NZ BMW

It's an auto, I'm inclined to agree that a 1.8 or. 2L would be better, however this is the one she is keen on and I can only offer my advice. I've been pushing the Toyota/Honda route personally, but they feel too "tinny". I need to send this one in for a mechanical inspection and see if it throws up any major red flags.

My little sister is looking at one. 1997, has done about 130,000kms - seems to drive fine and has the usual sagging head liner and the seal at the lower end of the windscreen is perished. Japanese import, in NZ since 2007. Any comments on: Pricing? Reliability? (I know, depends on how car was taken care of ) Common problems? (Heater core seems to be a biggie) Cheers, Nathan.

Taking the car for a drive or letting it idle for a bit is also a good way to get rid of any moisture, letting it get up to operating temp should boil anything off that's still there.

Some people have advised using tyre shine spray/foam, but I've never seen it done in person.

Autohaus az has them for about $340USD plus tax plus shipping, paying $1200.... yeah nah. Not when the dollar is up in the 80's

They are clear and I have xenon low beams, they are just not quite as bright as I thought they would be...

Looks very nice, I see more and more of those VW utes here in Auckland being driven by people who might drive them over some leaves in winter... There is a ute they have in the US, the Toyota Tundra or something it is a Landcruiser turned into a pickup with a 5.7L V8

I don't know about anyone else but I find the low beams on my E39 really suck. And no, I'm not suffering from broken adjusters, yet...

Do you think it's a good idea to be posting on here as if you're the BMWNZ spokesperson?

Anything like this I just have on automatic payment, I don't have to remember when to pay.

You do have to take into consideration that the NZD is at record highs where as (and this is only a guess) that the prices in nominal terms of new BMWs in the US and UK has stayed about the same. So when you make the conversion it makes it look less "fair". The other argument is that the prices then for NZ new cars should come down, but that's another discussion with it's own arguments and counter arguments.

I'd rather retrofit the paddle shift for that kind of money, some of the guys on the US forums have done it. But I guess the purists would say that's not a "proper" manual gearbox.

The weight of your oil is to do with your climate and ambient temps. I just use Mobil 1 and change it every 10,000km's or less. Yes, it's probably overkill but it's a tiny cost IMO and I personally regard it as the best oil. I'm aware some will disagree with that, but it's my car.

Yup, like I've said I'm pretty sure I've replaced all the plastic parts per my first post. But from what I understand the other place suggested is the valve/tap for the heater system? I'm not sure how the aux fans and the fan clutch can leak coolant but for what it's worth I have replaced the whole aux fan unit on this car already and the operation of the new unit has been tested and okay-ed back in 2011. Recently I also did my own old school "hand test" on the viscous fan clutch. With the car off it is smooth to move but feels like it's in molasses. If it's excessively "free wheeling" or sticky it usually indicates a problem. So working on the assumption that none of the new parts are defective again already my loss of coolant could be: Air bubble Heater valve Heater core Head gasket

I know what you're saying but I don't see any mixing of oil and coolant, nor do I smell any coolant burning whilst driving or after parking. I also don't have any white smoke from the exhaust or engine. I guess the only way for sure is to have the system tested - isn't there a test for combustion gases entering the cooling system? My mechanic's invoice states they pressure tested the system after the work in July which I think would indicate a leak too.

I'd be suprised if the head gasket was damaged on a car that has just clicked over to 130k km What's the heater matrix circut?

Hi Team, I was of the impression that I'd done the recommended cooling system overhaul of my E39. I ask this because I started the car after work the other day and the dreaded "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" flashed up as soon as I started. Luckily I live in a constant state of paranoia and have been carrying around about 3L of premixed BMW coolant in my boot for about six months, so I was able to simply fill the expansion tank to the required level and return home. The expansion tank still had coolant in it so it was just triggering the sensor by the looks of it. The last work I had done on the cooling system was back in July and I've done just over 1000km's of mainly city driving since then. Here's what I've replaced: Radiator Upper radiator hose Lower radiator hose Water pump Expansion tank Bleeder screw(s) Radiator cap Thermostat & housing Is there anything I'm missing? Heater hoses? etc? I will have my mechanic pressure test the system when it's next in for a service which is soon. Thanks in advance, Nathan.

That's how BOSSES park - however the F*CK they want!

I guess just to provide resolution on this thread I should share which tyres I purchased. I ended up with some Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response tyres in 235/45/17 all around. They are only 94 rated for wear but interestingly that's what the manual with the car suggests. First impressions over about 500km's including a trip "up north" in the weekend is that they are very good I find them nice and grippy and they are very quiet. :-)

This must be their response to the new Mercedes A Class - the target market is almost exactly the same according to this article. Let just hope it does not end up being the pig that was the first Mercedes A Class. That was a fail for MB.

Perhaps if you get it for free...

Why no go against the grain and go for a retro inspired brick phone that works on GSM networks: http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/02/80s-brick-cell-phone/ I must admit I kinda want one, they can be had via Ebay UK I think.

I like to swap them around when no one is looking. After a few beers have been consumed it's a bit of a laugh.

iPhone = easy to use for everyone, even you nana Android = easy to use if you're a relatively savvy IT user I have Android and find it fine but there are some quirks which Apple overcomes by having a locked down system. It is nicely designed. IMO they're much of a muchness but I personally prefer Android. I have a tablet and a laptop so went with the Sony Experia Ray which is great for me as I use my other devices for browsing etc, my phone is just for text, calling, Skype and the odd app like weather and Instagram.

Agreed - I just roll a huge bolder in front of my door each day when I got to work. Takes a while but at least I know my key won't jam in the door and I'll be locked out. Sometimes I just think I should get a stegosaurus to guard my door but then I'd have to look after it. Perhaps technology is easier... :-p