gjm

BBS RC rims are typically soft cast, the RS are forged. (There are specific differences with a couple of models.) These are RC bolts: These are available ex-stock from torquepartz.com. I'm guessing the bolts you have are plain parallel threaded all the way to the underside of the head? I have a set of titanium BBS fasteners somewhere. If I can find them, I'll measure them. Edit: The pic had disappeared. Fixt.

I'd not noticed that - TradeMe suggested the seller had pulled the previous listing.

Paul - thank you for sharing. I understand your concerns, but as is the case with the vast majority of repairs - if carried out properly it is not going to affect the vehicle in any way. And it provides invaluable insight for other owners.

I saw one on the road in Papakura a day or two ago, but that's the first I have seen in NZ.

Interesting sale. No chance to see the car, money to be bank transferred before pick up, and pick up will not be from the person who receives the money. I'm a touch surprised TradeMe have allowed it to proceed! It should sell very cheap, though.

I sincerely doubt Amber-Leigh would do that!

JKSE are in Welly.

$6250. It's a great car when working well. What value that?

Anyone seen the Pascha interiors fitted on Porsche 928s? I quite like it!

Yup - they use red diesel. It pretty much immediately dyes the inside of the tank, the lines and the injectors an easily seen (with the naked eye) red colour. It does wash out... Eventually. Many dozens of tanks of standard diesel are required.

Or at least south of the harbour!

The motorist is a cash cow for governments world wide. It's a captive tax stream - you can't get away from paying, and if more money is needed, it is one of the first areas to see hikes in taxation. If you don't like it, what will you do? Stop using your vehicle? In NZ, especially, that's not an option as the lack of viable intercity public transport dictates you must be personally mobile. Some sort of rationalisation seems appropriate. At the moment it's a system designed by bureaucrats, and that never bodes well!

For the record (and for those who don't know) I drive a diesel car. And I don't have any issue with paying for road usage costed on a utilisation basis. There are annoyances. Like if you own a certain older large Toyota SUV, and insert a switch in the red wire to the distance recorder, it's possible to not record the distance traveled yet very quickly and easily switch it back on if required. This happens with privately owned vehicles from many manufacturers. Playing Devil's Advocate, instead of introducing a multiplicity of charging bands for different categories of DERVs, why not pull the road usage component of taxation from fuel completely and apply it across the board to all vehicles, thus capturing distance covered by electrical, LPG and any other vehicles? Sure, so banding will likely to continue to apply, but it levels the playing field. Regardless, one size fits all is unlikely to happen, however nice that might be.

The rates applicable for light vehicles are different to those applied to larger, heavier vehicles. Lorries do more damage, and pay more RUC. There is an argument that a calculation could be applied and the RUC for private light vehicles added to the cost of diesel at the pump, and the charges for larger vehicles reduced. However, I suspect (don't know) that this may have impact when it comes to business accounting, tax relief and so on.

New rims tends to coincide with replacement tyres being required! Good 19s may look fine, but 18s will ride better.

True... I'm a bit old-fashioned and like the older cars. May have a look at a ratty E28 this week... The E39 - I'm not a fan of the 19s on that one. It raises suspicions (for me) regarding how the owner regarded ownership - 18s, OK. 19s are too big. This doesn't mean it has had a less-than-perfect life, just that I'd look harder.

If I had the money I would be buying Blue's 540i. Less money, and while it has more kms it has better (full) history.

Most banks are well above that... Co-op is possibly the absolute lowest, and that's 10.50% and subject to several conditions. John Deere's credit line has a slightly more restricted range of items it can be used for, and a couple of credit unions dip below 10%. Loans are, for some, a necessary evil. I doubt anyone really wants one, but they can be the only way to get things sorted, or achieve something important. The M3? No thanks. Well, actually that's probably not true. But my own circumstances mean it isn't something I'd consider.

Different... Looked nicely done, though.

Start by calculating the cost of importing any panels that may be needed...

That 280 is the M110 engine - great piece of work. Love it. With most of 2 weeks still to go I'd expect to see it easily top $12k. Had a 2.5-16 when in the UK. Nice car... But I prefer the 6-cylinder lump. It ought to be a 2.6, but mine has been changed... And may become a 3.4 in due course, if I keep it that long. I've had a strong of other Mercedes too, and there are several that may make a happier long-term proposition than the W201. A W114 coupe, for instance... Too much money. A W111 coupe would be perfect, but that's much too much money! (I like 2-door cars. )

I'm trying to keep the purchase budget reasonable, so certainly sub-$10k. The RS4 won't fit in hat category, although an S2 or S4 might. I'd expect eventual running costs to be a bit 'interesting', though. An older Mercedes would fit the bill, but there are far fewer of them over here (it seems) than there are older BMWs. Parts availability... Older Aussie Holdens and Fords just don't interest me, and a Mustang is way out of budget.

Very tempting... Damn - I am such a sucker for an old car!

Don't be sorry! I just find my dreams change a little too often for a dream car to be considered. Unless it's a Ford GT40, perhaps.