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Olaf

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Posts posted by Olaf

  1. Posted · Report reply

    how did I not see this before. @Kees cool sleeper man!  and what a score.  agree your wheels grow on you.  There was a Brabus Smart Roadster near me for a while, I was always curious about it.  

    good on yer for taking a chance and getting something so much cooler than most of the jelly-mould appliances one could use as a daily!

    • Like 1

  2. Posted · Report reply

    On 6/24/2025 at 9:59 PM, HowieD72 said:

    (1) No, I don't. Because restaurants don't allow it. Do a lot of workshops? Yes. I was simply asking if anyone knew of a BMW Indy that DOES allow it. Nothing more, nothing less.

    (2) I very rarely supply the wrong part. Why? Because it's called research, verify, enquire then purchase. Do the job right the first time, there is no second time.

    (3) I've had labour only at plenty of dealerships and Indy workshops fitting parts I supplied. Just never a BMW dealership or Indy. Hence my question.

    Please, don't overthink it.

    you've answered your own question - why bother asking?  I think you're better playing alone.  

  3. Posted · Report reply

    11 hours ago, MD13 said:

    Not sure I fully understand this comment. I have been to shops that have installed a new part (from whatever supplier they use). Part has crapped out shortly after. Yes they have replaced the part but they still charge you labour to do it so no difference.

    I'd respectfully suggest there is a difference, and you may be doing business with the wrong shop.  Warranty on the repair?  

    I had a window regulator replaced.  "Hey my window's stopped working.  I'll bring it in tomorrow." 
    "your regulator's shot.  We'll replace it."
    "thanks!"  pays bill.

    Six months later, "hey, window's gone down.  Won't go up.  Yes the one you replaced six months ago.  It's raining, can I bring it straight in?"

    "sure thing we'll replace it.  sorry bout that".

  5. Posted · Report reply

    On 6/22/2025 at 9:56 PM, HowieD72 said:

    Hi all.

    I read this discussion & I just signed up today on this forum. I've looked around the sight but not quite switched on yet. So, I thought I'd ask here if anyone could recommend a good "Indy" in Auckland that would be happy with me taking in parts for a rod bearings replacement on a 2006 E63 M6? (I don't own a BMW yet but I'm looking at buying a 2006 E63 M6). 

    There is a BMW Indy up here in Whangarei, but I'm not sure yet (I just emailed them this evening) if they would do the job with parts supplied by me. So, I'm just preparing in case they say no, or they charge me like a wounded bull because they are the only BMW specialist up here. I've heard/read it's an expensive job anyway (around $3.5 to 5k?) to get done, so I'm just keen to get the job priced at other workshops and compare.

    Any advice, tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

    The blunt view - and understandable - is frequently "do you take your steak to a restaurant to get them to cook it?".

    It's a minefield for the business too - they get your car up on the hoist, the part you supplied is wrong.  Now what - the hoist is tied up with a job that's stopped.... and for what, labour-only charge?  It's not worth it.

    Or, you pay for the job, they install your part.  Part craps out.  You obtain a replacement and pay for them to change it out.  Now you've paid labour twice - if you'd just had the workshop do the job, make their small margin on the part, it becomes their problem - you go back and say 'love the work you've done, it's crapped out - can you take care of it with your supplier please?' and leave the car with them,  For want of a small margin on parts, it's a pretty good deal.

    I think there's an obligation under some consumer act or another that makes this difficult to opt out of.

    Put yourself in the position of your chef; would you want to stake the reputation of your restaurant on a punter bringing in his own steak?

  6. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    more openings     · Report reply

    On 6/11/2025 at 5:17 PM, Eagle said:

    Repco are miles worse than any dealer and supply mostly garbage. Rip every poor c**t off is no joke.

    Dealerships seems hit and miss as far as parts go, some stuff is crazily prized compared to the same thing overseas, but sometimes it's actually cheaper.

    there's a place for REPCO in the world.  Who's open and providing quite possibly the only thing standing between you and getting your daily off jack stands on Sunday night to drive to work in the morning?  They're certainly not my first choice, though I do appreciate that they're there when we need em.

    Edit: Not to mention they're often open on public holidays.  Not to be overlooked or underestimated. 

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Scant info.  I know the general line is "Don't".   Enquiry from a good friend - hi friend has installed "aftermarket headlights" in his 2011 F20 118i.  It's bleating, throwing codes about them.  I guess they're making unhappy noises into the CANBUS.

    What would you folks suggest??  Can it be coded out?  Do you need more info about the part?  

    Thanks for your consideration.  We have an opportunity to save a non-BMW person from avoiding the Marque forever.  Yes I know the PFL F20 was hit with the ugly stick at birth...

    cheers

    Olaf

  10. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    capitalisation     · Report reply

    Yesterday I took my F25 X3 3.0D Msport for a WoF - it flew through.  

    Interestingly they said 5mm on all the tyres.  I measured less than that on the rears two months ago. Go figure.

     

    Today I gave my e46 Touring a quick bath - it was filthy, hadn't washed it for months.  I think it really needs (deserves) a good clay bar, polish, wax.  I won't have time for that until September. 😐  At least it's sparkling with Auto Glym Shampoo.  Oh, and I thought my wheels were looking nearly black - Auto Glym Clean Wheels and my Auto Glym Wheel Brush took care of that.  The kerbing?  That's another sad tale. 

    • Like 1

  15. Posted · Edited by Olaf · Report reply

    On 5/7/2025 at 12:05 AM, Neil McCauley said:

    Just realised I haven't washed the 335d once this year

    IMG_7897_copy.jpg

    it's a diesel thing dude.  I washed my X3 in early feb; got to it again a couple of weeks ago.  Not usually my MO - just life got in the way.  It cleaned up beautifully, I'm sure yours will do the same.
    (You think the Hippo might be dirtying it up?)

    • Haha 1

  19. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    TIM325     · Report reply

    Aye, those first couple or five or more years are a tough time - no spare finances - though ultimately rewarding.  The Ti will find its way - maybe the BMW universe will smile on you benevelently for your work keeping others alive!  Our kids have become adult flatmates - not something we intended - and they still amaze me.

    Even M54B25 these things go very well - look for thread by @TIM325i (The Incredible Machine) he took a standard 316Ti or 318Ti and worked out all the parts to retrofit and make it a 325Ti Msport, it was very well-sorted and went very nicely.

  21. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    PS     · Report reply

    Welcome back Cameron @#E91FUN  looks like a tidy e63, well done.

    Best workshop is Jon Begley (Auto 38) now in Marton.

    In Wellington talk to Peter at All European Service.

    Get it into absolute peak order in all areas before you start with the modifications.  All of the trouble spots the S85 is known for need to be resolved to ensure you get a great driving and ownership experience. 

    To be fair the downsides of modifying an already expensive and potentially troublesome drivetrain - that will not suffer neglect - , are a low sell price when you're ready to quit it - folks just don't want to take the risk.

    PS - it's your car, so you do you!

    • Like 1

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Ahhh, memories.  Back in 1990 I needed a stereo for my Datsun wagon.  Paul Money Car Stereo advertised in the Herald, I think I bought with a couple of phone calls, a fax and a cheque, and they sent to Wellington. Purchasing is so much easier these days with the web!

    I chose a Sanyo compact digital radio cassette that fit into the dasboard (twin spindles - volume and tuning) and something like 25 watts per channel, along with two way Alpine 6 inch speakers that were destined for the front doors.

    When it all arrived they'd sent me Alpine 6x9" 3-ways, so the plan changed and they went into the tailgate on a 10mm particle board baffle that I knocked-up.  I ran decent power and earth cables to the unit, it sounded really good for what it was.  I couldn't find anything to fit my constraints (the dashboard moulding) in Wellington (other than low-fi models), and nobody down here was doing the stack it high, sell it cheap model like Paul Money did.  

    • Like 4

  24. Posted · Edited by Olaf
    S.A.D. and misery     · Report reply

    Stay in touch Josh, tell us what BMW you pick up when you get settled... will you be within the ULEZ in Londinium and moonlighting taking out cameras, or somewhere more civilised?  All different adventures in UK.

    Might as well get something fun that you want to bring back with you when it's time to return... look into those 'bringing it back as part of your household' rules to check out.

    As you'll probably remember... the winters aren't *that* bad - it's those three months that turns many UK residents bloody miserable that's the challenge.

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