gjm

I use a vertical bike pump (in biking jargon, a track pump but sometimes aka a stirrup pump) to check tyre pressures on our cars and adjust as appropriate. It's probably more precise than some airlines. I used one to inflate a Land Rover tyre once - 7.50x16. I've no plans to repeat that experience.

Price was (I think/hope) reasonable. Of course, that depends on your idea of 'reasonable', but in a market where E30 coupes can command $5-10k, yes, it was cheap. From what I could see, the body is OK provided the issues it has are addressed soon. And it is a 5-speed manual which seems to double the value these days.

It's a date!

Ta.

Heaven knows I'm going to need help with this one! This is the fabled car for our daughter. Maybe patience has paid off, or maybe I've dug myself a hole to fall in to. 5-speed (I think converted from auto) M10B18 coupe. Ex-Japan, with aircon. White. It had a Mtech bodykit fitted but this has been removed, meaning there is no front or rear bumper, no side mouldings, no side skirts. Extra wiring to the front for fog/driving lights. According to the VIN, it had sport suspension fitted as standard. Currently sitting on 16" rims, I'll be looking to change these for 15s - Style 32 or similar. May look to get another bodykit, or may just go for standard stuff. The PO has removed the rear opening windows, and then left the car outside so there is a drying out period required. New windows required. All areas under carpet are soggy but no sign of through rust. Drivers window regulator is shot. Window currently held sort-of closed by a piece of 2"x4" and some tape. Interior may not have been used to keep chickens, but probably hosted a couple of dogfights. Some rust here and there, and some welding will be required. Most rust appears to not have gone through as I was unable to persuade a hole through the metal. Front wing lowers behind wheels is a bit rough - potentially a sign of the issues of fitting a body kit which can trap mud, muck and water, allowing corrosion in areas you'd not see (because of the bodykit). Also, there is a third hole in the rear parcel shelf. Two for speakers, as BMW decreed, and a third for who knows what. Jagged edges, through to the boot space. M10 starts but is noisy on turning over - perhaps a starter motor bearing issue? Can be tough to start (i'm told, although it started OK today) which could be due to cold start issues. Runs fairly well but is tappety. Gasket and adjustment time. Heater has been bypassed. The open pipes are visible in the engine bay. One of the wonderful folk hereabouts advised this is not unusual and likely due to matrix issues. Nuisance value. Bonnet is tricky to open. It does work, but looks like the handle and release cable are no longer friends. Currently tempted to strip the car of all chrome and mountings, fill holes, grind lips and go 'smooth'. Would also fill door and side moulding spaces. More work, but cheaper than finding good chrome to suit. It also needs wing mirrors. Just need to tell Mrs M !!! <gulp> Offers of help, support, parts or... Well, anything, very much appreciated! Assuming I get past Mrs M, I have a little over 6 months (and a negligible budget) to get this sorted!

No worries. I hope to be having a look tomorrow - just waiting to hear from the guy who has it at the moment.

I'm probably a teensy bit older than the sort of person you're looking for but if I could get time off, I'd be there like a shot. My daughter is on holiday and would enjoy it, but doesn't have a license.

Nothing for my (rather archaic) Windows phone. I'm tempted to dig out an old HTC Desire just to see what all the fuss is about. IIRC there are several other similar products available, linking OBD2 to your phone (or laptop) via Bluetooth. I've not tried any, but can see how they might be useful.

I may have some at the weekend. Can't promise anything at the moment. Could have some 16" 4x100 rims, too.

Pretty sure I have something that might help... About time I did something to help you instead of t'other way around! Unless.... An E34 requires a specific clutch tool? To be honest I don't know, but if I can help, I will.

13/15 in 23s. I need to get out more. Or spend more time in the garage. One of the two. Certainly less time on the internet.

There's obviously pros and cons. Pros - you remove deposits that may otherwise get left behind. You could clean out the smaller oilways. Cons - sometimes the deposits that have been left are actually (especially on an older engine) sealing something so it doesn't leak! Also, the act of flushing coud push residue or particulates into the smaller oilways, causing a problem you were hoping to fix. Also, some flushing oils will 'clean' components, removing any 'good' and lubricating residue from them. It's important to retain this as the first engine start after an oil change will often see reduced quantities of oil present in the top of the engine. If a good oil has be used and changed regularly, flushing shouldn't be necessary.

Riverview Road in Huntly - west side of the river, but well towards the south side. We'll go have a look at a place in Naike tomorrow. The current owners have commuted to Auckland for years. Back on topic ( ) I'll fill the 320d up again tomorrow. Initial estimates are 5%+ more economy since removing the EGR gubbins, but that remains to be confirmed.

We looked at a house in Huntly last weekend. Really nice place, 4 bedrooms, view of the river, nearly 2Ha including 1 of uncovenented bush. Went to put in an offer on Tuesday and found it had been sold to a cash buyer. You gotta be frickin' quick.

>ouch!< No more work on the 320d today, but I am enjoying what appears to be a more economical drive since removing the EGR stuff. I have just changed the thermostat on the 500SE. Bit of a bugger of a job, but some patience and not rushing makes it easier.

I did an entirely DIY EGR delete on Saturday. Had too... The metal pipe connecting the EGR cooler to the EGR valve sheared off behind the flange at the cooler end. <sigh> Still, something I'd planned to do for a while. This just 'persuaded' me to do it now.

You're right - they won't fit the W126. Well, they can, but you'd need to use spacers and that's something I prefer not to do. However.... They will fit on my 190E. I'd not thought of going the larger diameter rims route, but may just do that.

Thanks Matt - much appreciated.

My 560 was gorgeous. Here's a dyno curve from a M117-5.0; I feel power is a bit down on where the euro-spec engines would be, but not enough to worry about. The 5.6 engines would be about 8% higher. Nice torque curve.

Yup. Definitely a real Mercedes. If I give myself a couple of weeks it may just about be enough to polish several acres of black paintwork!

13. Never heard of a Cadillac Elmiraj!

Well over 280000 miles now. More engine, trans fluid change... Got an annoying little regular ticking sound from the front right of the engine (as viewed from the front of the car). Not sure what it is so that'll be investigated and sorted ASAP.

A car I have always wanted. I've had 4 W126s in the past - an Astral Silver II 300SE, A Nautic Blue Brabus 300SE-3.2, a Smoke Silver 560SEC (with Oz rims) and a Blue-black 500SEC. Last week I bought a black 500SE. 1988, ex-Hong Kong (so sadly no cruise control), but it's in pretty good nick. Needs a new thermostat as the engine doesn't come up to temp, a pair of tyres on the front, the drivers seat bolster has worn through, and the surrounds where the seatbelts come through the top of the B-pillar are missing. The odo reset doesn't work (and neither do the dash lights, but same control so probably same problem) and the paint is pretty good unless you look closely. Lots of little scratches and the like. But it doesn't leak anything, there's no rust anywhere, it runs sweet as, and the things that are usually broken, aren't. The electric seat controls are all present and working, and even the centre console wood is perfect. Checking fluids shows oil to not be perfect, but it's obviously been changed in the last 2000km or so, the trans fluid appears to have been changed, and even the PS fluid is the right colour and consistency. Someone has spent some time on servicing. I'm very happy. I initially toyed with the idea of going the AMG-clone route, but have decided not to do that. I'll update the EMS (more power and better economy, although probably not at the same time!), swap the current 15x7 rims for some 16x8/9s (perhaps Lorinser LOs if I can find any), update the suspension and reprogram the gearbox for faster changes. And obviously sort all the little things. It's a great car. I have no plans to spoil it. (This is actually a 300SE, but our 500SE looks pretty much identical.)

The government would export the unicorns so they were more expensive here than abroad...

John Key was originally against the flag change, calling it a waste of time and money. I wonder what changed his mind? And don't get me started on the TPPA. That's a stick with two shitty ends. The majority of the public who have paid any attention to it, worldwide, seem against it yet governments insist on pushing it through while big business sits back, chuckles, and rubs its hands with glee.