gjm

I wonder what Turners paid for it in their 'cash now' program... And who had the job of deciding what it was worth? The engine would be good for someone with very deep pockets - it'll be a spare for a race car somewhere.

Max - yes please. I'll send a PM.

I lived there long enough that I thought I might need dipping in phosphoric acid before I'd be allowed into NZ! It takes a long time to dry out the sogginess caused by many years in the UK... ;-)

This one claims to be rust free... Have a look. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C367339

I've been looking at E28s lately too. Prices seem high, here, certainly by comparison with the UK at the moment. OK, so there are fewer here, but there's one in particular I found for sale in the UK advertised as a 1987 M535i (with an auto box? Can't readily check as no VIN details available). Looks to be in great condition, and has an asking of (equivalent) $9k. OK, there's shipping and associated costs to account for, but for a very good car perhaps it's not so ridiculous?

Changing the oil at 100k might be recommendable, but only because 100 is a good arbitrary number and easily remembered. 110,000km isn't much. It does sound as though the problems you are experiencing are unlikely to be entirely attributable to use; the diff in our 320d has a little very smooth noise at low speeds, but that's far more acceptable under the circumstances.

Our Touring had the right amount of 'oil' in the diff, but calling it 'oil' may violate the trades description act (or similar). It was thin, watery, and pretty much lacking in any sort of properties normally associated with lubrication. However, it had been there for over 11 years, and covered around 350000km, a time and distance that probably equates to manufacturer's lifetime expectations. How many kms has your car done? Could it be considered high? If not, it is curious why the diff should be noisy... Obviously annoyance and a desire to get it sorted come first, but it'd be interesting to find out. Repair is possible, but replacement will be quicker and simpler, even if shimming is needed.

Has the fluid/oil level ever been checked? "Sealed for life", says BMW. That's b*ll*cks, says anyone who knows anything about cars... If you can find one s/h, get it checked before fitting. I've never played with one that new, but whenever I've swapped diffs there has been a need for shimming to ensure correct meshing and minimal lash.

But... But... But... I might have to drive a 1998 4-door VW Polo 1.6 automatic along 40km of SH1!!! I have been looking at bikes. Suzuki GS1000 (I used to race one), or maybe an air-cooled GSXR-1100? (I commuted from Norwich to Paddington, London in the UK on one - never quite got below the hour for the trip, but it was 124 miles... ) A Yamaha FJ1200? Or there is a BMW R1100RT sitting idle next door?

The seller has accepted an offer, probably $2k (at a guess). Wasn't from me, although that's what I was thinking of too. Anyone on here?

I think the M20 blocks are the same. The differences lie in the crank, rods, pistons (and bore), and head. M20B20 & M20B23 have 80mm bore M20B25 & M20B27 have 84mm bore The location of the water passages on M20B20 and M20B23 blocks prohibit the use of a bigger bore as in M20B25 and M20B27. This does suggest there are differences, but I don't think they extend to the sump. The B20 and B23 head is the same, and will fit on a B27 block. It's got to be worth a go.

I had 2 GTVs - a 'Strada' which was the 2-litre, twin cam model but fitted with all the nice trim, suspension and brake parts from a GTV6, and a South African race-spec GTV6 3.0. Only ever had two issues with them (aside from the usual look after them well) - rust, and adjusting the parking brake. Fabulous things.

It's certainly cheap enough. If I get a chance, I'll have a look this weekend. We could do with a 2nd 3rd 4th 5th car, especially if it has a big load area. Mrs GJM could use the 320d for ferrying duties, and I'd use this to go to and from 'tron.

I don't like the guy at all - probably bearing a grudge since the Adelaide GP in '94. Still hope he pulls through.

For example - it happened with this post! ^ I clicked on post, and 30 seconds later the forum hadn't confirmed. Opening a new window and clicking the 'View New Content' link showed my post to be at the top of the list. No problem. Just close the window where you had entered your post.

There have been a number of multiple postings over the last few weeks. I've noticed that when starting a new thread, or replying to an existing one, it sometimes seems to take a while for the post to be... errmm... posted. However, if you think that your post hasn't been accepted, try opening a new browser window and see if your post is one of the most recent ones. It probably is. So rather than click again (causing the multi-post), have a look first. The issue isn't with posts being accepted (it more than likely has), but that the forum isn't coming back with a confirmation.

Before buying the 320d I found myself considering Toyota Corolla diesels, or even Nissan's AD. Practical, frugal, reliable, utilitarian... And as boring as. Pure purgatory. In the UK, a car isn't really considered high mileage 'til it has topped 200000 miles. 320000km. And there are many with a lot more than that on them. Yup - look after your car, and it will (normally) look after you.

OK. It'll be our secret.

It's a little late for the high mileage thing! Actually, it's more like a badge of honour... How far can it go? Mrs GJM will likely be driving more kms than me if we move to TK. Willing to spend - lots! Able to spend... That's another matter! Sadly, 'not much' fits best. I'd really like another Touring, but they tend to go for more money than we can currently spend. A W124 Merc would work - I've had several of those. Parts can be expensive, but like BMWs, provided you plan what you need they can be sourced economically, albeit from overseas.

Good plan. Sorry - can't help with New Plymouth. Nearest I can get is Wanganui, and that's hardly local.

et15. I was wondering if they'd fit the VW Polo and make that a nicer drive, but given the Polo offset is 38, it's unlikely to be a good match. They'll sit 1.5" further out... Would look nice, though.

Yup. Or even Pukekohe.

I've not used anyone. However, I have seen quotes for 'Captain Transporter' for shipping a car from Bay of Plenty around the country: Whangarei $465 + GST Auckland $211 + GST Hamilton $149 + GST Taupo $188 + GST Napier $326 + GST Palmerston North $326 + GST Wellington $350 + GST Christchurch $722 + GST Dunedin $969 + GST Hopefully it gives you an idea of costs.

A M-Sport 530D Touring would be lovely. Might be a while... We're supposed to be saving for a deposit for a house!

It's a fair point. And I could easily be travelling less kms per day than Mrs GJM will be.