318Touring

Yup, that's right, you can order one from personalised plate, cept they charge $252.

Those websites I included above made the plates for you for about NZ$100 incl. shipping to NZ.

Thinking about ordering something like this. However will I got into trouble during WOF and from the highway robbers (patrol)? This plate won't have 'NZ' on the left side, and font etc. won't be NZ standard (if the standard exists). Obviously it'll have my existing number on it. If anyone knows, which is the best site to order from? Costs wise they are all almost the same. 1 2 3

This is the answer I got: 'Yes it came from the factory with the turbo as I have stated on trade me!!!!" This is his email: [email protected] Have fun!!!

Not meant to be

no, no mistake, he's trying to rip people off. I emailed him, he said he's in London. I emailed back saying that a couple of my mates will come around to inspect the car. Predictabley, no answer from that bastard. Oh, here's his emails:

Give this a try, quite interesting to pass the time (and useful too). Part number online

Just last week I saw a pair of clear rears for sale in TM.

Nah, a colleague gave me an invitation for free, so it should also be free coming from me. Once my allocation of invites climbs up again, I'll put a couple more for free at bimmersport.

OK gents, the invite should be in your inbox.

CiLK WuRM, right I'll send you one as well. I have to wait until I get back home since I am on restricted proxy at work. Can't get to sites with 'mail, ad, email etc.' on the url.

*sic, I'll send the invite to your hotmail account?

Who wants one. I've a couple of spare invitations.

A wee bit small, same size as Freelander, but much more expensive!! Price starts from $92k for the 2.5l up to $112/4k for the 3.0l. That's without options, just ask shadowninja how much a BMW CD stacker costs!! Most of what's on the showroom have options added hence higher prices. The X3 feels like a 3 series, with height, meaning still quite small. Some parts are recognisable from other series. The 1 series's dash will be similar to the X3. If anyone is planning to get one, better wait until the TV/NAV option is available in a few months, as the area where the NAV/TV would sit is currently has an ugly mass of plastic. Yuck. Good value for money? Better get a CRV. Will it be good value for money 5 years down track as a 2nd hand? Hell yes! Let someone else eats the hefty depreciation first PS: I just checked BMW USA's site, the X3 starts at only US$30k (NZ $55k). Damn, that's seriously a tempting vehicle at that price.

how much?

Well if he was really counting the cost of pertol, he probably should get this.

Congrats! We now really have to have a meet since almost everyone replaced their rides, and there are new people too!!

I use 3 bath towels to dry the entire car. Just place the towel on the wet section, press lightly, and bingo you got dry panels, never move the towel around. Very effective, and the chance of scratching the paintwork is almost nil.

Get your dealer feeling so guilty, they'll give you accessories for free when you pick up the car. Things like rubber mats are useful especially during winter ....

Why are you selling, getting newer bimmer?

Nice one! Congrats, more details like specs etc?

Ask your insurer about the price difference. Suggest that their "approved repairer" will be doing a bad job because they only charge $500 while other places charge $900+. Ask whether their approved repairer is a bunch of low-lifes who will be using unsuitable/stolen parts etc. They can't get angry with you (well I hope) as you are the customer. It'll get fun as your insurer will scramble trying to justify their actions. Last time I made so much fuss over a replacement windscreen (BMW and Oz/NZ made), someone from State's head-office in Auckland (or something like that) talked to me for 1 hr trying to convince me that a non-BMW windscreen is as good as BMW one.

It pays to be critical on the job done by their approved repairer. I once got State to repaint my bonnet again (Rover 600) as I found some small (1mm) craters. That's a year after the original job was done. Go through the car after the job was done, and pick anything that isn't right, no matter how small it is. Complain, complain, complain. It's very satisfying when you can get them at their own game.

NE1 noticed the numbers below headings "R2 s" on the top frame of the picture? Was that a coincidence or what eh...

I was lucky this morning that I had crossed the road literaly seconds after this blue BMW whizzed pass, and stopped a few meters ahead. Looked like there was a couple inside, but you never know with undercover cops, although it's quite strange that they are using such a highly visible car!! Maybe it's part of the new stealth group, a Motorsport spec'd MY 2003 (Estoril?) Blue 3 series BMW.