The Thread of Randomness. . .

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
Brian in TN
Posts: 4615
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by Brian in TN »

oldskool wrote:If you've ever worked outside in the South you know what can develop after many days of being hot-n-wet. I combat "swamp-ass" by wearing some holy khakis (dress-code at the hacienda) and no boxers when I get home.
To make a long story short, I've caught my Johnson tip in the zipper twice this week and my Helmet is beginning to look like a puppy Pit-Bull's ear.
George Takei would be proud.......to see this.
davintosh
Posts: 13948
Joined: Jan 28, 2009 1:05 AM
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Contact:

Post by davintosh »

Worked on the e32 until about midnight, then cracked open a bottle of Val-Dieu Grand Cru. I'm in love. It's good; very, very good.

Image
Karl Grau
Posts: 9717
Joined: Mar 10, 2006 7:34 PM
Location: Sandy Eggo

Post by Karl Grau »

I HATE driving in this goddamn fucking town. Everyone at the City of San Diego that is involved with traffic signal timing needs to be lined up against a wall and shot.
And you tourists? GET - THE - FUCK - OUT - NOW!!!
davintosh
Posts: 13948
Joined: Jan 28, 2009 1:05 AM
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Contact:

Post by davintosh »

I think Charles is gunning for a position with the Sandy Eggo Convention & Visitors Bureau. ;)
Karl Grau
Posts: 9717
Joined: Mar 10, 2006 7:34 PM
Location: Sandy Eggo

Post by Karl Grau »

I applied for a job there but they said they needed a 'people person' :laugh: .
I think it's partly that I'm starting to stress on my to-do list for Monterey but mostly day three of this insane humidity. It's cooled off enough that we're walking down to Nick's at The Pier for dinner. Some food and a bottle of an unassuming but yet precocious Cabernet should put me back in order :)
Mike W.
Posts: 27223
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Post by Mike W. »

Charles, we see your stress and understand, I think you better have a second bottle of Cabernet at Nicks. I know, it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. :laugh:
1st 5er
Posts: 21864
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Post by 1st 5er »

Found this... Image
BDK
Posts: 5291
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM

Post by BDK »

Image
Tim in N FL
Posts: 7392
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: North Central Florida, USA
Contact:

Post by Tim in N FL »

I've been using this thing for a while now and generally like it:

Image

http://greatestroad.com/

:haul:

:roundel:

:up:
rmiddendorf
Posts: 5568
Joined: Jul 11, 2010 1:17 PM
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by rmiddendorf »

I just typed a book on the E39 after a friend asked me about a specific car. Here's what I wrote:
As far as E39s go I prefer the 540i/6 which is the one with the 6-speed manual. All of those cars came equipped with the sport pkg which makes it an entirely different machine. And a good 540i/6 can be had for $xk.

Otherwise I, and I believe you will too, prefer the sport package equipped cars with the auto. I think those started in 1998. This also includes, I think in 99 and later, the Steptronic transmission which is the better auto. This has the shift gate where you pull the shifter towards you and bumping it up or down changes the gears. This is really nice on a country road or in the snow. Its pretty close to a manual, but not completely. I have this on my 330i and LOVE it. I wouldn't have bought an auto if the car didn't have this feature.

If you're going to consider the auto you had might as well consider the wagon as well, however all of those are autos and rarely will you find one with a sport pkg. And those 540i Sport Pkg equipped Touring cars demand stupid money.

So, in making your model selection of the E39 I stand by the need for either the 6-Speed (all had the Sport Pkg) or an auto with the Sport Pkg. From there my order would be late model (99-03) 540i cars, then the 530i, then early (97-98) 540i's and then the 528i. I'd steer clear of the 525i because many consider it underpowered. I believe all the models I mentioned can be had with the 5-speed auto or the 6-speed manual.

As far as maintenance stuff goes, watch out for the cooling systems- they typically need fully replaced around 100k miles. The dash clusters like to blow out rows of pixels and they can be a pain to have repaired. The VANOS sometimes has issues including seals that need to be replaced to larger more expensive items. The timing guides can wear and crack (they're plastic) so you'll want to be aware that there is a possibility of needing to replace a bunch of timing components as a preemptive repair. Typically you can hear a timing chain clatter indicating a impending failure but not always. This is mostly on the V8 engines. Normal rubber suspension components need replacing and the HVAC is not a simple system and can also be expensive to replace.

Specific to the wagons the large two part sunroof is prone to cable or motor failure, and the rear lights are prone to failing because of worn wiring on the rear liftgate.
ldsbeaker
Posts: 6131
Joined: Mar 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Location: Slicktop City, AZ
Contact:

Post by ldsbeaker »

I have a ticket to the Batman triple play thursday night/friday morning. Oh yeah. Included in the ticket price: 3 movies, 2 small popcorns, and a batman lanyard.

(a lanyard? Who the hell uses that crap? What kind of geek...








Uh. Nevermind. )

But i AM super excited to see the first two on the big screen again. I have a large panel tv with a soundbar, but it just doesn't compare, you know? Right?
oldskool
Posts: 12001
Joined: Jul 13, 2008 3:46 PM
Location: coastal north carolina
Contact:

Post by oldskool »

Pulled the knarliest splinter from my knee today. Way infected with tinges of green. Totally looked like a Bot fly had taken residence.
Karl Grau
Posts: 9717
Joined: Mar 10, 2006 7:34 PM
Location: Sandy Eggo

Post by Karl Grau »

I pretty much hate everything about my new patrol area except the lunch options. Fresh sushi made by fresh Asians flown in fresh from Asia.

Image
WilNJ
Posts: 4193
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 11:22 AM
Location: North Jersey

Post by WilNJ »

Image
rmiddendorf
Posts: 5568
Joined: Jul 11, 2010 1:17 PM
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by rmiddendorf »

I came across this today.

Image

Looks like a life sized pinata of a Zebra back on a private drive with expensive homes. Very weird.
a
Posts: 12473
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Marshfield ,MA

Post by a »

Brad ! Where did you find the reprobate? Old fart speak with wisdom. Waaaay many cameras out there and everywhere. Before my acquisitive id gets felonious, my super-ego reels us in with: " there's cameras everywhere"
ldsbeaker
Posts: 6131
Joined: Mar 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Location: Slicktop City, AZ
Contact:

Post by ldsbeaker »

...aaaand I just got back from the batman marathon. Pretty awesome.

Now i need to rest up for putting the ix through the gauntlet tomorr... Errr today.

Then i report for duty!
1st 5er
Posts: 21864
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Post by 1st 5er »

ldsbeaker wrote:...aaaand I just got back from the batman marathon. Pretty awesome.
Had some friends, well thought they were friends, who hit it last night. I'm sure they had to work today. :laugh:
oldskool
Posts: 12001
Joined: Jul 13, 2008 3:46 PM
Location: coastal north carolina
Contact:

Post by oldskool »

Had some people here at the hacienda last night. It was a nice, quiet evening without hookers and firetrucks. I must be getting old as I now have a desire to go to Home Depot, maybe Bed Bath and Beyond today. A nice little Saturday planned.
waynet1
Posts: 2524
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 11:49 AM
Location: Port Charlotte,FL-Newport,RI

Post by waynet1 »

oldskool wrote: I now have a desire to go to Home Depot, maybe Bed Bath and Beyond today. A nice little Saturday planned.
:shock: :wow:
WilNJ
Posts: 4193
Joined: Aug 12, 2009 11:22 AM
Location: North Jersey

Post by WilNJ »

oldskool wrote:I now have a desire to go to Home Depot, maybe Bed Bath and Beyond today. A nice little Saturday planned.
Take it easy Frank.
1st 5er
Posts: 21864
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Post by 1st 5er »

I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
ldsbeaker
Posts: 6131
Joined: Mar 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Location: Slicktop City, AZ
Contact:

Post by ldsbeaker »

1st 5er wrote:I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
Approved.
1st 5er
Posts: 21864
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Post by 1st 5er »

ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
Approved.
Who's side you on?
ldsbeaker
Posts: 6131
Joined: Mar 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Location: Slicktop City, AZ
Contact:

Post by ldsbeaker »

1st 5er wrote:
ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
Approved.
Who's side you on?
You're saying you would make an ///M touring, and she added black on black to the option list?

Sounds like you guys are on the same side to me...

... and I approve!
djazz
Posts: 2541
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Foat Wuth, Texas

Post by djazz »

There are worse/better options. Today, out of the blue, Cin brought up(again) her desire to have one of these:

Image
1st 5er
Posts: 21864
Joined: Jun 13, 2008 12:15 AM
Location: Cypress
Contact:

Post by 1st 5er »

ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:
ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
Approved.
Who's side you on?
You're saying you would make an ///M touring, and she added black on black to the option list?

Sounds like you guys are on the same side to me...

... and I approve!
I see your point... but I'd have to do the work. ;)
ldsbeaker
Posts: 6131
Joined: Mar 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Location: Slicktop City, AZ
Contact:

Post by ldsbeaker »

1st 5er wrote:
ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:
ldsbeaker wrote:
1st 5er wrote:I asked her if she'd swap her '92 ///M5 for an ///Munized Touring,
her reply, "Only if it's black on black".
Approved.
Who's side you on?
You're saying you would make an ///M touring, and she added black on black to the option list?

Sounds like you guys are on the same side to me...

... and I approve!
I see your point... but I'd have to do the work. ;)
Okaaayy... Still don't see a problem. *

You've got until April 2013...

*- of course, i can't pay anyone to do anything on my cars. If i don't know how to do it, it gets put off until I learn. The only swaps I have done have been on other people's cars. But if i read you correctly, you're keeping the same chassis, so it can't be THAT bad.
oldskool
Posts: 12001
Joined: Jul 13, 2008 3:46 PM
Location: coastal north carolina
Contact:

Post by oldskool »

Played a mean round of golf today. It was 97 degrees so the brew was flowing. Mmmmrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. . . :puke:
Mike W.
Posts: 27223
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Post by Mike W. »

If a forestry firetruck pulls out somewhere behind you, lights and sirens, are you supposed to pull over and wait for it?

I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, two lane highway, 75 speed limit, when I see a fire truck that shortly after I pass pulls out with the lights on. All wheel drive, all 10 of them I think. I pull over after a little while and it took forever before it caught up to me. It might have topped out at 60. Maybe. Then to add insult to injury after a little while of feeling like I'm going backwards it shuts the lights off, and pulls over and parks. WTF, I could have been miles away by then even in the little crapbox Toyota rental car. Which is another story. :roll:
Post Reply