Eagle

K's are nearly always irrelevant, one of tidiest cars ive owned had done 520,000km and needed nothing done to it. Way too many factors to put a lifespan on things like starters and fuel pumps.

I feel alot more comfortable towing with a manual transmission I did Christchurch to Hamilton on about bit a less than 2 tanks of fuel in my 540i6, mostly driving at speed limit. The M62TU has more pull down low till around 3000rpm but M62 makes more power. Plenty of dyno's showing the M62 non vanos is the better engine for overall performance.

No 4L E39's I prefer the M62B44 over the facelift TU one myself but how well its been looked after and whats been replaced on it etc takes priority.

For me E39 535i is just a poors mans 540i(like a 320i vs 325i) it no benefits besides being potentially cheaper than 540i but i wouldn't bother. The <98 V8 is a good engine not quite as durable as the 4L but yeah still pretty reliable as long as its been looked after.

540i would be the best for towing due to low end torque. As reliability they both got their flaws but i think it would come down to the individual car(whats been replaced, service life etc) Obviously the V8 would cost a bit more to maintain\run and wont handle quite as good as the 6's but it does have a quite a power advantage. I think you'd have to drive both to see what you'd prefer as they both got their advantages

Looks good. I actually prefer the E38 looks over E39 more so when its all stock Are you going to colour code the bottom areas?

Ive got a spare ICV from an M30. Cruise control is easy to retrofit as all the wiring\plugs should be there and its plug n plug. Install the module from the ecu box(has a blue connector, the blue plug usually in plastic), Install and plug in the cruise control stalk with E32 steering wheel plastic trim so it fits, Plug in the actuator(should be a plug near your power steering reservoir), adjust the actuator throttle cable tension Test it(hopefully the actuator still works) Edit: The assuming you talking about swapping cruise control from E32 730i to your 530i.

The car is never going to be worth alot but unless you dont mind sinking money into it or care about resale value id leave it stock( with possibly a set of nice alloys)

I never disagreed with that and like i said most people buy BMW for the badge. I thought it was obvious my posts were a bit off the original topic idk why you bothered quoting me. I do agree with Ron in that society is being dumbed down. Unfortunately its not just limited to automobiles

Did i say it was? No. All my posts having been talking about someone buying a older used auto. As for devaluing the brand i dont think they care too much about that these days, you look at all the models and productions numbers to see that. Their strategy is fill ever market gap with a model just like the japs having been doing for ages. Sure BMW may still be marketed as a "premium" brand but its far from their golden era.

I dont consider it an auto, sure it shares similarities but its more an evolved manual

I never said auto didn't have their place, they have their benefits no doubt. What im trying to say is you can go on about how good modern auto is but in an age where a deemed lifespan of a car is low, sealed transmissions with lifetime fluids etc, ill never be sold on them going the distance without great expense to some owner down the track. No real enthusiast is going to take an old 2nd hand car with an auto over a manual given the choice. Sure some cars maybe better with an auto but im talking about proper cars people would actually want not utes

Using "iS" just makes it easier to ID how its spec'd, don't see the problem. Like the 318is, 325is, 535is etc they are all cars that have certain options the came std.

True to a point but in reality not that realistic. If it were the case many people in this country wouldn't have a car etc at all

Its all well in good when new but what about once the cars gotten older, had multiple owners and have dropped alot in price etc, you'd probably have to sell body parts to pay to any repairs on the auto if it went wrong Sure a manual is basic but its well known and reliable

Id say the majority of people who buy new BMW's buy them for the badge anyway

Ive seen at least 2 330i manuals on trademe within the last few mths.

They do huge k's without issues as long as serviced properly like your's appears to have been. Same goes for any M20 and M30's really, simple ,non stressed and durable motors which were truely built to last.

Had to laugh at "I don't mean to scare you guys, but she has just shy of 360,000kms" etc Honestly thats nothing, if its was 500,000+ i may of blinked

Are you looking to do everything yourself? The E39 M5 diff swap is probably the easiest but im not sure it its easy to obtain one? For the E39 M5 diff sway you need the M5 propshaft and LSD , you swap out the output flanges with E32 units so you can use you 540i shafts

I dont if its just the car or what but you do seems to break alot of stuff I known being a cheap plastic fantastic era car doesn't help. Good thats it all going now anyway.

China can produce quality items believe it or not

Yeah i remember something about you replacing that now. There's also relay module which i forgot about that can cause problems like this

Got the 535 back on the road with new timing chain components, all shifter bushings replaced and an E28 flywheel. Even nicer to drive now and no more dual mass flywheel rattle.

Could also check the fusable link at the same time