Allanw

Hahaha! good on you. I get it everytime... same questions to look like they are interested. then ask about shipping overseas, or an agent to collect.... I usually send something rude back :-)

Well at least it's a Subaru underneath... so it won't be like driving a Camry....

Yeah... and that's just the Police cars around here - The general public are even worse. Nearly hit twice last week (they were both SUV's funnily enough!) and had to take evasive action - one was heavy brakes so I didn't T-bone one doing a U turn and one mounting a round a bout to miss someone who was stopped, but pulls out as I was in front of them. I encounter someone over the centre line on my twisty drive home EVERY day, and honk at EVERY one of them. Tards!

The VW transporters are FWD too (from the shape you show there anyway - the T4). They are pretty good I understand Why RWD? FWD often has better traction - do you know how easy it is to get a RWD van stuck??? Even in a driveway (when they twist they lose grip on the rear). The front wheels tend to be on the ground all the time, coz the engines up there. I've seen a van in a driveway with the rear wheel not even touching the road. The higher the load rating, the more likely it is to happen! You can get hiaces in LWB etc, but they are pretty crap really (our work one is sh*t - NO power (75 kw from 2.5 D4D diesel turbo!) and is always making funny noises and failing injectors, brakes get stones in ALL the time). The old shape NZ assembled ones rust like a 70's corolla too (used to manage a rental company - they were always out for welding). TD transits actually go very well, but I don't know how long for! There should be heaps of parts around, but they aren't known for good rust proofing either! I know nothing about the mercs..... the brand new ones are VERY nice, but that doesn't really help you! Jeez - I just re-read what I wrote... no help whatso ever... is it!

I haven't tried that stuff, but have used Wurth Leather Care with great results. It's German too. It does make it kind of slippery though - which anything that reduces friction, and therefore wear, is going to do. I guess. I used to use a beeswax based leather balsam (so the bottle said), but it left it a bit greasy. I used to smear it all over, then let it soak for a while in the sun, then polish as much off as I could. Was still a bit greasy, but it was super soft.

I was trying to work out the same stuff!! I hadn't got as far as woring out that home and work were different, but they are, and my laptop does it too. Now I know! Cheers!

My Wifes cousin was on a Ferrari club event in Italy a few years back. He was doing about 220km/h when he came upon some flashing lights. Another member had been travelling at 300km/h and had a tyre blow! He didn't hit anything, but the tyre destroyed the rear corner of the car. He's a LOT more wary of speed now (Cancelled the order for his new FF too )

I'm right in between you both! It raining on and off here I have the same engine and I have a slight flat spot too, but it's just a slight hesitation at about 2 k, then pulls like a train. I was planning on doing the Vanos seals at some stage (just due to age), but it sounds like it might be related??? I'll watch with interest!

Manual was why I brought it. It's not like you can wait for a better one to come along! "enthusiast"... I've also had a few other old VW's, a bunch of NA subarus, a Suzuki Cappuccino and a Wagon R turbo and a Daihatsu Max 2 stroke amonst other things... I think I'm more of a car wierdo - hence wanting a manual e39 I guess!

Please tell me it's good!!!! I haven't even seen it yet! Not an auction, so consumer gaurantees act applies I won't see it until Monday either :-( Depressing! The Mrs will be in it most of the times... the sprog mobile. More room, and certainly safer than her current 1995 Impreza. With 320K on it. Impreza anyone???

Hi All, Just purchased a 2001 model (built november 2000) E39 525i Manual. I'm a happy boy. My Father still has a 1990 E30 325i SE manual, which he has had for about 16 years! I do all the reapirs on it, and know it very well. We had a 1996 E39 525i and a 1998 E36 320i in the family in the past too. Hopefully I won't have to ask to many technical questions (don't want any problems!), but I'm fairly good with spanners - I have a 1972 Beetle, and a 1984 VW Transporter which I put a 2.5 Subaru into. Anyway, glad to be here! Pics: Allan.