Olaf

I bought my rotors from FCP for my e46 325i - I went for BMW Slotted Brake Rotor Front Right - Stop Tech 126.34048SR and BMW Slotted Brake Rotor Front Left - Stop Tech 126.34048SL - (as well as the rears), I think they're pretty good. They're wearing fine. I did the rears at the same time. If you end up doing the rears, you may find your handbrake shoes need doing as well. I think your 330i uses larger rotors so you're looking at the equivalents Stop Tech Right and Stop Tech Left. You could go for the Zimmerman cross-drilled.... or just go for Bosch or Meyle for OEM style. I think John bought in some from Oz-trucken-falia that were similar to my Stop Techs. You could try the local suppliers for their options, you'll get them fast and you may find some reasonable prices. I also bought Akebono Euro Ceramic pads. They offer good modulation and plenty of meat - when they're warm - and they keep your rims clean. The downside is that they lack the initial bite - particularly when cold - of factory pads. You might consider other pads. Do some research. Doing it in the rear - my e46 3 years ago (hosted on flickr) You'll also need brake pad sensor (there's just one on the front, one on the rear) - these shouldn't cost more than ten bucks a piece. And consider caliper slider pins and boots, and some ATE silicon brake grease. Search around on youtube for how to reset the brake pad warning light on the dash, once you've done the job. Oh, and I agree with Ron; if you're in to skimming discs, you might as well be replacing them. Read up on correct break-in procedures. And if your car hasn't had the brake fluid replaced in the last two years, you should consider having this replaced as well. Hope that helps.

I understand both use Ethanol in their 98, hence I avoid. I use BP 98 (although still reconciling the guilt with their gulf disaster), or Caltex 95.

yep, we're of the same mind. I too do my research before acquisition. Make an informed decision, plan for the fixes. I'd rather do it up front and get the use, than do it at the back end and pass on the benefits to the next owner, at my cost!

yep, I fully understand the view that a 4cyl BMW is missing two cylinders! However, the balance of the 4cyl 3ers is sublime, and it becomes clear that the quality is in the package - chassis and engineering - not just the engine and drivetrain. The snobbery is clear here. For every Euro driver convinced their car is better (because it's European) added to the straw man argument, there's another who appreciates the quality engineering (of their Euro) that is not existent in mass-market Asian cars, and doesn't mind paying for it. I'll choose a 4CYL BMW if I can't afford a 6 or 8, in preference to driving a Corolla. Because it's well engineered, RWD, handles well, and is strong. I will not risk my family in a Corolla or other mass-market shoebox. I've seen too many of them (small Japanese or Korean hatchbacks) demolished on the side of the road as a result of a sunday afternoon RTA, meatwagon and Fire Service in attendance.

wow. thanks for sharing. Not bankrolled enough to be looking at a new BM, though one can hope! You'll be looking forward to your 335D arriving, no doubt. #8 )

you need to put your location in your profile, so that we understand where in the country you are.

I knew I needed a new brush, this has far exceeded my expectations. Barry's own one has been used for professional detailing for years and is still looking good. Not cheap, though in my humble opinion, worth the money.

guys, 194s are easy to keep clean. I purchased an Auto Glym Hi Tech wheel brush from BarryN of this parish, they are the bomb. Recommended. Stiff yet soft (no stretching), durable, and gets into the tight spots. Last for years, too. Quality.

Just what is an "ego massaging car", which manufacturers provided this option, and who is the arbiter of best to worst?

Graham, whats the story with the heater matrix? I am getting a whiff of coolant at startup, and am closely monitoring coolant use now. Everything under the bonnet has been replaced except radiator (water pump, pulleys, sensors, thermostat, expansion tank, rad hoses). cheers...

back when I had my e30 325i Touring, my local independent replaced diff oil and gearbox oils (respectively) with the appropriate Castrol Synthetics (of the time - the year was 2001). It was, as Ron says, spectacular. Quieter, and better (slicker, smoother) shifting from cold. I've not tried Red Line, and don't intend this to be a brand x vs brand y argument. You can use Castrol with confidence. Some of our resident idependents (forum sponsors) use others such as Elf, and I personally use Penrite products generally. HTH.

Hi Clive, if you want to avoid the redirect to NZ, you can use a proxy service such as www.unblockUS.com it allows you to select the country you want to appear as using a simple drop down box. I use it for watching UK content. Hope that helps. PS. Nice challenge you have! As a matter of interest, what sort of money are you saving by buying new from abroad? And have you found any issues with servicing your X5 here? I guess there's no 'new car warranty'? Interested in your thoughts/experiences. I take it you've found it worthwhile as you're doing a second... regards

column-shift, nay problem! holdens, falcons, (1st = toward you and down, 2nd = away from you and up, 3rd (top) = away from you and down) even those rubbish brit cars like mk1 and mk2 cortinas (and if my memory serves, 1st = toward you and up, 2nd = toward you and down, third = away from you and up, forth = away from you and down)... oh yeah, HR Holden 3 speed manual, what a hoot.

f#cking autocorrect. my first licence was in a small booklet, and you paid a fee and got a sticker in the back reflecting the licence fee (current). It was issued by the Ministry of Transport.

^^ very good point, that! inter-module protection (or lack thereof) clearly an issue! Mate of mine in UK ran a 545i SE for many years, his steering angle sensor was replaced by BMW dealer.

I don't have much option with my current gig. 35kms each way. Mostly SH1 or SH2. Next gig I'll be able to walk to work again, much more fun. I had a super drive in an e36 318iS coupe manual, back in 1993. It was less than 6 months old. Sure, it was missing 2 cylinders, but I was steering it with the loud pedal, the balance was superb. Did 600kms in it, loved every minute.

I stand corrected. Blush.

Hey, surely that's a trick question. Everyone around this parish knows that anything powered by the N42 4 cyl Valvetronic motor is to be avoided like syphilis. Whether it's auto or manual, considerations of the N42 in a 1 or 3 series are largely academic! Should we engage in considerations of which transmission is best in the context of a car featuring a motive unit likely to consign it to the workshop while quietly emptying one's wallet? /rant. nothing to see here, move along.

as a daily? Hell, if you're driving in traffic, I have to be honest. I'll take the auto these days, they've gotten much better. Going for a "real drive" - and if I ever get an M3 or 911, yes a manual for sure. But how often to I get to drive purely for the enjoyment? Mostly (and I mean pretty much all the time) I'm driving to get somewhere, like work, or back home, or driving the family around, or on holiday. I started to entertain the idea of auto a little over 20 years ago, living in one of the largest cities in the world. Traffic like you've never seen. I had a Golf GTi manual. My boss had just bought an e30 325e auto. It was clear that for the conditions we usually drove in, the auto was far superior. When we got into the mountains, the manual was the go - but that was about 5% of my time behind the wheel. Thankfully autos have improved these days. Being real for a moment, most of my driving is commuting in traffic, so I confess I actually prefer the auto. And yes, I got my license around cars with non-synchro 1st gear, mastered double de-clutching and heel-and-toe downshifts before I was 16... consider myself a dyed-in-the-wool manual driver. Next car I buy will be the first time I select auto by preference. Perhaps I'm getting old!

I'd say Allan (Tim325i) will be keen for those wheels, Brent. I've emailed him...

sounds and looks good, Kyu. I was hoping it was Monocoblau but sadly Schwartz won't pass muster with Mrs Olaf. Damn - this was sounding really promising! Just as a matter of interest, is it still on the original stereo, or has it been 'aftermarketed'? GLWS #8 )

Stunning rally drive by Canterbury teenager Could be one to watch. Love the story where they share why they chose BMW as their rally platform. The cat's out of the bag now!

Hi Kyu, how long have you had it, how many k's in that time, and what servicing has been completed in that time? I'm a wagon guy, have been thinking about a e90 330i saloon. Would I regret buying your lower mileage e91 325i instead? It seems like the more sensible option. Oh, any warranty (eg Autosure) remaining?

collector cars. 3000kms on the clock, like new. bring on the drivers, that are ridden hard and put away wet.

Jeez Julian, I can't keep up with you. You have an e36 Touring now? That's replaced the e30?