M3AN

98 is a waste in this car. We use RON here and the US owners' guide correctly indicates 95 RON. Just use 95, it won't be any less efficient in your car and it will cost you less.

Wicked, well done Ben! Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Probably only week from overseas but locally check out Euro Italian or Milland BMW (both of whom may have to source from overseas anyway).

The rotors don't need to be skimmed unless they're somehow damaged. If they are above the minimum thickness then just change the pads and break them in properly.

Get out of bed on the wrong side this morning? Or is it just that you've got your period?

With an ad like that I'd walk in the opposite direction. Seems like the seller just wants rid of it and that just doesn't appeal to me unless it's a fire sale.

You're doing pilots a disservice Paul. Yaw dampers (ILS etc, etc), are there for a very, very specific safety related reasons, these things are not for pilot convenience or to compensate for a lack of basic skills. Anti-stall and hill start assist in automobiles are to compensate for a lack of basic skills. I had electronic yaw control on my last 4WD rocket and it was ace. I even needed it every now and again! But it was only ever required when I ran out of skills on the limit. I'm happy to accept you disagree with my original point and I'm totally fine with that. I happen to disagree with you, that's cool too.

I fundamentally disagree but that's okay. Auto-pilot, like cruise control, is not a substitute for poor skills.

FYI, same size rotors 315x28 - 3.2's are floaters, that's the only material difference.

I only find a manual less appealing in heavy traffic because you need so much intervention to stay with the flow and I find that irritating. The rest is all positive to me. The thing that irritates me most about autos is that on the open road most people brake for corners because they're in drive and therefore probably the wrong gear for the upcoming corner. If people would actually change down rather than braking I'd find autos more forgiveable. Very true. But if you can drive a manual properly in the first place you don't need any of this right?

You've got a big wang? And you're covering it up? Very modest of you!

Is SMG any good? I don't think that's ever been discussed on the internet. Is it better than a manual?

You could post in the "wanted to buy" section. Or contact Milland BMW or one of the sponsors here. Alternatively I get a lot of genuine parts from http://www.schmiedmann.com/ and https://www.fcpeuro.com/ - both have good prices and quick delivery.

Oh, I agree that you have very little to lose by trying. WRT the cover, if you advised the dealer pretty quickly (days not weeks I would think?) then you're in with a good show I reckon. Much outside a few weeks then I think you might have a tougher challenge.

Forgot to give my opinion on rocker cover sorry Colin... it's a crack in the part with "BMW" embossed (?) on it? If so then it's causing a vacuum leak and seeping oil, correct? How long after purchase did you advise the dealer about this?

Props for not calling it a '97. Lovin' that steering wheel cover, will you sell that separately Brent?

Key? Yes. Spare wheel? No, your responsibility. Screen? Unlikely after 7 months. IMHO but good luck!

Please make price one of the details you add.

I hate autos on the open road. Until they put technology in that detects upcoming corners and preemptively selects the correct gear they're a menace. But around town with Auckland's traffic? My next DD will be an auto.

A commonly discussed topic and there's some good info in recent threads. I'm not going to weigh in much here because the answer to your question is subjective and there's no correct answer. I use F1 Asymmetrical 2's on the rear and F1 Directional 5's on the front and am very happy with the combination but my sizes, on 18's aren't relevant to your application. FWIW Beaurepaires currently have Michelin's on special for 15% off a set of 4 (until 03/09) which may actually make them price competitive with other suppliers but I've not checked that out. They also offer road-hazard insurance for around $9 a corner which isn't that bad. Not a recommendation, just letting you know.

How was the job? Difficult?

PM me when you're ready. I'm looking for a beater DD.

FYI my fronts are 225's on an 8.5 rim and that's no problem. I can't help with your offset though. If you pay a tyre place $25 bucks they'll do a few mounts for you so you can check out various sizes in person. That's always an option.

What's it made of? Fibreglass? And does it assemble properly and without gaps without the risers? Cheers.

"bl*w" WTF? But I used to live in Amsterdam where "coffee shop" always meant a whole lot more.