gjm

Ron - which Konis do you have? Given my car(s) have stock suspension I was considering the STR.T kit to avoid complications with certification.

I have a set of 4 genuine ACS Type 2 rims, 17x8 H2 et38, from an E36 coupe. I was going to fit them to the E46 Touring, but Mrs M isn't keen and I still have the Style 73s which do meet with approval. The inside of one spoke on each rim has AC Schnitzer cast into it; another spoke has Ronal. Tyres are 3 Maxtrek Ingens A1 with 6mm tread (please check 'em for yourself) and one Kumho Ecsta, all in 215/45-ZR17. The Kumho has camber wear on the inner edge but would pass a WoF without issue; again, it has ~6mm tread. Rims are all original and have not been refurbished. They have the original AC Schnitzer film logo on the outside of one spoke - I contacted ACS about this and unfortunately the films are NLA. The rims would have been painted, the logo applied, and clearcoat over the top. You can't feel a lip or bump where the logo is. All 4 rims have some kerbing and would benefit from being dressed. Perhaps this could be done without a full refurb, so the logos could be retained? Full set of 4 AC Schnitzer centre caps, too. I'll post some pics in a bit. I could bring to Kyu's tomorrow if anyone is interested? Price... Hmm. I've seen the Maxtrek Tyres offered at $155 each, so s/h the 4 would be... $250? Rims... Jason had some without kerbing or tyres and was looking at around $600. (Don't know what happened there.) How about $550 for the set of 4, with tyres and centres? Make me an offer.

I'm guessing 46...?

Never seen one. Been in a Dinan turbo, though...

The man said 'til late'... Didn't qualify exactly when 'late' was going to be!

Nooooooo.......!!!!!!!

The thought crossed my mind. Where this van was parked, they have recently started using a different, far less easy to spot in advance position. Normally they park parallel to the highway with about 1 lane width between the van and the nearside of the carriageway, but this van would have been at 45-60 degrees, and at least 10' further away.

Got the pic through. I've not retouched it all, or resized it, just trimmed the specifics from the bar at the top. Maybe the notice took so long to send because that was how long it took to read the number plate? Lol

There's something odd about the way these things are sent. It's an infringement notice which isn't a fine... I think it becomes a fine if I don't pay and it goes to court. Plenty of time before that happens (and I have carefully noted the date!) In the UK it is slightly different and you'd receive a notice of intention to prosecute: prosecution occurs if you don't pay up. I have checked and on this occasion I most definitely was not speeding. Not in the car, anyway... I didn't drive that day. Mrs M did, and I expect it was her. The car is registered in my name which is why I received the notice. I'm not disputing the ticket... Just asking for the photo.

That would make the requirement to pay an infringement fee interesting and perhaps difficult to substantiate... I'll follow up in another week. It took them 3 weeks to send me the request to pay; I expect them to need time to provide evidence.

No pic from the authorities, yet. Can take a couple of weeks, apparently.

You can now get urethane bushes of same hardness as OEM/original fitment. The idea is that the comfort is the same, but the bushes will last longer.

The 4 vs 6 is a debate that will go on for ever! 4 cylinders are typically lighter and have less cost associated with maintenance. 4 spark plugs in stead of 6, and so on. 6 cylinders tend to be more powerful and have more torque. Depends what your main use of the car is going to be. Tourings don't have to be the barge-like poor-handling relation any more.

I'm starting to consider suspension as one side is sitting a little lower at the rear, but that'll be the most significant thing we've done. All other work, brakes included, is pretty straightforward. Of course, that's fine if you're going to DIY, but it'll cost if having someone do it for you.

Your youngest E46 Touring is now 10 years old... 15k per year isn't particularly high mileage and while there will be lower mileage examples around, you'll probably struggle to find them for sale. As for prices - no idea what would be reasonable. Mileage isn't an issue. I can vouch for that.

Both good cars, no doubt about it. (At least, if they are in equivalently good condition!) The ACS would be rarer if it was a full cream ACS, but... Well, which is in better condition? Which colour do you like more?

Drool.

Bit of confusion somewhere... The rego number given is for a Imolarot 4-door 2.2, produced in 2001, as per the details in the listing. The rego on the wagon looks like it could start DK.....?

Sounds like a contradiction in international law. One side (the recipient country) says the sender is liable; the other (the sending country) says the delivery organisation has responsibility. Reminds me of time working in networking. If it doesn't work, it is always someone else's problem until proven (at the user's expense) otherwise. As I said earlier, it is my opinion (based on experience) that the package is in NZ but has not found it's way on to the NZ tracking system. So, whose responsibility is that?

That's not oil...?

I've requested a pic, citing that I'm sure I was riding a motorbike that day! (Which I probably was...) Well, nearly 3 weeks. In the UK, this would be thrown out - offense on the 29th, notification more than 2 weeks later. I think the requirement here is to notify the accused within 6 months. These things happen. I'm just having a bad day so feel like exploring the situation a little more. On a good day I'd probably just cough up the $30. I mean - ffs! It's 66mph, which is 4 less than the posted speed limit on most UK dual-carriageways with less visibility and more traffic, where you'd probably 'get away' with 80 most days. Grrr.... <sigh> Must teach Mrs M how to use cruise control.

Post from the LVVTA website attached. It's important to differentiate between spacers and adapters - they are handled differently. It'd be easy to argue about the cost involved, as the cert could easily cost more than the spacers. However, I appreciate the safety aspect, but even so would have expected this to be within the abilities of a WoF tester to check, rather than requiring an involved process and certification plate. I dare say a lot of people using spacers have some very ordinary wheels they use for a couple of days of the year... Of course, that could lead to roadside issues should a particularly zealous traffic officer get involved. Interestingly, spacers as supplied and fitted by a high-volume manufacturer are allowed, without additional certification work. I wonder how many WoF testers know about Porsche factory option M415 which increases rear track by 21mm, 1mm more than appears to be the maximum allowed under the NZTA regulations? And this is with just the use of longer wheel studs, and not an engineered screw fitment. Did BMW offer ex-factory wheel spacers on any models? It's so easy to pick holes in legislation! LVVTA_STD_Wheels_&_Tyres1.pdf

I read somewhere, recently, of a vehicle owner experiencing problems at WoF time because the garage thought he might have spacers fitted. As it turned out, this wasn't the case and what could be seen was a casting mark, or similar. However, are spacers not allowed? Or, do they require certification? If I was using any they would be of correct hub-centric design rather than some slabs of metal bolted to he hub. I've no plans at the moment in this direction, but thought I'd see if anyone can advise for future reference. TIA.

Is there a 'statute of limitations' where the authorities have to notify a vehicle owner of a speeding offence within a specified period of time? It's a real annoyance, more than anything else. Mrs M was driving on SH1, 7.30am on 29th January, and was (allegedly) detected at 106km/h. Usual story - clear roads, fine weather, miles of visibility... We received the letter this morning; it was sent on 16/02 (as far as I can tell.) In the UK there is a requirement for a notice to have been issued within 14 days (not 10 working days) of the offence having been committed. It's really not worth arguing this one in any official capacity - it's $30 and no points. All the same...