jeffbebe

You won't have too much trouble selling the grilles. Just chuck them on trademe and leave them until an X1 one owner decides they want to make their roller skate stealth.

What he says ^

Don't sand. Then you can peel the plasti dip off... Because you will. Rubberised grilles look naff. Just get ECS to replace the ones they sent with the ones you ordered!!

Agreed... Looks like they've sent you the wrong ones. Bugger.

I think carjam.co.nz will show potential issues with a car but you probably have to pay to find out exactly what they are.

Agreed... No dish, no dice on the 8ers.

Maybe I should make one... with ma mad skillz.

Photoshop and ma mad skillz.

Bit rollerskate on the 8.

They had the top spindle in stock at BM Workshop - $25. Now that I've seen it, I know exactly what's wrong with the old one... All of the tabs are broken so the centre (rotating) part is loose, that means it pops out when the wheel is adjusted fully in and the column can move freely where it was. They're probably broken because of the deeper issue of play from the universal joint which is amplifying small bumps into the road into major shakes at the wheel. New universal joint on order ex-Germany.

Oh, that one. "RAIDRZ" or something? Does sound quite good. He was in front of me at the Richmond/Ponsonby junction a couple of days ago and floored down Picton it when the lights greened. Douche.

Yeah, a 23 year old rubber joint (assuming it's never been replaced) isn't going to be great and you can bet those plastic spindles are forked as well.

You're probably right and is are probably more than one issue at play here. So, probably part #2 (or #4 - they're both plastic) on here: It's #2 and the two metal rings (#3 and #6) that are loose when the wheel is adjusted fully in. I'll take the wheel off and get a vid. Should be easy enough to replace both if I'm doing the guibo at anyway.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly.

I'll try and take a vid of the column with the wheel off. There are two metal spacers that sit loose when the adjuster is all the way in and it's at this point there's most play in the wheel but when the adjuster is as far out as it will go the spacers are tight and push the rubber bush in around the column preventing the play. However, even with the adjuster out you can feel the bumps dramatically through the wheel when you drive which leads me to think it's another issue. I've checked all the front suspension parts and there doesn't seem to be much play in the column at the steering box which is why I'm thinking it's that little guibo. Guess it's a pretty cheap fix and will eliminate it as a possible cause.

Pulled the lower dash out and had a good look around. The play all seems to start after the rubber universal joint (#2): Here's a quick vid of the joint when I move the steering wheel in and out: No idea if it's mean to bend as much as that but the play in the steering at the wheel (about 5mm up and down) definitely starts there and there's no play in the column below the joint, so I'll get a new one. I think worn front shocks are also contributing to the harshness when you hit bumps at speed but it's being accentuated by the play in this joint. Hopefully replacing it will fix the worst of the issues and prevent a few brown trousers cornering at pace when the wheel feels like it's going to bounce out of your hands.

Excellent second post aswell... 2/2. Keep it up!

I'd follow Martin's advice initially then, Russell. Check the manifold for excess oil... Hopefully, it's something simple like that.

Actually, I have the same issue with the 8. Pulled the intake temp sensors (at the back of the manifolds in the 8) and both were pretty oily but the car is otherwise running fine... Probably over-filled with oil at some point but will check the breather hoses and valves when I remove the manifolds for cleaning. Is there an easy way to check on the M62?

Could be PCV but, as Andrew says, it would smoke all the time if that had failed. White smoke usually indicates water and blue oil, so if it's mostly white I'd be checking the cooling system. A cracked head would smoke white... Which wouldn't be ideal! If it's more blue than white I'd guess it's the valve stem seals (although the fact it happens after a 30 minute drive is a bit weird). If they're worn then oil can seep into the combustion chamber when the car is sitting. Once the engine is running and warmed up that's not an issue because it doesn't build up again until the next time you let it sit... Which is the weird thing with your symptoms. Did they do a full oil change? If so, do you know what oil they used?

I remember an article in the UK when the government first launched their national lottery that said the odds of flushing a pound coin (the cost of a lottery ticket) down the toilet, it being found and you receiving it back in change are higher than winning!!

Oooo! Lots of new stuff... Good luck with the grilles. I spent a fortune on E39 gloss black grilles with 'guaranteed perfect fitment'. Of course they didn't. Cheaper and better to get genuine FL grilles, some sandpaper, paint and clear coat.

What colour smoke, Russell?

Ha! I wish... I just found out you actually have to buy tickets to enter! Stink.

Seriously? I've bought som big parts from them - engine trim, rear diffuser, etc and shipping was sub US$100.