En route from the land of the rising sun!

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11-12-23, 17:33
Chillipepper

En route from the land of the rising sun!

Just got confirmation from JDM that the car is bought and now the process of it coming to Ireland has begun.

Always loved the look of the e61 and I think it has aged extremely well.

Nice spec 2007 M Sport (note the cup holders lol) and panorama glass roof, shadow line trim. I was hoping to snag a le mans blue but after a few weeks of looking nothing popped up.

Carbon black was my second choice and this one looked very good, it has been graded 4.5 (excellent condition) with two minor scratches noted on the bonnet and passenger door. Low mileage of 45000.

So 3 or so months and should be with me.

I will have to look into changing the infotainment and nav system as it is in Japanese, if anyone has any advice im all ears. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3d3da62e17.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...802033bfa4.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...da8d181ed8.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...04a65b4056.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4135081d2d.jpg

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11-12-23, 18:43
Andy

En route from the land of the rising sun!

Congrats and delighted it worked out. You are giving me ideas now. The car is fantastic.

https://www.donedeal.ie/caraccessori...rsion/35440673
11-12-23, 20:17
dergside

Nice one Tony. Looking forward to seeing that, and picking your brains about how you went about it!

Is it the N52 525i? That's a great grade to get and hardly run in with that mileage. LCI is a brucey bonus.
11-12-23, 23:53
Dave

Being an LCI N52 is a big win. Pretty sure that was limited to a handful of countries.

Re the infotainment, just do the CIC retrofit, it'll be the most cost effective route, same as I documented on the M5.
12-12-23, 08:15
Alanmcgrath40

Congrats Tony and fair play for taking the plunge. You won't regret it and I don't think you'd get a cleaner car here or the UK. It looks stunning, the E61 has aged so well. Did you go through an auction or was it a dealer car?

Hopefully the VRT Gods are kind to you. Keep us updated on it and well wear.

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12-12-23, 08:18
Big H

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Being an LCI N52 is a big win

Being an N52, is it the 2.5 or 3.0 one - not that it matters - a lovely car indeed ?

Agree on the E61's having aged very well indeed (only really in M Sport trim imho though)
12-12-23, 08:47
Ketron

Lovely car, wear well! As Dave said, CiC retrofit is what I'd be looking at rather than messing about with the CCC system.
12-12-23, 09:09
Big H

I see a couple of Jap import E60's (non-lci) for sale at the moment but they have been hanging around for a long time now - maybe priced too high and people don't see the value in them....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...w-kms/35576303
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...sport/35567688

An E61 M Sport imported for personal use is a different proposition of course and a worthwhile purchase for sure....:)
12-12-23, 09:45
dergside

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big H

.....- maybe priced too high and people don't see the value in them....

.....An E61 M Sport imported for personal use is a different proposition of course and a worthwhile purchase for sure....:)

Agreed. Having had the 530i e60 for 7 years, and plenty of miles, I reckon that they are as good a drive as the newer generations (but relatively a little bit primitive in electronic sophistication). They have a bit more character and one thing that I find advantageous is that they're quite a bit more compact externally, without pinching internally. I find F10's and G30's just a smidge too big for parking spaces and the country roads around our neck of the woods (I couldn't buy either without curly-wurly door mirrors). Sourcing cars like this one Tony has that defy their age and will deliver good service for years and miles makes them a bit of a bargain in a €/mile calculation. I replaced an F10 520d (nice car, but didn't stir the soul to any real extent) with a one owner e63 630i (50k miles) and the 1 owner 530i for the same money, and got a lot more combined driving fun and service. The e63 is still here and I do miss the e60. Finding time-warp cars like one's at this grade are sounds like a good investment. I still keep an eye out for them, in the right spec and miles. Wouldn't rule out going there again.

As regards N52 vs N53, I may have been lucky with the N53, but never had a HPFP, injector or other significant issue that they were notorious for. It went through rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gaskets at an alarming rate, but I don't think that's unique to the N53 in relatively recent BMW engine terms. It was noticeably peppier than the N52 in the 630i, but the sound of the N52 (in this and the Z4) was a big win for it. The N53 is smooth, but noticeably less characterful in terms of aural appeal. Not sure whether the N52 got the equivalent of Euro4 upgrades in the markets that it was sold that the N53 had, so there might be a slight g/km CO2 penalty, but at the value these are at for VRT it won't be significant.
12-12-23, 11:23
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by dergside

Nice one Tony. Looking forward to seeing that, and picking your brains about how you went about it!

Is it the N52 525i? That's a great grade to get and hardly run in with that mileage. LCI is a brucey bonus.

It was very straightforward for me, I used Patrick JDM auctionwatch he has a huge network established over there.

This particular car was sourced before going to auction direct from his dealer network.

LCI was what rubber stamped it for me as I think the subtle changes really lift the car cosmetically from an exterior point of view.

The E46 is pressed into daily duty for a while as I sold the Golf over the weekend.

Looking forward to getting it landed.

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12-12-23, 11:33
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Being an LCI N52 is a big win. Pretty sure that was limited to a handful of countries.

Re the infotainment, just do the CIC retrofit, it'll be the most cost effective route, same as I documented on the M5.

Thanks Dave, this is the most likely route I'll take with it. Must dig out your thread for an overview.

Do you have a link to the thread David?

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12-12-23, 11:34
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alanmcgrath40

Congrats Tony and fair play for taking the plunge. You won't regret it and I don't think you'd get a cleaner car here or the UK. It looks stunning, the E61 has aged so well. Did you go through an auction or was it a dealer car?

Hopefully the VRT Gods are kind to you. Keep us updated on it and well wear.

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Really happy with it, been considering it for the last six months or so, all going well VRT won't be too painful I've budget for between 3 to 4k and hopefully it's not too far off that.

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12-12-23, 11:36
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big H

Being an N52, is it the 2.5 or 3.0 one - not that it matters - a lovely car indeed ?

Agree on the E61's having aged very well indeed (only really in M Sport trim imho though)

Designated as N52K on the vin decoder I was sent but no engine capacity stated on it. I would of presumed it was the 2.5 variant.

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12-12-23, 11:41
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big H

I see a couple of Jap import E60's (non-lci) for sale at the moment but they have been hanging around for a long time now - maybe priced too high and people don't see the value in them....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...w-kms/35576303
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...sport/35567688

An E61 M Sport imported for personal use is a different proposition of course and a worthwhile purchase for sure....:)

Have both of those on my saved list, I don't know if revenue would consider these as comparables to the touring bodystyle.

I have it landed and cleared for less than both of the cars mentioned.

Just the dreaded VRT to go.

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12-12-23, 14:35
Big H

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillipepper

Have both of those on my saved list, I don't know if revenue would consider these as comparables to the touring bodystyle.

I have it landed and cleared for less than both of the cars mentioned.

Just the dreaded VRT to go.

A bargain so for what you're getting imho ! Can't see a 'regular' E61 coming onto their radar, hence VRT should be palatable.....:)

Edit: Just realised they don't seem to have the the E60/1 525i listed on the VRT calculator - oh no.......:eek:
12-12-23, 14:36
eamo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillipepper

Designated as N52K on the vin decoder I was sent but no engine capacity stated on it. I would of presumed it was the 2.5 variant.

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As far as I recall Japan didn’t get the N53.
12-12-23, 14:41
eamo

Fantastic purchase by the way! Would love one myself
12-12-23, 15:18
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big H

A bargain so for what you're getting imho ! Can't see a 'regular' E61 coming onto their radar, hence VRT should be palatable.....:)

Edit: Just realised they don't seem to have the the E60/1 525i listed on the VRT calculator - oh no.......:eek:

I know I'm rolling the VRT dice lol. I know the white one you mentioned, albeit a saloon has dropped to 8995 which is the price on irish plates so I'm hoping the vrt gods will be somewhat kind

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13-12-23, 12:26
Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillipepper

Thanks Dave, this is the most likely route I'll take with it. Must dig out your thread for an overview.

Do you have a link to the thread David?

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I didn't document it here, you can find it on backroads:

https://www.backroads.ie/forum/car-r...with-a-6-speed

It's a bit of a faff but not too bad, I paid €760 precoded to the car including the combox, there was about 5 hours in the install, repin from the MULF/TCU to the combox plug but it all works, you need the centre trim, which you could cut, it was cheap for the M5 so went new, you have to do a bit of cutting on the center console to resize the CCC controller aperture to suit the CIC controller, it all bolts in otherwise.

Being precoded to the car, you don't necessarily need to adjust to cars Vehicle Order to reflect it but I did.

If you add a mr12volt to that it really brings the car up to date, I would say it's less compromised than the NBT setup I have in the 630.
13-12-23, 15:16
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

I didn't document it here, you can find it on backroads:

https://www.backroads.ie/forum/car-r...with-a-6-speed

It's a bit of a faff but not too bad, I paid €760 precoded to the car including the combox, there was about 5 hours in the install, repin from the MULF/TCU to the combox plug but it all works, you need the centre trim, which you could cut, it was cheap for the M5 so went new, you have to do a bit of cutting on the center console to resize the CCC controller aperture to suit the CIC controller, it all bolts in otherwise.

Being precoded to the car, you don't necessarily need to adjust to cars Vehicle Order to reflect it but I did.

If you add a mr12volt to that it really brings the car up to date, I would say it's less compromised than the NBT setup I have in the 630.

That looks like a fantastic retrofit Dave, great functionality too with the car play. Exactly what I have in mind as it will be my daily it will be great to have more modern functionality to hand.

Would be well beyond my scope of ability, I could stretch to replacing a head unit and be delighted with myself.

Is there any companies about that would undertake the retrofit?

There seems to be a 2009 on donedeal for breaking, looks to have the center panel along with most of what I would need.

I have already spoken to him about taking the leather interior.

https://www.donedeal.ie/damagedcars-...sport/31388007

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13-12-23, 18:03
Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillipepper

That looks like a fantastic retrofit Dave, great functionality too with the car play. Exactly what I have in mind as it will be my daily it will be great to have more modern functionality to hand.

Would be well beyond my scope of ability, I could stretch to replacing a head unit and be delighted with myself.

Is there any companies about that would undertake the retrofit?

There seems to be a 2009 on donedeal for breaking, looks to have the center panel along with most of what I would need.

I have already spoken to him about taking the leather interior.

https://www.donedeal.ie/damagedcars-...sport/31388007

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I don't know anyone that would do it, not in Ireland anyway. It's annoying work and people generally break things, at a push maybe Conor Healy, but that's a guess.

The trim and controller are correct in the 09 but that's a MASK unit and the screen will be a non nav screen the centre console trim would be worth having if it is the same as yours.
14-12-23, 14:58
CitizenKane

Beautiful car, enjoy!
14-12-23, 19:21
ginoc

Lovely, I brought in 2 cars a couple of years ago it feels like they'll never get here!

Hopefully Vrt is good to you!

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15-12-23, 10:38
Chillipepper

So off down the rabbit hole last night looking at loads of CIC retrofit tutorials looks like you need to know your way around the car wiring, during my search I came across the following on Ebay it may be a good short-term compromise while I investigate the CIC scenario more.

This looks like it will get me up and running as a stop gap.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/165191180791
15-12-23, 11:49
dergside

For those with the "cupla focal", it looks like its available "as Gaeilge" :)
15-12-23, 12:00
CitizenKane

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginoc

Lovely, I brought in 2 cars a couple of years ago it feels like they'll never get here!

When I read this first I thought you were saying you bought 2 cars a couple of years ago and they still haven't arrived! :D
15-12-23, 12:39
318 iS Cosmos

En route from the land of the rising sun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

When I read this first I thought you were saying you bought 2 cars a couple of years ago and they still haven't arrived! :D

I would be slightly worried [emoji3]

That car looks great Anthony, hopefully the VRT won’t be too bad.
Every so often I find myself looking at F11’s in Japan, maybe next year!

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08-01-24, 15:24
Chillipepper

Car is now at port, and booked to ship next Monday the 15th!! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...29e4af7c8a.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ab2344b469.jpg

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08-01-24, 15:52
Big H

Hope that bird crap is washed off the rear quarter/fuel filler cap before it's loaded......:p

Looking at all the German metal in the background - earlier today local dealer to me had 2 x car transporters outside unloading all German cars that are fresh off the boat from Japan - must be worth his while, especially now that there seems to be somewhat of a collapse/re-alignment in the UK used car market.....:confused:
08-01-24, 16:55
Mivecrx

En route from the land of the rising sun!

Very nice to get a facelift! I have a 2007 pre lci waiting in the same yard to be shipped. Great value in them.

Could be the one behind yours with the bonnet up [emoji28]

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18-01-24, 10:12
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mivecrx

Very nice to get a facelift! I have a 2007 pre lci waiting in the same yard to be shipped. Great value in them.

Could be the one behind yours with the bonnet up [emoji28]

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Clear your inbox.

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18-01-24, 10:49
Mivecrx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillipepper

Clear your inbox.

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Done [emoji106]

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25-01-24, 11:16
Mac

Only seeing this now!
Well Done Tony looking forward to seeing this , looks amazing. 2 carbon black cars now. Agree with you, The E61 still looks amazing.
10-02-24, 15:45
Chillipepper

Was scrolling through some of the pre shipping photos of the car and I am almost certain there is a upgraded exhaust system on it or maybe just some exhaust tips.

No mention of it from dealer etc, but they are definitely not the original exhaust tips imo.

I see Patrick from JDM posted a video regarding the shipping which seems to be experiencing some major disruption at the moment!!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d0d485349d.jpg

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2ba8adf2c6.jpg
03-03-24, 20:00
Chillipepper

Got these delivered from Germany during the week.

Not everyone's cup of tea, I will fit them once the car arrives and if I don't like them I'll refit the chrome originals.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1d6945a8dc.jpg

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04-03-24, 07:49
Big H

Do jap imports still come with non 'E' marked tyres ie. NCT failures ?
04-03-24, 08:25
Chillipepper

Yes, the tyre tax still applies!!!

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04-03-24, 13:33
CitizenKane

Any word on when you expect the car to arrive?
04-03-24, 14:29
Big H

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Any word on when you expect the car to arrive?

When the Houthi's are finished with it........;)
04-03-24, 16:13
Chillipepper

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Any word on when you expect the car to arrive?

Nothing solid as of yet, been told "early March" and its well on its way, despite this no tracking info at all supplied.

Hopefully its not at the bottom of the red sea!

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