Yuen

Wow very nice paintings Glenn! When it's wet and gloomy outside I end up cleaning, doing work or lazing around on the computer or watching a show.

You need to check with LTSA what standards they follow in NZ for vehicle lighting - I guess it's ECE? And see if the lights you're buying comply with those standards. Then you need to make sure the lights are RHD ones, otherwise you'll cause glare to oncoming drivers and won't light up road signs. Price-wise... best to give the dealer or Hella a call, would be interesting to know how they're priced in NZ. Tail lights may be worth changing as the amber portion is quite obvious - headlights not so much as the facelift indicators are quite small, cost vs benefit doesn't really make sense IMHO. If you're set on changing to facelift headlights with clear indicators, I think you should go all the way and get facelift HID headlights with clear indicators.

Great advice Allan. The aftermarket headlights and taillights you've posted should pass WOF in NZ (just check if they comply with the required lighting standards in NZ), I have seen the tail lights on E39s here and also seen the pre-facelift version of that headlight on a car here as well. I'd expect them to be inferior to original Hella in quality and performance. The headlights will look tacky on an E39, and the tail lights not so obvious to the average guy, but a BMW enthusiast will be able to tell they aren't original. Re: Headlight washers, a HID headlight putting out so much light can cause significant glare to other drivers if the lens is dirty. But I also see a lot of cars without them, I don't know how strictly they enforce this rule. It's not really a lot of trouble to change the lights - just $$... the stock halogens are pretty decent when clean, if they aren't something is amiss. If the headlights are going to make or break the purchase then I suspect the car isn't such a great deal anyway. If you think the car is a good one I wouldn't pass on it due to the headlights.

Wow! has the engine ever been overhauled or repaired in any way? 500,000km definitely calls for a celebration.

Nice Greg, I haven't seen that one around. I also got a BMW book for my birthday 2 years ago, it's called "BMW" published by Konemann. It's pretty big, I've yet to finish it. Talks about the history of BMW from conception to the E63 6 series. E36 M3 Lightweight (aka LTW) is a US only car stripped down and has M3 GT bits, but still has the US E36 M3 engine. From what I understand the US E36 M3 engines were just stroked versions of the M52. E46 330i engine is M54. There was also a M3-R in Australia.

I've already changed my driving habits and drive to maximise fuel economy now. Of course, if I had a nicer car I would be more tempted to put my foot down And as Martyn said it's all relative. It would be interesting to do a poll based on age - I'd imagine the older guys who on average should belong in the higher income bracket will have more inelastic demand. Though I can see lots of young guys not caring about prices and just flooring it any chance they get (ie: the amount of teenagers on Queen Street Friday & Saturday night).

Welcome. Yellow meaning the circular indicator cover is amber, right? I believe you'll need to buy a whole new headlight front lens that's clear - which probably isn't worth it.

Thanks for clarifying - so higher spec = slotted. I was wondering if there was a better quality non-slotted/non-drilled rotor that looked the same as a normal one but was perhaps made with different materials. Will have a look around and let you know if I find anything

That is ridiculous, paying for a downgrade. I reckon the $82 would be better off put towards a secondhand E60 boot with the Euro size recess (assuming they're the same as the M5's) and getting it painted!

Welcome! Awaiting the pics

Welcome mate, nice car Aluminium trim on the inside?

Ron when you say Brembo rotors do you mean ones that are rated higher than OEM spec? As Brembo make rotors to OEM specs as well, I had a set on my car and was under the impression they were the exact same quality as OE.

beemn your car is gorgeous, I can't help but stare everytime I see an Imola E39, they are so hot. The brushed aluminium interior would be at the top of my list too. Speaking of which I don't think I've ever seen an Imola E39 Touring, would be something special.

Jo, have you tried the US? Would think that you'd get a better deal there than the UK.

Interesting, I always thought the centres were cloth. I like the stitching in the pic Fai+H, do you have a close-up of the centre section?

Funny thing about the sideskirts is, some people say they spend all that time removing the protective grey stuff and it turns out there's no paint underneath? Maybe not so funny if it was me. If you're going to get the bumpers done anyway, I'd get a set of actual sideskirts and get those painted. You can choose between the facelift E36 style (they call it M3 Luxury package skirts in the US) or the M 'twisty' style.

I agree about the price - it's on the high side. Just pointed it out for the features. Good eye Allan re: PDC, didn't notice. Looks like it might have HIDs though which would be a plus. That car has cloth centres and Alcantara bolsters. Alcantara is not cloth - kind of like suede as Martyn said, but it's probably more accurate to call it 'synthetic suede'. Looks like suede but supposed to be more durable for automotive purposes. To me the Alcantara is a very attractive part of the Motorsport E46s, E39s... Alcantara rates above leather in my book. I suppose leather does look classier, but Alcantara feels so good and should be more grippy, plus it will be cooler in hot weather. www.alcantara.com. It's also used in Lamborghinis, Aston Martins etc.

Definitely worth the watch. Enjoy! http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=43290

Yeah that's what I thought too... looks like a pretty good deal for a 1999 M3.

No motor! Just go get a secondhand one mate - should be far cheaper? (Unless the motor is the weak link on the E36, in which case it might make sense).

I agree that this forum is for BMW enthusiasts and not a spelling bee competition. And I don't think the admins (and the rest of us who frown on bad spelling/grammar) intend to be anal about this. There's a difference between making the odd spelling mistake and writing a whole paragraph of incomprehensible crap that forces people to read twice to understand what you're saying. People on here are a friendly bunch but don't expect people to help you if you won't even make the effort to write a decent paragraph. I believe these individuals aren't stupid; if they actually tried it would show, and this whole fuss wouldn't have been made. But when people start txting in the forum and using stupid excuses such as 'it saves time' - please... don't fool yourself. First off characters are free on the internet. Second, attend a typing course because those of us who use proper English in the forum don't find typing a chore - it's second nature. If you type more you start typing faster. And they've been told a million times but I'll say it again - proper English is required in the workplace so why not start now? My point? Sometimes it seems like people are actually TRYING to spell badly. And those are the people who we don't want around. To the rest of us who make genuine mistakes... that's totally acceptable.

Now this, Martyn, is a nice one! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-149792258.htm

Haha, I haven't been paying enough attention. Sounds good Deeveus, btw hope we'll still see you around Bimmersport even though you no longer own a Bimmer.

Very nice, thanks for sharing. The 502 is so cool, would make a great wedding car. I wonder what that blue on the E92 M3 is called? Edit: I just checked out the BMWCC Thailand site. There are some nice cars... dig the turbos. But what's up with Thais and side grills? Nasty.

Looks like a fun car