Eagle

Been close do buying a couple of early E24's over the years but the E12 platfom is just too dated from a performance and availability point. Its looks nice but "82+ or bust for me.

Was it a genuine one? If so that's some bad luck.

By failed do mean the actual t-stat got stuck closed or plastic housing\gasket ?

I wouldnt run 0-50W either but it would be much better than 20W-50 (must be a mistake)

Cant speak for a turbo application part but lots members here running the above Penrite in many BMW engines with good results. Ive used in most BMW's ive owned and can't fault it.

Yes ive tried most of the RE and PS range in 17" sizes on E34's and E39's over the years. 17x8" are the ideal E34 wheel in my book - look good, cheapest tyres and give a good handling\comfort balance. Getting harder and more expensive to get good selection in those 16" tyre sizes so you may have to stick to RE003 or try PS3's as PS4's may not be available

Ive used Penrite HPR 5, HPR 10 or Castrol Edge Titanium depending on what on special in my 530i

225/55 the standard size for the E39 16x7 wheel. If you are running staggered why don't you go larger on the rear. Can't say ive heard of staggered basket weaves myself. Are they made up from BMW OEM wheel sets? Personally id recommend Michellin PS4's over the RE003 as they perform much better, but looking at Hyperdrive they only do PS3's @ $214ea on sale atm (ive used them also and id still take them over the 003's)

Haha yeah forgot about that, my old E34 540i was the same and a pain to scan. I gave up using spray to find leaks many many years ago, too much in the way and too much hidden on many engines. Smoke machines are easy to make or cheap to buy do the job much better. One of most useful things ive owned.

Yeah it looks like its S50 specific but looks similar to the M52 setup. Easy to miss cracks sometimes in those hoses etc which is why i love my smoking device. Lines can block up also along with the dipstick tube (should be able to blow thru the leads to the dipstick into the sump to check for blockage).Would expect a slight vacuum at oil cap with no real idle change on these. Not sure what you mean by noticeable sucking noise, probably one of those things you have to hear yourself. If you going to replace it anyway it probably doesn't matter. Would expect the MAF reading to be about ~15kg\h when fully warm at idling. Out of interest have you reset all adaptions and rechecked fuel trims?

PCV system on those is just a basic valve and hoses isnt it? No vacuum leaks? Checked the fuel pressure regulator? MAF and coolant temp sensor readings ok?

Its in the engine bay

Not to mention the E34 B10 turbo is 10 years older and still beats it.

All the Mxx series 4 cyl engines are generally reliable expect for the M40. M10 followed by the M43 are easiest to work on.

Better than nothing but still quite limited to what a proper scan tool can achieve. I think id rather have a Saab than one these engines, one of (if not the most) unreliable engine BMW has made.

A proper scan tool goes along way. Glenn (Botany Motor Worx) is retired but still posts on here occasionally BM Workshop Botany seems to be the recommended one for East Auckland. I don't know of any others out that way but others may. I know how you feel in regards to emails but some places just aren't very good with email correspondence for whatever reason so it may just pay off to ring them instead.

I will always maintain that the 80-90's was the golden age for automobiles

Indeed its poor design but BMW are usually pretty good when it comes to that sort of thing Well if you get a cheap 1.5 ton jack ($74 Toolpro low profile one on sale @ SCA atm) to use on the side to get clearance for the main jack i don't see why that wouldn't work unless your jack main is that terrible. If its that bad then a decent low profile one is probably a good idea. Ive done some pretty low cars with my 3 ton high profile Powerbuilt, i just had to jack a side up first which allowed for plenty of clearance.

If you are going to get another trolley jack then why wouldn't just jack the car up using center jack point\pad and then using axle stands under the jack points or ramps?. Sure you still may need to lift one side a little to get the 2nd jack under the car (depending the profile and how low the car is) but its far easier.

E34 and E39 have always been the perfect size for me for an all rounder. Modern BMW's are just getting way too bloated for my tastes, the CEO parked his G30 M5 near my E39 the other day and that thing is monstrous.

Rang up a Bridgestone dealer here in Hamilton and don't bring in 235/45R17 S007A's into the country. Looks like im sticking with my PS4's for the time being.

Always liked the look of the 5 series tourings but if you don't need\use the extra cargo area often then you are disadvantaged compared to the sedan. Fold down rear seats have worked fine for most of my situations.

Fair enough. Certainly not extremely rare or expensive its just no one is selling them anymore haha, same the with the E24 M6. E28 M5 is a different story.

FYI M cars were around before the 90's Wouldn't mind a E34 M5, not crazily priced but are heading there, hard to find though. Problem is everyone is holding on to these older looked after cars for good reason (applies to all good models)

Yeah Vanos seals are probably the best $150 ive ever spent on a BMW to date and you'd probably benefit esp with that shorter diff ratio. Lots of things could cause rough cold idle on these - vacuum leaks and followed by the CCV system being the most common.