Hello from a newcomer

[50 Hz Sine Wave]

Hello Fellow E28er’s!

I am new to this board and thought I’d drop a few lines to say g’day and introduce myself. I have previously posted on the E28 forum on roadfly.com (as M535i-Brisbane) but for a couple of reasons I no longer post there. Firstly something unusual with the firewall settings on my work network seems to be preventing me from logging in. Secondly I have also become disenchanted with the petty squabbles, personality clashes and vindictive posting that goes on there – something that this site seems thankfully to be free of.

Whilst I am new here I’m no stranger to BMW ownership. I have owned and worked on BMW’s for over 10 years, initially a 2002 then an E30 325i when I was living in New Zealand. I moved to Australia for professional reasons in late 2003 and I currently have two E28’s – a 1986 M535i manual (my daily driver) and a 1985 535i auto (currently an organ-donor to the M535i but it MIGHT go again some day… honest!)

My M535i is in really good condition and is always much admired wherever it goes. It’s largely stock although it does have a few sensible modifications such as: 17” wheels from an E60 540i; custom chip; custom cat-back exhaust; rebuilt head with a moderate port’n’polish job; cruise control fitted. Yesterday I also completed an E32 front brake conversion and the pads are bedding in at the moment. So far I’m very happy with this upgrade – although the true benefit won’t be felt of course until the next track day

I do all my own work on my cars and I’m fanatical about maintenance. I’m an electrical engineer by profession so I have a special interest in and understanding of electrical issues, especially the Motronic systems on these cars. I’m always happy to share my experience and knowledge with people so feel free to post or ask directly if you think I might be able to help. My specific areas of E28 experience are: M30 idle control issues; early Motronic engine management issues; cylinder head removal, rebuilding and replacement; brake overhauls and modifications; fitting cruise control to non-cruise cars; ABS issues; general electrical troubleshooting and modifications; front end rebuilds (steering and suspension linkages and bushes). That's a few of the things I've spent weekends on.

Anyway that’s a bit about me and my cars. I look forward to chatting with some of you soon.

Cheers,

Andy
Brisbane, Australia (but I'm really a kiwi!)

See my current cars at:

http://www.pbase.com/andyfm3a/m535i
http://www.pbase.com/andyfm3a/535i

[Duke]

Why are you posting your hello in several different areas? General conversation is all that is needed.

With that - Welcome!

[Ted in T.O.]

Hey Andy.What size rims and tires are you running with the E60 setup?I'm thinking about the Billy sport and Eibach setup.I like the drop on your car which what i want but i also want a soft ride with cornering abilities.Your thoughts on this would be great.TIA. Ted in T.O.[/url]

[50 Hz Sine Wave]

Before you ask -- yes that's how we spell tyre (tire) in this part of the world

The wheels are standard fitment on a lot of Australian E60 530i, 540i and 545i and optional on other models. They are 7.5J 17 ET20. I'm running 235/45/17 tyres. This *seems* to be about as big as you can go with this offset -- the tyres sit very close to the fender lips although I have seen no evidence of rubbing after a year of driving. I did read somewhere that you can go to 245 using this size wheels and offset with no clearance issues, but I think that 235 is still plenty of rubber.

By the way apologies for the multiple posting -- I just thought that maybe different people hang out in different places. And ya know, I'm really not the best with names... usually takes me three times before I properly remember someone

[coopa.s]

Ha another aussie damn kiwi immigrant... hmm...

Anyway, nice m535i- was this one for sale a few months ago? I remember one similar to this was for sale with an awesome underbonnet setup with the ///M logo and such....

[50 Hz Sine Wave]

Gidday mate,

Yeah it’s another bloody Kiwi in Oz. But hey it’s not like there aren’t plenty of you over in NZ too!

I’m pretty sure I know the car that you’re referring too, with the ///M logo on the under-bonnet lining. It was recently for sale at a dealer in Brisbane, right? I have driven that car and I know the owner – here’s the story.

I actually bought my car from a dealer here in central Brisbane. He specializes in Europeans and classics. He bought my car as a kind of personal project and spent a truckload replacing, rebuilding and customizing various things on it – hence the E60 wheels and custom bonnet (hood) lining, amongst other things.

My best mate Sam (he's Australian, but was actually born in NZ too!) has always admired my car and has said many times that he'd buy it if I were to sell. Well one day I was paying a visit to the dealer where I bought mine (I sometimes drop by to see what he's got on the floor and to talk cars) and I saw another white M535i sitting there for sale. I told Sam about it and we took it for a test drive. I gave it a thorough inspection and it all seemed pretty good. Anyway a week later he bought it.

Scary thing is it's *almost* identical to mine – it’s Alpine White and has the same E60 wheels. It also has a custom bonnet lining with the ///M logo, very similar to mine. Only visible differences from the outside are his has a sunroof and a different exhaust. Inside his has black leather, black vinyl dash/trim and charcoal carpet whereas mine has marine blue leather, black and blue combo vinyl dash/trim and blue carpet.

I must get some pics of the two cars together. When do stuff we often take both cars just for the hell of it – they attract a lot of attention and we constantly see people doing a double-take as two virtually identical cars drive past!

[coopa.s]

Ah i see now, mines the same colour combo as your friends one.. now with OEM moulded bonnet lining $100 cant go wrong!

Love to see pics of the cars together, and a picture under your bonnet too, just to see the difference in the lining...