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aja540i

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Everything posted by aja540i

  1. Depending on what that quote covers it actually seems pretty reasonable to me, but I would expect it to include a fluid change and any sensors and re-coding required, it might seem like a lot of money but make sure you are comparing apples with apples when pricing the cheaper options, and if you are not confident doing the work yourself there is potential to make very expensive mistakes!!
  2. Nothing quite like an automatic 323i with a not quite right M3 badge to get the heart racing!
  3. Bit the bullet and bought the Turner spherical bearing kit, decided it was worth a punt since they have the lifetime warranty. Kit arrived yesterday and I spent this morning putting them in, out with the arms and pressed the old bushes out, new bushes ready to go in, first one went in no problem, second one took a couple of tries to get it started square but went in fine, arms go back in as per usual, but hardware can be torqued up with suspension droop as the mono ball just pivots when the weight comes back on, so nice and easy, will book for wheel alignment and WOF re-check next week. Now, to see how long they last....
  4. Take the rest of the trans to a scrap metal dealer, you should get a couple of bucks for it....
  5. aja540i

    Quick rant thread.

    Aren't all of the top 5 most stolen cars at the moment small and Japanese ?
  6. If you drive it like an M5 it will sit at the high end of that range, if you spend all your time trying to drive it frugally you have missed the point and should have got a nice 530i....
  7. That is basically my commute and I use the M5 once a week to keep everything working, it is more than enough to get everything up to temp and keep the battery topped up, but I can't justify the horrendous fuel bill for doing it every day! I also didn't want to get sick of the M5, and driving it to work everyday is a good way to make that happen with any car!
  8. The M5 he is also selling seems like better value... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/toys-models/die-casts/other/listing/3938093957
  9. Mines a UK import and 99% rust free, I put it up on a hoist and checked it before handing over any money! The 1% is from stone chips incurred locally!
  10. I think it is, has the nasty NZ spec towbar, but it looks like it has been tidied up a bit since it was last listed, I remember the front bumper being pretty rough.
  11. Machinery house do a pretty reasonable kit that comes with some inserts, the tool has heads for rivnuts and normal rivets as well. https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/n001 The tool can be a bit fiddly to use, the head has a habit of unscrewing itself, but you just need to keep an eye on it and nip it up if it starts coming loose.
  12. Used ace automotive in Taupo, wasn't spoiled for choice they were the only place open!! They were good to deal with, gave me a good run down of what they were going to do and a pretty accurate estimate, checked how much refrigerant was left in the system and it was about 30% of what it should have, pressure tested the system with nitrogen and it held pressure so no major leaks, evacuated all the gas out to remove moisture then re-gassed it. Not sure on the value, it depends on how long it keeps working for I suppose, but it was just under $600. Worth it to have it working for the drive home!!
  13. Got the A/C in the M5 serviced, after a 5 hour drive to Taupo on Tuesday with slowly failing aircon in 27 degree heat!!
  14. Got a drone, my wife got the Lego Ferrari Daytona!
  15. Its an all wheel drive hybrid, very on point!!
  16. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/smart/listing/3915696694?bof=tU4ygqSY
  17. Came with the car, could even be a UK import spider??
  18. New colour stripes for the badge on the M5, random ones from eBay, the red looks a bit too red, but I might just be used to the old faded one...
  19. Not sure exactly, but somewhere between 10 and 15 thousand Km sounds about right.
  20. Hmm, that is my flavour but i already 3.5 bottles on the shelf so i probably shouldn't.....
  21. So the M5 failed its WOF on excessive play in a lower front control arm, Continental cars sent me a video showing significant movement of the front wheel (by hand) due to the rubber bush giving up. I replaced the front control arms a few years ago with new Meyle HD units and i am aware that big heavy BMW wagons like to eat suspension bushes, but i am seriously considering changing to a spherical bearing type set up using the Turner motorsport kit to try and get a bit more life out of them. Has anyone done this conversion, and if so what are the pros and cons? My main concern is putting more stress on the chassis at the suspension mounting points as they were designed to work in conjunction with rubber bushes not spherical bearings, but i suspect i am being overly cautious and they will be fine, thoughts? Price wise the kit for both sides is within a few dollars of 1 new genuine BMW control arm, but considerably more that 2 new replacement rubber bushes, so i am happy to spend the money if they last a decent amount of time.
  22. Spent an hour or so at greasy hands replacing the 2 front exhaust gaskets in the M5 and recovering a torx key that ended up on the under tray when I replaced a coil 2 weeks ago, cost about $43, guys seem pretty good, they are car guys and they operate the hoist for you, basic tools are provided but I recommend taking any special tools you might need, and a light of some description. There is a H and S induction and forms to fill out before entry, but they keep them on file so you only have to do it the first time, hoists are all new and there are 4, as a bonus they are only 5 minutes from home!! Recommended for servicing or basic jobs that are a lot easier on a hoist, suspension bushes, exhaust stuff, driveline, etc. Edit, you need to wear good shoes (no jandals, duh!). They also require you to wear a high vis vest, safety glasses and gloves, if you don't bring your own you can purchase them on site.
  23. I'm there now to do the exhaust gaskets In the M5, so far so good, I will report back when I'm done...
  24. aja540i

    Quick rant thread.

    Ah, so its your fault it is raining!
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