gjm

It puzzles me that so many people just seem unable to drive with anything approaching a level of competence. The police enforce the speed limits, as they are told to do, but they're not stupid. The traffic cops see all manner of bad driving on the roads, but there seems to be no attempt by the authorities (not the police, perhaps) to improve driving skills, or address what is an increasing problem.

http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/51770-very-cool-e30-buy-now/

I've used Air NZ parking a few times. Seemed OK. A friend in the UK had his Porsche 928SE, 1 of only 42 cars made, written off by British Airways Express Parking while they were 'cleaning' it.

Sounds like it is little different to any other 80s/90s 4wd system fitted to a car. (FF in the Jensen, excepted, of course...) Newer systems are better in many respects, except possibly one - modern systems are far more complicated and all-but unrepairable at home. That impression trickles down to the older systems, leading to them being deemed uneconomic to repair. That said, I know nothing of the BMW iX system. I've had 80s/90s Audi Quattros, and they really aren't complicated. Outside the knowledge of most DIY people, but often not outside their ability.

I preferred Alderney (those who don't know will have to look her up!) - she was a babe. 'Wombling' certainly describes many road users so well. I used to describe such people as 'bimbling obliviously', but may have to change that.

I was thinking it's a shame it was a water loss issue.

I liked the Wombles! I think Tomsk was my favourite.

It may be short-lived. Anyone else noticed how the pump price of fuel has started to drop again, following a seasonal 'spike'?

Dunno if that is the clip I've seen before, but one of these saw the operator of the parking facility trying to claim that it was unfair and an invasion of privacy that a video had been recorded of a paid driver abusing a customer's car.

Sorry - still nothing to report. Get in, drive, stop... Y'know, like all good cars should. I do have the turbo and all the other bits and pieces now. I had planned to do that work over Christmas, but NZ Post managed to take from December 14th to January 8th to transfer a vital item from Auckland airport to home. I had enquired about it and was categorically told it wasn't in the country. This information arrived in my inbox about 10 minutes after it was delivered... In the meantime we've cleared 263000 miles. Something around 421000km.

A rather lovely-looking red 1990 E30 M3 on SH1 this morning. Those arches really do set the shape off beautifully. I know it was a 1990 model. The number plate said so.

Next week! It's Wednesday! Have you got something on...? ;-) Seriously - I really feel for you. I've no doubt you get a lot of people telling you how important it is that their car is fixed - now.

Does the E39 have a dipstick? I know our E46 doesn't, which makes things much more difficult.

^ This. Almost definitely.

That's been my perception in the BMW vs Merc debate. BMW is typically sportier, Merc more comfortable. Pick your weapon.

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. :-) I quite dislike the CLS, and pretty much all the later models with Mercedes' interpretation of a flared wheelarch. I'm sure they're lovely inside, but... Nope. Not for me. I do very much like the 60s/70s/80s and early 90s models. It's a problem I have learned to accept and deal with.

A cheap Mercedes certainly does exist, but that's not really what we're talking about here. Cheap to buy when compared to the new purchase price, but so are 750iL BMWs and their like. Something that makes upwards of 300hp (base figure for the early W211 E500), with the potential for a LOT more, is never going to be cheap, and certainly not when you factor in all the other bits and pieces. Inappropriate use of cheap plastic parts aside, these cars commanded high prices when new, and the running costs won't have changed significantly. The only difference is that as they get older, people find ways around the costs associated with main dealer servicing and spares. For E55 DIY costs, have a look here: http://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/427836-55-cost-ownership-majority-diy.html Cheap Merc running costs? Get something built before 1995.

Nice car for the money, but not worth much (if any) more. As said, could be had for less.

What's wrong with so many drivers on Kiwi roads? Inconsideration - already covered - and a complete and utter lack of awareness of anything going on around them. Despite efforts of media and police, there's a huge number of people driving around with a phone either glued to their ear (and often, making notes while talking and driving), or with their phone held alongside the steering wheel so they can text and (apparently) watch the road at the same time. And... Naah. That'll do for now.

I've not looked to hard, but I'm unsurprised. Just a matter of getting the right software!

http://www.ivini-apps.com/apps_detail_bmwhat_android.html Looks to ship from Germany.

I keep thinking of getting something like this for the 320d. Reading codes is probably all I'm looking for - not looking to write anything back (at this stage...) I'd got as far as looking on TM for readers but hadn't come across Torque, and hadn't really considered using a phone for it. (Bloody WindozePhone anyway.) I have an older rooted and hacked HTC Desire which might just suit, though.

I'd not considered that. The service indicator on the 320d suggests over 13000 miles between services. Not a chance - I'd never have it go that long. Maybe half that but no more (bearing in mind most of the use is on the motorway), and then only because I use good oil.

'Murray' - whoever that may be - seems to think so. I'm not sure. But I'm not in the market for a mint E30.

Ordering up some bits'n'pieces for a seasonal service. Oil filters (I'm considering buying in bulk), trans filter and gasket, and considering another airfilter - it's been 12 months and nearly 40000 miles (60000km) since the last one. It won't hurt, and I want to get in and check exactly what was done when the swirl flaps were removed. At present, I don't know if they were blanked off - not blanking means a slight reduction in bottom end power, but that's all. Not removing the swirl flaps means bits of metal could be ingested by the turbo and inlet... I'm hoping I'll have a shiny new turbo, proper de-cat downpipe and EGR bypass kit to fit, too. I can drop the exhaust before working on the tranny which will save the possibility of the burning ATF smell I had last time this was done. I'll check the engine and gearbox mounts while I'm at it. Need to check if I have replaced the fuel filter.