leithcm

Well, got the toss on two tyres for a WOF, both were on RH side of car. Some funny signs near the outer tread face, possibly starting to separate?? Not sure, but were down to touching the wear marks so got the WOF flick. So, instead of replacing 2 Pirelli Runflats fitted a complete set of standard tyres. Hey presto! Noise gone, and ride comfort up several notches! Thanks guys for your help, comments re the tyres seemed to on the button.

I got clears from these people for my E36 coupe. They are good, but not quite as good as originals; Eurolight actually get them from an Aussie outfit called Carwear (www.carwear.com.au). They are delivered direct from Carwear to you - not via Eurolight. Have not had any water egress problems with these.

They were on the wheels when I bought them. The wheels were off a Series 1 that JG Takapuna were "dressing up". Been on the car for 23k's now - about 3 years - supposed to have done about 6k's when I purchased. Yes, am aware of horrendous cost to replace, so when they "expire" will replace with something more suitable. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your comments, I will check out the tyres. Had a wheel alignment about 4k ago; the tyres ( Pirelli Runflats) are getting down but would still have 3 - 4mm tread. The tread blocks are sharp edged towards the leading edge (ie, hits road first) and smoother at trailing edge. and are evenly worn across the tread from inside to outside.

Hi Guys, Here is one for the diagnostic buffs. Just lately my E36 coupe 1996 has developed a noise from the front. It is a very rhythmical sound, like a "wow-wow-wow-wow" as you travel on smooth hotmix road. It is speed dependant, ie, speed up so the sound rises in pitch (but not volume), slow down and it does too. The nose is there regardless of whether the (auto) is in gear or not. Is this the first sign of wheel bearings starting to pack it in? The car has only just ticked over 48 k's, so would be surprised if it were. In the last week I have replaced front disc pads, but am sure the noise was there before I did this. Noting on RealOEM the bearings appear to be in a hub and you buy the lot as an assembly, can the hub and bearing assembly be taken apart and the old grease cleaned and repacked - as you could do with conventional tapered bearings? Thanks very much.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

Who (in Chch, I presume) did your chip tune?

Could be keen, any left?

Well said, Glenn!! I am pleased that the "more life experienced" members of this forum are prepared to take a stand against what are best described as down right dangerous modifications to (especially) suspensions, wheels, and tyres. Leadership from this quarter is required, and you, Glenn, being an active part of this forum whose advice and wisdom is well respected, are the perfect leader in this regard. Well done!

Thank you, Glenn, appreciated you took the time! :-)

Hi, I have an E36 1996 coupe, and I bought clears from Eurolights. Eurolights is a bloke who sources from Carwear in Australia (www.carwear.com.au), whatever you buy is shipped direct from Carwear to you. Now, I bought twice from these people, the first was to buy the front quarters and side clears only. One of the quarters (RF) did not fit quite right, so after I sent photos to prove my point, they sent a replacement. About 2 weeks later I bought again; just the rears only. You would not read about it - the parcel was lost in the post! To this day has not been seen. However, they replaced and sent a second parcel, this time it was track and trace, and it turned up ok. I have to say, the clears certainly improved the look of the car, no issues there! I was impressed with the service, particularly from the Carwear people when I contacted them, their service you really could not fault. My 2c, FWIW. Cheers.

http://www.jeffs.co.nz/ This is who I was referring to........

FWIW, if you are towing, then use an A frame! 500 km's is too far on a rope! Rolling chassis = no brakes, so if were me I'd either get a specialist transport firm (Jeff's??) or hire a decent SUV and tandem trailer. The transport firm probably can do half a dozen vehicles in one trip, so this will minimise the cost - a towie = one vehicle so carries all costs........ My 2 cents worth.

Thanks, will check out....................

Yes, been in touch with them.

Hi Guys, A little off (BMW) topic, but can anyone assist? My son is doing up a 1980 Mini Clubman GT - spent a fortune on it. New paint, new A+ engine reasonably well worked, wheels, tyres, gearbox, fully adjust suspension 4 pot discs etc etc. (Yeah, I have been working on it too, great to get back into something I was into as a kid...) The engine is (ex Mini Metro) A+ 1275 +0.020", worked head, 282 degree overlap cam, long centre branch exhaust, and Webber 45 DCOE, with electronic distributor. We need to find an old school Mini tuner who knows his sh*t when it comes to the fine art of tuning by ear (or whatever) a Mini with the above specs. Snag is, we are located in Christchurch. We had a reputable tuning company here lined up but they have since refused - "too busy to do that for you..........." (Tui ad) Do you (or if you are a young 'un, perhaps ask your petrol head Dad) know of someone in Chch who has in the past worked successfully on tuning Mini's with the above setup or similar can you please point me in their direction? Thanks heaps.

I have a pair off my E36 coupe you could have, but they are in Chch. PM me for details if you like............ cheers

For Christchurch, I use Acton Automotive Limited, 8 Phillips St Phillipstown, Christchurch Ph 3667858. Subaru & VW service specialists, as well as BMW. Have auto electrical service as well. Started using them about 10 years ago when I had a leased company car (the leasing firm used them) and when I bought that car from the company, I stayed with Acton Auto. Been very good, no complaints whatsoever!

I have seen wheel studs/nuts tightened with rattle guns - they have been SO TIGHT - they literally snap off! They should be only (firm) tight enough to hold the wheel on; after all, if you get a flattie and have only the standard wheel brace, how are you going to undo them? It could be that was the problem, so tight they literally gave way under the torque that was applied by the rattle gun!

Acton Automotive at 8 Philips St (near AMI Stadium) services BMW (along with VW & Subaru) and they have diagnosic gear.

It was suggested to me to start this thread in the hope of getting *Glenn* to give me the benefit of his vast knowledge in this area; can I ask *Glenn* if he has a comment to assist, please? Thank you.

All the BC indicator stalk does is provide an earth so thefunctions will cycle through. If you do not have a BC stalk indicator you can still cycle through; just fit a push button on the dash beside the steering wheel (in one of the blanked off spaces) with the wire from the OBC to one side, and earth the other. Pushing the button will earth the wire, and the OBC cycles though as it should!

Hi Guys, Am fitting a 328i exhaust to my '96 323i, and a set of Wayne's short headers. Mine is a M52B25 engine. There is a single O2 sensor just north of the cat; this is in addition to the two sensors on the manifold. Wayne's headers have connections to fit the two manifold sensors so no problems here. The 328i exhaust, being twin pipes all the way, have two sensors just north of the cats. Obviously the 328i has two places available for these sensors to be connected to; the 323i will of course have one place, but is there a spare connection point for the second sensor that I can use? If not, what suggestions does anyone have on how to use the extra sensor for the job intended of it? What have others done who have upgraded their exhaust in this way? Thanks for your help, Cheers.

My plate, BMW 3S (3 Series), was a $250 TM special.................. Only problem if you do "silly things" then personalised plates are easier for the public to remember when potting you............ (not that that is a problem for me )

I take it you received an insurance payout? If so, check this; when the insurance company pays out they assume legal ownership of the vehicle. When they pay out they are assuming vehicle ownership - check the fine word of the policy!! That being the case, it is the job of the insuance company, as now being the legal owner (after all, they PAID you for the car, right??) to deal with matters relating to registration etc. My wife had a car stolen a number of years ago, and we had to resort to this tactic to get the various "bodies" off our backs!