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I still remember Mike Hosking driving an immaculate example in Imola red / black leather in the early 00's. Stunning car - I'd see it regularly pottering around Newmarket / Parnell.. Wonder where that car is today. The early 00's seem like yesterday to me - it's extraordinary that we have moved on nearly 20 years. Despite not being a M car, these cars still ooze so much cool. Just like the E34 540is and the E34 535is before them.

Get the vehicle to BMWorkshop Grey Lynn or Botany in the new year. They are closed for the holiday period now

Sounds like fitters rather than mechanics. You don't replace an engine just because it doesn't start! Get it out of there and take it to a BMW specialist. Which one may be dictated a little by current location (and a shame that Glenn has closed up shop) but there are good people around.

Got up at 5am this morning for the sunrise and drove the 35 route a little bit up to pouawa then back. Lovely coastal road.

Finally got around to checking the thermostat, it's working fine, so not the cause of the heat issue. So will check water pump and flush the radiator next, to eliminate them. Have also found the IHKA is playing up (apparently a common problem), where I can't turn the heater off on the passenger side, so will need to look at that at some stage too. Tightened the fan belt as well, as that was way too loose. Alternator charging at a steady 13.8-13.9V even with headlights on, less than perfect but should survive for now. However, the battery is still going dead flat overnight. Took it for a run yesterday afternoon, where I stopped and started it a few times while ducking in and out of places, and it started fine. This morning, not even an attempt to turn over. So I've got my spare battery on charge, will throw that in as that battery may not be holding charge. And to top it all off, I can't remove the radio to fit a band expander, seeing as how some muppet has tried to drill the security screws out - not sure if I'll get the radio out without damaging it now ???? Starting to get frustrating - fix one thing, and another 3 turn up - and all I wanna do right now is a Christmas Day cruise - after that, it can take me the whole year to fix the rest of the niggly things, that won't worry me ?

So after selling the E91, I came over all sensible-like and bought a 2008 Mazda 6 Sport Liftback thingamagigee... lovely car - it's the top spec; leather, s/roof, parking sensors (rear), etc... NZ new, 130km, nice light blue/silver colour. But goooodddddammmmmn it's boring. So, in the new year it's going on T/me; and will get something sensible (and smaller) for Mrs Smithy (ie: Maz2 Sprt) which'll be our commuter car - and I'll get something cheap with a bit of a pulse. I know, I know, shoulda kept the E91 - hindsight eh! Anyway if anyone has "a friend" who wants a nice sensible, slightly sporty, Kiwi new liftback with a decent service history. Let me know. Price-wise will be around the $10k mark - will probably advertise in the 11's. Cheers Slightly Frustrated of Lower Hutt.

Since this is a bmw forum..

Pics or it didn't happen! Napier. Excellent Indian Food at Ahuriri: Master of India Tandoori Restaurant, 78 Bridge St, Ahuriri. You gotta go up Te Mata Peak, for the views. Decent British Car Museum in Haumoana, just out of Napier on the way to Hastings. Drive up Hospital Hill, find the lookout over the port. It's stunning. Take a winery tour or two. Church Road Wines (Taradale) not the bestest wines in the region, though their tour is very informative and fun. In contrast to Mission Estate - lovely setting though the reception was aloof and cool, and neither obliging nor visitor/tourist focussed. Get details on the Art Deco Trail. Learn about the great Napier Earthquake of 1931. Trattoria alla Toscana was amongst the very best of Italian restaurants I'd experienced anywhere on the planet, last time we ate there. There's so much to do in Napier, this is just a small sampling. PS: Avoid the Lone Star at all costs.

Try Crab Fram Winery for lunch on the way into Napier https://www.crabfarmwinery.co.nz/winery-restaurant/

yeah good news... just failed a warrant of fitness (Vtnz) due excessive smoke (outta the exhaust) and oil leaks on the motor ?... 7000NZD's to sort issues out apparently. Damn and blast , everything that i've heard about these vehicles (550 e60) is coming true...they are weak, poorly made, and use inferior products and materials?... well, especially the motors.. no no hang on, yeah and the electrics..oh yeah and the sensors and don't forget battery leads...? So the question is how can an honest man sell it, without having to lie on behalf of BMW AG... '"cause they make weak, brittle, inferior, unreliable, cars these days".(thats only my opinion of cause). I mean how else could you explain it; a vehcle 12 years old with only 100000 ks, only really good for spare parts now. The bitch of cause, is that Ive recently spent, 500nzd on a spare wheel kit, so's i could run Michen sp4 tyres 1200nzd, and 1300nzd on a 100k service. The other bitch is that I've been nursing it really (well mostly) after learning of potential issue just after i'd purchased it Now lets have some fun and add that all up! 4000 + 7000 + 500 + 1200 + 1300 = 14000 New Zealand dollars...yes yes I know, ya can't really add servicing and tyre cost's as the they are acceptable(?!) expenses (running costs) of any vehicle...however that's 11ks in repairs in 2 years of ownership and only 20ks travelled which is totally unexceptable and outrageous for a vehicle of this ilk in my view. Yes indeed folks my 20 year love affair with bmw is about over... ...so the question also is what should I do: open the taps and run it til she blows, use it as a trade in ($7000 (been offered)) and keep my mouth shut?, set a fair price (private sale) and explain the issues... but the rub, what to get now? toyota, holden, ford, holy smokes! the thing cost me $17000 dec 2016 thats close to 90% devaluation? Anyway a rant for the ages (sorry folks)

Fortunately dealership was closed at 8pm haha. Sard was locked up but s pied it at the back. Seemed to be a good looking cosmetic example. Well from a distance, and in fading light the front quarter did ☺️

Tell ‘im hes dreamin Transmission Automatic

Will be driving through Sanson in a few hours. Hmmmm, wonder if the yard will be open ?

Aaaaaaaand another one... https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1880265503.htm?rsqid=d2d6211b21c14c00928ba053fa2ab276

Still looks cool ?

it's all part of his schtick. not to be taken seriously.