gjm

I have pics of the Z5 somewhere - same sort of camo as the M8. For those who really want something different, how about this? New 8-series ute, anyone?

Awesome.

The air intakes for the cooling system were just behind the rear doors. Not especially attractive, but necessary - apparently 16 cylinders in the engine bay didn't leave room for minor considerations like a radiator.

That's the engine. In an E32.

Following the Tourings that BMW *didn't* make... thread, perhaps it would be interesting to see some of the other cars that BMW worked on and developed but perhaps didn't quite make it to production. This one would have been nice.

At the recent WoF, the inspector suggested checking the front wishbone lower rear bushes before the next WoF. There was a little play - nothing much but what in a UK MoT test would be called an advisory. So I'm looking for the parts. In the diagram below, the bush is part no.5, but the easy solution is to buy a combined part 4+5. I can import from the US or UK for the equivalent of about $100, but does anyone here have a pair in the shed, garage or elsewhere they're keen to part with? (It's early evening - I've not tried anywhere in NZ yet.)

The important thing to remember is that the 320d has far better performance without a massive drop in economy, when compared to the 318i. If I get stuck in traffic - not uncommon - then the economy of the 318i takes a big hit. The 320d less so. Equally, spirited back road driving in the 320d sees economy drop to (say) 8l/100km, while the 318i will want 11, 12 or more. The economy argument applies in one specific situation, the one where I am able to drive at a constant speed for some distance. For the use I'm making of the car, that is relevant, For most people, it probably won't be.

I think the PM notifications have decided to take another break. They were working (for me) earlier today (28th May), but have seem to have stopped this evening.

That's often enough. Sometimes though, the previous gorilla, sorry - owner, has got a bit enthusiastic when tightening the nut on the top, and I've found I can't get enough swing with a lump hammer to get it out! I need to practice my Bruce Lee-style 1" hammer action.

We may be moving a little further south, to help cover the gap between here and Wellington.

Sorted for another time.

I have a fork-type - insert into the joint and slug it with a big hammer. Probably the same distance as Andrew... (But closer than Olaf! )

I'm struggling with the viability of using our 320d for the trip to work. At (for the sake of argument) 6l/100km and assuming diesel at 114c/litre, it costs 114x6=684c in fuel, plus 100x5.8c=580c in RUcs. Total = $12.64. Taking the E36 318i I've been using recently: At 7l/100km and assuming petrol at 200c/litre (I typically less than this - 98 @ 187c/litre recently), it costs $14. A difference of $1.36 per 100km, which is readily absorbed by the slightly higher rego costs, and more frequent servicing the diesel typically requires. Now, the 320d does have more performance, both in terms of power and torque. The trade-off is that this is for commuting on roads where I can normally maintain 90-100km/h for a reasonable period of time; power and torque are less important. (We have a 5-litre Mercedes for that sort of thing!) Decisions, decisions.

The 4-pot is a better balanced car, weight wise. It does give away power and torque, but there's more room in the engine bay for 'enhancements'.

Good vid. Nice to see one that's a bit longer than usual!

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/6142292851.html Apologies for it not being a TradeMe ad, but this would be interesting, in many senses of the word. Not seen this conversion before, and given what I'd thought were electronic complexities, I'd probably never consider it. However, taking the engine and gearbox, and presumably the entire wiring loom and all sensors and ECUs, it might not present such an issue to someone suitably experienced.

It will replace the 6-series and will be available as a two door coupe, four door Gran coupe as well as a two door cabriolet. So either your prayers are answered, or your worst fears realised. That front-end is going to take some getting used to!

The back looks very Aston Martin.

Or at one of the car sales sites that facilitates sales for private sellers. A great shame.

<sigh>

Thanks Brent.

This one would need to stay auto. Presumably fluid and a filter would help - I suspect that's typically overlooked. After that I only have theoretical experience with autoboxes. No idea if it is an issue with this car or not, yet.

JA91136 ex-Japan, so I expect it's a Jatco 'box. Possibly a 300? The reason for asking is that I've heard not-so-good things about the Jatco boxes. I'm sure it doesn't invariably apply bit something to make me cautious.

Is there a definitive way to tell, from a VIN, which auto gearbox would have been fitted to an E36 or E46? Looking to be able to tell if it would have been a Jatco or a ZF.

ZF LifeGuard Fluid 6 is (as far as I can determine) the BMW-recommended fluid. Penrite don't list a fluid from their range to suit your car and specify this.