rusteee

Just thought I'd update. Driving home from Whenuepai last sunday, the car forgot how to change gears mainly 4th/5th. They've dropped the box and TC out and sent to Hamilton. Looks like a gearbox and TC recondition and estimate around 4+K, very OUCH. Atleast once it's done, I know what I've got. Anyone personally had one converted to manual? Was interested at what the cost of that would be in comparison to the rebuild of the slushbox.

Cheers for the video. Mines not that bad.....yet i imagine. Its just a high pitch whirring like belt slip and slight scraping. I'd say it is pretty detrimental and it will die soon. As you say, i better get it checked properly by someone who knows, this is where living in te kauwhata is a pain.

What sort of money are you looking at for that if you dont mind me asking? Alowing for the fact that ray was always extremely generous with his pricing lol.

oh right, that makes sense. I seen one of these cruising through St Lukes a couple of weeks ago... absolutely beautiful.

Yea I had done a few google searches and it did sort of throw around the idea of the torque converter. Can this actually be diagnosed or is it something that has to be changed and see what happens? As I say, its still working changing etc perfectly and the noise basically diminishes once warm, I can't stand bad noises and know something will let go soon.

If I had some spare cash I'd be so keen on your car, I was gutted when I seen it come up for sale not long after I made my purchase. I do love the car I got despite the issues, but yours is all sorts of wicked. Ive been watching your various project bits and pieces since you got it, never thought it would come up for sale.

Hi guys

Recently my 00 E39 540I NZ New ( sorry not too sure what the number of the ZF box is)has starting making a whining/scraping type noise from the gearbox when cold, and very minimal when warm. I'm assuming box as it doesn't make the noise untill I engage a gear eg D or reverse. It sounds like a slight whining or scraping, the sort of noise youd get if you sprayed belt grip on a belt and had a worn tensioner bearing combined. It is relative to revs, and gets very loud intermitently on gear changes. Seems to be no problems with engaging and changing gears. I've had it scanned and it threw no codes on the box. Has anyone has this sort of issue or aware of what it could be? I realise I may be asking a how longs a piece of string question sorry..It was supposed to be going in for the gearbox oil filter etc thursday week, but the place doing the service does not have the facility to pull apart and rebuild if needed. So if it sounds like the box is on the way out I'd rather cancel the service and spend the money on a new box.

Cheers in advance

Wicked looking car! Colour is awsome too. Nice choice in speakers, are you going to run them through amp aswell?

=O Why weren't you selling this a couple months ago, would have been all over it!!

Nice car, you must have a pretty wicked replacment in sights to want to part with this one. Good luck with the sale, at that price I doubt it'll take you long.

I thought so, I seen your car coming out of Travers road the other day, didn't think there could be too many of these around here =)

And despite best intentions, and quite possibly being closer to HD than anyone else, I didn't make it.

By any chance are you from Te Kauwhata? Always nice to see the bimmers blast around the track

Thats one beautiful E30, always nice to see one like this (especially the non cracked dash). Real credit to ya

Yeah I know its cheaper, but I'd rather genuine if I can

Sorry mate a bit off topic, but thought I'd compliment your car, seen you cruising through West Auckland in the weekend, what a fantastic looking car!!

Oh wicked, cheers for the info. I will PM me and see. Otherwise might try Hella and see what they can do.

Cheers. Yeah I've been looking at inserts etc but its just not quite the same. Do the Facelift lights physically fit the PFL car, and only the plugs are different? Or are they different shape aswell?

Hi guys

I have a pre-facelift E39 (2000 540I Msport), and am really after a set of angel eye headlights to finish off the nice look. Is it possible to buy, or can anyone suggest from experience a decent set that is made for the pre-facelift with halogens? I have done a few searches on ebay, trademe etc but they all seem to look very tacky or very chrome/ blingy.

Cheers for any help

Russ

Do you have the rear cupholder (or cointray)?

Not that I had been in ages, but HELLBM always seemed to go the extra mile to sort things out and make BMW's perfect. Cheap (but good) parts with excellent service Helped out with after hours service etc and done a wicked job on the VANOS of my old E39 amongst other parts, depsite those jobs being a grey area back then =)

Yeah, definetly would like OEM, just have to find them. Theres some on Ebay for about $1200 American, but I think I'll hold out and see if I can find a second hand set. Don't mind if glass is hazed over, I will re-do them as I had done with the last set on my old 530. Yes it has xenon, but really did like the look of the eyes on my last car so wouldn't mind having them again.

A tray would be good, don't mind either way, as long as it fills the gap nicely =) Am really loving the car so far, and mechanically has had everything preventative done to it, just have to do all the detailing to get it looking perfect.

Hi guys

Recently purchased a 2000 E39 Msport 540i, and am after a couple of bits and pieces to make it that bit better. Its July 2000 so I'm assuming its a pre facelift. Am after a set of xenon headlights with angel eyes, and possibly some clear tail lights if anyone has them, or knows where they can be purchased (that don't look like bad chinese quality). Also some rear cup holders as these ones are non existent, and a a MID display unit with the phone and BC functions. Might be a long shot but I'm hopful =)

Cheers

Russ

Cheers for that Jason, might just do that. Last thing I want is a dead battery in Waerenga =)

Thought I'd add closure. Must have been a mistake. Had the cylinder leak down test and another compression test done today somewhere else. Was perfect across all 8. Compression test came in at 175-180psi between them all. So have now purchased the vehicle and eagerly awaiting to take ownership =)

Wheres the best place to get a battery from? It has an after market one thats 10 years old and showed its age on the test by the sounds of it.

I would be expecting higher readings up around 200psi if it was done at WOT if the test gauge was in good condition. Someone else also suggested it wasn't done like that. It's also best to use a screw in type gauge that has a seal as well, rather than a hand held type. The battery may not be that strong and No4 cylinder would be one of the last cylinders to be tested. The only way to be reassured is to get it rechecked or do a cylinder leak test if necessary. What did they suggest ?

Did the test also include a full scan and report on any faults in any of the control units ??

Thanks Glenn, yeah I was expecting higher readings and closer together. He didn't say whether it was warm or not, but was certain that if they were to redo the test it would not change. The battery definetly isn't strong, as per the test he put "battery low and replacement recommended". He said as its runs, idles etc so smooth, he would almost say its a bit of carbon on the exhaust valve so its not seating correctly, but cannot say without doing a cylinder leak down test, which they do not have the facility to do.

He sent me a scan report and there a couple of faults, would you mind if I sent you a copy to have a look at Glenn?

Got the full test,

Cyl. 1: 175 psi; Cyl. 2: 170 psi; Cyl.3: 160 psi; Cyl. 4:145 psi Cyl. 5: 165 psi; Cyl. 6: 170psi; Cyl. 7:170 psi; Cyl.8 170 psi.

It does vary a bit, but seeing that, doesn't look too bad, what do you rekon?

A 5% variation is acceptible when testing at cranking speed... some people might accept more. If a BMW has low compression on any cylinder it will not idle smoothly as plenum chamber vaccum gets upset and that effects airmass readings.

Hmmm, yea well its a bit over 5%. TBH I wasn't even going to get the compression test done as both hot and cold the car started and idled perfect, no hesitation or stutter, and power through the range was very good.

Cheers for that. I'm not too sure exactly how they had done the test. He did suggest because the engine is still running very smooth with no sign of oil burning and what not, it could be carbon, but didn't want to say for sure. I only worried, as the other 7 were pretty similar, was only that 1 cylinder that was 20 odd pounds difference. I'm only assuming it was done correctly given the time they spent, and the cost of the inspection. Seemed pretty thorough on everything else.

Yes, the compression test was done properly as requested, removing spark plugs etc, done by euro car services. So it must have been pretty accurate, seen as he got all the readings. I just wish he sent the sheet like they were supposed to, so I could see exactly what they were. But thats what he told me over the phone, roughly 170 on 7, and Number 4 cylinder was down to about 148.