gjm

Not too fussed about the turbo. They're typically a bit taller than a more ordinary road car, and that's what's going to make getting in and out easier. Curiously, I've not seen many of the 2.5 boxers around A Quattro wagon of some sort is definitely a consideration. The Allroad has the benefit of being a little taller, but they're heavier than the A6 and tend to guzzle fuel. Grand Cherokees are cheap now. Perhaps a little bigger than would be ideal, but I'll not write them off. We're going to have to do some car yard touring, just to get in and out of a few to see what constitutes too low.

Interesting... Not something I'd considered. We love a challenge around here, don't we? I'd need to think hard about what could be dropped off the list. 4WD is an obvious candidate, but if we do what we hope to, 4WD could prove to be indispensable on occasion. An alternative that I saw was the Subaru Forester. Again though, I know little to nothing about them.

They're under the house. I saw them. Behind your tool box? I hope you weren't storing them in the silver car...

Price is the problem. We drove an earlier, more boxy-shaped X-Trail a while back. It was OK... Just OK. Nice colour, though - a sort of pearl ice blue. Of course, we would have been comparing it to a BMW or Mercedes so it didn't really stand much chance. Just seems a shame that while the Germans made good cars 10 and 20 years ago, the Japanese don't appear to have done the same. At least, not in the genre that we're looking at.

I thought you were my friend! I'll still have other ex-Munich projects.

The Rav4 and Vitara had already been discarded from consideration! An XTrail is a possibility, but are typically regarded (from what I can find) as not being as reliable and possibly even less of a joy to drive than the CR-V. In all seriousness - are there any recommendations for anything reliable and reasonably economical in this style and the $5k-ish price bracket? It does seem that pretty much everything has one fundamental flaw or another. Requirements - safe transport for Mrs M and the dog(s), sensible driving position, economical, reliable, fairly simple, 4WD, ability to tow something (a car on a trailer isn't covered in this), easy to get in and out of, and (sadly) not a manual gearbox.

I have a cupboard to keep them in!

This. Mount it on the two pieces of valve.

A lower mileage, well maintained 1st gen would suit (provided it's a Facelift model) - that elusive car bought new by an 'older person'. They do exist, so patience could be rewarded. A 2002-on would be a better bet. I was this one which is more than we're looking to spend, but price is likely to be negotiable. It also has the 2.0 engine which is a reasonable amount more economical, but... Silver with a beige interior? Lol It does have more stated history, too. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. I've not seen reports of chocolate transmissions, but to be fair I've looked far more generally so far. I will be digging into specific issues.

In the absence of funds to buy an X1, we're looking at other sources for a small SUV. The CR-V seems to fit the bill... In post-1999 version it has enough get up and go to get out of it's own way, it has the comfortable seating position Mrs M needs and is easier for her to get in and out of than a much lower vehicle. It'll need to be an automatic, and preferably 4WD. Does anyone have any experience of these? The 1999-2001 facelift model appears to suit us best (in terms of reliability, availability, and price) although it's possible we might be able to stretch to an early 2nd generation model (2001-2005). The 2nd generation got a V-TEC engine which while adding complexity, also added power without sacrificing fuel economy, and they don't appear to be unreliable.

As Kyu says, 'better' can mean different things. If it's the cheapest possible option you're after, you're probably asking the wrong people! Conor's suggest of Glenn @ Botany is an excellent one. If you want someone to have a quick look over the car, I work in Papatoetoe and would be happy to do that. I don't work on cars for a living and I definitely don't have Glenn's experience, but if I don't know an answer, I don't guess: I go to someone who does know.

Well... Three of them are OK? What's the bore like?

Where in Auckland are you? If you're at all unsure of what you're looking at, we can recommend a specialist who can help.

The green-yellow-red is an indicator of how soon a service is needed. In this case - soon! The red circle with a white 'P' is displayed when the handbrake is on. Nothing to worry about. Get it serviced and have the indicator reset.

Good price. If I had 45mm struts I'd be all over these. GLWS.

Damn. There goes any chance of my jelly beans offer being accepted. It was going to be for a lot of jelly beans, too!

Jasjot.S

I'm not sure if he is still on holidays, but he'll certainly be back next week.

Doesn't sound like quite the same problem. Give Kayne Barrie a call - 027 497 5330. I have a very superficial knowledge of Getrag 'boxes - he's rebuilt more of them than he'd care to remember.

How does it feel? There should be a little pressure needed to get across to the 1-2 gate, and a lot (obviously) to get into reverse. Similarly, getting to the 5th gear gate should require a little effort, and the gear lever shouldn't 'flop' between the 3-4 gate and the 5th gear gate. I think there is a locking pin and a bush (check p/n 23311228392) which when worn, can cause the problem you describe. It is normally associated with other symptoms, too.

Does the gearshift return correctly to a neutral position, or does it tend to sit between the 3-4 gate and the 5th gear gate?

Imagine a lightweight (carbon roof, bonnet, boot) E36 M3 with an S14-derived 4-pot 2.5 litre engine, spinning to (say) 8500rpm and producing 240-250hp Nothing that can't be done, but as far as I know not something that has (yet?) been built.

Looks like Monte Carlo blue, metallic matt.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1225314342.htm Not perfect, but looks unmolested and is NZ new. Given what I've read elsewhere about prices, could be worth a look. (I don't have $12k!)

No such things as an E24 M6 with an automatic gearbox! Lovely cars, with or without a manual gearbox. I had a dolphin grey M6.