Olaf

Yeah, uhhhhh I committed fraud out of brand-loyalty. My BMW made me do it. It wasn't me, my 2002 did it. the Kylee Mole defence (it wasn't me, dolly did it).

you've changed out from 5 to 6 speed? very impressive. and now 6.0sec to 100? It's sounding really nice, Michael. Which trans is it? I take it this is a retrofit from a later model - more Toyota/Lexus Lego?

clay barring your car will never be the same

here's the link you need to the clay bar, clay bar, clay bar... Okay seriously, The Book of Barry, and if you wanna buy direct... but seriously, IM @Barryn he'll look after you.

like Kyu, I like the black grille and 545i badge. I'm not so big on the roundel - hey, it's what you like that counts. Polishing? I think Electric Six sang "oh let me take you to the Clay Bar, Clay Bar, Clay Bar...." talk to @Barryn from this parish!

So it took a little longer, but oh so satisfying, right? Well done mate. Took me 6 months to address a cooling system issue with my Volvo whilst it sat on side of road when I lost my mojo. Cost more as the brake rotors rusted and battery died beyond reviving. Keep on keeping on!

Damn, I was hoping to find a more useful reporting option! ? I too will be opting out this evening.?

seems tidy enough, interesting it only does a few hundred miles per year. yet it's running a Link ECU? Why? MPH speedo looks like UK market, carjam says first rego'd in germany and imported to NZ 9 years later. It's not so unusual, folks in Germany thinking of migrating to NZ would buy an RH Drive car a couple of years before coming here, and selling off after two years be well off for a rare german car. 9 years though - a different thing. Perhaps a diplomat or military person? Whatever, it's an interesting car. To me it'd be worth about $2k5-3k assuming it's rust-free; the e21 is rarely found these days without serious amounts of work to be done. Others might pay more. It's only worth what you're prepared to pay. Mind you, -75 cool points for that awful 1980's glass pop-up sunroof, and possibly less $500 to me. FWIW.

how about a link?

yesterday I gave the 855-T5 a total vacuum and womble, emptying it all out. took the space-saver spare to the gas station and put 60psi in. shampood the mats, gave the rear cargo area a good clean. today I did the Colourlock leather treatment (3 stage refresh kit) on the leather seats. Leather Cleaner, Leather Fresh (Toner), Leather Shield (Nano-Protectant)... and I added a fourth step, a finishing wipe with a little Elephant Leather Preservative. As a result they're looking very smart. (I must do a clean and protect on the e60, it's looking good though will really look alive with this stuff). All that remains to ready it for sale is to clean the glass, clean the dashboard and plastics, protect the plastics, wash the exterior, and dress the black exterior trim. Then take some beauty shots, and it'll be on the market. It's looking pretty damned sharp for a 20 year old super-wagon, if I say so myself.

^^ not to mention battling SH1 traffic on a Friday arvo! You'd want enough to take back a box to the workshop, eh?

Have you actually read your policy as a starting point? That should clearly lay out what's accepted, and what is prohibited. It may be a blanket term: "no modifications", which provides you with guidance. Then as Matt5 suggests, you go to your insurance company - initiate a dialogue - and lay out your proposal and ask them if you could still expect cover under their policy for this deviation. Hint: if you use the term "what can I get away with" with your insurers, you'll probably come off with a bunch of dis-es. Disingenuous, Dishonest, and (if you like) "deceitful'. Try the search bicycle, someone else has asked this same question wrt a 335i within the last year. There was some excellent advice from @*Glenn* on the folly of trying to get away with mods and subsequently defraud the MBI insurer. You can reasonably expect that a policy decline or cancellation on your insurance record will hurt you in future. Hope that helps.

I know what you mean. MIne has Dynamic Drive (the active anti-roll bars), and Active Steering. I compared it the day before I bought it with a lower-kms NZ new model without Dynamic Drive (on RFTs). Significant difference, Dynamic Drive more composed, less bouncy, and greater levels of grip.

Which report do I buy from Carjam that provides ownership name and address details? When I've purchased Carjam reports the private owner info is redacted, "individual owner, xxxxx km as of date, Personal details protected by law". Full details for any company owners are provided.

Not link my on-line profile or name with seeing my vehicle at a traffic light, no. Seeing my vehicle on the street they get make model Colour and rego. They can't get my name or address from this, as the information held by NZTA is not public info. online on social media, you can associate a vehicle with an online profile, and mine a great deal of information to associate with a vehicle number plate.

interesting that in the UK they describe you as the "registered keeper" of the vehicle, and note on the V5 that it doesn't constitute legal ownership or title of the vehicle. I'm sure there's underpinning laws in UK that support this approach... such as your details being on the rego so if you do a train robbery they'll know you as Ronald Biggs Esq of Essex, rather than "The Dodgy, Blaggit and Cosh Finance Company, Leytonstone", and if Jim Graftit successfully changes rego details on his company VAG (just rolls of the tongue, doesn't it?) A4 and says "it's mine now, chum" the lease company with legally retrieve their carriage in no time flat and Mr Graftit Esq quickly becomes prisoner 76981542 at HMP Belmarsh on a fraud conviction thank you very much son.

which tyres did you get, Dave?

you got it in one. I'd like to try a Motorsport (on non-RFTs), to compare with a well-sorted standard 545/550i. Mine's riding very comfortably, with enough precision to be fun. I'm wondering how much more precision the Motorsport setup makes, and what the cost is in comfort terms.

Sounds like an absolute blast. At least if you nod off to sleep in your lay-z-boy you're unlikely to wake up and find yourself passing vehicles at over the ton. ? Whats the first image of - I understand they're exhaust parts - more detail please?

bummer. nobody hurt, I trust. So does this provide an instant late pass to take the 535iS on the forthcoming roadie, then?

maaaaaan, that's looking really, really sharp, Brent. should sell with ease. Those rims look fantastic on it.

Saw this tidy e60 550i on TradeMe, it has almost all the desireable fruit you'd want (specifically Dynamic Drive, Active Steering, HUD, Rear Blind, Adaptive Headlights, bluetooth, cruise control), and is the LCI model, 120k kms. Oh, and looks like the Logic 7 stereo too, and NZ maps. Style 246 18" rims - cool. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1315400256.htm under $15k. Tasty. the only thing it's lacking is a different shade on the monochrome/greyscale range of white to black to join the e60 gang!

according to the NZTA website, you have an obligation when selling a vehicle "You must let us know immediately when you’ve sold a vehicle." Further, "If you don’t let us know you’ve sold a vehicle, you could get a fine of up to $1000 as an individual and $5000 if you’re a company. If you sell a vehicle to a motor vehicle trader, they may complete some or all of the notification process on your behalf. However, you should always confirm that the trader has completed this process, for peace of mind." and when buying a vehicle "The quickest and easiest way to let us know that you’ve bought a vehicle is online. Otherwise you can complete the Notice by person acquiring motor vehicle form (MR13B) at an agent". If you don't advise NZTA of your acquisition, you could be up for a fine of $1000 as an individual or $5000 for a company, have to pay outstanding rego or RUCs, and be liable for speed camera fines and fines for not displaying a current WoF or licence label). In short, don't rely on the dealer to do anything beyond take your money!

^^ I appreciate where you're coming from, however, you're overlooking the point of leaking intelligence that allows complete strangers to link a car or registration with your person, which is a large number of steps to the left of the anonymity of a number plate on a car and no clue to whom it belongs.

welcome! that's a pretty tidy looking e30! If you've got AA membership, consider paying the extra for 'AA PLUS', it'll get you and your car all the way back to Wellington, and to your workshop of choice... in the event of a breakdown. Enjoy the journey down, it's a beaut time of the year to be driving down from Auckland. Nice way to be getting to know your new car, if you're not in a hurry. PS - do subscribe to the the Wellington meets threads, we've collectively been organising a good number of meets and road trips lately, be good to have you along.