elmarco

I actually don't think the cops have a lot of choice with prosecuting this kind of thing if you take it into your own hands. They don't make the law, and have to refer it to a higher authority to decide (ie: the courts). So expect some time to 'discuss it' with Bubba the 7ft wrestler if it isn't a self defence no-brainer.... Having said that, I think these scum deserve a good beating - seems to be the only thing some of them understand. The problem is that while it makes people like us feel better to know those pieces of sh*t have had a valuable life lesson, it just escalates it. I really have no idea what the answer is - but am pretty sure more Police dogs that get fed less frequently is a damn good start. My 2c.

Go the fuzzy dice!!

Do you have a wiring diagram for this Jochen? I'll have a crack....

Best Bars in Manurewa are the guys that make the towbars for BMW NZ (removable tongue and all factory certified etc). I got mine off trademe (Christchurch BMW) after a long wait.... Couple of things: - That one looks to be for an E36 (I don't think if it fit your E46) - It looks to be a cheap one that bolts up under the spare wheel well. This is bad as it can crush the wheel well and pretty much f**k the car. Proper ones bolt into the chassis rails. - You will need a wiring kit for the trailer lights or the computer will flash errors up at you on the dash. I am looking for one of these at the moment - and have heard they can run up to $500 from a $tealership although have not had pricing myself yet. - Installation requires you to remove the rear bumper and can be done in a couple of hours. Nothing particularly difficult apart from working out what you need to do (remove the plastic guard inners, then the C clips on the bumper, then the parking sensors, and finally the bumper bolts (you will need a Torx T50 for this)). You also need to cut the rear bumper cover.

Whats with the half dog on the drivers door?

I'm presuming you are talking about the front fog lamps, not the rear. LED fog lights (front) are a bit of a difficult one to do as the white LED's are really not powerful enough to provide the required light performance (they will get there eventually, but not just yet). Fog lamps shouldn't be used in anything other than fog conditions - and need to have a reasonable amount of light to be of any use at all. Maybe you are thinking of LED daytime running lamps? If so, Hella do them, and you should be able to get them from most auto electricians. http://www.hella.co.nz/default.asp?a=138&a...y&newsID=48 or http://www.hella.co.nz/default.asp?a=138&a...y&newsID=52

Sweet Jesus! $10 for a connector/bulbsocket that costs all of around 8c to mould.... Capitalism for you I guess. Just don't cut the terminals off unless you absolutely have to - most bulbsockets / connectors allow you to remove the terminals and put a replacement on. Take a photo of the polarity before dismantling too - get this wrong and the bulb will still light, but the entire base will be live (with potential for shorts etc).

Missing a turret + cannon - you'll need all the self defence you can get in that colour...

Spare RFID key in case of loss/defect? I take it the RFID reader will allow multiple keys? If so, how many keys are out there that will enable it? How would you re-enable a new RFID if required? That device looks like a DIY build kit - but if you have got this far already you won't have any trouble putting it together and soldering joints. Sounds like an interesting project.

I think sharepod will do this although I haven't used it myself.

Get your insurance to fix or replace it. Manukau City Council may also have coverage for this if it was not in a construction zone - they have responsibility to keep the roads maintained and free from holes etc. Worth a question if nothing else. A colleague did this in his S3 and rooted 2x rims + tyres, a bumper, and some paintwork...

These things are down right dangerous in anything less than snow.

Face like a bag of spanners. Chicks with dicks? Wouldn't touch one with yours.

Yes - this is true. Another reason to make sure the bulb has an E mark. This means that it does actually produce the legally required minimum amount of light. Some of the cheap ones don't...

Make sure you use a quality brand (Narva, Philips, Osram and Hella are all OK), and don't exceed the standard wattage for the lamp (55W - using 70W bulbs will damage (as in melt) the plastic parts of the lamp). I personally use Hella Cool Blue H7's and they perform really well (much better than the Race Auto brand crap that was in the car when I got it...). You can also get +30% and +50% light output for the same wattage bulbs - but be prepared to replace them frequently. And the number one rule with handling halogen bulbs is not to touch the glass with your fingers! Good luck.

That appears to be the connector on the main wiring harness for the park lamp bulbsocket. What you should need to do is slide the white lock forward to disengage it (this is normal procedure for Tyco/AMP connectors - I haven't used this specific connector before). Then you need to disengage the terminal locking tabs - these are to stop the terminal pushing out the rear of the connector during connection. So use a paperclip or small pick to compress the locks as you slide them back out of the housing (helps to push forward to release, then push on the locking tab, then pull backwards on the wire). Don't over force the terminal or you will damage it - jiggling around and constant pressure is the key. And have a good close look at how they lock (each connector design is different and Tyco don't list the BMW specific part number for that connector) - you can always disengage them and it is just a matter of working out how. It is tricky first time, but can be done without munting the terminals or the housing. Also, try the AMP part numbers here. I couldn't find the BMW specific number, but there will be a generic AMP part number without the BMW markings. Good luck.

Love it - except for that spoiler. Looks too similar to a Falcon or Commodore for my liking. I like my cars subtle, and my coffee tables in the living room.

Dammit - another one of my ideas gone! I had this precise idea (and name) about 8 years back. Why am I not loaded??.....

Wow - that RX7 really makes a statement about who's in who's way....

Not unless they have been replaced on the dodgy... Driving lights have to come on/off with the high beam/dip switch. The symbol on these is for front fog - and the spread pattern will be vastly different between the two (driving lamp vs front fog).

How cool is this? Only in Germany.... Might have to stop in next time I am in der fatherland. Working trains are one thing, but precise control of boats, and vehicles obeying traffic rules are a whole other level of obsession. http://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/

For over $100k, I would be expecting it to include a Swedish bikini team - but that's just me. Call me tight if you want.... My guess is that in these economic times, both might be waiting a while for a new home (unfortunately for the current owners). For me, they are discretionary vehicles and that's the first thing that gets cut when money is tight. I still like them though!

I guy I went to school with did this. We renamed him 'Poppy', although his one ended up with blood spurting all over the show (sounded farking horrendous actually).

Call Hella (09 577-0000). One of these babies behind the grill should do you nicely. Next to zero power consumption, damn near bulletproof and self flashing (multiple flash modes). As 3pedals says though, you don't get any further street cred for having one. And may even have some explaining to do at WoF or checkpoint time... Let me through, I'm a doctor! edit: And they are Kiwi designed and made....

Very nice. Looks sharp in black.