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Washing the 6-er this morning I noticed the windscreen was looking rather tired. Water spots all over and the entire surface was dull. The wiper area was a tad better but it was all rather sad looking. After a quick search on Google I used the following to restore the windscreen: Meguiar's SkratchX 2.0 and some steel wool. Now, it's difficult to show just how bloody effective it is but believe me, the windscreen looks good as new. Firm circular motions all across the windscreen and a good clean afterwards and finish off with a layer of RainX. Off topic: Moving inside the house I figured it might work on shower glass too and yup, it does. Shower glass is good as new now after several unsuccessful attempts with shower witch and other chemical cleaners.

2003 Renault Clio, first registered in 2005, so showing as a 2005 model (there is another thread on this anomaly in NZ.) Now done 182,000kms and used as the work horse car. Rear hatch has a large opening so can fit surprisingly large items in there. My only car with a towbar and has done sterling service in that respect. on numerous occasions pulled more than its own weight. Excellent to drive, with one of the nicest gearboxes with a quick, precise change and fantastic ratios, 2nd tops out just over 100km/h. Electric power steering that actually does a good job, much better than the Z4 we had until recently Rev limiter at 7250rpm and yet quite torquey, with definite steps in power as the dephaser ( vtec ) does its job. Love the handling, stays very flat but still with a pretty reasonable ride, very poor turning circle though. Reliability, well, in 35,000kms so far it has not put a wheel wrong.

I bought a manual E39 for well under 5K, do I have to leave this discussion now

Two down, how many more to go...?

Do you have an idea on the 350 swap? as im tempted... not to make it a race car, but put a lumpy cam in it and make it my hotrod... All these boomers crave 65 mustangs and 69 camaro's, i actually love my e28, and would like to make it a drivable hotrod, id take it to beach hop and shine it up to within an inch of its life

Those prices wouldn't surprise me, BMW NZ seems to have some horrific parts pricing compared to the rest of the world. Its been cheaper for me to buy everything for my E36 from overseas, including freight (and GST if pinged), than to buy half of it locally. Its very disappointing.

what grade of steel wool

No. A couple were brought in a good few years back, but since then no.

Always good to hear first hand experiences, my glass needs some attention too.

Scored this wee gem at pickapart yesterday

Yes, #3 - basically any high tensile bolt should be replaced. And I disagree with the premise that all nuts, bolts, washers, spacers etc are single use, they're not. For example there's no need to replace top mount nuts unless they've failed for some reason (and that's improbable). Most of those parts are available locally anyway in the event that you find something that's damaged (which is again, highly unlikely). Spring retainers almost never need replacing. Each to their own but you'll pay a premium if adding unnecessary bits in bumps up your shipping costs or worse, bumps the whole lot up over NZ$400. If cost is no object then go for it (of course) but I thought cost was a consideration in this case, sorry if I misunderstood.

Looking good, where did you get the gearknob from?

Heres the list, monroes were replaced on the rear

The threaded shaft on one of the boot gas struts snapped today. Then we went to the beach and I took the key swimming. Oops

Just had the wheels re-done in Shadow Chrome...

SOLD. Time constraints and other projects mean I haven't had a lot of time for this so it needs to go. As with a car of this age it has good and bad points. 225k on the clock. Engine starts and runs sweet. I replaced the engine mounts and the center hanging bearing but should have read a bit more before doing that. I didn't pre-load the hanging bearing so it knocks a bit under power changing from 1st to 2nd. Usual interior issues. Roof lining is sagging and material is coming off door cards but seats and carpets are good. Doesn't have fog lights Chipping to paint on the rf guard and a few small dings around the car(I'll add photos when I can) New reg and wof on it. $1800 ono If I list it on Trademe it will be for a bit more than that.

Steri-gene. Destroys bacteria, fungi, protozoa, spores, viruses. www.eai.co.nz We had plumbers around for a blocked toilet I couldn't deal with. When the plumbers left, it was flowing, though Mr Hankey was all over the back yard. I visited my trusted Commercial Cleaning Products place, Phillip Moore Ltd, explained the deal, they said "Steri-gene, nothing else will do. It's not cheap, it is super-concentrated. It's used in Hospitals for sterilising rooms." Gloves, respirator (you already have something like that I see), spray bottle. Follow the instructions. It's outstanding stuff, kills, cleans, sterilises. And sunshine, of course.

Yuck. But cool mask. I'd strip the leather, get that commercially cleaned and buy a new rear seat base from a wrecker and swap the cleaned leather onto that. I think the seat base foams are the same across all e46 coupes and you'll never get that clean because of all of the airspace in the foam that you simply can't get to. Whoever you approach to clean the leather will probably know as soon as they see it whether it's recoverable. If they think it is then you'll know as soon as you get it back whether it's reusable. They may require you to provide a useable base before they clean it so they can keep it stretched properly. Call a local upholster (marine might be best) to ask about where to get the leather cleaned. IMO.

If you were (or could get the car to and from) Invercargill, I'd definitely be keen to help out with your engine swap for next to f**k all cost (beer is still reasonably cheap ???). Take a few days (me taking my time lol) but I can do it, got all the tools here good to go.

Today this arrived. Like meeting an old friend. I last bought one of these in 2001, it was softcover then. I kept it many years after I sold my e30 Touring. so, reunited?

Oh wow, unicorn wheels! I wonder if the wife will notice if I swap my reps over for these... then she wouldn't know how much they cost.