bravo

Precision? I use a blue can brand called perfection I think - it is also pretty cheap - about $6 or so at BP, and it is NZ made by a relative of the guy with the E30 parts in Orewa. I'll have to go to the Warehouse tonite and have a look.

Suzuki Alto.

What did you use on the tyres? I have tried silicone spray and armoural tyre thingy, but bott lose the shine in an hour or so, and just look clean black with a little shine - not really reflective like yours. Clean engine bay?? I spend almost as much time cleaning under the hood as I do on the interior. I'd say 50% outside, 50% inside and under bonnet. It's the only way to go - open the hood and everthing looks new - fantastic until some bastard mechanic puts a greasy hand on the intake manifold, and that thing is so hard to clean - I swear I'm going to put a sign in there next time I take it in.

Ha! - just went to the show's site. Remeber my comment reagrding the old guy being a know-it-all prick, well, look what the site says about him: Funny.

Carl - it was minis as in small cars (Suzuki something-or-other, Daihatsu Charade, Hyundai Getz) Minis are cool, these weren't so much. 1) Don't mind the mini car comparison as I am interested in anything automotive, and presumably next time will be something different. 2) Hated the presenters. The old dude looked like he was going to bust a valve every time he pushed it round a corner, and he made himself sound like a right know-it-all prat. The young guy was an absolute numbnuts and the only time I enjoyed his presentation was when he made the joke about smoking in the car, and then read the sunvisor instructions with a German accent. 3) Didn't feel as though I knew anything about the three cars after the test as they didn't really go over them. How's the fuel economy? What is the luggage capacity like? How much room do rear seat passengers enjoy? How are they to park? Get kids in and out of? What are they like to drive outside of a few suburban streets? What are the upgrade options? What are the dealers like to deal with? How are the service plans and warrantys? It was like being told about a car by a mate who has just bought one, but isn't really a car nut - ie, really dumbed down, and I just sat there shaking my head at some of the commentary. Also, felt they were too easy on the Maserati. Talked for ages about the styling, and why it is called a GranSport, and not much else. Didn't explain what the computer/traction control did, just said it was a "brain" that stopped you from skidding out - didn't say whether it helped, what was wrong with it etc, etc. 4) Thought the item about new car prices was good - well researched and presented. 5) The Ford V. Holden thing was one of the lamest things I have ever seen. They hyped it all through the show and then it was a 3 sec thing at the end which was not even a fair test of the cars as they had a Le Mans start and one of the drivers couldn't get his seatbelt on. It would have to be one of the worst 1/2 hours I have spent watching a motoring show. At least Jim's Car Show was interesting, factual and more or less well presented, plus Jim knew what he was on about and had the passion. They asked for viewers to contact them and give them feedback. I am going to email them now with a link to this thread, so PLEASE make your opinions heard. To the makers of Torque Show - You really need to up the stakes and make your show professional. People who are not into cars don't like car shows. Those that are into cars don't need to be talked to like they are six. Tech it up a bit - you can explain what some of the techy things are, but put them in there. and I don't just mean HP figures. If you are aiming at family watching - then forget it - the only car show I have ever gotten my family/partner/flatmates who aren't into cars to watch is Top Gear because it is entertaining outside of the cars themselves. They don't give a rats about the cars - they want entertainment and jokes that are actually funny. Car nuts find this good, but a sideline to the real action. The show lacked both entertainment and real guts - sorry, but it was a wishy-washy waste of time.

Stealth nitrous in the rear seat?? :mosh: :mosh: :mosh: :mosh: :mosh: A bit orange for me, but v. cool.

HB man - one more year closer to the drivers license!! Hope the bday is tops. Best Wishes frm G.

Just be wary of postage costs, exchange rates, and the fact you can't go and bash the guy if the goods don't show up. (I know some trademe traders are overseas, but the majority are in NZ so you can track them down.) Caveat Emptor!

I also have some web skillz (done a few basic pages myself, but all in html and using css style sheets - no flash coding skillz). I would be willing to be involved in the updating of the main page on a regular basis as I know what a chore that can be, so as the mods have more time to mod. So, if you want a donkey to do that kind of thing from time to time, I'm down wit dat.

I've got a old photoshop you can have if I can find it - I'll PM you if I do, not sure what version. Champagne is a white bubbly wine, so is goldy in colour. Named after the area in France it originated. I'm not sure what the BMW code for that car is, champagne was just my description of that colour.

Looks good, much better without the plate bracket. Now if only they would let you have a drive in return...

Anyone know what the reserve is likely to be. n I'm not thinking of buying, but wondering what they go for.

Looking at the champagne two door again, I think I can see where they are going with it, with the swept-back banana sill matching the line on the rear bu,per, but I still don't like it. It would look better lower - photochop homework anyone?

Agreed - that is the shizzle (second pic - first pic two series??? fugly - and persisting with the bannana sill) First seen I guess in upside down form on the E36, but that looked way better. I don't know quite what the fuss about it is on the one, but on the two, it looks tres shite! esp. with that wee boot - smash it! :rambo:

Grant, my post was more for martyn to know that it HAS been brought up before and recently, but thankyou for your reply as it gave me some answers to some of the questions I had. I never really thought about the probs re: merging with BMWCC, I have a feeling the loose rules of conduct, and freedom to openly criticise BMW, and swear, and be moderately discriminatory would all have to disappear to allow a merger to happen, and that is just the surface. My only hope is that if bimmersport ever got to the stage where it was find funding or close, the members would be informed well in advance in order to give them a chance to save the site. While writing this I have thought of another idea, perhaps (if the software allows) members could be limited in their ability to have a signature or avatar until they have paid. This does not stop the site from functioning (esp. as I view it with them all turned off so it loads faster), but means that those who have paid can "advertise" the fact as they are the only ones with sigs or avatars, and as altruistic as people say they are, a little bit of credit is always desired. Just an idea. Otherwise, thanks to all the mods, and is the voluntary sub supposed to be yearly? If it is, I'll have to remember to pay again in a few months.

Is there a 3-door version - that would be pretty cool. I haven't done any research, but if they don't make one they should go for an AWD 130 3-door, and then that would be the beast for me. They could even do the super-hot hatch mod of mid mounting the engine where the back seats usually are to really balance some weight. Awesome. Em, machinery is always given a female designation (one of the few things feminists seem not to have really protested yet). It doesn't make you sound gay if your female - your not supposed to make love to your car. For a guy, it's his girl, and for a chick its her girl, more like a close friend, family member or daughter, not a partner. I guess it could be seen as sexist, but there is no way I can see people coaxing their cars along "c.mon man, you can do it dude, your the man!" "Yeah baby... you can do it darling.... oh f**k you you filthy bitch..." is much more appropriate.

Grant - I love it how you called m325i and offensive twit, and then still said Cheers. What's up with the single tail pipe? Did some 325's come out with them or is it aftermarket? Like everything about the car except maybe your big shiny knob. :jap:

Third to last post in this thread

Sold to me - hah!

Welcome, and good buy - sound price! Pics?

I like the one, but I don't think I like the idea of a bimmer hatch even if it is a cool one. Since cars are always female, it would have been more correct to say sisters.

It all depends on how photogenic the driver is of course...

Nice dude, nice.

No, hate bob sagat, but by saying "finally someone who knows what they are talking about" it implied that I don't, therefore :rambo:

Awesome bro, I don't really like E36's, but if I could find one like yours i.e. Msport, I might change my mind. Looks really good, and I agree with Cilk - leave the ride height as is.