Flew to Colorado to pick up a sight unseen car...

[Ghost 0]

Hi guys - long time since I've posted here but I do still browse occasionally. I have acquired a new car and wrote it up for the guys at M5board.com, thought you may be interested in a read.

Enjoy!

(for those of you who don't know, I am actually a kiwi!)

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Ok guys, finally found some time to put a few words and photos together. I hope you enjoy.

PART I – Relocation

I guess it all starts back in late 2008 when I received word that I would be relocating to Houston from my current location, Perth, Western Australia. The expatriation process is a rather protracted one sorting out work visa and a multitude of other small things so I settled on a February move date. At the time in Perth I was driving this:

A gorgeous e34 M5 that the previous owner had spent exorbitant amounts on money returning to near concourse condition. 125,000km on the clock and seriously quick for an e34 M5. This car dyno’d 280rwhp where an e92 M3 dyno’d 315wrhp 10 minutes prior. The e34 was a little bit of a whale off the line, but once you had the S38 B36 up past 4k rpm it was totally satisfying. Actually, the car that led me to M cars was my love affair with e30 M3’s, this was my first car:

A sport evo is the long term goal. Most rewarding M car ever made, a car that completely and utterly proves that you don’t have to be driving at mach 9 to have a Cheshire grin plastered across your face. Anyhow, upon discovery of my imminent move to Texas I started trawling the forums and car sales web sites for a car, and no other car than an M car would completely satisfy me. As car insurance is so expensive in the US, and the likelihood that I would staying in an apartment, I quickly ruled out having two cars, a toy and a practical car was out of the question. So, I needed an M car that was practical… naturally I honed in on the e39. After getting a feel for prices I left it at that, I would have to wait until I was in country before I could continue the pursuit.

[Ghost 0]

PART II – Acquisition

Fast Forward to February 2009, arrival, insane (and inane) things to do to get assimilated and up to speed at work. No time to look at cars (company rental car at this stage). Fast forward again to March and things are starting to settle down. The hunt begins. What quickly became apparent was the significant discontinuity between what sellers wanted and what buyers wanted to pay. Apparently the economy falling through the floor had not filtered down to some sellers who were asking prices within 10k of an e60 M5.

It turns out the e39 is rare beast, even in the US with only 2-3 for sale (online) in Houston at any one time. I checked out a couple of them, but sadly I was deeply disappointed, the cars drove hard (which confirmed my desire for an M5) but had a multitude of imperfections that would bug the hell out of me over time. I couldn’t part with the cash unless it was near perfect.

With such a slim selection in Houston, I branched out and started considering out of state cars. As it turns out, there were a few on M5Board, an S2 and Mottatis S2+ that had me interested. I sent off a few PM’s, found out more about the cars but I was slightly reluctant to make a call as I knew next to nothing about e39’s. In hindsight, I could have pulled the trigger on either of those cars and been very happy. Dwelling on the fact that I could have, but missed out on, a heavily modified M5 with a great track record and the right servicing for the same money people wanted for stock cars with little history, I became slightly despondent, I didn’t want a stock M5 anymore, so the search criteria narrowed again…

With nothing on the M5board I conducted country wide searches on autotrader etc using ‘Dinan’, ‘Supersprint’ and ‘Modified’ in the filter to narrow the result. Typically, the cars that came up were lightweights, Dinan Stage 1 or 2 mods, or aftermarket mufflers, however two cars were more or less what I was chasing (without exorbitant price tags):

The first, a 2000 with SS headers, cans and suspension mods looked like a good car, but without more mods, the mileage was too high for the price.

The second, a black (it did not state which) was a 2002 car located in Denver with 51k miles with the following modifications:

Dinan CAIs, MAFs, TB’s, Vel stacks, Diff, Flywheel, mufflers, strut bars front and rear plus a few ICE bits and pieces.

Now we are talking! But no Dinan headers? Damn, will have to query that one….

The car also had chromed M Parallels which I think look terrible, and the 540i Sport front bumper insert (the bit in front of the bumper mesh – its that what it is?) and Carbon Fiber EVERYWHERE. These ‘features’ combined with the fact that I was actually in love with Silverstone Metallic made it extremely hard to get enthusiastic about a black car on chrommies with tacky CF….

The car:

And if you didn’t think that was CF overload, check this out:

The rear diffuser is also CF…

After a little internal debate, a few posts on the board seeking inspiration for a black M5 and the fact that I was fed up with not owning a car in Houston (public transport in Houston is lolz) led me to call the owner. Now, I struggled to buy a car out of state from two M5board members who really know their stuff, so I really struggled when the owner knew next to nothing about the car – he was a great guy, just not an e39 M5 enthusiast who has know what preventative maintenance to do and how to really take care of the car. Two things gave me confidence though, he was a paying a BMW stealer to get servicing done, and he really came across as a genuine, honest, down to earth guy.

I had a PPI done in Denver and reassuringly the rep loved the car and thought I was getting a great price, just minor things like a cracked windscreen and worn tires – just wear and tear items in need of replacement. I was adamant they religiously check the car to make sure it had all of the stated Dinan upgrades, as that was why I was buying the car. I was slightly apprehensive about this because I had rung Dinan and they had in there records that the car received the full S2 treatment. Why then did the car not have the Dinan headers? I assumed a previous owner had pilfered some of the Dinan parts off before selling to recoup cost. Naturally, if that person had taken the trouble to remove the headers, the diff and TB’s would have been an obvious choice’s too. The PPI revealed all the stated Dinan parts were there including the TB’s and Vel Stacks – relief! However they could not check the differential without opening it up so they could not guarantee is was still there – although it did ‘feel’ like on test drive…The PPI also revealed full Dinan Stage 2 suspension – bonus!

Numerous emails, texts and calls later I pulled the trigger. I had agreed to buy a car I had never seen, in another state, and knew very little about in a foreign country where I don’t know the title process. Coincident that I enjoy a poker game or two? I don’t think so

Now, as I found out, buying a car in another state with financing is DIFFICULT. Thankfully I had a lovely bank account manager who took me step by step through the process. Because the owner had lien on the car, and it also wasn’t in his name (more complication) you can not prepare everything in advance, fly up and THEN agree to purchase the car and drive away (I assumed I could call the bank and tell them to wire the money through – but it takes them forever to receive it and clear it the other end (the US is backwards when it comes to banking…)), so effectively, the only way I could fly to Denver once, without staying there for any length of time was to buy the car sight unseen.

Thursday afternoon. Wire transfer sent. I booked a one-way ticket to Denver for the next morning. Head out to Best Buy and pick up a Passport 9500ix (little did I know how crucial this would be), head to Happy Hour and have a few drinks with friends. Home. Nerves build. Don’t sleep well….

[Ghost 0]

PART III - Collection

Alarm, strums me awake (rather soothing alarm option on the iPhone) at 6.00am. Shower, reassemble essentials for the drive home. Checklist:

Wallet, iPhone, iPod, Camera, book, radar detector, socks and jocks.

We’re good to go. Taxi to George Bush Intercontinental and before I know it I’m reading my book high above Texas. Uneventful flight, land on time, alite on time. No checked baggage, walk straight to the arrivals pick-up area and call the owner. Argh! He’s caught up at work and wont make it for another 40 minutes. Back to the novel. Phone rings – he’s one minute away, ‘oh, but I’m not in the M5, I came from work in my truck’ Argh! Nerves frayed but nothing I can do… the wait continues…

Turns out the guy is great and my assessment of his character is right on, hopefully this is confirmation that I have done the right thing, I guess I’ll find out soon enough. From the Airport it’s off the DMV for some temp tags, then a stop off to get some copies made of the Bill of Sale and now we are on our way – the moment of truth draws near.

By this stage I wasn’t nervous, strangely I just wanted to get on the road. So when the garage door finally opened and I saw the car, there was very little emotion, hardly any relief. In hindsight, thankfully the car was exactly as described. I took a big risk, but it all came through (touch wood). I also think that because the car is not my style, black, chrome and CF, perhaps there was never going to be a ‘yippee’ moment…

I throw my gear in the back seat and start to play with the nav and go to hook up my iPod to the Dension link – oh cr*p, it has a mount designed for an iPod mini and mine will not fit. 1200 miles with radio only?? Fortunately the owner has a spare radio adapter and throws it in. He makes sure to include all the paper work he has and also a spare tire on a stock rim, he also threw in a jack and socket ‘just in case’, wow, thanks!

First impressions: The smell. Good to be back in a BMW. The Dinan muffles sounds great (until I shut the doors/windows – very quiet), the car is tight and very well put together. I’m already loving the wide screen nav and full leather. Dinan flywheel is perfect, not too light but definitely lighter. Dinan SSK is also very precise without being notchy or heavy at all.

Passport 9500ix securely fasted and plugged into the hardwired cord (nice bonus again).

The 1200 mile journey begins at 2.30pm CMT.

[Ghost 0]

PART IV – Four Doors of Fury

After a journey that started many months ago I am finally the owner of an 39 M5. From e30 to e34 and now to an e39, I consider myself very privileged to have owned each of these vehicles. I begin the long march south of Denver coming to grips with the car. It is all very intuitive, as it always is in a BMW and you feel the e30 and e34 in this car. I love it that when BMW get something just right, they don’t feel the need to change it for change sake. The e39 glides soothingly and I appreciate the quietness of the Dinan cans, the torque is impressive. I settle in and enjoy the ride.

Traffic is light in the toll ways around Denver, I give the car a few spurts in 3rd and 4th and am surprised that 120mph feels like 80. No fuss, no drama. I’m almost disappointed!

A few minor panics as the Radar bleeps until I start to figure out what each warning means (never owned one before).

The drive south in CO was gorgeous. Wide rolling highway with flowing traffic (once past Colorado Springs) and a speed limit of 75. I cruise at 90 enjoying the scenery in the foothills of the mountains to the West. In time I come across a black Cooper S and gain a caboose. We drive together for perhaps 60 miles flying along at 100mph. These suckers are pretty quick at this altitude but definitely run out of steam above 120 mph. I was relatively impressed by the M5’s acceleration, I definitely wasn’t blown away, but I knew I was on 91 octane gas and at high altitude, I was positive it would improve once back in Texas.

After a few hours on the road I pulled into a town called Trinidad for fuel and pizza. I found a great little pizza joint on the main street and chilled out for 30 minutes. Beautiful historic buildings line Main Street. It is a shame that a highway basically rolls over the top of this gorgeous town.

Back on the road. More brilliant cruising and not a cop to be seen. The only warnings the Radar had given me were encounters with those speed signs – obviously they have a significant radar signature as the detector picked them up from a mile away.

Mile upon mile. More mile upon mile. I’m still in Colorado. Oh sh*t this is going to be a long trip!

Finally the terrain starts to flatten and mountains give way to rolling plains interspersed with classical conical volcanoes as I enter into the north-eastern corner of New Mexico.

I’m quickly enveloped by the scenery and consider the collision of the Pacific plate into North America and the resultant subduction zone complete with a back arc basin and volcanism…. Four years of

Geology at University if you hadn’t guessed already… It is stunning to see classic text book examples in the flesh.

The speed limit drops to 70 in NM but the roads straighten and traffic is non-existent… It took me a nano-second to decide whether this a good opportunity to stretch the legs. Stays in 6th, foot to the floor. Accelerate moderately then quickly as the revs build, 120 mph is gone in a flash, still miles of road remaining. A slight crest in the road, I keep in pegged. 150 mph, still to the floor. Grab the iPhone, quickly get to camera mode and snap this off while driving with one hand:

I held on for a further 15 or 20 seconds after that photo. Dinan says an S2 is good for 191 mph, I say I got to 185+ mph indicated. At altitude, on rubbish gas. This car is QUICK!

I stop in Des Moines for no other reason to quickly snap off a few photos:

I get through NM relatively quickly as I just cut the corner off the state, it is gorgeous though and I’ll definitely be back to check it out sometime.

Somewhere in Texas. Cruising at 90ish and road clears, foot down a little and up to 120 mph when the radar detector starts screaming! Heavy on the brakes down to 80 mph. Eyes twitching and scanning the road. Nothing. Not a thing. What the f*ck? Not even a car in the distance. Well, I decide to keep it down to 80 mph just in case, I wonder what the detector picked up? At least a mile down the road and low and behold a state cruiser rolls past in the opposite direction - but no reaction from the Passport..? Just as we cross the radar screams before almost instantly descending into silence. Tricky HP was using instant on. Thank god the Passport caught that instant-on for somebody a mile up the road! I would have been toast at 120 mph! Pheeeeeeeeeeeew. Radar detector purchase justified in one fowl swoop.

That incident was the only time I encountered instant-on on the entire 1200 mile journey, typically the radars were left on and were easily picked up by the Passport with plenty of warning. Goes to show a radar detector is not insurance against a ticket when cops are using instant on. All in all, the Passport warned me about four HP cars while I was travelling at speed and proved itself as a worthy road trip companion. Obviously I’m yet to evaluate the GPS capability of the Passport, although the red light camera warnings were very accurate, although not that useful to me. I never take chances with traffic lights.

I drove into the night passing through small town after small town, mile after mile. I started to get tired at around 9pm. A leg stretch and some Red Bull at the service station had me alert and awake again. By this stage I was cruising at 5-10 mph above the open road limits. Darkness and my current state were not conducive to any form of rapid or spirited driving. I was amazed at the shear quantity of small agricultural towns in Texastate. I was born in a small town, so I can relate to what it is like to grow up in such an insulated environment. Another fuel stop in another dead beat town. The highlight of this break is a 20min wait for a Big Mac. Fast food...

Eyes falling out of my head I roll into Wichita Falls, Texas and hit the first cheap motel I see off the Highway. It’s a terrible place but I’m too tired to care. I check in and make

small talk with the 2 ton lady at the front desk. Park the car around the back, shower, hit the mattress and try not to wonder if they rent rooms by the hour here. Sleep alludes me for a while as I am over-tired before I finally drift off.

Day one complete. 6am Houston to Denver. 2.30pm Denver to Wichita Falls – Almost 700 miles.

[Ghost 0]

PART V – Homeward Bound

Day two starts at 9.30, still tired but definitely ready to hit the road. After consulting with day lady at the front desk and grabbing an apple from the breakfast bar I decide to head to Houston via HWY 281. A southerly route that will take me through Austin and was apparently much more scenic.

The Hilton, Wichita Falls:

At this stage it also occurred to me to take a photo of my temporary plates. Now, it is the law to place them in the bottom right of the rear windscreen. You can’t argue with the law!

Law abiding citizen:

I have no idea if these tints will be legal in Texas….

I quickly leave the dual and triple carriage ways behind as I get onto 281. Smooth rolling bitumen, mostly single lane with interspersed over-taking zones. Green pastures line the road and rolling plains gradually turn into low hills flattened and smoothed by millions of years of erosion. While nothing to rival CO or NM, this road provides a different side of TX and was a welcome departure from the dead straight, functional and efficient highways that would have taken me through Fortworth.

This phase is pretty uneventful. I was pretty surprised by how ‘Wild West’ some of the towns I drove through were. Most were relatively ‘modern’ farming towns while a few really took me back to gunslingers and saloons. Exhibit A – Main Sttreet (unknown town)

Early afternoon I stopped in Marble Falls thinking it would be a quaint place with a scenic walk or two (It’s called Marble Falls after all right?). After talking to a few locals it turns out the falls were dammed a loooong time ago – they don’t exist anymore. Progress…

Slightly disappointed I set about exploring the historic streets in Marble Falls. Co-incidentally it was fair day, held only twice a year. So small stalls lined the street selling trinkets, food, karate training memberships and art. I wandered peacefully here for an hour and ended up buying a lovely painting and a some crafts.

Back seat full of purchases I hit the road again. Heading directly towards Austin I was about done with this road trip and was set on getting home. I stayed in the freeways through Austin not seeing a thing and hit traffic for a while. Eventually a left turn onto I-10 and I was finally on the road that led directly to Houston.

Very uneventful until, inside 60 mile to home when: Cruising at 90 mph, the road clears, take it up to 110+ mph and rather dramatically the rear end steps sideways about a foot! Wtf! The rear starts snaking sideways and is very very loose – I ease onto the brakes and slowly bring it back under control. Back down past 60 mph it’s still all over the place – definitely a flat tire I realize. I pull onto the outside shoulder and sure enough:

Well thank goodness for the spare tire! And jack and socket! Saved ma bacon. Feeling very appreciative of the previous owner at this point as you can imagine…

On closer inspection I nearly sh*t my pants:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

I have a flash-back to this:

Link 4

20 minutes later I’m back on the road limping along at 50 mph. I check the bolts and tire pressures 3 miles down the road at a service station. All good. However, I’m pretty concerned by the left rear and the fact that I have a front tire on the rear… After a few miles I get comfortable at 60 mph.

The next hour is tense. Two hands on the wheel waiting for the other tire to go on me. Slowly the miles count down as I approach Houston. A phone call from friends reveals I may just make it in time to see Stephen Lynch with them. Finally! I pull into the apartment complex pretty well wrecked but happy to be home. It’s been 1200 miles across 3 states with a couple of memorable incidents along the way. A trip I won’t forget. What a way to see some of the US!!

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It was a hellava drive

The car is basically an S2 except it has different aftermarket headers. 1st and 2nd gears are useless. It should have a conservative 460 HP. The bolt ons combined with the 3.45 differential and the lwt flywheel make the car pretty fun. I guess it is a sub 12.8 car, possibly sub 12.6 (not with me driving!) which aint bad for a heavy car.

New tires ordered and on tomorrow. Looking at getting some stock rims (maybe LMs one day), selling the aweful chrome. Also looking to de-CF the car a bit and change the front bumper grill. I'll take it to a Dinan dealer here an make sure it is running optimally at sea-level and with the uprated fuel.

Hmmm, ESS just finished a supercharger kit for the e39 M5.... 600+ hp is tempting

Car:

2002 e39 M5

Jet Black

51,000 miles

Full leather (dash etc)

PDC

Modifications:

Dinan CAI

Dinan MAF

Dinan Velocity Stacks

Dinan Throttle Bodies

Dinan LTW Flywheel

Dinan Differential

Dinan Stage 2 Suspension

Dinan Strut Braces

Dinan Stage 5 Software

Dinan Mufflers

Bekkers Headers

Dension iPod Adapter

Icky Carbon Fiber EVERYWHERE

Ash

Edited April 15, 2009 by Ash

[Gus 5]

nice write up!

[HELLBM 1531]

What a great way to bond. Near death experience with that tyre and speed. Bet that made you feel alive.

My hunt for a descent E39 M5 is about to start again. Having to settle for 540`s at the moment.

A great read to kickstart my day. Excellent contribution to Bimmersport.

[Grant 4]

Very cool - great write up.

If you find yourself having to come to Norcal to pick up a car, send me a PM.

Cheers

Grant

Edited April 14, 2009 by Grant

[*Glenn* 854]

That was an awesome read.... thanks for sharing & welcome to Bimmersport

[Ghost 0]

welcome to Bimmersport

Thanks newbie

Joined: 9-October 03

Ash

[pjay 8]

That truly was a pleasure to read

[Antallica 15]

Wow that was truly an awesome read

[*Glenn* 854]

Thanks newbie

Joined: 9-October 03

Ash

Oooops

[Old_Skool_Bmw 0]

awesome read!!

Luck escape with the tyre

keep up posted with progress of the M.

Laurence

[M325is 0]

Good read, didn't realise the time though! CRAP

[Hi-Tek 3]

Hi Ash,

Great write up mate, good read to start the day for sure.

I've got some LMs for sale if you're interested

Although I love your old E30 M3, I think you've made a good choice with the E39 M5 given the circumstances of parking etc. I much prefer the look of the E39 M5 over the E34.

[3 SERIES 92]

Fantastic write up! Thanks for sharing

[martyyn 2]

Post of the year....no question.

[Greg111 13]

Wow i'm with the others, that was a fantastic write up. Ha you're lucky with that bloody tyre, car look great.

P.S 300kph is nothing to sneeze at either

[Jamez 2147483647]

cool write up, nearly 300km/h is insane

[Guest Simon*]

Epic roadtrip and awesome read Ash cheers!

Totally agree about the Chrome M-Pars and the CF overload. All easily sorted thank goodness.

Tyres looked like Goodyear Eagle F1's from the tread pattern? I had the same tyre in the same spot let go in similarly spectacular fashion on the E34 last year. Don't recall hitting 185mph that day though

Enjoy your love affair with the best of the M Cars

[Mark 178]

Very interesting read... and I thought the 850 kilometre drive to pick up my new car was a long way. A great way to see the US for sure. Enjoy the car, she's a beaut.

EDIT: Just saw the pictures of the tyre blowout. JESUS! How were you allowed to drive on tyres with ZERO tread? That thing was a slick! Wow, no wonder you shat yourself.

Edited April 14, 2009 by _Mark_

[Apex 693]

Epic drive! And I was thinking Australia was big.

Enjoy your new car.

[greenday-rulz21 4]

Post of the year....no question.

No question.

Car looks mint mate.

[OLLIE 26]

Awesome read thanks Ash!

Keep us updated with changes you make to the car to get it perfect for you.