Olaf

@eliongater

I'm McLovin' it. it makes the commute easier/more comfortable/more enjoyable/safer. and being "my first V8" it's just such an experience.

Man, that's a result.

I'll have a look online tonight. I'll use that site I used for the SS Commodore vs 545i comparo. I think the Aurion was 3.5 or 3.6 litre. Spec battle this evening!

PS: in my last job, one of my workmates opined that I really shouldn't have a radar detector, in light of our work. I countered "hey, if our goverment wishes to broadcast on those frequencies, it's still legal for me listen! This is just a really high frequency tuned radio receiver with high selectivity and some cool programmable auto-muting features."

yes definitely worth it IMHO/IME; gives me sufficient warning to check my speed, and does so around two out of five days of my commute. I run a Bel Magnum STi. Escort Redline is basically the same (same company, different product line), but $100 more in NZ. There's a lot written on US sites about how much better the STi got with the hardware upgrade toward end of 2014/early 2015, and that sample variation now accounts for more than the performance gap between the two models. I'd run a Bel 995 for a few years before, and liked the voice warnings; there's different voicings between BEL and Escort. I run mine set up with no lights, no visual warnings on the dash. More stealthy. The only lights are on the remote mute on the cig lighter, so again, muting is stealthy - no visible hand to the dash. YMMV. You get different tones depending on type of radar/lidar. I get so little warning on Redflex camera vans or stationary radar, I think the minor diff's US to NZ not worth worrying about. If there is in fact a receiver bandwidth difference. I found it difficult to truly suss out the freq differences betweem US and NZ models. If you buy an STi you're welcome to make a list with me of the exclusive NZ programming features that the Road & Track guys were so f$%king cagey about, from mine. After shelling out the extra money to buy local, from R&T, I was left wondering why I bothered and figured I should have purchased from Amazon. In use? Worked example... doing 50-55 past silversteam station, as I pass the lights heading north onto the straight part of Fergusson Drive, I'll pick up mobile Ka coming toward me just after they've passed through the lights and passed Palmer Ave. On the highway, you'll get suffucuent time to check... about double what I used to get with my 995. And I get less 'noise' with my STi. Laser, not so much warning, though you should get scatter from other cars first. Instant-on radar? Nothing's invincible, man! Let me know how you get on. If you want to dip your toe in the water, my Bel 995 is cased and on the shelf, yours for $300.

the Aurion was economical on a trip, too. I rented them on a few 2000km trips in Oz, including a 'Sportivo'. They're good in the boat stakes too, compared with the e60. I'd like to drive a 530i.

much better to add a prancing moose badge, I reckon. Never did get around to buying some for my 855-T5.

spotted this tidy monochromatic 530i on TradeMe 121kms leather blaaaaaack $13k8 asking price. Seller says the benefit's 150kg lighter than 550i, and they get 11.4l/100km urban commute. What else do you need? Buy it, join the e60 monochrome set! From the advert: Mechanical: Seems pretty much perfect, drives well, suspension and steering are smooth, tight and noise free. Starts instantly, sounds good, pulls strongly. All electronics work flawlessly. No issues noted by WOF or Mechanics. Only issues we've had was a worn relay replacement, and a transmission sump gasket (replaced by Winger BMW). Also, has recent new battery and tyres Interior: Mostly perfect, interior leather is flawless, no scuffs, nice fresh black! Interior wood, plastic & carpet all look like new. The only flaw is around one of the dash compartments where the rubber coating is a bit scuffed. Exterior: Mostly good. Looks shiny and black, as it should, but has few scratches underneath the one of the sills, not visible unless you're looking under the car. Would be a cheap fix. Few minor scuff marks around the place, but nothing particularly noticeable. Accessories: Comes with a 1600kg Towbar and Roof Racks

I don't want to have to click a link to another site to read about something *advertised* here.

wow, that's a beauty. should sell with relative ease. GLWS.

I think that if you don't nominate a broker, DHL will perform the role and charge you retail for the pleasure. Engaging and then nominating your own gives you a chance to shop around for service/price.

I do remember some fellow members of the BMW Drivers Club, lads who lived near me in north london. They'd picked up an e30 320i 2dr poverty spec in red, for something like a monkey. They decided it'd be good to prep for track days, they both had pretty sharp street drives. So they badged it 316i, and put hubcaps on it... great laughs were had all round at Castle Combe.

what can I say? I think I'll add an 'executive' badge from an 80's Commodore to my 545i.

yes, I think those of us in the Welly contingent should chip in and buy a 518i badge for @TermiPeteNZ's M5. yes, the exhausts and big rubber betray it from behind, but hey... maybe I should do a 518i badge for my 545i, too!

everything except the company BMW #; )

Contract or Perm?

you'll be needing a price, then.

W model?

Good news John. Awaiting the successful purchaser to reveal himself/herself soon. ?

Just realised I've had this car 2 months already. I've clocked up 4,500km during this time, and am certainly enjoying them. At home I have a set of new coils ready to install, as well as new trans oil pan/filter etc ready for a trans service. Just need to suss out which fluid meets the 6HP26 trans specs. Also due an oil change soon. I must get around to installing those door seals I got from Brent last month. Happy days.

Very interesting, William. This explanation marries well with my experience. Given I went from 23/18 to 24/20, the measley increase in the front of 9%, was enhanced by a nearly 20% increase in the rear bar stiffness... helping to make the rear more readily follow the front, diminishing the safe understeer bias from the factory. The result was a more comfortable and enjoyable ride/drive, without so much bar that the shocks/springs feel un-matched. Along with the bigger wheel/tyre package, I arrived at less lock required into corners at highway speed, and a more neutral drive overall. A bit more drive out of corners too. A good experience for a relative neophyte on bar/spring changes! And it all suits my driving style. would you say that when someone goes out to more aggressive 27/24 bars for the e46, they'd need to be changing shocks and springs as well?

From when I did my research: Factory parts: Front: 23mm front bar (325i Touring standard) 23.5mm front bar (31356757168), and a 24mm front bar (Bar: 31351094542, Bushing 31351094556). Cabrio MSport Rear: 18mm is 33551095758 (325i Touring standard) 19mm is 33551094545 (Touring with Msport) 20mm is 33556751267 (Bushing 33551096669) - Cabrio For comparison, Eibach set is 27mm/21mm, Racing Dynamics 27mm/24mm. M3 runs 21mm or 21.5mm rear. I ended up running 24/20 as I wanted more bar given I didn't want to change springs and already had new shocks. Hope that helps.

Hi Alan, welcome to the forum. I entrust my cars (e46, e60, and a Volvo 855-T5) to Bridgestone Torrens Tce, Wellington. Kelvin does an excellent job and knows his stuff, 4 Wheel Alignment on a Hunter machine. Active Steering doesn't need specific calibration, though it is more sensitive to alignment issues. If you search e60 and Active Steering you should find Mark's @Boytie account of eliminating active steering errors. I was getting the odd active steering error on my e60 when first acquired, since alignment (I replaced shocks and tyres first), no issues whatsoever. Hope that helps. Do put an entry into the "new members" page, and if you're interested keep an eye on the "meetings" page.

@eliongater this could be a very unconventional powertrain for your eta; N42B20 1,995 cc 105 kW (143 PS; 141 hp) @ 6000, 200 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 3750