gjm

Great cars. This is the coupe version of the saloon we have. The 500 and 560 are siblings. The 560 is slightly lazier, more long-legged; the 500 is more sporty. That said, I find we rarely see more than 3000rpm and even then we're deep into licence-losing territory. Big cars, but with the suspension set up correctly they handle very well and predictably. And for a 1980s V8, they're pretty economical too.

Reason for WoF failure (according to NZTA In-service WoF regulations, 8.1.19): A brake backing plate is: a) insecure, or severely corroded, or c) deformed from its original shape, or d) cracked, or e) contaminated by brake fluid, oil or grease. But that doesn't say a backing plate needs to be fitted, and in some cases will actually refer to the backing plates in a drum brake setup. Thinking about what they do... The plates could help keep radiated heat away from your tender ball joint boots and (in a few cases) may help direct cooling air where it's needed on the disk. That said, heat will likely only be an issue if you cook your brakes, then immediately come to a complete stop and don't drive away. And most backing plates won't do anything to guide air sensibly (without some sort of ducting also being in place). The only real benefit I can see is that they help keep your suspension clean(er) of brake dust. I know a lot of racers don't use them. For further thought - have you ever seen a motorbike with a brake backing disc? I suppose there may have been one or two, but I suspect 99%+ of bikes don't have them.

Damn. I looked a them earlier, sucked my teeth a bit, reminded myself it was Boxing Day and found something simpler to do.

Can I get the rear brake disc backplates off an E46 325i without completely dismantling the entire arm?

Aye. Merry Christmas. Strawberry Margaritas are ensuring that.

I use a Penrite ATF in our 320d. It's good - after 500000km there's still no issues. I've attached the Penrite application list. Penrite ATF application list.pdf

The 6-pot cars do use more fuel, but are generally more powerful. If you're regularly travelling longer distances the fuel consumption difference will be less significant. I prefer the 4-pot cars. They may run out of breath earlier than a larger capacity 6 cylinder car, but the balance of the car is better, and handling improved as a result. (And if it is important - a 6-pot will cost more to service due to having 50% more cylinders. )

Rust-free is the key element. Check, double check, and check again. It's a fairly run-of-the-mill example, with normal issues, and with what has become a run-of-the-mill price. Nothing exceptional, but not exceptionally expensive either.

It's a bit odd. The taller, slimmer filter is so obviously wrong (when you see it). The one I have looks OK until you try to fit it. I'll get it sorted. Pretty sure I went by the p/n their catalogue suggested.

Didn't feel a thing!

I have a set of 16x7 E90 rims, Style 156 available... But I suspect that's not what you're after!

I'll be giving it a go! If I remove the upper and lower rubber spacers, it'll almost fit into the canister, but obviously not seal properly.

This one appeared to be the correct 'fat' but was about 1/4" too tall. There was absolutely no way the lid of the canister would have sealed. Of course, the only time you find this out is after getting oily fingers over it, after putting it into the canister which has a little old oil in the bottom, and after putting the lid on. The 'return in original packaging for a refund' instruction really does count for much at that stage.

Changed the oil in Miss M's E36. Found that the Ryco filter bought from Repco(?) is too tall to fit in the filter canister...

Hi Molly, You're welcome to any of the fabric seat covers I have here, if it might be of use? I need to keep the bases, but I have replacement covers I'll use.

I'll have a look. Hopefully tomorrow evening.

2016 has been a monumentally crap year for us (and I'm aware of others who've had a less than great time), for too many reasons. And now any hopes that it was going to be simply rectified by the year bringing up whatever had caused it so much angst have been dashed. Henry Heimlich died yesterday.

The engine is so far back in the engine bay, there's almost enough room to climb in there with it. Just saw Ray's post re the Z3... Tempting, for Miss M. That, or (if I can find one) a E46 M43TU coupe with a manual box. There was one for sale on here a while ago but the timing (for us) was wrong.

For reliability, you'll have to go a long way to beat an M43! Older BMWs may be simpler to fix, and in some cases will match reliability, but won't necessarily give you the same refinement. It's a balance. I recall someone saying to me (many years ago, when I bought an E21 323i) that he'd never buy a 6-cylinder car because they were 50% more expensive to service than a 4-pot. I thought he was just a doddery old geezer at the time, but there's a lot less to go wrong, less to fix, and... Well, you get the idea!

Scored for the E30. New tenants in the unit on the front of where we are renting have temporarily moved down from their farm which sold to a developer, who then decided he wanted them out sooner rather than the agreed time. Talking to them while doing some work and the lad says "there's one of them up on the farm" while pointing at the white E30. "Rusty as hell but if you want anything off it you can help yourself." Got to be worth a look, right? Yup - it's a mess. No glass, no rego, one door, no engine or 'box (apparently it was a manual) but... It does - did! - have 51mm struts. And springs which I don't recognise but which are most definitely not Jamex superlows. And vented discs... Rear shocks were Monroes and looked to be leaking so they stayed where they were. Apparently the poor car had been used as a farm hack for several years.

I think he's using the brakes on his ex-shopping trolley project.

If either of you (or anyone else!) does find a an E46 M3, I'd be keen on the front brake calipers and carriers (and discs and pads if they're any good).

That's why I cited the engine originally... My original thinking being along the lines of considering what are the requirements of, from or for a performance engine, rather than what contributes to a good power-to-weight ratio or a performance vehicle. (My wife's first car, an Opel Kadett C2 coupe with the 12S engine - 44kW, 1196cc - was sporty and great fun, but hardly performance.)

Do some hunting, find an early E46 with the M43TU engine.

200 horses is ample power for a fun car, especially a first car! Dry sump cost... How long is a piece of string? A lot depends on how much you do yourself, before you get to pumps and accumulators and oil lines and... Definitely worthwhile though.