gjm

Tried - several times - to change the mid-fuel-pump and fuel filter on the 320d. Rain stopped play on several occasions, and left the work area awash more than once. Thought I'd be smart and remove the pump and filter as a single unit (with connecting fuel hose) and refit the same way. Finally got the cover off only to find the power connector for the fuel pump has some sort of fancy lock-it-together clip that you just cannot see the working of unless you are above it, which is where the floor of the car is. Eventually got that off, but more weather means that is as far as I've got. Other than swearing about BMWs ridiculous one-use-only crimp-type fittings they use on pipes on cars...

Much humour. I've been working on a Land Rover the last couple of days. Whose idea was it to use a slot-head screw on one side, and a nut on the other, necessitating 2m long arms so you can actually get to both sides? Haven't these people heard of captive nuts?

Do they consolidate multiple items from different vendors?

So... The courier tried to deliver... At 06.36 this morning, an hour before business opens. I've got the box here. Not sure I dare open it... (It wasn't opened for inspection by customs, so just wtf were they doing with it for 8 days?) Harrumph. (And other polite noises.)

This is the (hopefully) back-end of a saga of using NZ Post's YouShop service which has the benefit of being able to consolidate multiple packages from different sources before shipping on to NZ. It's probably fine if you're in no hurry, but they will always use national carriers. (NZ Post = Royal Mail = USPS, etc) Our local delivery driver does sign for stuff, provided it fits in the box at the end of the drive. She's not too keen on leaving her van, though.

That's a detail that's not in there. Same as age and references.

Finally Customs have released it! Out for delivery with the courier today. Or not... Because I live in a RD area, couriers don't deliver to private addresses, so I arranged to have the parcel delivered to the agent in the village. (A lot of people do this.) And... The agent is closed on Saturdays. FFS !!!

That's part of the frustration - there shouldn't be any fees, duties or similar requiring paying. The total value including all shipping and insurance is well under $300.

Well, part of that is true. It's not here. But it is still 'Held for clearance.'

Still not cleared customs.

The dark grey writing on a black background is making guessing what I've clicked on quite interesting!

The saga continues... Newly advertised role, applied for at 04.20 this morning. It was listed overnight. Followed up with a phone call to see if any of the additional information I offered would be useful... Recruiter says "Yesterday I put forward a couple of CVs for people they've said they want to interview. Apparently they're happy with those so I won't be sending any more, unless these fall through. They want someone quickly, you see..." I'd said in my initial correspondence that I'm available for an immediate start. I was very early, yet still a day late. Sooo sick of this. Went to WINZ yesterday. At least that meeting felt positive.

Is anyone heading north from south of Te Kauwhata (a mere moment from SH1) towards Auckland later today or tomorrow, and could give me a lift? I've just been told I need to collect a car from Green Lane, and the fabled new public transport system doesn't work out here! Sorted. I think! I'll know for sure first thing in the morning!

rying to think what I've got that might be useful to you... Discs pads are likely to be more useful to me than some of the things I have here.

I was going to predict "that'll cost a fortune" but ca't verify my thought as apparently "Classified expired".

Probably not. Eric fought against the hun in WWII ! Typically good kit, though. Sold in the far east under 'Dragon'.

No bill involved. All-up cost of well under $300, including shipping. Nothing to tax in it.

OK. By adding more things to my order, I was able to reduce the shipping cost. (My brain hurts trying to work that out.) So, all paid, package consolidated, shipped out of the UK, into Auckland airport and... That's it. 6 days (so far) 'Held for clearance'. Whatever you do when ordering something from overseas, don't make it time-sensitive, and don't pay extra for expedited delivery. NZ Customs will not be hurried.

QH have been around forever (it seems). In the UK, many OEM parts come in QH packaging, the same way Lemforder and so on also package. Not the top-of-the-line most outstanding product, but certainly good enough. OEM.

Just had a quick look at Mick's Garage... Set of Mintex brake discs for our Merc 190E - $231.52 including delivery, with no discounts. Include a set of pads - $321. There's links at the bottom of their page for their discount club.