elmarco

I expect 'use the force' not 'manual' when you say it's Darth Vaders E30...

EuroCollision in Panmure or Evans European in Onehunga. Edit: EuroCollision are the guys that do all the BMW NZ and Team McMillan work (so Im told) - not the cheapest, but they do a pretty sharp job.

I think that's the same one that was on the news a little while back. Super cool, and expecially good for commuting in Auckland traffic.....

It was a business gold card and the policy stated that they would pay out up to 685 pounds for delayed baggage (which had to be 24hours or more from memory). Flew Paris to Prague (via Zurich) and bag never made the 2nd flight. Bugger me with a fish fork if it didn't happen again on the return flight via Brussels (although the delay was about a week on that one). Had to live in a t-shirt and jeans in the middle of the Czech winter.... Wouldn't have been anywhere as much profit in it for me if it had been Tokyo and I had to acquire a suit for an early meeting though.

I haven't seen a Hillman Gimp for about 20 years....

Yes - they were right on the brink back in about 2002 if I remember correctly. And GM had a reasonable stake in FIAT back in 2000, with a "put option" where they had the option to sell the company to GM (at market rates). If GM baulked, then there was a $2 billion USD penalty - which GM ultimately paid. Bet they can taste the irony at 1 Renaisance Centre (GM HQ). Just shows what some vision and good management can do for a car company. Zero to hero in 5 or so years. The worm has turned, and is now packing an Uzi....

Lot of words of wisdom in that article. While the VE could be a great car for the US market, pinning their hopes on the Police vehicle deal is tantamount to wishing on a star... Be great to see it in Chevrolet badges as they do have a good range for that - where under Pontiac the ute was a bit of an oddball as it was with GMC. They scotched it as an El Camino a couple of years back because of the Pontiac tie up - maybe this will free them up a bit. Sadly, unless things pick up for them I would expect Holden (as a local manufacturer) to become another casualty although not likely in the next couple of years (more like the 10 Graham has suggested). Lets hope that at least some cards fall their way in the next couple of years as it would be an incredible loss to Australasian manufacturing if they were to fold as a manufacturer. Interestingly, I was reading today that FIAT are kicking the tyres of Saab, Opel and Vauxhall. They picked up Chrysler for a steal, and now sniffing around some other brands. If that were to go ahead, I believe it would make them 2nd in volume worldwide to Toyota. Interesting times indeed....

+1 on that. ASB VISA gives you one hell of a lot of travel insurance for an extra $40 per year.... Compare that to the $200 Flight Centre wanted for a week in Australia for 2. I had a claim on the company VISA in the UK and had a 1300 pound payout for 2 delayed bags (more than 24hrs)... No swindling, lying, bullshitting, begging or otherwise bending the truth involved either. Never had to claim on the ASB card but I belive it is insured through Southern Cross.

Moonride perchance?

Smokin....

Both responses above are valid and sensible. For reliability, I would suggest Toshiba or Apple. But throwing the CAD requirement in there pretty much limits you to HP and Dell if you want it to work in any reasonable timeframe. The video card will either kill you or keep your sanity in check - get a reasonable one (designed for CAD - not gaming). And a friends experience with running CAD (AutoCAD, Rhino and SolidWorks) on a Macbook pro with virtual XP doesn't work - pushed him damn close to the edge.... Stay away from 64 bit unless you have plenty of time to spend on keeping it running. The only real benefit is the O/S will allow you to use more RAM (as DRTDVL says), but to be fair, you have to be doing some heavy duty CAD to need that. If that's the case, you probably shouldn't be using a laptop... The downside to 64 bit is some shaky drivers, and some software won't run on it (then you get into using compatibility mode and a whole other kettle of fish). In fact, even using AutoCAD on an HP laptop at work has provided more than it's share of challenges (especially when it was running Vista - XP seems to be more stable and less of a problem security wise). Also - don't forget about the screen. Using CAD on a laptop screen with a laptop trackpad sucks monkey balls - a good high res 24 inch monitor is a few $$.

Sorry - can't offer any factual information, but I would suggest that the car would need to go through a full homologation check (E certification) and be subject to both duty and VAT ($$). Have a look here Edit: Scratch that... [quote Importing your motor vehicle to the UK from outside the EU If you are permanently importing a motor vehicle into the UK from outside the EU you must declare the vehicle to customs, and you must fill in and sign form C104A and present it when you bring the vehicle into the country. You don't have to pay duty or VAT on the vehicle provided you meet all these conditions: you are moving your normal home to the UK you have had your normal home outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months you have possessed and used the vehicle for at least six months outside the EU you didn't get the vehicle under a duty/tax-free scheme you're going to keep the vehicle for your personal use for at least 12 months after it's imported Obtain form C104A Importation of a private motor vehicle into the United Kingdom on transfer of residence from outside the European Community (EC)quote]

Absolutely stunning with the black wheels.... Very well executed. But putting a jappa turbo into a classic muscle car? Why??? I get that they want to be different, but I don't think that works at all - like putting an M54 into Cadillac Eldorado or a 308 into a Fiat Bambina. Sure you can squeeze it in there, but it just wasn't meant to be. Not doubt it goes like a cut cat, but it just aint Jim Beam. Call me a purist if you like.

I think it was the same guy (or the same name anyway). http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,...5014239,00.html He's taking the piss now...

Mmmm - Conti-Mental.... I like!

Start from the left (as in edge by the passenger door) and lever the trim in the middle of the dash out gently (don't damage the soft dash). It is on long die cast metal pins and will slide completely off eventually. The surround for the stereo is next - lever this off gently. The stereo is held in with 2x philips screws. I think the aftermarket faceplates to fill the gap are around $30 on Trademe.

Good morning indeed - I'd wake up early for that.... But what's with the tatoos????

I have a feeling that the OEM battery is a calcium one (not lead) - which has implications on the charge rate etc. Might be worth a PM to Hotwire or Glenn to confirm if a std battery will be OK or you need a calcium one.

You could try a good upholsterer - Stu's Trim Shop and Stitches Upholstery both do a good job. No idea on pricing sorry. Or you could try: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-216403586.htm http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-216946606.htm http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/C...n-216489718.htm The coupe seats are different to the 4 door although I think they can be adapted (Hybrid may have done this).

Hmmm - tough call.... 1. Aston Martin DBS (shoot the designer now so s/he can never design a better looking shape) 2. 1968 RS SS Camaro with 396 big block & 4 on the floor (weekend toy - when the man says bring the noise, what else are you going to bring it with?) 3. E46 M3 (I always loved this shape more than any other BMW) 4. 39ft Cigarette Top Gun (not a car I admit, but how the hell else am I supposed to commute between my island hideout and work in the Florida Keys?) 5. Rolls Royce Phantom (when I can't be arsed driving, Jeeves will drive the Phantom and still arrive on time...) Edit: Actually, on thinking about it the order should be: RS SS Camaro Cigarette Top Gun DBS E46 M3 Phantom I NEED to get me an RS SS Camaro...

Yes the pressures are high - but the technology is similar to the common rail diesels which have been around for a few years now (so it isn't completely new territory for them). I wouldn't be overly concerned about the reliability at this stage - but they won't be cheap to repair if they do go!

I think the reliability comes from them actually being an Isuzu - which funnily enough, is no longer part of GM. I think the new Holden version is called the Colorado because Isuzu own the Rodeo name and have taken it with them in the divorce. I actually don't think the VE is a bad car at all, but it sounds like this one is just the bad apple (and it does happen as others have said). The dealer and GMH have zero excuse for the customer service though in my book. Must have their minds pre-occupied by the thousands of other customers lining up to buy their product eh?

Boom boom!!

I was initially thinking that they should leave bike design to the Ducati boys - coz it looks like it would be a pig to ride. But on second look, it is pretty wild even by showbike standards. I don't think it was designed to do anything more than act as a perch for hot italian chickies wearing small strips of lycra at shows. And sometimes you just have to do it....

Wonder if he priced a towbar for the DB9 if he thinks the BMW one is pricey.....