Jacko

Got all four rotors and pads replaced roughly a month ago, Mintex Pads and Brembo rotors, within roughly two weeks of driving they went through a squeeky phase, then quickly from a little bit warped/unevenly warn to a warped to hell phase that was not very nice to drive. The usual steering wheel shake etc. Mechanic who replaced them initially replaced the rotors and disks again under warranty. I suspect he over torqued the wheels, although he says he used a torque wrench and not a rattle gun, im very dubious about that (the apprentice marks on the wheels say otherwise...). This second time they were replaced, he forgot to tighten the RH Front caliper bolts, which left me on the side of road in Ngaruawahia with a front caliper flopping around.... Mechanic is very apologetic about both these things happening. Roll forward two weeks, and I have squeeky brakes again, and the tell tale signs of the rotors beginning to warp again Both sets of rotors/pads are being broken in correctly. I drive them energetically on B roads most days, but nothing silly, Ive never had them fade on me for instance. Nor did I have any issue with the original rotors/pads which probably had 70k+ on them. Whats going on? Any ideas? This is getting very annoying, and costing me time off work to fix (even under warranty!)

They are definitely sticky, in the wet at least, with new (2 week old) 225 A2s on the front and new 235 A3s on the back it feels like it wants to understeer more than it use to at the limits. Bites hard on acceleration and slapping 1-2-3 as well, no more chirp! Sidewalls appear to be just as stiff as A2s in 35 profile.

20 odd k, Have ordered some A3s, we shall see. Reading the reviews of them they are all over place so its a bit of a lottery... Once these are dead, probably RE004s all round

Anyone gone from Asymetric 2s to 3s? I am chewing through tyres on the 130, 235/35/19 A2s on the back have lasted 6 months (wof-wof) and at $480ish a corner not a game I wanna play for too long! Tyre wear is even, its not an alignment issue. Goodyear claim 31% increased tread life with the A3, is this for real? Any downsides to that? I love the way the A2s drive when being spirited, and they are awesome in the wet, but need em to last longer (I dont even do skids...) Even considered just going to a cheaper RE003, which apparently has similar grip levels wet/dry, but even worse tyre life....

Now at 197,000km, hasnt missed a beat since I purchase. Best car ive ever owned hands down. 200k and Ill think ill book it in for an OCD birthday.

I find "Hold my beer, watch this" is the precursor to awesome.

Great blow off valve noise... with a slushbox..

E30 320 stanced as with stretched tyres and mad camber. Threw up a lil, poor car.

I had one on my E30, theyre so soft you'd get about as much benefit out of sticking a pool noodle between the strut towers, made out of some sort of cheese based alloy I figure. Also, pool noodle would fit better

oh thats awesome.

9.4s Vs 9.5s 0-100 times

Your mate? Electric cars are pretty dumb.. I dont blame a 320i for trying to be one.

You dont have to look at it from the drivers seat, all you get to do is grin at the awesome thing that is N52B30 with 6 speed manual between it and the rear wheels.

Cool road.

Cheap cheap, fun cars. Looks pretty well spec'd too (and must be rare as Jap import manual!) - Full leather, idrive and xenons and all the Msport stuff. Wonder if the clutch has been done, must be well shagged otherwise.

Shweet, the aerospoiler is a bmw part - 51 71 0 306 667 - Wonder if was dealer too? or maybe market specific to the M kit?

They are brembos, repainted

Weird, yeah maybe dealer option... wonder how rare they are (and if wreckers ever see them). Theyre about 3.5k US new by the looks... Kind of off topic, but anyone clued up with E87 options?, I assumed the "aero spoiler" on mine was part of the Msport kit, but that one is the second genuine Msport ive seen with no spoiler. Was the aero spoiler a dealer option too?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-987483724.htm I want those brakes... Pity there isnt any under bonnet pics, wonder if it got any other BMW performance options

Needs more bog.

hmmm... I need this

Come work on aircraft, 11/32 socket is used for probably 80% of aircraft fasteners (3/16 hilok collars).. and always the first socket to get pinched! One mans trash, anothers treasure

Thats some seriously wacky topgear camera angles.

Black E39 M5 (i think, just caught it) down highbrook drive, sounded tits with a few rpm wound up

I like that the best. They did a "major check" on the vehicle, but missed the beeping flashing warning light and text that says SERVICE on the dashboard? Dont hold up much hope for the stuff that doesnt beep and and flash...