gjm

Can he repair fuel pumps, too? OK - I've not got to that point yet, but I'm trying to line up solutions that don't cost $000s.

I was going to suggest Chris at Suspension Tech, too. I've nothing against Stocks (etc) but this really is Chris' 'thing'.

It always pays to research. BMW prices do tend to be quite high, but there's less chance of receiving an incorrect part, and if you do return is easier. I may have a similar situation with our 320d.

Third line down in the list of applications: BMW 1 Series 2007 E81 [2006-2012] Hatchback Hatchback 130i 2996ccm 258HP 190KW (Petrol)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121548663629 Even with shipping, taxes and having someone do it for you, you should save about $2k.

It's certainly quiet. I'll do a voltage test on it and see what it's up to, but my suspicion is that it could be the high pressure pump which has decided to call it a day.

Changed the oil on the E36 - it has a lovely new filter, and lots of good 15W40 in it now. Made a change doing a different car. The sump plug is a long way back!

At $3k it's worth serious consideration.

If it is the high pressure fuel pump, this is likely to be very painful indeed. ~305,000 miles.

I'm going through potential causes for the sad lack of brmm-brmm our 320d is experiencing. I don't think it is the fuel rail pressure sensor as removing that should see the car reconfigure into a default mode; unplugging it made no difference whatsoever. The in-tank fuel pump on our 320d Touring is located under the rear seat on the right side. Lift the seat base and there is a rubber mat; under this is a round metal panel secured by 4 nuts. Under that you can see the top of the fuel pump. How much noise does the in-tank fuel pump make? There is no aubible sound when listening through the rear seat, but remove the seat and there is a distinct 'hum' (as opposed to a buzz or whirr).

Had it towed home. See my thread for more details. I'll be learning lots about BMW diesel fuel systems.

Today is the first time the 320d has let us down. Heading north on SH1, we were pulling into Mercer services to check tyre pressures when the engine cut out. Not stalled, just stopped. No warning lights, normal operating temperature, no funny noises, just stopped. 3/4 tank of fuel. I've checked all potentially relevant fuses - nothing. It sounds like the fuel pump is running. Turns over on the key without any issues, and is turning more than fast enough to start - new battery less than two weeks ago. Occasionally it gives the impression it is trying to start, but doesn't quite get there. If I leave it for long enough to cool down, it will start and run briefly, before cutting out again. As such, there seems to be a heat-related issue. A bit of research is entirely inconclusive, but does give some ideas as to where to look. The fuel pressure sensor is a potential issue, but so is a failed relay. Or the fuel pump, fuel sender... More annoyingly, there are some reports of similar issues which are simply not revealed under normal diagnostic enquiries - apparently the issue could only show under a directed non-engine-related enquiry, which requires 'proper' INPA or similar diagnostic kit. Unfortunately, being away from home, at a roadside services, does not make for a good place to consider testing and trying things. I've had no choice but to leave the car at the services and get a lift home - I'm hoping to get it moved today without paying a fortune to a breakdown company.

I had a quick look and that's how it appears. I suspect whoever you got it from tried to unscrew it. I'll think of something. Plenty of ways to keep it in place.

Some are being advertised for - frankly - silly money. I've seen them at $3.5k, used.

My flywheel is lighter than your flywheel ? ;-) This one is on a M12. The M12 is for sale if anyone wants one.

I wasn't able to change the Hosts file on my work PC. The systems people are a little slow on the uptake at times, and stop anyone who might know more than them by locking files and folders all over the place. Then moan when you want to do something... Using 'another' device I have edited the hosts file, accessed the 'new' forum and have posted a new thread called 'Test from new forum' in the Forum Help & Support sub-forum. It's slower than the live forum, but seems to work.

I'm using Chrome and selecting the IP address James posted, right-click and 'Go to 114.31.212.141' took me to http://bimmersport.co.nz/index.php?app=ccs&module=pages&section=pages&folder=&id=3. Current pages as far as I could quickly see.

Huge thanks to Colin - Kopua Cowboy - for the gearknob. The interior is pretty tidy, and the gearknob was really letting things down (as Dave saw!)

There's a slot on the top of the shaft, but doesn't appear to be anything matching inside the knob. I'll have another look tomorrow. I like the analogue clock. No segments to stop working! I swapped the digital clock in a 928 for a square Jaeger one. Looked much nicer.

Replaced the gearknob in Miss M's car with one received from Kopua Cowboy (thanks ever so much). Now looks like this: Getting the old one off was interesting. "Give a good tug" is the normal instruction, but I suspect that works best when they've not been fitted using insulation tape, black mastic, some sort of superglue... This is what I removed: The new knob does need something to stop it rotating, but it doesn't need that much stuff!

Now the fun starts. Miss M has passed her driving theory test, and now has a learner license. She got 34/35. Let's hope the one she missed wasn't too important!

ACS rims are a good fit on an E36. 17x8 et38. There's some stock E46 rims in the 17x8 & 8.5 sizes that would probably suit, too.

Do you need significant luggage capacity? If not, I'd definitely go for the Z4M. No 'M' is going to be cheap to run, but this'll be one of the less expensive options. It's also great fun to drive, has top up/top down versatility (increasing carrying space? ), and a little different.

The et13s only fit at the rear if you roll the lip and really stretch the arches. Miss M's E36 had these rims (or copies of them) when we bought it, and a lot of effort had been made to get them to fit, but they still rubbed. We've fitted Style 73s to her car now, and it looks a little 'off' courtesy of the amount of arch-stretching that had been done. This doesn't mean they don't/can't fit. It has been done many times.

The BBC have responded to criticism, and His Shoutyness has been busy on Twitter.