bravo

Nice unit - has everything I'd ever want. Cheers - doubt it'll be at my price point though. Whilst I am making the step up from cheap off-the shelf boxed systems, I'm not really in the market for anything other than the low end of the mid-range stuff.

Audio input for tv broadcasts will come from freeview receiver anyway, and audio from PS3 can come via optical from PS3. I've been advised to buy an AVR that has a few other "important" features and sacrifice HDMI through the AVR if required rather than the other way around. Yeah, I'm aware that my budget is limited for speakers, but they'll be 1000 times better than what I have now, and I can always upgrade later as finances allow - at least this way I am getting the basics right. I've got a small living room as it is, and my ears are hardly what you'd call finely tuned. More like cauliflowers stuffed with cotton wool.

I think you're living in 2005 Brian, back when Diesel in nz could have up to 500ppm sulphur content. They changed the laws, and now all diesel must have 10ppm or less sulphur content (ultra low sulphur diesel). This came in on 1 jan last year. Edit - updated info regarding sulphur levels as per an email from the Min. Eco. Dev.

Making a decision tomorrow. Will let you know.

This can't be wrong

Bored Simon?

Haha - yeah know what you mean. I think the PS3 is a done deal now. Just trying to suss the rest. Need to source a good AVR and speakers from somewhere - budget $1,400-1,800. Had a look on trademe, but to be honest I don't know what I'm looking at.

Yep - but at the mo with some of the sales, retail on special is pretty close to staff, but the extra warranties, and accessories like remote and cables are dirt cheap. Thinking of getting AVR and speakers off trademe - Marantz receiver with HDMI and digital inputs for $600 - can't go wrong.

The drive has to be formatted as FAT32 - is this what you mean?

Saw this on the way to work today. These rock my face. i used to have a poster of one on my bedroom wall when I was 12.

Exactly what I was going to say. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 320d I drove, and the specs speak for themselves. 320i 125kw, 210Nm vs 320d 130kw, 350Nm. If you drive a diesel like a petrol, you'll spend too much time at the top of the fairly small rev range and it'll feel like it's run out of puff. Change earlier at any revs above the turbo spool threshold and make use of that low-down torque, and you can feel the punch in your back. I think that modern diesels are really suited to modern Auto transmissions. I'd buy one without a doubt.

@Wom - only my laptop which I currently use to watch DVD's as my DVD player gave up recently. And that sux as I can only get s-video and 3.5mm stereo audio out. Also, anyone know if the HD LCD TV's with built-in freeview accept satellite input? ie not freeviewHD? It's just that we can't get freeview HD where we are and I'm hoping that I can bin the horrible decoder we've got for a built-in one.

Put it this way - if there's any doubt as to the effectiveness of a top brace, the bottom brace does even less for e30 as it fixes to what is a relatively stiff part of the chassis anyway. Get a top one only - at least if it doesn't do anything, you can still see it.

I've been looking to add a blu-ray player to the living room, and my gf pointed our that a PS3 costs the same as a low-end blu-ray player. Considering that she's been after a PS3 for some time now I'm wondering if I might be able to kill two birds with the same $600. Normally a stand-alone player would be a better bet, but its hard to figure our where the PS3 is lacking especially at that price point. It has on-board storage (120-250GB HDD), will read from an external (FAT32) HDD via USB to access my movie and music collection, full HD, and 7-chan Dolby and DTS out, and the bluetooth wireless controllers mean it can sit in the bedroom cupboard next to the living room where all the other hi-fi gear is going. I'm going to drill through the wall and duct all the cabling to a wall-mounted flat screen with built-in freeview. Then I'll get a cheap wireless remote-control extender to control the amp/receiver and/or sky, effectively making the living room wireless except for the speakers. You can't buy a standalone with all of that functionality for anywhere near that price. What compelling reason is there not to do this and go for standalone? Advice please! PS: Oh and apparently it plays games???

Correct. BTW Sam - it was never a secret!

Lovely e34 Stephan! Edit: can you please resixe your larger pics? Forum rules restrict size. Aim for around 800x600 or only slightly larger. Thanks.

Get some Dunlop Sport Maxx's from Johnno. Fit your requirements well i would think. I know you can get 205/45/17 as that is what is on the back of the e30. Ask him if he can get them or something similar in a 50 profile. 205/45/17 would be legal, but the correct size is 205/50/17 based on the factory size being 195/65/15 (thanks google). 205/40/17 would be too small - ie not legal.

Not a fan of those rims Josh - one size too big - makes it look like a cartoon car. This works, but a bit common Or this: But my fav is this (please ignore the disgusting bodywork - just look at the wheels)

ouch! I know there's a long line for the rims, but PM me with a price please.

Yeah it's hard if not impossible. Some people have success, most get sick of the hassle (like me) and just claim insurance.

Spotted on the noticeboard of my local supermarket. WTB e34 535i workshop manual (1992 model). Larry 09 4050549 Posting in case someone has one they want to get rid of.

Bet it goes well if the 320d's are anything to go by. Good luck with the sale.

About time for you to post some updates isn't it?

Cheap to buy, costly to maintain.

Not the same one, but one just the same.