Twistee

Watched that today over lunch, interesting to hear how the coupes were assembled.

First world problems, drowned my cell so ordered a replacement ex AU a week ago - DHL has just processed it in Auckland, FFS 7 days from Brisbane to Auckland customs. Ordered a laptop for my daughter, two and a half weeks later and it's still sitting in Dunedin as Harvey Norman failed to request the stock transfer to Auckland. I did roast the Michelins through third today to blow off some steam.

The E61 in a dark colour with their kit is not the worst looking thing ever -

Solenoids installed and it sounds like it should, smoother idle and happy me. On the down side the original noise that it went in for before it threw codes is still around. I'm just happy to have it back and it got a ragging on the way home to make sure everything was done up nice and tight. So time to enjoy it until the clutch / flywheel get done in the near future. I was very happy that Autosure only charged the one excess for the job. So other than a small comms hick-up at the start of the year BM Workshop continue to provide me with great service.

Got a call this morning, waiting on the solenoids still. Possibly end of the week or next now. On the plus side I only have to pay one excess for the replacement of the two solenoids. Glad I had the AC sorted for summer..... As much fun as the 116i is to blast around in as a loan car, I do feel it's a bit down on the M5s power. It does throw just as many codes though which is a bit of a worry for a loaner.

Pretty sure that all the mounting points were completely custom and had no relation to a road car, effectively they didn't lower the car they designed the ideal geometry and fabricated the chassis changes.

There are four new safety cameras being installed out my way, can't wait for the additional safety that will bring to my daily life.

I don't have much to add here other than to state the obvious, if fuel consumption is even vaguely on your radar then go and by a Mazda 3. If you want an E61 M5 then buy it, accept that you will spend eye watering amounts not just on gas for the experience but it will be worth it. I drive mine all the time, and I never get tired of looking at it either. If this car does end up in the club it would be nice to get a photoshoot with the three tourings.

Bit of piss poor comms from BM Workshop, had no info for a week. Finally called today and found that they are waiting on two solenoids from overseas. I'm annoyed as I would have purchased another two out of my own pocket and just had them all replaced at the same time. I have enough real things life to get stressed about, a lack of comms and planning here shouldn't be one of them Anyway it's not their usual style so I'll just put it down to start of year- itis. I still might try and get another two solenoids.

Not really on an E61, I would just have the ABS pump checked for corrosion as it lives behind the wheel well. Any good PPI would pick up rust issues if it was present.

This is pretty bad, I would be burn down car dealership angry if this happened to me. https://i.stuff.co.nz/motoring/300780384/man-who-lost-100k-on-stolen-jaguar-failed-to-recover-money-from-auckland-dealer

I got a couple from AliExpress, extra inserts also came from AliExpress. But you can use a bolt with a nut on it to tighten down the insert so the tool is not strictly speaking needed. Pretty sure enco fasteners in east tamaki sell these, but cheap ones from trademe will do the trick. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/building-renovation/tools/hand-tools/other/listing/3942308129 This looks like a good deal and comes with the alloy inserts.

Exactly like that. Brilliant piece of kit, i love mine and have stocked up on alloy inserts. Avoid the stainless inserts with the cheaper handsets as they are typically beyond the capability of the tool and designed for the pneumatic versions. If you haven't used one before I would suggest a couple of test runs in a spare metal plate to get used to the feeling of a well seated insert.

Might be wrong, but isn't this the touring that was for sale for ages and finally sold about 6 months ago? https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/m5/listing/3943578604

You could drill that out and replace it with a Rivet Nut and loctite in a threaded rod into the rivnut to replace the factory item. I'm not familiar with the broken piece but it looks like a retained threaded mount , which the rivnut could replace. This is assuming you don't want to grind it off and get a complete replacement to weld on.

If you want a crimped fit commercial hose then Enzed is your way, if you want a braided set up then follow Cements advice. If you do go through DIY then buy all the gear from one brand, AN hosing is not all the same and won't always play well between brands.

Yes Enzed can supply a complete custom hose solution for you.

I believe the solenoids have been removed and scoped on the bench, waiting on results. I'm not overly worried about insurance at this point and will deal with them if / when that comes around. To date they have been fine with a single claim covering related issues.

Latest update, vanos line pressure is perfect. Vanos solenoids failing the test procedure, but not in the typical fashion which means it could be something in the electronics. Was also told the BMW NZ price for replacement solenoids .... $2,400 each, which is simply crazy given the genuine BMW unit from any other reseller is on average US$400. FFS And they don't even stock them in NZ.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/motorsport-american-driving-legend-ken-block-killed-in-tragic-snowmobile-crash/5P7ZLKJEFND55ECOIMU37V6PME/

Big cam idle.

Transporter arrived on time, no dramas. Current watercooler theory (as the car won't be touched until BM Workshop clear their current work) is that the Vanos high pressure line shat itself. If that is the case and the bottom end is open it will be bearing time as well.

Car is booked in for collection at 7am tomorrow by whoever AA / Autosure have chosen for this part of the world. At this point I'm more apprehensive about the transport than the repair. I should at least know if a glitterbomb went off in the sump by the end of tomorrow.

Agreed, thankfully mechanical warranty will help cover costs on this occasion.