gjm

I'll stick to using the yellow ones. James - thanks for fixing them. (But we still need a thumbs up one!

Party time!

I hope so!

This time?

Billie Piper also separated from Evans after 3 years, and divorced him in 2007. No little ginger monsters from that relationship, either.

Sweet - thanks. I wasn't sure if the markings would be visible, and didn't want to go to the trouble of lifting the car and then being annoyed. ;-)

Any suggestions for how I identify the 5-speed manual gearbox in the white 318i coupe? The car was oroginally an automatic and was converted. I'd not be surprised to find it is a Getrag 240, but are there any visible identifying marks, as viewed when the gearbox is in the car?

Not today. But very soon. Probably next weekend (10th).

Bought some more RUCs. 5 units. 5000kms, about 3100 miles. Should last a few weeks. Over $300.

I had a quick look at the Cobb website and it does appear that they may have withdrawn the V3 from the products offered for the 335. The Accessport V2 to V3 trade-in is still there, though. Unusual situation. However, if Cobb say it doesn't work then that may be your answer. To that aspect of what to do, at least.

FTFY.

I've been hunting for details on the 5-stud conversion. It has to be one of the most popular changes people make to an E30, and it's been done many times. The problem I've found is that there are so many 'guides' and 'how-tos' that finding a single, truly definitive guide encapsulating the benefits, procedures and parts needed is more difficult than I'd anticipated. I'll dig deeper/better when I have time.

Don't trust hearsay and conjecture. Talk to Cobb.

If I do a suspension upgrade (which is probable), it'll likely be to something other than stock E30 parts. I've no qualms about making arrangements for the struts to accept a M3-style anti-roll bar. The question is brakes. I don't need an 'ultimate' set up - pretty much no-one does unless they are really racing. E30s have good brakes from the factory. I do have an E30 rear disc set up to fit to a 318i (which came with drums as stock). Am I going to unduly compromise my brake options by staying with a 4-stud hub? (Albeit probably with a spacer/adapter...) I was considering the WMS setup from the UK, but have access to some lightweight 4-pots and can manufacture mounting brackets. The issue may be discs... Almost all problems can be got around using bells and rotors, but again there is a cost implication. I think there are some bearing differences too, between the 4-stud and 5-stud hubs, but don't recall what they are.

I've read the benefits of a 5-stud/bolt conversion are the wider range of rims available, and the ability to run bigger brakes. On the rim front, it'd be cheaper to take your chosen rims, have them professionally welded and redrilled, so perhaps that's less of a reason. Brakes may be another matter. Let's assume (yeah - OK - I have an idea) you could fit your chosen larger rims anyway, and could get adapter plates manufactured for suitable larger calipers. Would this negate the second reason for a 5-stud conversion? Or is there something inherent on a 4-stud hub that prevents the use of (say) 330mm vented discs? I appreciate there are cert requirements to be met. I have an opportunity to go either way, and with the front is a possibly new way. It's now a cost/benefits/usability exercise.

The US team tried to copy the success of the UK show, and failed. And realised they'd failed, so they did it their own way which worked much better (for them). I wonder if we are going to see a similar situation here? Chris Evans is trying to run Top Gear the way he thinks it should be run, with him front and centre. I hope he's big enough to realise that doesn't work as well as he'd like, and that he'll step back a bit.

I've been looking at dehumidifiers for the car. The usual house ones are a little impractical at 10L capacity - they're just too big. Bunnings list a 'baby' dehumidifer at 2L - http://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-dehumidifier-2l_p00222078 The dessicant based systems would be nice but they are also quite large and at upwards of $350 they're aren't cheap.

It is nearly 3 litres...

I mentioned earlier in the thread that Evans was trying to secure artistic and production authority. Judging from his OTT performance, he may have succeeded - I can see why producers despaired of working with him. They may have more idea of what would work than he does.

TM# 1096280178? Very nice car for motorway miles. Mileage is up a bit for the price (or price is up for the mileage) but so long as it has been maintained, it'll run more or less forever. It's NZ new so there is a chance of checking the history with a little work (assuming it's not readily available). Edit: Apologies - I forgot the 'not silver' bit!

Sold - subject to payment etc. Just - sold.

Get rid of Chris Evans... That would improve it. He's there because he likes cars, and the BBC wanted a 'name' to front the program.

I have a similar problem with our Mercedes - sunroof drains blocked, perhaps, or something like that. Got most of the water out, And have lifted the carpet in the rear as much as possible. Then using a hair dryer on a low setting for a few hours, pointing under the carpet. Biggest issue is the foam backing to the carpet. Great for noise deadening, even better for soaking up and holding large quantities of water.

Radiator and expansion tank already checked. Rad looks all-but new. Water pump... Not sure. No sign of any issues though - no noises or leaks. That will be my next stop if replacing the thermostat doesn't sort the low temperature issue.

Brilliant - thanks.