gjm

... And - they've just driven at 277.9mph on a (closed) public road - a 11 mile stretch of interstate in the US was closed for the run(s). That's an average speed - highest officially recorded speed was 284.7mph. That followed an earlier unofficial 291mph... On a public road. 300mph is so close, yet still so far away.

He and his team did a great job on the back of our E36.

Greenlane Panel Beaters - ask for Raj. Tell him Graham form Counties Health suggested you call.

You're right. Nothing to do with a 335i!

Dunedin, baby! OK... Not all that informative but with luck, more news soon.

Johnny Bohmer just drove a street-legal (registered, tested, road-legal, street-drivable car with air conditioning) to over 292mph. Actually, that's 'just' over 292mph, because he was aiming for 300, and had a loss of boost pressure above 275. He'll try again in December. By the way, you need a LOT more power than any Bugatti for this. Johnny has 2700 at his disposal...

I'd forgotten about that. (No PS on the E30... )

That's one thing less to worry about! I think that's the power steering fluid reservoir. We need to try to diagnose what sort of oil you have misting on the surface. Always fun - all oil turns black when it's where it shouldn't be! Try wiping it with a clean white cloth (just kitchen paper towel will do) - if there's any red in it, it's probably PS fluid.

I regard hoses as a regular service item, especially on BMWs. It's not much to change, but worth checking the hose condition. It could be bulging because of age, or it may be a symptom of something else. The oil leak - does it look like a mist which has applied itself to anything it touches? What's the yellow in the pic?

Almost definitely cooling system. Was the replacement rad a new one? Any hoses on that side of the rad?

A expression of interest in possibly, maybe, perhaps acquiring a set of BMW Style 9 rims, as fitted on an E31. These ones: Perhaps a bit of a long shot, but if you have, or know of, something, please get in touch.

If Honda will make the e-cars they've recently shown, at a reasonable price, we'd probably buy one.

Yellow! They look awesome in yellow.

@Rob HB1 - do you have a pic of these fitted to a car? Might help visualisation.

Not this time. It'd be more than up to the task, of course, but she'll be tucked up cosy, warm and dry while we're away.

We know we have no chance of seeing everything on this trip, but it'll help us put together a list of places to go next time.

Booked at the Buccaneer Lodge in Waikawa Bay. Looks nice, rated well, good price. Ferry will be the 14.00 crossing... Can't be doing with early starts when we're on a leisurely trip! But it leaves a bit of time in the morning to have a look around.

Thinking about Waikawa Bay... Looks pretty (which is far more important than nightlife!) and has a respectable-looking cafe/bar at the Jolly Roger. Very close to Picton, too... Perhaps closer than I'd thought of being, but that's hardly an issue. If there's time and/or the weather is nice, we could always stop in Nelson on the way through.

Anywhere to get a reasonable meal in Waikawa? Scenic is good. We'll be heading into the area (Nelson, Blenheim, Picton) from Moana, with a view to staying overnight before a leisurely crossing the following day. Anyone have any thoughts about Nelson?

Travelling up through the South Island, and catching a ferry from Picton to Wellington. Where to stay the night before? Essentially (I'm guessing) either Nelson or Blenheim. Any recommendations or suggestions for one town instead of the other? Which is perhaps more interesting for a single night stay? Does either have a particularly good brewery?

PM sent re calipers.

Not quite the same old "who's best?" question, but something slightly different. Is there an insurer who will sensibly insure the driver, rather than the car? Or who will insure several cars on a single policy?

Yes. Top speed quotes vary for the H2R, but the upper end is 400km/h.

I was trying to think of a downside. There's not a huge amount of luggage room, but CvK would almost certainly do ski-racks so you could carry stuff outside, and I'm sure a towbar could be sorted if you really wanted one... Go for it.

Sadly, no. But thanks for thinking of me.