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I like lists. I particularly like making progress and ticking things off the list. Its gratifying to review the E36M3’s things to do list and seeing the progress I’ve made over the past 12 months. Suspension & Brakes Replace rear shocks with with Bilstein B6’s (matching Bilstein B6 struts front) ✅ H&R springs all round✅ Front subframe repair & reinforcement ✅ Replace control arm ball joints ✅ Replace control arm bushes ✅ Replace brake rotors and pads ✅ Replace front sway bar bushes & links ✅ Replace rear trailing arm bushes & links Clean & paint brake callipers & add MSport logo (in hand) Install rear sway bar links Purchase & install rtab limiters Engine & Drivetrain Check & replace spark plugs ✅ Upgrade oil pump & reinstall ✅ Replace big end rod bearings ✅ Repaint valve cover and replace gasket ✅ Service oil/fluids: engine oil & filter ✅gearbox, lsd diff Replace fuel regulator ✅, fuel pump ✅ Run diagnostics: check cold engine sluggishness ✅ Repair/replace faulty oxygen sensor cylinder 1-3 Tidy & detail engine bay Diagnose & repair engine rattle around 2k Check & replace gearbox mounts Check clutch incl. slaves Replace exhaust back box Exterior Mount front lip ✅ Replace tyres with Yokohama AD08Rs ✅ Source 2nd hand front bumper support brackets, highbeam covers ✅ Replace quarter light lower seals L&R ✅ Replace aftermkt cracked left front fog light with OE (match right)✅ Replace rear MSport boot badge ✅ Cut & polish boot lid Remove dents driver side roof, drivers side rear fender Cut & polish detail Replace exterior trim pieces Replace rear lights with clears (match fronts)? Replace front bonnet BMW badge Interior Install fire extinguisher (boot) ✅ Repair LH door card ✅ Replace steering wheel with 3 spoke ✅ fix catching plastic pin ✅ Install replacement glovebox ✅ Source & install footwell speaker covers ✅ Repair/Replace headlight switch ✅ E36 floor mats ✅ Replace boot gas struts ✅, replace stoppers Paint replacement door cards, re-trim and install Re-trim front seat inserts Re-glue rear cards Clean interior including deep clean carpet I have materials/resources to carryout some of the to do’s during lockdown but getting replacement parts eg. oxy sensor is problematic.

I am happier that this is paid out than a lot of other things the govt spends it on. We need to keep people going so that when this is all over we have at least made some effort to contain the economic damage. It makes me a bit sad to hear some businesses are just throwing their people away. For what it’s worth, I’m a senior exec at a medium-sized business by NZ standards (150 odd) and we have committed to our people that everyone is paid until end of April, even those who can’t work from home. The cash burn is incredible but we’re trying to make it work.

High trust model at work. Im sure some people require it asap for upcoming rent, food etc so it has to fast for that and given the volume of people applying that can't not be.

At least anyone wanting it has got at least an additional month to save up for it.

Hi, After driving my (1992) ancient and smelly Terrano for the last 16 years (which has had a range of live and dead animals in the back including sheep and once a very dead and very smelly alpaca) I have finally decided to upgrade. As an aside, a wee while ago my partner took the car with a trailer load of sheep for delivery to a couple of friends. She dropped off the first half-a-dozen but was unable to secure the last remaining one securely in the trailer; so she tied it up and put it in the back of the Terrano. Being tied up didn't prevent it from weeing and pooing, liberally. Took a while for that smell to dissipate! Anyway - hummed and hahed for quite a while. Should I get a 6-year old Kia or similar or an older premium car. Well obviously the premium car won out - a 10 year old BMW is still well nicer than a 6 year old Kia (or whatever). Looked at a Q5 (too complicated) and an ML320 (too ugly) before settling on an X5. Didn't necessarily want the 40D but that was what was available so it'll do nicely ?. Haven't had much of a chance to drive it yet, and won't for the next month other than to the supermarket but it is a lovely ride and I love the engine growl. No doubt I'll be badgering people about all sorts of BMW related stuff - but that is for another post(s). In the meantime, is there a funny handshake or something I have to learn now I am a member of the club?

Yeah Ive heard the same, its pretty bad. Im self employed, and my boss is a prick, but some people are real pricks.

Swapped a sedan for a touring...

While the Mechanical workshop is on call for essential repairs what better way to send the time. Starting with a E46 M3 interior swap. M Fabric Leather/Alcantara.

Best Appliance/tool I have ever purchased in my life. Dimensions are 825mmW X 890mmD X 1690mmH. 6 individual infra red heating panels with magnetic wooden safety panels. Max operating temp 65C Bluetooth sterio speaker system with internal lighting. Chromotherapy lighting system (sold separately) yet to come next week sometime. Easy fit into the roof. I put this together yesterday. I'm absolutely rapped and impressed with the quality. Wife and I have both used it separately. I did 30 minutes at 65C set at 75% intensity. It was hard going first time and I'm going to use it at least every second day. Did I feel good after the shower ?

......line lock fitment prep for after cert. Steering shaft u joints replacement with mod to hold cups in. Quick cleanup on Brokotrat engine bay...brake fluid spillage..

Dont need to prove it, just a declaration, my work load plummeted so I applied (havent been paid yet) before I had a single account to show I had next to no income. I know of others in my same circumstance that applied that day the fund was announced and got paid 3 days later. I suspect there are a few that will just take it as free money, but the IRD will get them in the end, at the moment the focus seems to be on keeping the majority afloat rather than an audit of everyones records.

Humour is what’s going to get a lot of people through this. Even if I don’t get the meme. ?

Which is exactly why its time to smile at silly stuff, while everyone's stuck at home worrying about the end of the world as we know it There are going to be some really shiny cars on the road in 4 weeks time..

I use the Foxwell NT530 scanner with BMW software for all of my ADS work. It talks ADS/OBD1 and OBD11. Costs around $300 from Overseas supplier http://www.foxwelltool.com/wholesale/nt520-pro-scanner-with-bmw-software-installed.html Or $395 off Trdaeme https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/tools-repair-kits/meters-testers/listing-2575974073.htm?rsqid=a811faccdd6e471d93fab5de046e5184-001

Hooking it up to BMW DIS via an ADS interface is the only way I believe. If you're ever up in Auckland we can try on my rig if you like. Alternative is to take it to BMW but they'll charge a criminal price.

Called it. Glad its sorted, but I wouldnt be happy to use them again with workmanship like that. They likely removed the plugs to do the vanos (makes engine a lot easier to turn engine over to get into the right place), so its on them for not torquing them up properly.

April 2017. The era of Gymkhanas had come to a close and it was time to sell the trusty STi. unbeknownst to the flat-4, my eyes set elsewhere. She was sleek, Italian, two wheels, absolutely insane, and I needed one. As 2017 progressed, my love affair took the form of two Italian two-stroke sports bikes, both of which exhilarated me, but as the months started to pass, I began to worry more and more about firing them off a cliff and not coming home. I remembered the thousands of kilometers i spent with my various cars, pushing each one and loving every second of it. I yearned for long twisty mountain runs, I desired the roar of high displacement engines, I missed air-conditioning. So I began the search, my requirements were simple; lightweight, high grip, and cheap to modify. This led me down the route of something akin to a Type R Integra, then my partner one day surprised me with his DC5-R, so it was back to the drawing board. Should I conform and get some filthy skyline? Or perhaps sink all my funds into the 80's mr2 sitting around the back and embrace being forever poor? Then one day, my landlord visited in his E92 M3. AND HE GAVE ME THE KEYS. I knew I could never afford an E92, but just as every car enthusiast should know, I too was very aware of her older, slightly unhinged sister. What I wasn't aware of, was how affordable they really were. A deep blue one popped up. I and the landlord went out and had a look. She was nice, but not worth the asking, then a yellow one popped up. Cheap, but had a very sketchy history. About 4 months later, just as i had given up and started looking for some RFB stickers, SHE popped up. and my goodness, was she something. I didn't hesitate, I contacted her owner and booked an inspection. YES! she passed with flying colours! Ok then, better tell the boss i'm not going to be in on Friday. Why? Because i'm about to make the biggest decision in my millennial life! The plane landed and i stepped out of the shoebox of an airport. There she was. It was like i'd waited a lifetime to see an old friend. My eyes tinted rose. She really was as beautiful as they said. It took the whole of 80 minutes before her owner reluctantly handed me the keys, making me promise that should I ever decide to sell her, to get in touch with him first. If you made it through that essay of a write up, then congratulations! After the 7.5hr drive back to Auckland and consequent de-bugging, she's now settling into her new home. The whole household have made her very welcome! As have the small handful of friends she's already surprised! So without further Adieu, here she is! Imola red Manual 145000ks Fully documented and thorough servicing history, with photographed works including the vanos refresh about 30000ks back. Aside from the K&N filter and Eibach lowering springs, Completely original (even talked him into including the OEM bits!) I absolutely cannot wait to meet everyone and start taking her out. She does need a new set of tyres and brake pads, but really whats that in the grand scheme of things!!