Grant

Definately, run it on Premium Unleaded. Either 96 (normal premium) or 98 (BP Ultimate or Mobil Synergy 8000). You won't hurt it running 91, but it will behave itself better on 96. Remember that in NZ, we have crappy petrol, and our our octane ratings are not very accurate...i.e. i think that 91 is really 87 octane, so is just 91 in name only. Cheers

Bimmerboy, I have an 80% use for it, but should it fall into the other 20%, then it is all yours. 37 South, I'll see you at 1.00pm. Cheers

I am no spring chicken either. What time shall I meet you to pick it up? Shall I just meet you out the front at a certain time? Cheers

no, on St Benedicts Street, just up (towards Newton Road) from the Pinnicle Club. My kitchen, and back bedroom look out into Stables Lane though. Never been to the Pinnicle, what's it like? Cheers

I'll take it. Do you live in St Benedicts Street??? If so, you must be my neighbour, I live there. Cheers

Have you had a mechanic look at it....most things are fixable, and it might save you having to buy a replacement car. I'm sure it isn't as bad as you think. Good luck anyway. Cheers

S52 is a later model E36 M3 engine (3.2 litre) Cheers

I hope the owner does take pride in the car, he has obviously put a lot of work into it, just not my thing. It also made Performance BMW magazine (I am assuming) - a good effort.

I'm in agreeance with Blair...it is too OTT and looks a bit tacky to me.

Gus, I noticed that the Barum Bravura's were on the list of quotes I got. Barge pole material I think. I will stick the the Yoko's I think, better the devil you know, and I have been pretty happy with them. Cheers

Andrew I'm keen as, can you check with the guys at your work, or with the BMW people that it is ok to switch from DOT4 to DOT5 without completely stripping and cleaning the brake parts. I have read conflicting reviews/recommendations, but it would appear that it would be ok so long as you insure that all of the DOT4 fluid is 100% bled out. Just let me know what I owe you. Cheers

The options are piling up. Here is an email I got back from a query to a good tyre outlet yesterday: Dear Grant Thank you for your enquiry. We can offer the following in the 195/60 R14 size Yokohama A539 $161.00 each B F Goodrich G Force $162.00 each Bridgestone Grid III $201.00 each Barum Bravura $130.00 each Pirelli P5000 Drago $240.00 each The Yokohama is a asymmetrical tread pattern tyre, all of the others are Directional. If you are looking to go on the race track I would suggest you either stay with the Yokohama or look at the B F Goodrich, Bridgestone options. All prices are GST, Fitting and Balancing inclusive. I do like the Yokohama's but also have heard nothing but great things about the Grid III's. Ahhhh decisions...decisions!!! Cheers

Yeah - DOT5 won't damage your paint. Also I was reading that it is not good to replace DOT4 with DOT5 without stripping off your brake components and clean them all with alcohol and then reassembling the brakes. If DOT5 fluid comes into contact with DOT4 fluid, it causes a sludge type liquid that severly hampers your braking ability. I think I'll use good quality DOT4, it seems a bit risky to change just doing a brake bleed alone. Cheers

Yeah - I have a foot pump for car tyres, I will bring that with me to Taupo too.

yeah - do not spill DOT3 or 4 brake fluid on your paint (the glycol in it eats the paint)...but feel free to spill DOT5 all over your paint.

Especially as your house is the likely venue of the mass brake bleed!!

Fair point, yeah the power difference in the 325i over the 318i probably means mine is a fair bit more likely to get more tail happy.Cheers

I have been doing some research tonight. DOT4 and DOT5 Brake fluids have pretty close to the same boiling point (230 degrees celcius). The difference between the two is that DOT5 (aprt from price) does not absorb water (it is silicone based). DOT4 Fluid will over time absorb water, and within a year the boiling point will be probably be greatly reduced (up to not much above normal water - 100 degrees). Therefore a brake bleed with good quality DOT4 about now will mean that the fluid will be good for the Taupo track day. Gus - you are probably alright for the brake bleed - unless you want to re-do it...but you are welcome to help anyway. Cheers

I think you'll find that Gus meant he had 9 bottlecaps not nine sets. Cheers

I was going to try Repco and Supercheap Auto's. If they don't have it, I'll ask them who to see. Cheers

bloody hell Shelly...good eyes. I was looking at this at work wondering how it was done...but now you say that I can see the blue outline in the bottom triangle thingee

Gus's it is then. I will get some DOT 5 fluid before (or on) the weekend. How much do you need? Haynes doesn't actually say the capacity. Cheers

I had GT Radial Champiro's before the Yokohama's. They were good in the dry when they were new, but were a tad slippery in the wet. Once they got, even a bit worn they were unusable - they are now on a boat trailer at Whangamata...with about 60% tread on them. Cheers

I know how you feel, I am sitting at work, trying to stay motivated, but I'm afraid by 3.00pm each day, I am easily distracted!!! (Especially on a Monday, and especially during the F1 season) No what am I meant to be doing again......

Cheers Glenn I have 9 bottlecaps already - I think 13 might be overkill Cheers also for the different choices, I will go and have a look at these at tyre dealers. Thanks again...it is amazing how good this forum can be when it is used properly, and not just to put people down and start petty arguements.