temperature gauge on my car starts to drop till it gets to about quarter. Gauge stays stationery, on half way all other times once up to temp, does not move at all. I just thought it was strange that it drops, when really if anything it should be increasing?? Has anyone come across this before? Thankyou

Yeah sounds normal, sometimes a whole pack can do that. GU10 have its own tiny little transformer built in (the white base) and if that gives up then the lamp will blow/shatter, sometimes causing the fuse to blow or c/b to trip. I'd say try a different brand like phillips, I've found them to be pretty good, you do pay the extra though compared to those e-lite packs you can buy.

Are they the GU10 halogen lamps? Do they flicker or anything or just blow? These things are about as bad as incandescent lamps where some may last months/years, and some can last minutes. 99.99% of the time its nothing to do with wiring, fitting or voltage issues, its just the nature of the lamps. I avoid installing these for clients as I get the same complaints about blowing lamps all the time same with halogen downlights. You can get an LED equivalent to fit in these fittings which are brilliant, as you can have different colours etc, and last I think around 50,000 + hours, not overly expensive either.

Yeah I am with AMI, absolutely useless after IAG. As the panel beater said, they screw the price down so much, that the car ends up being in and out as quick and as cheap as possible rather than having all genuine bits etc. I was warned by a family member who is a panel beater that thats how IAG does it, didn't really take any notice until it was time to make a claim...

Yeah thats ok, thats exactly what my insurer was doing anyway. They have an agreed value, which is what I pay the premium on, but market value if the car is written off. Basically win win for the insurance company. This was the issue that was on fairgo a while ago. They wouldn't change it until I had the car properly valued by an authorised valuer.

Hi guys After the hassle i've had with a recent claim, am looking to change all my vehicles insurance to another company. The panel beater, where my E39 is currently, he reccomended NAC insurance, which sounds pretty good. Has anyone got insurance with NAC? or any advice on other company's they may be with. The hassle I have had is, I hit possum at 80km/h which caused $3000 damage to the front of the car. So I made the claim, which unknowingly I had to pay a $1500 excess, despite being told $500 over the phone (teach me for not actually going through it myself, was $500, but being age 22 was an extra $1000 on top of the $500, told me they shouldn't have even given me insurance on the car due to age and nature of vehcile???). They took almost a week, of the car sitting at the panel beaters, from the time the assesor looked at the car, to authorise the repairs. So I havn't had a car for 2 weeks. Now they ring me to tell me I have lost my 60% no claims discount on the premium, despite having never made a claim in the 8 years I've had vehicles and insurance with them, just for this one small claim. I'm not too sure if all insurance companies are like this? but if anyone can recommend, or suggest someone they think may be easier to deal with, would be greatly appreciated as I've only ever been with this one company. Cheers in advance =)

Might end up doing this too my E39 aswell. Sorry to hijack a bit, but does anyone know anywhere else water can get into in these areas? Side skirts maybe? I seem to have a slush of water sound everytime I brake, as if there is a puddle of water sitting somewhere in there doors or something, but im not too sure where, I've checked the door drains etc wondering if this is another common occurance?

Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated. Went to SCA and got the 32mm spanner, the damn thing was only done up finger tight, did'nt have to hold the pulley or anything, barely put force on and it came undone... scary thought lol. All done anyways, now it sounds like a truck at the lights hoping this will fix my pinging issue to... will see. Again thanks for the advice!! Rocker cover gaskets next...

I know, I have been told that numerous times, but I didn't even think of that, lesson learnt

Oh yea thats all good just thought I'd make sure. I do have the Haynes manual but it tells you to drop the coolant and everything, and I'd really rather not do that if its not overly necessary with a bit of extra care.