tmase

Wow 3364 cars stolen nationally since 4 June

Aside from the 550i, the 911 would be one of the few that would tempt me;

911TT Silver Porsche 911 1997 Sports Car 8/10/2011 Waitemata

I'm envious too! Best looking M5 model of them all and a great colour. Oh if I had a bigger chequebook!

Hmmm yeah its the only motorsport one i've seen listed without the steering wheel controls. Can they be converted? Also do you know what the mechanical differences are between the nz new vs jap/sing models?

I looked at a metric sh*t-tonne of E39s online and in the metal before I got mine. I noticed quite a few without steering wheel buttons on the older pre-20002 m-sport steering wheel like this one so I wouldn't say it is uncommon, but they were all jap imports. I never saw a later style M steering wheel (2002 onwards) without the buttons though.

Love an E39 in blue, was holding out for a tidy LeMans or Avus blue one myself but they are a bit thin on the ground in the South Island so stuck with the ubiquitous Titan Silber Metallic. Nice Car!

This link has some information on the .pvr file format, scroll down to the second entry.

This converter is rumoured to be able to convert .pvr files. I don't know of anything that is plug and play for that file type or of a codec pack that would help.

This may be of some help too.

Got my E39 back after a service and new rear pads and rotors - HVAC final stage resistor unit promptly died - need to source one and replace it -

Previous owner of my car replaced the radiator after cracking a hose attachment fitting after completing a coolant flush. He tried shopping it around to radiator repairers and was told that a replacement radiator was the only way to go. He replaced the water pump at the same time I think as a precautionary measure. Not sure of exact mileage at the time but it would have been 100k-120k ish.

Yep a MkIV & the only one to have. I only use these with conversions. Had the car been native Euro - it would have had a MkIII as factory but since converting from Jap - it makes sense to use the latest option. They are plug play for each other.

As for 4/1/91 - the "91" is the software version currently installed, not the map data disc.

I am not sure but I think the map database is V 29.1 or possibly V 30 but I don't know how to confirm this.

Okay see your last post now, the 2005 disc is a posibility considering the timeframe of the road changes around here!

Yep a MkIV & the only one to have. I only use these with conversions. Had the car been native Euro - it would have had a MkIII as factory but since converting from Jap - it makes sense to use the latest option. They are plug play for each other.

As for 4/1/91 - the "91" is the software version currently installed, not the map data disc.

Not sure but I think the map database could be V29.1or V30 but not sure how you find this out. The database still shows a roundabout near here that was removed about three or four years ago.

I was going past SuperCheap on the way back from the auto dismantlers, where I got a towing eye for the toolbox for $10 , and decided to pull in and have a look at these stealth bulbs you guys have suggested. They stocked some Narva bulbs but didn't have the 'Phantom' globes that others have refered to on here. But they did have these, so I decided to give them a go.

I tried them out on the rear. Being cheap - $19 a pair - I wasn't expecting too much but I still am not sure about them, they make the amber globe appear a bit less obvious, but not completely disappear. For a comparison I changed the left side to the new globe and left the original in the right.

The amber light from the new globe when it flashes is also not as orange as the original - as could be expected - it is hard to tell from the photo but it looks a bit yellower.

Anyway I might put the original globes back in for the time being and then maybe try the Narva ones when I come across them.

They might have made a bit more of a difference if I had tried them on the front, but after trying to get my big hands down the front to try to release the very tight cover/plug arrangement and skinning a knuckle I decided to leave it. I am a bit of a gumboot sometimes and probably would have broken something!

I am probably getting a bit away from the original topic here. When or if I get the Narva globes I'll do some before and after pics in the appropriate place.

Incidentally, which nav unit have you got - Mk3 or 4? The 4 has "DVD" on the front. There is daylight between them in their operation

I think it is the Mk.IV system, I have the DVD drive in the boot. Build date for this car is 07/2002 so I think this might be too early for the Mk.IV at the factory, I guess it might have been upgraded when the system was modified for operation in New Zealand. I looked at this page to try to work out the differences.

The settings screen has the OS as version 4-1/91 which suggests a Mk.IV system with Map Version 29.1 or Version 30

Anyway I took some photos in case I have confused people.

Nav unit in the boot

Possibly not relevant - the inside of the boot lining where the CD changer etc is

Nav Screen up front

Edit: grammar

Had a play with the sat nav today, it might be starting to grow on me a bit. The data input through the knobs looked like a hassle but then again so is the crappy touch screen on the Garmin unit I've got.

Sent you a PM Grant.

I might take a look at the stealth bulbs next week, and I can see how the brighter angel eyes look more striking. It is going in for new brake pads and rotors and an oil and filter change on Monday as well as getting a couple of minor issues rectified (noticed the idle was a bit lumpy this morning in the cold - though it disappeared after about two sets of traffic lights - maybe spark plugs?), so I will see after that.

I really want to just fix a couple of things that bother me; try and find a colour matching towing eye insert for the front bumper and it does need a towing eye for the tool box. I am aware that it has been towed very early on in its life so I guess that's where they got lost.

Cheers - Sat nav is a little dated by the portable Garmin unit I bought last year for my last car, but it is nice to have everything in it working. Database has been made a bit obsolete by the earthquake road closures near where I live too!

Rear PDC looks to be a bit of an expensive hassle to install. Had my eye on some thing like this as a rear view camera installation;

BMW Reversing Camera

Have yet to make up my mind about LED lighting etc - probably keep the OEM lights for the time being.

Hi everyone!

I've been a long time lurker on this site. I have wanted an E39 for a long time and have finally gone and bought a 530i to replace my Audi B6 A4.

I have a 2002 530i with the M Sport package, though it is an import the previous owner had some help from Jochen to modify the sat-nav so that it works in New Zealand.

I only picked it up yesterday and already can see that it is a lot more car than the A4 - I know that I aren't really comparing apples with apples there.

I am very happy with it so far! I plan to keep it pretty stock, though after parking it a couple of times I think a rear camera might be a wise investment, so I will be looking at installing one of those when I get the chance. I have seen some systems that look like they integrate well with the existing screen.

Pics below (I hope!)

This relates more to E39 HU replacement then the E46 so mods please feel free to move this post to wherever.

Not sure how the E39 Dynavin unit is coming along, but I have read some disparaging comments on forums overseas about the E39 unit's 'forehead' (or fivehead!). Apparently the reduced screen size is due to the fact that Dynavin don't want customers to have to cut out the framing supporting the upper tape deck.

http://www.dynavin.com.tw/news.php?news_id=15

Did find another unit online that looks like and may in fact be the Hualigan system or another Chinese knock-off but it does look a bit more OEM than the Dynavin E39 unit. Not sure if it produced or widely available. This is a UK distributor's website.

http://www.tv-in-motion.co.uk/bmw_headunit.html

This longish forum thread - http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=53102 - may be of some use, especially the last few pages.

The Wikipedia article for Collins suggests he too has been replaced as of last month.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Collins_(...ear_appearances

The Stig is dead, long live The Stig

the e39 has a well known list of issues,and there is nothing there to be afraid of as long as the maintenance is up to date.A waranty on a e39 would be a waste of money imho.save your bucks and put it towards upgrades or future repairs

I was thinking angel eyes and getting the Nav up and running if I get an import with a screen.

Thanks for all the advice.

I'll be checking out both cars as soon as I am able and hopefully soon I will be able to post in the Rides forum page!

Cheers

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and tips! Seems I have a bit of a decision to make, the silver car seems better optioned (Highline Spec) but the black has the advantage of being NZ new. Black always concerned me a little with regards to being visible on the road on wet Christchurch days. Not completely sold on the deep dish wheels, but I might have to see them in the metal first.

The one piece of advice for buying any BMW: Get it throroughly checked by a reputable BMW workshop.

I was thinking of going to Kevin Burt Ltd for the pre-purchase inspection, doubly important as I was wondering what sort of after purchase warranty I might or might not be able to get on the silver car as the kms are over 150k. Does anyone know if the local BMW dealer will provide a factory options list for a vehicle if I provide the VIN?

As Mike said I'll have to avoid that rush of blood. I have wanted one of these for a long time!

Hi,

I have been looking around for an E39, preferably a 540i. I have come across this one listed on TM by a dealer in Christchurch.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=293212516

I am unable to view it right now, but was wondering if any members here might have an opinion on the vehicle and whether the price range is in the ball park considering it is an import and I am not too sure about service history. Seems to have been on the lot for a while too which is making me a little wary.

I have been trawling the forums for the last few days and have made myself aware of some of the usual E39 pitfalls, plastic cooling system failures, squeaky door seals, broken cup holders etc, and have read the E39 Buyers guide posted as well, but any other information that might be useful to a potential first time BMW owner would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Tim