Discussion
It's a peach to drive. Amazingly manoeuverable considering that it's a bit longer and wider than a Mondeo. Tight car parks hold no fear for me. I also like the fact that from the driving seat I can see all four corners.
I intend to do a few minor cosmetic upgrades over the next twelve months, most notably getting post-facelift lights fitted and the wheels refurbed. There's a place near here that does a one-day one-stop service (drop car off, they take wheels off, tyres off, refurb wheels, refit wheels and tyres and balance them, all in 1 day) and it should only be about £200 for all four.
I'll also get the stone chips sorted out and the paintwork properly polished.
But the best thing about it?
That'd be the noise it makes at 6000RPM.
I intend to do a few minor cosmetic upgrades over the next twelve months, most notably getting post-facelift lights fitted and the wheels refurbed. There's a place near here that does a one-day one-stop service (drop car off, they take wheels off, tyres off, refurb wheels, refit wheels and tyres and balance them, all in 1 day) and it should only be about £200 for all four.
I'll also get the stone chips sorted out and the paintwork properly polished.
But the best thing about it?
That'd be the noise it makes at 6000RPM.
Edited by CommanderJameson on Monday 26th March 12:44
Thats looking very nice. Exactly the same as my first venture into E39 ownership, same colour too I think (is it Biarritz or Orient ?)....A very sweet and smooth straight-six and handling that belies its size and weight. Lovely.
Please don't take this the wrong way though, as its intended solely as friendly advice, but I'd think carefully before spending £200 on your 16" turbines. You see, it probably wont be long before your eye is caught by some tasty looking 17 or 18" OEM alloys so use the money towards that purchase as, if you sell your turbines at a later date you'll never see that £200 again....
It was hailed for many years as 'the best car in the world' so I know you'll enjoy it.
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
Please don't take this the wrong way though, as its intended solely as friendly advice, but I'd think carefully before spending £200 on your 16" turbines. You see, it probably wont be long before your eye is caught by some tasty looking 17 or 18" OEM alloys so use the money towards that purchase as, if you sell your turbines at a later date you'll never see that £200 again....
It was hailed for many years as 'the best car in the world' so I know you'll enjoy it.
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
Mark V8 said:
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
I guess this has answered my question before I've asked it but here goes:
I'm thinking about buying one of these as they seem like good value in the £5000 range. I used to borrow a friends 51 reg 530i sport auto and really liked it. I'd prefer a manual but never driven one. I like the idea of V8 power but all this talk about different steering racks confuses me. What advice can you give me?
Mark V8 said:
Thats looking very nice. Exactly the same as my first venture into E39 ownership, same colour too I think (is it Biarritz or Orient ?)....A very sweet and smooth straight-six and handling that belies its size and weight. Lovely.
Please don't take this the wrong way though, as its intended solely as friendly advice, but I'd think carefully before spending £200 on your 16" turbines. You see, it probably wont be long before your eye is caught by some tasty looking 17 or 18" OEM alloys so use the money towards that purchase as, if you sell your turbines at a later date you'll never see that £200 again....
It was hailed for many years as 'the best car in the world' so I know you'll enjoy it.
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
Please don't take this the wrong way though, as its intended solely as friendly advice, but I'd think carefully before spending £200 on your 16" turbines. You see, it probably wont be long before your eye is caught by some tasty looking 17 or 18" OEM alloys so use the money towards that purchase as, if you sell your turbines at a later date you'll never see that £200 again....
It was hailed for many years as 'the best car in the world' so I know you'll enjoy it.
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
Ah, now, here's a thing. I'm part of a one-man campaign for smaller wheels. They improve ride and appearances, and I rather like the turbines.
atm said:
Mark V8 said:
By the way, if you haven't joined forum.bmw5.co.uk yet, come on over as a warm reception and stacks of advice and blah awaits you......
I guess this has answered my question before I've asked it but here goes:
I'm thinking about buying one of these as they seem like good value in the £5000 range. I used to borrow a friends 51 reg 530i sport auto and really liked it. I'd prefer a manual but never driven one. I like the idea of V8 power but all this talk about different steering racks confuses me. What advice can you give me?
The noise of the V8 easily out-weighs the slightly numb steering! The sixes do sound sweet though!
CommanderJameson said:
Thanks. It looks a lot tidier in photos - the camera hides all the stone chips and swirl marks quite well.
I also need to dress the plastics and tyres properly.
I also need to dress the plastics and tyres properly.
Very clean! My headlights are full of condensation (unlike yours!), I'v had them apart twice now and re-sealed them twice! Oh well a new angle eye conversion it is then!
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