gjm

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...

UK insurance is VERY expensive now. NZ insurance is cheaper, in part because it is optional which leads to a more competitive market. In the UK, insurance is compulsory. Buying a car in the UK is much cheaper than buying one here. Older BMWs not of desirable specification are almost at the point of being given away - a reasonable one will cost no more than a few hundred GBP. Certainly less than NZ$1000. As someone not resident in the UK you'd be expected to pay 12 months insurance up front. You can normally reclaim an unused portion, but it's a PITA and the company will sting you for admin fees. Registration is by the DVLA. Pretty similar setup to the NZTA here. In the UK you have an MoT (similar to WoF) which is probably not as stringent as a WoF. You can have rusty panels and provided there are no sharp edges and it's not structural, you could be OK. Many UK sellers tend to keep service history for vehicles, something less common in NZ. Worth asking for, and if it's not available it can be used to bargain price down. Parts for BMWs are a lot cheaper in the UK! And when heading back this way, make sure to ask if anyone wants any small but expensive parts... ;-)

The problem is in NZ. It is a NZ Post issue - their tracking is abismal. I had exactly the same issue with an item posted from the US, using USPS, and the USPS tracking showed it landing in Auckland, and clearing Auckland airport around December 17th. OK... Christmas. It was eventually delivered on January 24th. During that time I had contacted NZ Post on several occasions, and they invariably said the item was 'in transit to NZ' and that if I had an issue, I should refer to the sender. I pointed out that ISPS had tracked the item through Auckland airport, but NZ Post variously didn't have a response, or suggested this was incorrect. On January 24th, having received the item (delivered by Rural Post) I phoned NZ Post again to ask where my package was. 'In transit...' etc. I asked how they knew this was the case and was advised it was because their system did not show it as having entered NZ. I then told them I had just received it, and asked how this was possible given NZ Post tracking didn't show it being in NZ. This was quickly turned around as my wasting their time asking for info about something I knew the answer to! The same thing has since happened with something my daughter ordered, and with another item I am expecting from Europe. Fortunately none are valuable, having a maximum value including shipping and insurance of perhaps NZ$50 (probably less), but it is inconvenient.

I like it. No accounting for taste, huh?

Used a little polish today. Apparently our car is blue. Who would have known?

When I was sorting through lists, I found some surprising differences, but these were often subtly different rims. BBS are a particular example. Chrome, anodizing, painting - the difference for a 17x8 rim was quoted as up to 2lbs, despite the rim being of apparently identical structure. I used to run 17x8 and 17x10.5 Oz Futuras on a Porsche 928. When I rebuilt the rims, I used new titanium bolts to replace the steels used originally. Aluminium is lighter still, but has less corrosion resistance, an important consideration on UK roads. The bolts weighed just under half as much. Opting for a polished rather than painted finish saved more weight - end result was something over 2lbs per rim. This is academic. The tyre choice makes a significant difference.

Apologies - this should be in the wheels and round black stuff section. If a mod sees this, please could they move the thread...? I found a wheel weights list, and have added several hundred more to it. Can't upload it here, and at nearly 4600 lines long I'm not going to copy and paste it! So, I've uploaded it here. Doesn't answer my question, unfortunately, but may help others.

Specifically, I'm interested n the weight for an ACS (Ronal) 17x8 et38, but I thought this might become a useful resource for other rims too? I think these are Type 1s? Lots of (mis)information around.

Hmm. et38, too. Not quite perfect for an E46, but could work.

Washed it. Didn't take pics. Thought about getting some ACS 17x8 rims.

Agreed. I was being lazy with my terminology. I don't know what statutes and requirements are in place for a towing company, but they don't seem to fussed about adhering to anything that might say 'check validity of parking before removing vehicle', for example. Of course, there's no profit in that.

But that doesn't work! I was towed when legally parked in a designated space! That's a personal thing, of course, but I know I'm not alone. It is a form of legalised theft.

I'd love to be at Ardmore, but lack anything to enter into any comps of any sort! Bayswater looks interesting. I'll ask Mrs & Miss M.

I had a similar problem when working in London. The towing company are the ones liable, but they will have no interest whatsoever in dealing with you, answering queries or anything. It will take a lawyer, and possibly a court date, to get a reasonable response. My car was towed from a private car park, where I was entitled to be and correctly parked in clearly designated space. It was towed because someone in another area of the building, unaffected by my parking, didn't recognise my car. There were no enquiries, no-one asking who the car belonged to - he just phoned the company and said to take it away. The towing company will not release the car until they have money. I even had the owner of the building go to the company with proof of ownership and correct parking, but it made no difference; the people employed to drive the trucks and operate the yards aren't employed for their decision-making skills. I reported the car stolen, but you can imagine how may of those the police get in London. I finally got some action by flagging down a police car passing the impound yard (by standing in the middle of the road) and suggesting the yard was being used to fence stolen cars. Apparently it wouldn't be the first time that had been true - tow trucks make the perfect theft vehicle.

I like it. And it is rare... How many 333i models has anyone seen on the roads? Can't comment on the build quality. Sounds like a lot of fun, though.