elmarco

I had NZI for a year a while back, and no problems (although I made no claims). My parents use NZI for house & contents, and they have had no problems with claims for fishing rods getting nicked from the boat etc. Paid out full replacement value with no hassles. NZI seem to be OK (even though they are the same parent company as State).

I'd say the answer to both is to get it scanned. Be more than a bit surprised if it was just coincidence that the check engine light came on and then it started playing up. The check engine light could mean almost anything - you need someone to pinpoint the fault code first.

If you're so sure it is just the battery, why ask? You obviously have no idea how complex these cars are electrically - the light is a sympton and most likely won't tell you the root cause of the issue. Ironically, you probably just burned the person that would have given you the best deal to repair it....

Niiiiice! I like lots! No idea what these normally sell for, but I would imagine that the $7k it is currently at is a bit of a deal. Has some nice hardware included, and looks to be in nice cond. Wish I was in Nelson....

Even Johnny Knoxville delegated that one.... It's not if but when it's going to end in tears. Bit like - think he tried it once too often and ended up as a grease spot.

Isn't heresharry a member on here??? Wonder what happened to the Porsche that he sold the E46 coupe for?

Who did the quote for you? A dealer, or independent BMW expert like Botany Motor Worx or BM Workshop? The camshaft sensor price sounds about right for the installed price - mine was in the same ballpark from memory (although it didn't stop me driving it - just went into a safe engine map until replaced). I'd recommend getting a BMW expert to do the install - the fault codes need to be cleared as well. Don't forget that you get what you pay for - a $65 USD MAF is most likely inferior quality and only worth $65 USD (even in aftermarket products, there is a vast difference in price and quality)...

Try

Just one more reason I wouldn't touch State with yours...

That is one hell of a deal from Glenn! Just shows you how important the safety systems are, and what kind of guy he is. Ignore it at your peril. You and me both Heath. Only I would probably do it with extreme prejudice....

You could try Accord Precision in Pakuranga (not sure if they do one offs). Alpha Engineering in Wiri could also be worth a call. JWB Group in East Tamaki have done one off prototypes for us at work so are probably able to do this kind of thing. No idea on cost sorry.

Could be wrong but I thought glazed pads resulted in brakes with insufficient bite/stopping power as opposed to too much?

My E46 does this (no other leaks anywhere). The 2 golfs I had before this car also did it, and my wife's Honda does it..... Don't think it's a problem.

There is a school of thought that you need DRL's to create some glare so you can be seen.... Same goes for stop lamps - you need to create discomfort to really be seen.

Driving lights are high beams - so not the same as DRL's at all....

The car companies actually patent (or maybe trademark - I forget which) the specific colour they use in the interior lights believe it or not! VW have a patent on a particular blue colour, and I would expect BMW have a specific hue that they use. I imagine changing the LED's would be a bit of a mission (never seen the dash PCB on an E46) - you may have to change line resistors as well as the blue LED's have different current and voltage requirements if you get into the detail. However, it is obviously possible to do as you have seen one.... I personally find the blue hard on the eyes. Red is used for night vision in a lot of applications - which is possibly why BMW chose it (something to do with rods and cones that are the photo receptors in your eye if I learnt anything in 1st year Psychology...). Edit: I thought the only thing I learnt in 1st year psych was that was where the hotties hung out - so maybe that little gem of info slipped in as well!

Just picture it - Bravo PI with dodgy 80's pornstar tache and Hawiian shirt etc....

Nice work Jochen - I for one am keen to give this a crack. I was considering getting some LED aftermarket DRL's, but this is a much nicer (and cheaper) solution.

Nowhere near as safe

Just because you can doesn't mean you should....

Niiiice! I love these! That kind of vehicle has to be looked after. And if it is anything like the later ones, any maintenance is big $$$ as you start at the exhaust and work your way in to get to the headlamps.... Not for the faint of heart or wallet. Not sure I would want one to be driving to Uni in one as you say. Too much vehicle to be parked on the side of the street or in a student carpark. And too many wankers, theives, and morons around...

It just screams late 80's Lethal Weapon gangster to me (which I happen to like ). Perfect new car for the Mrs to commute in! I'd feel out of place without a stylish Italian suit, sunglasses and Uzi on the passenger seat while driving it though.

Another on my list of petrol powered must haves... That and a gas turbine. Never know when you'll need one.

You might want to speak to Ray at HellBM. He wrecked a titanium silver E46 coupe last year and may have what you need.

You speak the truth oh wise master..... Is there anything particularly special that I need to watch out for on the mk4 Golfs? I'm thinking about a tdi or 2.0l auto as nothing else really seems to fit the bill. They seem to be a bit easier on the budget as well (which is good - I have plenty of things to spend another $5k on...). The whole CVT reliability issue really scares me with the Mini - replacement transmissions are big $ from what I have been told. And, if you believe the internet, a frequent problem.... Lots of people have had to replace them. I actually tried to convince her to drive a manual. No way Jose... Maybe I am just not persuassive enough....