Michael.

Will get some codes, namely the airbag one. That would need to be reset with the correct software.

Should be quite interesting with ITBs, cam and tuning work. Will certainly get more life out of them. They're a bit too dull in stock form, and it's not exactly an easy conversion. Is this an M70 or the M73?

Very commendable attention to detail. I approve!

This clip is just epic. That sound is the old heart and soul of what made BMW great.

I bet you they won't bother with a V12, and just lump the now run of the mill 4.4 V8 turbo in it, with a few mods. Without a V12 that would deter a lot of nostalgic buyers.

Of course he knows the F1 / 8 Series engine myth

Epic. So it's all done and working? Looks factory enough to me!

Looks like an Aston Martin and a Lexus. Eh. Cars these days are strangled by pedestrian impact regs, it's such a shame.

Do you know what the ratio is on these and rack stroke?

Mmm perfection! GLWS

Well... each to their own, I think the E34s interior is vastly more impressive than the Mercs of the 80s and early 90s, the E34 has sporting pretensions with it's angled dash towards the driver and all the other benefits like sport seats in the good models. From what I've seen AMGs interior didn't differ much of an upgrade to standard models and still had the look of a few bits of 2x8 wood nailed together at right angles using springy leather seats from an old mans 1970s council flat. Must have got lucky with yours! I remember years back my dads mate had a W140 and the quality was appalling where it counted, electrical issues all the time and had to have the loom replaced, he sold it shortly after I recall. Ended up buying an LS400 to replace it and still has it years later. Agree about E39 interiors, very classic, just let down by cheap buttons that crack sometimes.

I like the appeal of this era AMG, but the rest of it, particularly general styling, and interior quite stuffy and dated. They don't have the same winning interior formula BMW had through the 80s and 90s.

Their loss if they didn't 2004-2006 last of the E46s would have been a good buy!

I'd say they were scared away from a 6k BMW for life Last logged in: December 15, 2016

It's a stationary test for the low volume cert. Passed fine

Knowing BMW they will call it a 9 series. ...And make a coupe and sedan version. Look at the mess they did with the 3 and 4 series. So unnecessary!

True that

Surely be getting towards the end of a service life of an M52 by 300,000kms unless doing a comprehensive refresh? Seems like an expensive path to go.

So with all this said.... why don't you own one anymore?

Well, I have. Driven three 850i models over the years, all have disappointed me. They seem to have such un-BMW like driving characteristics, vague steering and stodgey braking, an uninspiring V12 and just a general sense of an aged car with too many rattles inside. Still remain the most disappointing BMW models I've driven, especially considering the hype around them supposedly being these amazing cars. I still like the look of them, but the performance doesn't seem to match the looks which is a shame. I've always wanted drive a late model 840ci manual, I suspect they will be better than the early V12 autos, but it's not like many are around to try.

I've always been surprised why these are worth so much? Going by asking prices anyhow... Like it's more than E36 M3 money and in the same ball park as E39 M5s and cheap E46 M3s, three cars that offer a true BMW driving experience & thrill.

Cheers for the help Andrew. Going to sleep easier now!

Yeah originally it started with the stock, ancient lazy 4 speed that was a dull as you can imagine. So I first went to a 1997 5 speed behind the original 1UZ 4.0L using a custom controller. After the 3UZ went in, the ecu took over control of that 1997 5 speed, I should have however used a 2001 5 speed as there are some slight tuning differences between the two, so it wasn't quite a perfect match but still worked. Rather than just going for a 2001-2003 5 speed, I decided to see if I could use my 2001 engine with 2004 parts and just change the wiring, sure enough studying the wiring diagrams said it could be done. So bought the right ecu and gearbox, surprisingly it was hard to find the 6 speed for some reason, the one I got from a wrecker was from a 2005 Lexus GS430 with 135,000kms for $500, they run the same box in a lot of cars with the V8 Motor, Lexus LS430, SC430 and Toyota Crown V8 models plus a few others. These were all replaced with the 8 speed from 2007, and behind the newer gen UR series V8s. So yeah basically like usual Toyota lego the 6 speed slipped in like a glove, all factory mounting points. Only custom bit was just a 50mm plate to join the gear selector shaft bolts so P, R, N, D worked right. Would love to do this 3UZ / 6 speed swap into something like an E46 Touring with M3 suspension and kit work done. Would be easy, (relatively) and cost effective, but while ideas are free, running into a project like that would cost the better part of $20k, so one day.

Cars going well, just keeping on top of usual maintenance. Finished 6 speed automatic gearbox install, and rewiring ECU plugs to run new type 6 speed ECU. This thing goes so much better than before. Over 2 seconds quicker to 100kph than in standard spec with the original 4.0L engine and 4 speed automatic. Here's a 0-100kph clip of the dash.

Looking to get my car certed so want to check the exhaust is within limits and fix before the test, rather than have to rebook which can take weeks. Just need someone with a decent Decibel meter that I could borrow or we could meet up and do the test quickly, just need an open area and to position meter as per low volume requirements. For my V8 it needs to be at 3000rpm and no higher than 94db. I'm based in Auckland. PM me if you can help! Happy to supply a box of beer etc to those who can assist, or other form of payment.