gjm

The E46 M3 is peak M3? Well, I do like the idea of one. And they are, comparatively, affordable.

This sh*t really pisses me off. Manufacturer issues press release. Someone recites it. That someone *must* be lying, right? Not the manufacturer, not the original source. Yes - I know it was the head of Toyota NZ who denied it - perhaps he was wrong? IT WAS ON THE ORIGINAL TOYOTA WEBSITE. IT HAS BEEN RECITED BY OTHER NEWS OUTLETS BASED ON SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION WITH THE MANUFACTURER. Come on. Get a f'ing grip. You're better than this. I'm not saying it'll happen, only that anyone claiming it is a piece made up by the PM is short on so readily available facts.

Alpina 3.4 meeting

From Toyota's own newsfeed? (above)

Based on news from shows and Toyota themselves, I suggest name-calling over a comment re Toyota EV utes is - at best - unfair. https://www.driven.co.nz/news/it-s-happening-toyota-is-serious-about-building-an-electric-ute/ and https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/35083987.html Worth clarifying what Jacinda Ardern said: "The second point I'd make is that within the next - we're hoping the next 12 to 24 months - the likes of Toyota are talking about bringing in EV utes." Given previous announcements - by Toyota - was it Toyota who said they weren't doing this, or was it reported that Toyota said they weren't doing this?

Ford F150? Available in 2022.

Went to replace the front LCAs on the venerable E46 318i. Nut on top of the outer balljoint? No problem. Two bolts holding hte lollipop in place? Easy as. Nut on top of the inner balljoint...? Where the actual %Y$@ is it? Can't see it, can't feel it. Finally locate and find I can fit a recessed ring spanner on to it. 1/24th of a turn and... Can't get the spanner out as it is hard up against the underside of the something. Find an open-ended spanner - fiddle around until it gets on to the nut, get perhaps 1/24th of a turn on it before the spanner fouls on something - the aircon pump, the sway bar, sway bar bushing... Take the spanner off, turn it over, and... Nope won't go back on. Get another spanner with a slightly different head angle and yes! that'll do it. Move the nut another 1/24th of a turn, that is. Back to the first spanner, wrong way round, take it out again, turn it over, it fits, get another 1/24th of a turn, back to the second spanner, it's started raining... Stuff that. Lying on my back in a puddle isn't my idea of fun. It'll wait. For now.

Interesting. Saw the sunroof and initially thought it'd be a NZ new. Looks like it was a South African car imported to Japan, and then imported to NZ. That could explain the higher options normal spec - a lot of SA cars had extras as standard that were unticked boxes on European and Australasian cars.

For comparison: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/mercedes-benz/listing/3133037811 And it's not even a 6-cylinder model!

Looks like the M47TU. Given the probability that it isn't (and there are some differences) I'll guess at it being the 4-pot diesel fitted to the E36 race cars? That predates the M47, so... M41 race engine?

2

I like it.

So. Far. Away. ☹

Miss M's 116i. Auto trans fluid - it's the ZF 8HP45 box. I've read that these are very picky about fluid, and while BMW assert it's filled for life (hah!) it's time to change the filter (which means the entire sump) and fluid. I've used Penrite in many vehicles in the past without issues and their ATF BMV is "suitable for use where BMW 8322 0142516 is required". Any reason why this would be inappropriate?

It's all Haier now..