gjm

Logically, it'll be the visitors who drive most. Chinese visit and holiday here, but generally travel in taxis and buses. Only a small percentage spend any significant time outside of urban centres while not in a significant group. So - who's the most common visitor? West Islanders, perhaps? Or one or another group of Europeans?

The 1.8 and 2.0 engines aren't great... Good for pottering around but the 190 is too heavy a car for them to work. The 2.3-8V is better, and the 16v engines better still. The straight 6 (2.6, 160hp) is a much better and more suitable engine but does carry a weight penalty. It goes well; put a stiff roll bar in the back and it handles nicely too. To get it to sporty BMW handling levels you need to investigate shocks and springs (or buy the Sportline model, c.f. BMW M-Sport suspension) but these were intended to be comfy cars first, and sporty cars second.

If you go the route of new 'box fluid and filter, use a cheaper fluid. If it works, run it 'round the block a couple of times and replace fluid and filter again, using good fluid this time. Fingers crossed it is that simple.

Mercedes did the same thing. For instance, the 200CDi was exactly the same mechanical engine as the 220CDi with a 2148cc displacement, but the 220 got a different ECU. They then muddied the waters further by introducing a 280CDi which actually 2987cc (3 litres, in old money) and a 320CDi which was the same engine as the 280, but with different tuning. I'm sure it makes life easier for those poor fitter monkeys in the display workshops when they have less engines to work on, but I wonder what it does to resale values? Would you pay $000s more for a "320CDi" when the "280CDi" does the same thing after 30 seconds with a programmer?

M20B23 had K- or L-Jetronic (an E30 would be L-Jetronic; the E21 used K-Jet). M20B25 had Motronic.

Engine no: 20833619 2 - M20, M21 or M50 083 - serial number 3 - built in Munich 619 - production day (could it be 019?) Doesn't help with the B25 bit. Does the head have a number stamped on it? A B25 head has a number ending 885.

That'll be the 4x4x4i.

I was talking to a European specialist yesterday. I quote: "It's a BMW. It's not like it's a real car." I did chuckle. The 190E is a nice car to drive. Different to a BMW definitely, but better or worse? Not in my opinion... Just different.

Swedes start 'practicing' driving at 16, with a full license available from 18. Median salaries are comparable - NZ ~$51000, Sweden ~$53000 (equivalent). Swedish income tax is 29%, but taxation is a combination of local and national taxes, so this is an approximation based on median salary. Even alcohol consumption isn't that different: NZ 10.9l per year, Sweden 9.2l per year. (Pure alcohol, aged 15+. Source: Wikipedia.) Let's face it. We're pretty crap over here.

They were originally aimed at very different markets, but Mercedes put a lot of effort into beating BMW on track. I'd not considered that aspect of this, and I'm in two minds about rising to the challenge! It'd feel like your two children going head-to-head in a competition. If it happens, it's a kind of 'because it's there' thing. Provided I can keep the balance right (and the M117 is actually a little lighter than the M103) it should be a lot of fun to drive.

Swedish drivers are strictly advised to not drive with any alcohol in their bloodstream. You can be imprisoned for up to 6 months for having up to 0.02% alcohol in your blood; over 0.02% and up to 0.10% can see a 3 year sentence. Repeat offenders (who typically, worldwide, make up the majority of drink-drivers) are treated more harshly. Less than 0.25% of drivers breathalysed in Sweden return a positive result. Sweden has a population more than double that of NZ, yet has around the same number of road deaths. In 2012, just one person under the age of 7 died in road traffic accidents. The Swedish toll is dropping. Take into account the weather over there, and this becomes even more remarkable. However, driving standards are immeasurably higher than in NZ, and road construction carries a safety first, convenience second approach. Speed limits in Sweden are determined by a number of (sensible) factors. Main arterial multi-carriageway roads are 110 or 120km/h, and speed limits for other roads are assigned on a case by case basis, not arbitrarily as over here, and can be as low as 30km/h in populated areas. That said, there's not much attention to speed limits on motorways and police turn a blind eye provided you're not being dangerous, so you're unlikely to be stopped for 126 at 3 in the morning, for example. However, exceed a 30km/h limit and you will be stopped and fined. The speed limit and punishment fit the circumstances.

If it is the one I think it is, he's being trying to sell the engine for quite some time. And the box is from a W124 diesel. It'd work, but not really what I'm after.

In the UK, I owned a Carlsson converted W201 with a 4.2 V8, the all-alloy M116. It predated the Subaru use of blue bodywork and gold wheels by a number of years. Bling! That was an automatic.

That was a W124.

So... Engine, box, rad, cooler, etc from 'spare' car. That'd cover the chunky bits. Technically, what is required? Wiring, coding, new/different parts...?

Nothing, as far as I know! Just considering options at the moment; there's probably be a few 233s around from cars with bent front or back (or both) ends. Possibly. I know someone with a 190E fitted with a 6.0 Mercedes V8, but thought I'd be sensible and stick with 5 litres. I may have some issues with RHD - this conversion seems to work better on LHD cars. I do know a man who has a full-blown 5.6 V8 race 190E, so will ask for some pointers.

This is also a consideration - I thought I'd look at BMW boxes first. I think some of those west-island based manufacturers used this, so maybe one can be found over here. Definitely a case of using an adapter plate though, rather than adapting to fit. Mercedes M117. I can use a Getrag 265 but really wanted a 6-speed. To fit the 265 you use the bellhousing from the US-spec M119 E420/500 W210 automatic - this is separate to the gearbox. Use a M116 350 flywheel (with 240mm clutch like the M5/M3), turning it down on the outside to fit the starter gear from the M119. As you say, it's the 233 in the Supra and Skyline, 420G in the V8s, and it is the 560G in the E31 850s. The 1995 Euro BMW M5 had a 280/6 - probably a bit like rocking horse droppings. Early days... Just trying to line up a plan before acquiring any bits.

You have a big BBQ, with lots of beer, and invite a carefully selected group of people to bring their toolboxes and cranes over. Probably best to check it's a viable swap first... Sorry, I have no idea about that bit, or what (specifically) would be involved.

Can anyone tell me the model designation for this? I think it is a Getrag, and the same (or very similar) box fitted in: Toyota Supra Skyline (although at the back) One Maserati or another Some 740i models Some 840Cis E39 M5 And possible the E46 M3. Not going to be for a BMW... Just having some idle thoughts and looking for a strong, reasonably readily available gearbox. The BMW V8 boxes look a good bet for what I have in mind.

Much better idea and a good mod if folk can be bothered. Removes the possibility of this issue (if not the possibility of leaks).

The numbers probably bear little or no relationship to the engine size anyway.

You can prolong the interval between this happening with regular coolant changes. Sadly it is possibly one of those "it'll happen eventually" problems. Nathan - I did pop 'round this arvo but I think you were out.

Head gasket was my first guess, too, but the consistency of the leaked fluid is just too good. Even emulsified oil tends to be a bit lumpy - mayo, as Nathan says - and not like paint. I could have a quick look in a half hour or so, if that would help?

Unfortunately the numbers (over the Christmas period) are small enough to be all but insignificant anyway. 4 less deaths (a good thing) representing 25% of the 2014/15 figure is ludicrous. If we were talking in terms of a 25% reduction in the annual figures, then there becomes some merit to the figure.

The figures I saw previously were misleading - a careful selection of statistics conveniently excluding the figures for last year (2014-15) so as to make the figures for this year look like an increase. (A propaganda-type publication.) The reality is that figures dropped this year (from last year). The police will no doubt hail this as a resounding success, quoting a 25% reduction in fatal accidents. In perspective - that's 4 less. And the weather has been pretty rubbish so a lot of people will have stayed home, a detail that will no doubt be forgotten. Regardless, the stats are lying - again. The selections here are small enough that any variation is within anomaly value. Edited to do battle with the image of a table!