Olaf

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?

he's already considered both of those options, I think the 335i is one of those great 'bang for buck' options that's hard to beat.

come one, where's the details, wheres the pics?

actually I've misplaced your email addy mate, if you're interested, IM me your email addy.

I'll see if I can email you the calcs/diagrams I sorted out, Allan. Dunno if the Ti is much different to the standard e46, but I compared stock 7J16's with 205/55 through the Style 68 staggered 7.5/8.5J with 225/45+245/40, up to the style 194 staggered 8/8.5J with 225/45+245/40 (e46 tyre sizing rather than e90) and it all works swimmingly. Of course if you want to get it as close as possible to a factory Ti, nothing else will do other than a set of 97's. cheers

good to know folks are doing hydro-dipping down here. I saw it on Wheeler Dealers (RX7 I think?), wondered if it would come here... at 5 times the price! certainly looks the biz on your inlet manifold.

Hi Allan I'll keep an eye out. Indeed, they're not too common... http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/97 Have you considered joining the style 194 mafia? They work brilliantly on an e46, and are relatively common...

probably a lucky escape, Hans!

Great idea John, I think we should do that quickly, before you've let the Ci go. I think you'll be impressed with the changes to the touring, and I'd love to see how much further your Ci has come since we went to Samson.

are you talking about the flokati rug, or the lube?

thanks Brent, I'll give you a shout.

it was a couple of days ago really. put my e46 in to get that annoying water leak in my washer reservoir sorted. It leaks through the pump and into the frame rail - not good! Page European replaced the pump and cleaned the whole lot out, flushed the lines, refilled with BMW washer fluid. Running like a bought one, which it is. And they've identified the broken spring (see other thread) . I asked them to give the suspension a going through, clean bill of health, so it's on to the springs in short order. Oh, and get a new sump gasket and engine and trans mounts (do them while the subframe's dropped), ready for sortng out that remaining oil leak. PS - it's too f%&king cold for working on my vehicle outdoors. So I'm very happy to support my local independent... If I had a garage, it'd be different for the simple jobs...

I went into Repco for one of their sales, asked if they had a box of 4 x 5 litre Penrite 5w40 Synthetic (HPR5). He said "why not buy a drum, we don't discount but it's less pricey than buying that box of 20 litres, even on sale". So I did. The HPR05020 comes in at close to ten bucks per litre. not wanting to turn this into a 'oil y is better than oil x', suggest buying in larger containers will work for anyone. 20L of Fuchs ATF to flush the trans in my volvo was way cheaper than buying 4L packs retail. HTH

Hey Matthew, can you explain more about registering batty to e90, I'm keen to know more. A link would do...

Indeed, great progress Josh, we're getting used to the new look and way it works, and are noticing the incremental changes as you configure things. Keep up the great work. My $0.02 worth, I still miss the dark carbon background with grey text, though aside from the lack of brightness I must confess this black on white is easier to read!

Hmm, I think what they have in the front is interesting... though note they've left cigars outside of the humidor, which is a no-no, as it lighting them from anything other than a splint or well-burned match - that lighter is out of place. It's beautifully prepped, but if you have to write on something that it's presidential, well... Brilliant show, and thanks for giving us poor boys and gals down here a taste of it! This e36 Ti really impressed me:

I'm in denial about the 335i John, I think you're absolutely on the money. I'm heading for a 330i myself. I'll be hanging on to the e46. Shame I can't justify three vehicles, I'd snap up your coupe in a heartbeat. Denial? Yes, I love the idea of the grunt and fun of the 335i, but my wallet says "be cautious young man, the next one's for two years only", and I arrive back at the 330i. That's more to do with my personal income risk, and is not a reason for others to avoid the 335i! I think the motorsport will be the way to go; non-msport you'll miss out on the seats and have to do all your suspension. The downside of Msport in the e90 series is that damned black headlining and pillar trim, does make it seem a bit grim inside. The windscreen seems smaller (pretty sure it is smaller) than the e46, so coupled with all that black it's a bit like peering out through the slot in a pillbox. There's some photos on a recent thread of the walnut intake clean, looks like a very good idea. One of those boost pipes (I forget which) is plastic and breaks - particularly with added tuning (boost), so normally replaced with an alloy item. They're a bit more complex under the hood than your NA unit, so you can expect a little more $$ in maintenance... but look at what you get in that package, eh? Do it. Oh, hang on, let's try that again:

you need to be able to compare apples with apples. you can buy a suit from around $200 up... the $200 halensteins job will be very average, buy an $800 Cambridge and have it altered, it's good, or go and get a made-to-measure (or better still, Bespoke), and you've a different experience. If the BMW batty is genuine aparrently they last a lo=oooooong time. You're paying retail, there's probably a full system test from the BMW dealer. The mid-ground might be reasonable quality, should be tested in-situ, charging system test, provided with a warranty. The cheap end will be possibly a lesser quality unit, perhaps bolted in, maybe they'll dispose of your old one. Maybe a lesser warranty, charging check if you're lucky. like the suit, you pays your money and makes yer choice. Jeez it's Auckland, you guys are always driving, yeah? Maybe the distance to JC makes the $600 option worthwhile. There's always the AA Battery Service, cheaper if you're a member. Not a forum sponsor though. HTH