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What nobody is factoring into the equation, including the people that made the decision, is the cost of storing and maintaining all the information required for the key. Plus all the controls you have to have in place around people accessing the information. I don't mean the cost of the physical storage to hold the data, that is relatively cheap these days. More the processes and steps that have to be followed and the time and cost it all takes. It's always easy for these bodies to say "you must keep records" "you must provide information" "you must have spare parts" but they have no clue about the costs to the business to make these things happen.

And most recently, after discovering that my clutch fluid had leaked onto the carpet due to a broken clutch master, I decided it was time to whip the carpet out yet again. With the water blaster sitting right there, I thought bugger it. Time for some cleaning!! Two days later it was dry and it was time to get the vinyl die - at least that would hide some imperfections! It appears I had company while reinstalling...

Start: 152,294kms. After prevaricating, considering the market and options, TermiPete's 545i became available. The domino effect of upgrading! I'd thought about X5's, missed out on a 535d Motorsport Touring by 2 days, and thought about 550is. So I bought this. It's my SS Commodore. Just in a sharply tailored german suit, rather than a Drizabone. And it has a roundel where the lion would be. And it's cool. Pete has lavished a bit of attention on this vehicle since acquiring it in Oct 2015. Now its my turn. I've already ordered hardware for shock replacement (bump stops, boots, strut bearings, bolts etc)... now deciding which shocks to get. Sachs standard (OEM) Bilstein: Touring (B4), HD (B6), Sport (B8) Koni Yellows After doing the shocks on three of my last four cars, the last two I've stuck with factory IEM spec Sachs (my Volvo 855-T5 and BMW e46 Touring). I'm not planning on changing the springs on this 545i and don't want to radically transform or make it too hard. It has Standrard suspension, it's on 18" conventional tyres (no need for RFT's here as it has a spare), and has Dynamic Drive option (the active computer controlled anti-roll bars) and having driven a near-identical car without DD, I'm sold on it. Koni Yellows I'm sure would be lovely, but they're a little more pricey. Bilstein: tempted to go HD (B6 Yellow), they're said to be made to work with stock springs but are up to 20% stiffer. I think this would be similar to the addition of KYB Excel+ gas shocks to my old A32 Maxima. Firmed it up and helped it hugely with roadholding and ride. Alternately B4 Tourings are said to be 10% stiffer than stock. Sachs: The OEM shocks are equivalent to 31316766993 (Front left) and 31316766994 (Front right), and 33526766995 rear. They'll no doubt "just work". Would I be crazy to go Bilstein HD B6? And as soon as the shocks are done, it's time for new boots (and panties). Photos soon.

You wont be disappointed stepping into a V8 believe me. In fact it will be hard to go back . Oh and don't get too obsessed with 'fuel gauge' watching, as I often say "its not how much it costs to fill a tank that matters. it's how fast you empty it . In all seriousness enjoy your BMW SS Commodore and I'm sure it'll tick all your boxes!

Awesome score Olaf! Proves that dominoes do fall in all the right places

Ronin... Isn't that the film about a Mercedes 450SEL 6.9?

Put a msport front bumper on the e36, got a silver one, to match the drivers door!

More fiddling with exhaust stuff, still not quite right. Magnaflow rear muffler. Reduced the weird resonance a lot, but still a little too loud. Next step I think will be to merge into a single 3" central mid-muffler through a cat.

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Just read this and thought to myself good on you for proceeding with this. This would have quite an impact on all car dealerships here if people were to follow this route for replacement keys. I know I was quoted $600 to replace mine if it ever got lost. They must be making a massive margin on these and this is the first time its been queried and exposed. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90293847/raging-businessman-takes-toyota-to-tribunal-over-525-key

getrag ., yes you will need other e34 bits to make it all work

I just ordered a new key for my E60 M5 From Winger (formerly Jeff Gray) BMW today - $445 from Germany and coded to the vehicle. More than I like to pay for what is quite a basic thing - but not as bad as some other brands/dealers by the looks of things.

Did this issue come from your imagination or did you actually ask Autosure about this? I don't believe they would do this, it would be absurd. I have had several Autosure claims - they have lost money on me and they have never given me any trouble with claims. Use runflats if you feel comfortable with them, no need to come up with silly justifications like that. To be honest, this gives me the impression you worry about unnecessary/minor things.

Sad to say Runflats do have to be considered on later BMW's as there is no room for a proper spare. I worry that if I go away on a weekend or worse a holiday weekend I have to rely on my can of tyre goop. BMW efficiency ie less weight because of no extra wheel or tyre does have a downside. Run Flats for some people are sadly a real world requirement. I had two sets of RE 050 RFT's on my E60 the first were old and subjectively hard, a second set felt much better and were only a year or so old. So yes age makes a big difference.

First BMW and you choose an E39 M5? Drool. Welcome to the forum, Mossy

You'll not find anyone going to a dealer and paying $10k for an e46 anything, unless it's an M3! You mentioned receiving no bids at $6500 on Trademe... why would you think anyone wants to pay $8k for it, based on your earlier experience? I should like to point out that your perspective is at odds with selling *anything*. You state "it's about value for money for me, not about adding on maintenance..." Actually it's about the perception of value that your potential purchaser gains while considering your car. In this case, it's about what they're prepared to pay, rather than what you think about its value. You speak of "no value in secondhand BMWs". They're not an investment, they're a mobile liability like any other car. Disheartened on the whole BMW experience? That's all down to your perspective. Try a different lens! I wish you luck in gaining the price you seek. It's a very tidily presented 330i. GLWS.

Welcome John, hope you can make it to our next coffee meet on 2nd April. Cheers Ken

Hi yes I got the car checked out and fixed the boot , got a service and fixed a few minor things. I will get a SIM card for the phone so may need a bit of help for this if I get stuck. Am keeping everything original. Cheers John

Wow - I missed this thread Bit slow... Owning both an E60 545i non-MSport Dynamic Drive, and an E53 4.4i SportPac on 20" massive wheels (rears are 315s!) here's what I think: I mostly do urban driving with bits of motorway and occasional longer trips 545i is somewhat more fuel efficient at ~14l/100KM and on long distance has averaged <10. X5 urban sits around 17l/100KM and when mixed with some longer distance sits around 15 545i is much faster and handles much better X5 goes pretty damned well and handles well too - all things considered. My brother who has a Toyota Vanguard (stretched RAV 4) thought it was epic by comparison - as you would hope of course. the X5 has a standard quad exhaust that sounds great while the 545i is quiet and refined and needs RPMs to bring out the beautiful sound it can make. Just replaced the front tyres on the X5 275/40x20 RH06 at $400 per corner - decent Hankooks My kids like the M5 most, then the X5, then the 545i. Driving experience is M5>545i>X5. Both vehicles are very safe and great for long distance driving. The E53 X5 was tops safety wise in the Aussie Monash University safety research. The reason I'd go to an E70 would be 7-seat flexibility - and I'd want a MSport. - Pete

Mistyped 'opinion' as 'option', but looks like you knew what I meant. I'll shoot you an email for quotes, even if I decide not to do the whole car, I reckon I'll get my new rims done before I get them mounted

how about a S54 swap instead