gjm

I really don't like it. Maybe it's the colour?

A policy that involved looking at mistakes made around the world, and not copying them, would be useful too.

Silver M4 on SH1 northbound between Takanini and Alfriston.

We like Wanganui... At the moment a teenage daughter in the last couple of years of high school mean we're staying put so as not to disrupt her education. What we'll do after that remains to be seen!

That's pretty much the problem. NZ has become centralised causing a disparity in work availability with a knock-on issue with housing and local resource. I wonder what would happen if the banks and a couple of other major players suddenly said they were closing up in Auckland and moving NZ operations to Hamilton, or Palmy?

Some of the aesthetic problem comes from the design of many European cars. The rear wheel appears to sit higher in the wheelarch at the rear than at the front, potentially leading to thoughts that the rear needs to be raised (or the front lowered). A better guide as to what is actually going on is to view the sideskirt, and how it sits in relation to the ground. Given John's pic at the top, I'd like to see the rear wheel sit in the arch in the same way the front currently does, but I don't know enough to comment on the effect raising the rear to achieve this might have on handling.

I'd have to go with this. It's much more a real-world estimation. Base spec, 4 doors, automatic... None of these things are wrong, and personally I prefer a lower spec car as there is less to go wrong! They are just, at the moment, less desirable than a well-appointed manual coupe which could fetch $6-7k if in very good condition.

I wondered if that might be the case. Thanks.

I was thinking about the metal frame that the top plastic parts fit into - the part that sits between the headlights? On M10-powered cars this is spot welded into place but I recall something about there were some models that had this bolted in.

E30s. The M10 cars had a single piece welded at the front to support the radiator. Did other cars, perhaps specifically the 6-pot ones, have a bolt-in (and therefore detachable) radiator mounting bracket? I vaguely recall someone saying they did.

Replaced the hedgehog resistor again. That'll teach me for thinking a cheap one from eBay might 'do'. Dunno how Glenn does it. I find this job a monumental PITA! And... I'll have to get in there again. The tiny white plastic clip on the end of the rod that controls the air vent position (screen, cabin, footwell) decided yesterday was a good day to break. I'm not even thinking how much fun that is going to be to replace. Still, at least we have air blowing on the screen again.

If they are that tight, it's worth complaining. That much torque can damage a bolt, thread, or even your wheel.

P/n 31226757024. OK... Today is Easter Sunday so unless someone has one in the garage (that'd be nice!) I'm likely to have to wait 'til Tuesday. Any suggestions for somewhere to buy one from a reasonable manufacturer? BNT, perhaps? I can get one shipped from MillAnd, but given the car is effectively OTR 'til I get this sorted I'd prefer not to wait any longer than absolutely necessary.

IMCDB makes interesting reading in it's own right. If you like that sort of thing! ;-)

Here's a few to be going on with. ;-)

It'll need a lot more use. We've got 120,000 miles on him!

I could make a long list of different ways it could have been used, but I'm told this was money the government puts aside for political activities. (Left and Right...?) I would have spent about $1.5m reopening the passenger line between Auckland and Hamilton, and $1.1m a year for the next 5 years running that line. That would have made a lot of difference to a lot of people, and leaves $19m for similar activities elsewhere in the country.

We move in different circles. All I have seen is celebrations at the old flag being retained!

Sadly, not local. https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5502762410.html

If it's worth doing, do it properly. For about $10k, I'll get you a headers-back Akrapovic titanium system.

Clare Pizey has been appointed as 'editorial lead', replacing the 'executive producer' role formerly filled by Lisa Clark who left after 'differences' with Chris Evans. Pizey is very much a been there, done that lass, who durn't take no sh*t from no-one. (So to speak.) Evans will retain 'creative lead', but expect him to be shut down if he turns into a twerp.

Errmm... Maybe. I mentioned before that Mrs M was having some trouble getting in and out - arthritic hips and any car that has a vaguely low seat will cause problems. I can't always be there to help her! And... The move that we may be making would mean a 4x4 of some sort, even if an Audi Allroad, would be a good idea. Add to that the prices I have seen other E46 wagons being offered at and selling could be a tempting proposition. The only thing wrong with ours is stone chips. The 500k X5 looks interesting, but the seller is asking too much money. A 3.0d might stretch to that, but even they can be had with less mileage and for less money. We'd like an economic 'proper' 4x4, and the new LR Disco Sport is a very tempting proposition. 57mpg is under 5 litres per 100km, something I find astonishing. I spoke to a friend who sells JLR in the UK, and they did an economy run on a closed circuit... He's not allowed to reveal the figures, but told me that if I guessed 'more than 70mpg' I might be in the ballpark. Just need $90k or so to make that happen.

Councils and dog control. OK - it serves a purpose. But the top 6 most costly items on the list of what dog registration pays for are: Dog registration administration Printing and Stationery Administration staff costs Advertising and public notices Registration tags National Dog Database levies So... We're paying fees to cover the process involved with our paying fees? There's a list of other items which appear far more relevant and appropriate, sadly including euthanasia and carcass disposal, but also "overheads." they go into enough detail around gas and electricity for supply the pounds (also listed) so what are overheads? My wife and daughter went to an organised dog training group this evening to find the council and police waiting, scanning all dogs for microchips and checking for registration. Seems a monumental waste of taxpayers, and dog registration fee payers money. Sure, they may have caught a couple of people, but those prepared to pay to attend dog training classes are hardly likely to be the worst offenders when it comes to non-payment of registration fees!! Everything was a very heavy approach highlighting fines, infringements, seizure and impounding of dogs, prosecution and so on. Yeah, I know. I got me a bit of a bee in my bonnet over this. Surely the main thrust of any such action should be against those who feel it's a good idea to cross-breed pit bulls with dobermans or mastiffs, and the like? For reference, here's our contribution to the dangerous dogs register, an animal so vicious she was singled out for special attention and manhandling by a council officer supervised by a taser-equipped policeman in body armour. (OK - I know... That's standard uniform for the police in public these days.)

Condition is everything. Age and mileage are relatively unimportant, unless you're expecting to sell on sooner rather than later. If that is the case, then put yourself in the position of "I have a mate who says these are good cars" and buy for yourself accordingly. That would suggest newest, lowest mileage is best, so long as it is shiny. A service history is only worth something if you kow the work has been done correctly. Our Merc 500 is off the road at the moment while I rebuild the front calipers - one had been done for the last WoF before I bought it but had been assembled more or less dry, and a piston has seized as a result. So I've pulled the other front caliper and... Yup - it's the same. Good job I have seal kits - I just need an airline to blow the pistons out. And I'll be checking the rears over Easter. I've seen far too many 'nice little man at the garage did that for me' cars. Based on that... The newer, higher mileage car is probably a better bet. It will have had to be maintained well, and if it hasn't, it will be quickly and easily spotted. Low mileage older cars just haven't had the opportunity to show how poor the maintenance may have been. The other thing is to check individual specs. You'll almost always sell a better-specced car easier than you would one with a poverty spec, regardless of condition, hostory or mileage.

Anyone want to buy a 2002 E46 320d wagon? Meticulously maintained.