Eagle

DSC gets recoded to M3 CSL settings which tells the DSC the car it has a LSD and disables the e-diff, then adjusting the parameters allows higher slip limits before intervening. Its mostly for stage 2\single press of DSC button which mimics M-track mode. DSC works as normal otherwise. Pistons looks ok to me. Ive polished up and re-used much worse. Guessing they weren't leaking or binding before you took them out?.

Mfactory helical is money well spent and works very well with reprogrammed DSC, would be hard going back to the open diff. Only problem is the factory seats feel like the weak point even more so now.

You going to be waiting for the Chinese one to turn up anyway and how long that takes is anyone guess?. Id sooner borrow one or buy a second hand one local if i was going parts cannon route. Personally i dont like doing jobs twice so i wouldn't bother to save a such a small amount and waste my time, each to their own.

One data point. No reputable business in the trade etc would fit one for reasons above.

Nice. I'm looking to book one in October.

You can the OE VDO crank sensor from Spareto for $133 shipped via DHL. Putting a $15 aliexpress special sounds stupid given you can't trust it and the time\effort involved to swap it.

Yeah they would have to be pretty worn. Ive done a guide tube once but that was more my ocd rather than performance issue

Input and output are viton seals I think and rarely leak.

Looking good. Did you do the selector shaft seal? They always seem to leak at some point

Track days still going. Never been on that track so i thought id better get one or maybe 2 in before its gone.

Another dreamer

Provides evidence of that in the fog light shot

I'd be checking the wheel offset and Tyre size and compare it to OE wheels and Tyre measurements. Also check the alignment to see how much camber you are running, more may help. Fitting different springs is bit of a gamble and you are likely needing to do front and back with most kits. Ideally you'd also have to replace struts to match new springs and originals are probably worn to some degree anyway.

Light work that needs precision and control they are much better than a die grinder.

Even got an audience

Bold claims when you still using a shift knob that looks as bad as that.

Not a VW\Audi exclusive these days. Heard\seen a many 3 series running those 'tuned ecus"

Wouldn't think it would be a issue either but yeah looks rugged like someone(maybe apprentice?) used the wrong abrasive. You could probably tidy it up with a sanding block and some high grit wet and dry sandpaper

As you suggest the rubbing over bumps is probably due to wheels - tyre size and offset are important to avoid issues. Where are they rubbing?

Not necessarily a bad thing. On top on M problems you got all the usual wear items eg suspension which have M tax too. I think many buyers of these older cars can't afford to refresh them properly increasing their reliability and performance. They just end up driving them frugally them hoping nothing goes wrong in their typically short ownership.

Yeah bar comes straight down as is pretty much level with the base of the rack (lines sit about 1 inch lower). Approx 115mm from front rounded edge in center of rack to rear of sway bar

Can have a look tomorrow if you haven't got it sorted already

Yeah imports tend to be better optioned.

PDC=Parking sensors. Very rare option on E34.

Very unlikely to sell for 8k, its probably been re-listed many times. Even the 4k one has been for sale for months. Mileage doesn't mean much given the age of these cars, its all about condition at this point. A higher k looked after example is usually the better buy than a average low k's one which are mostly on old original parts ie: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/540i/listing/3729330877. Its fairly common for these engines to have over 300,000km on them because they don't have any major issues. NZ new examples tend to have the more fresher engines in my experience and have less emissions gear too. The main value your car has above others is the wheels. I doubt a serious buyer is going to care too much about an audio system.