Yuen

Am keen on them depending on what tyres are on them, if they're still available!

Placed my bid. Good luck!

Sorry to hear, I will keep an eye out for it. It isn't common so that helps.

Hey Ashkan, NP I would go with powdercoating. I got my valve cover done at ProCoat (http://www.procoat.co.nz), I am happy with it and the price was decent. The reason I say powdercoating is because it should be more durable than paint - on another set of wheels I have it seems the previous owner painted them, and the paint comes off pretty easily, for example if I'm using the tyre wrench and stepping on it to loosen the wheel lugs, and after the lugs give way the wrench spins then falls off, it can easily take a piece of paint with it which really sucks!

They are as good as it gets if you're going for aftermarket lamps. They are actually pretty decent - the front corners are pretty close to OEM and do not look cheap (ie: too crystal looking). The rears are pretty good as well. Original BMW will be higher quality, but the price is higher as well... much higher.

You mean they are dimmer than other E30s that have the same standard bulbs, and same headlights? If so, then it must be your wiring. Perhaps it isn't getting sufficient wattage.

No worries For the cluster, it's really easy to get out. Unscrew the two Phillips screws above the cluster area. Then you pretty much try to get a grip on it and pull it out. If you can't get a grip, you can unscrew the headlight switch and push it out from behind, or remove the panel below the steering wheel column but that will take a bit more work. Then disconnect the harnesses that connect to the back of the cluster. IIRC, there are 4, but could be 3. About 2 on each side. After that, adjust your steering wheel height to the lowest position (assuming yours is adjustable, but even if it isn't it doesn't matter). Pull the cluster towards you, up till it gets obstructed by the steering wheel. Then slide it to the passenger side. Should be able to wiggle it free. Now check out the bulbs, you'll see some 1.5w bulbs and 1.2w bulbs. IIRC, the ones that light up the gauges are higher wattage. The oil light is probably 1.2w. But basically, you'll be able to tell what bulb it uses by seeing where it sits - the oil light will be the same bulb as the others beside it. You can get the new bulb from the dealer, that's including the plastic holder it sits in. I use a Flathead screwdriver to turn the bulbs into position. IIRC the new bulb costs about $2. I've heard you can buy the bulb itself from any car shop and reuse the bulb holder if a bulb blows, but I haven't actually tried it. Installation is reverse of removal.

Hey Glenn, will the key that costs $97.50 + GST have the EWS chip in it as well?

Hey Muzzie, from what you're saying I gather the car has the older analog climate control with the dials, also assuming it's an E36. If so, the little buttons that you say are still on are powered by LEDs so they pretty much never go out. The rest is illuminated via a bulb that uses plastic tubes to channel the light to the numbers. To change the climate control bulb: Remove the black 'faceplate'. To do that, pull all the knobs off (can't remember how many there are). Remove the screws underneath. Then the faceplate will pull right off. You'll then see the bulb poking out. If you can't get it out using your fingers, use a plier but careful not to break it. Replace the bulb. If you want to get it from the dealer (not sure if you get it from Repco), you might want to use www.realoem.com first to find the part number for the bulb so you can just tell them over the phone. To change the headlight switch bulb: Also a single bulb that uses light tubes. Look under the switch, there will be a Phillips screw. Take that out. Now the whole bit (including the vent) will come off. The top corner (top of the vent) may be a little weird to clip back in later, just take it at an angle. Unscrew the round connector to the headlight switch. If you have fog lights, remove that connector as well. Now the whole unit will be free. Take it out and you'll see this bulb holder beside the main headlight switch. I usually use a plier to grab onto it and pull it out. You'll then see the bulb. Replace.

Quite sure the 18x9 will rub in the back and you will have to at least roll your fenders. What tyres are you going to run, what are the offsets?

Those are a nice set of wheels. Good luck with the sale Laurence!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...&key=430061 Our car for sale. Anyone interested let me know!

Ditch the 18"s and go back to 15"s. It will be a noticeable difference. Going from 15" to 17" I lost about 0.5km/L. FWIW that was in a 320i but I am sure you will get increased mileage from going to 15"s. Make sure your tires are inflated properly, alignment is correct. Also do what Jochen said, get a full tune up basically, pull your spark plugs and check their condition, check that ICV is clean, make sure all breather hoses are still in good condition (if they haven't been replaced, they will have rotten and probably broken off at 200,000km). Get your codes read for any possible errors - the oxygen sensor is a common one.

Be careful that your transmission brace doesn't break when you bottom out. If you don't find out and drive around with a bad brace it will not be good news.

Can attest that not all E39's have them, I've driven one without PDC.

Try this - use a hair dryer and dry the front glass and headlamp lenses as much as you can before you put them together. This is to make it as dry as possible. Also, make sure you have silicon around the lenses (if you cut out the old stuff) to prevent any moisture from getting in. Usually this happens because moisture gets in when they get opened up - and when cold out, it condenses on the inside of the lamp.

Just pointing out that the loophole isn't exactly a cheap one - if the parking warden wants to, then he could just come back to where you usually park and fine you over and over again.

Welcome! Nice setting for the picture.

The people who dish out the fines are in charge of giving such fines too??? Even if you get the fine lifted, every single time you get fined and go get a WOF you pay the WOF price. So essentially you're still getting fined the WOF amount.

Should look good, but how good will depend on the type of bodykit that goes with them. They suit a more modern look, perhaps that's why it looks 'E39-ish'. I think the centre is fine, it's just the lighting - centre is painted/powdercoated while the rim is polished so there is a contrast from the flash.

Welcome to the club.

Hissing/whistling noise on my car was from vacuum leaks, check your hoses. Not sure about ticking noise, a noise that sounds like rattling pebbles in an M50 engine would be the VANOS, not sure about yours?

To everyone who has had their car tinted, did they manage to tint the dot matrix (the little dots around the rear view mirror, and front windshield) properly? Ie: apply the tint film over the dots.

Welcome Andy, good that you decided to post! It's great to have you on board. How's the maintenance on the 730iL, is it costly?