lidistick

I have a plan already for the wood grain interior. Sat Nav would be great but its slightly expensive right now so its on the back burner. Does anyone know how to remove the Jap plate thing on the back? Yank and pull? Cheers.

I think they can but I've yet to figure it out yet.

I think all the motorsport ones do, even the 540i.

I've also found out it has a factory CAI so I'm not sure if I'll use the Simota carbon fibre CAI. Tyres done today. Awesome deal at Hamilton Tyre and battery (Firestone dealer) for 4x RE001 at $209 each. Did the Golf as well so pricing was just that little bit sharper. I love the memory seats, rain sensor and auto anti-glare mirrors. I'm not so hot on the IR remotes. Anyway enough of me whinging. Pity about the wood interior, but I have a plan

Traded. Link here. http://www.christchurcheuropean.co.nz/the5...,vehicles.model Someone buy her

I would've thought that suspension and sunroofs were mechanical. I'm ok with things wearing out and me replacing them as I'm fanatically anal about maintenance. After going through all the exclusions, it seems like the only thing it covers is Engine, gearbox and cooling. So if I kept the car fully maintained, I really shouldn't need the cover. Heck, even the plastic impeller is not covered as its a plastic bit! I don't want a total guarantee and I know i've bought a 2nd hand car but if you read the exclusions thoroughly, they limit the amount of cover to the point of being pointless. I'll have to mull over this one but thanks for your views. Cheers.

I just received my Autosure Essential cover mechanical warranty. OMG the exclusions are huge. Exclusions: 4) Batteries, exhaust systems, shocks, air bags or componentry, sunroofs, catalytic converters, tyres, seat belts, audio and entertainment systems, GPS, seats, lights, comms system,fuel tanks, air bag suspension, keys and remotes. For me those 2 exclusions in bold(my emphasis) are enough to ask for a refund and find another supplier. I understand Protecta do some sort of comprehensive mechanical and electrical insurance, is this correct? I paid $1200 for the 3 yr autosure warranty with $350 excess and a limit of $5000 per claim. Cheers.

Sorry I've started nights so not particularly clued up right now. Picked her up from Auckland. Very tidy interior. Outside small cosmetic bits but panels straight. Needs a full clean in the first instance and some pics. Lovely to drive and more torque compare to 328i. Love the ZF box too. I must say that the noise on WOT is beautiful. Not too loud but snarly enough. Heaps of space but BMW is sh*t at making storage space. The entire centre console has hardly any space to store bits and the cupholders are useless. I'm actually very pleased with the stock sound system. Its very good compared to the stock 328i. Its very crisp and the clarity is very very good. If you are a basshead, then yes.. its lacking down below but to be honest, I'm not so I'm probably gonna leave it as it is. Other things to organise..... tires and alignment. BMW world tuner with Hotwire (Grant). Sat nav once the finances recover. I managed 12.5km/l from Auckland (Grafton ramp exit) to Hamilton. Average speed was 92km/h, so no dilly-dallying. Have to say, quite economical then. Brakes are spongy. Coming from the E36 with stainless brake hoses, I don't get the rock-solid feel I'm so used to. Nothing bad about the brakes.. just feel more squishy. Rotors are new, so maybe new hoses with a bleed and she'll be right. Pics once I see straight :0

Its ALMOST HERE! Gonna arrive just as I start a week of nights. I love my roster .....NOT

Bah. The touring is getting some niggly bits fixed. Anyway, took my old girl out for a bit of a drive around the Waikato country roads for one last fling :sniff: Still runs great and gave me a huge smile. Sport mode and all, the engine is so smooth. I have to say tho, without the CAI, she doesn't sound as angry running all the way to 6K rpm. Someone buy her so I don't have to trade her in! BUMP

This is not a speed issue. Its a driver issue. Any speed can kill as you have seen. Its very difficult to speculate on the cause of death without actually seeing the autopsy results. Did the child submarine under the belt? (slide under the belt). Were there any other internal injuries? Usually when people hit a pole and walk away, the pole has broken or that the car has hit it sideways (minor factors but all cause a reduction in force to occupants). If the damage to the car is minimal.... the outcome to the occupants can be disastrous as the whole sum of energy has not been dissipated. More damage to car = more energy taken by car = less to occupants. If he had hit that pole at an angle which would have skewed the car around... may have led to less lives being lost. Ultimately, we may never know and he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Utterly tragic.

Unfortunately, in this case, the power pole didn't snap so the entire force was transmitted through the car and onto the occupants. As they were sleeping, they had no time to brace for impact. Sudden deceleration from 40 - 0 is quite tough. While they might not have hit anything inside the car, the brain gets very violently jolted and can have small tears in the lining of the brain. RIP.

Very cool. Well done

Yes I have. Be quick you have 4 days left

Last chance. Car is going to be traded. Bring all offers

I read that as BMW MD. (managing director!)

Bump and added: Stainless steel braided brake lines.

I did and considered it. 2 reasons why it didn't make the shortlist. 1) Not a touring. 2) RUC charges don't make it any cheaper than a 530i for the mileage I do yearly. I do think its an awesome car and that was going to be definitely on the list if the touring doesn't work out

Price drop to $7500 ono. Don't make me put her on trademe!

Actually, I'm in love with the 530i. What an engine and what an improvement over the M52! Absolutely fabulous to drive with plenty of torque and so easy to rev. The steptronic is a huge improvement over the 328i. Plus the car felt so lithe and nimble. Round a few corners here and it was sublime. I've more or less made up my mind so I'm waiting for the mrs to come to the party. Thanks for everyone's input.

I agree with the 'fringe' brands. Definitely more bang for buck. It would definitely be an option if it was a replacement vehicle for the missus. Primarily tho, this is MY car which she would drive occasionally. I'm not into FWD Euros aside the Golf GTI. There is a Volvo V50 but that car is soooooo boring to drive. I'd consider a Merc E class but have also heard incredible anecdotal stories of reliability failures, hence my apprehension in a W210 or W211. The Jag X-type estate is rare and also another car that requires very deep pockets or an ironclad mechanical warranty so that's out. Plus its ugly. Thanks for the input. We will be heading out shortly to coombes for the missus to get a feel of the 530i.

Whoa he fitted the Simota CAI there. Hmmm.. time to put the stock airbox back.

This one? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=234000237

Thanks for that Glenn and Martynn. That seriously narrows it down to the one in Chch. Asking $25K and arriving 14th Sept. I'm not into Audi's. I've seen their maintenance and repair cost plus I don't need 4wd. I have the chassis no for the touring. How do I find out the options on it? [e] Martynn: very difficult to import before 01 (emissions or something like that) and the NZD having taken a hit I realise that stock is very hard to come by. I was gunning for the E39 M5 but serious negotiations with missus means that is a no go with car being a manual and high maintenance cost. Buy fun cars before getting married!!!

No can do. Missus no drive manual.