gjm

This is partly why the Porsche Cayman was hamstrung from the beginning. Put a proper 911 engine in it, and the 911 would be dead in the water. Put a bigger power engine in a 3-series, and less people would pay the premium for a ///M badge.

I'm trying to work out why I so much prefer the top pic to the middle one... Maybe it's the ride height? Dunno...

I saw a red one in the car park at Sylvia Park not so long ago, too. About two weeks after I'd seen a red 2002 parked there. Policemen, buses, and 2002s?

DIY test card available on TradeMe - item 883300834. The same company does coolant analysis. This won't be a full chemical breakdown, but they're a reasonable guide.

Mercedes did the same thing. It used to be so simple, but when the 220CDi and 270CDi had exactly the same engine, just a different ECU, I couldn't see the justification for anyone paying significantly more money for a different program and a different number on the back. Many people did do that, so there must be something to it. And of course, it makes enormous sense to the manufacturer.

I think it is one of the students at Strathallan... Certainly seen something very similar in the car park there.

Check the fuel filter - this is an easy swap and could help. If not, it could be the in-tank fuel pump. These have 'history'.

Remember the good old days, when a 320 was a 3-series with a 2.0 engine? A 540 was a 5-series with a 4.0 engine? And so on...? The six-cylinder 335i is now the 340i. The four-cylinder 328i is now the 330i. The 320i designation makes sense and stays. Power increases by 1 HP to 181 HP, but torque is up to 214 lb-ft. The 328i with it's 2.0 4-cylinder engine also gains power, up to 249 HP, but torque remains the same at 258 lb-ft. This means the 328i will be now called the 330i (except in the US where it remains the 328. The 335i is renamed the 340i, and also gets more power, up to 326 HP and 332 lb-ft of torque. It’s still a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six (albeit a new engine, the B58). Diesels don't escape either. For example, the 2.0 180 HP, four-cylinder 3-series is the 328d. There's more, but my head hurts. Oh well... It's just numbers.

Hmm... Miss M wanted something unusual. This is only 10x what I was thinking of spending, and has none of the modern safety features that might be desirable. Other than that - perfect! Really nice cars though. I had use of one about... hmm... 28(?) years ago. Great fun to drive.

Damn you and your fiendish cunning! Just for that, I found another $1.20 down the back of the sofa! Hah!

http://www.bayleys.co.nz/Listings/Waikato/Taupo/Lake-Taupo/4500518 Formally, properly up for sale. By tender (of course) since a realtor these days doesn't actually value anything. (PBN, POA, Negotiation, Tender, auction "let the market decide"... Winds me up reet proper, that does.) I thought a starting offer of $11.35 and free chips for long-standing TCC members every other Saturday might just take it.

For me, that's what it is about. A (relatively) cheap way to get on to the track, race and have fun. What engine is he running?

Huge money for that car. Still, gotta try. You can always come down on price but it's a lot harder to increase it.

As Glenn says. A scan is (in my mind) both a positive and a negative aspect of living with a modern car - the scan is necessary, but should reveal anything significant. In the interest of more information, do you find the gear shift from 1->2 can be less smooth than other changes?

I doubt you have anything at all to be concerned about. The Champiros may not be the last word in ultimate tyre technology and performance, but they are not a bad tyre by any means.

Play tough. Lots of running around and inconvenience for you.

Thanks Ron. Konis would be my first choice - I prefer them to Bilsteins. I appreciate other folk feel differently. Good to hear the KYBs aren't complete rubbish. He'd be looking at the more-or-less OEM equivalent units, and not the G2s.

Anyone got any experience, good or bad, of KYB shocks? Looking to partner with Vogtland springs. Not for the 320d, just for a hopefully economic solution for someone who has little money and soggy bouncy bits.

Interesting pricing for GT tyres. GT Radial is owned by Giti Tire who have 8 manufacturing plants in Asia, and one under construction in the US. Maybe they'er selling cheap int he US to establish a foothold for the brand, and support the production from their US-based facility in the future? Whatever, it's a helluva mark-up somewhere for GT Radial tyres sold in NZ.

This is interesting...

Breaking Top Gear news: "The BBC has reportedly chosen a “dream team” of presenters for its new version of Top Gear, including former model Jodie Kidd. Life on Mars star Philip Glenister and Channel 4 presenter Guy Martin have also been approached for the new series, according to reports." <ahem> I'm sure I suggested Guy Martin...

I used some good car wash (no salt) stuff, and an old kitchen sponge/scourer. Loads of elbow grease (plenty in the cupboard, apparently.) Before: After: Far from perfect but a lot better. Would've been much easier with a spray, leave, and rinse solution!

So it has finished...?

Today I took the 320d out for a coffee and to meet some of it's peers. Talked to some folk about possibly filling another car-sized space in the drive. Got home, thoroughly cleaned some Style 73s, wired up some excellent lights for the garage, and scored brownie points with Mrs M by buying baskets for firewood. And chopping wood to go into said baskets. The sun shone. The coffee was great, and so was the company. And I achieved something. It's been a good day.

Is it over yet? Who won?