Olaf

the job of opposition is to provide concrete alternates and competition. Unfortunately there's not much of it here in NZ. The best the Greens could muster is "oh, they should be using Teslas instead". Hmmm, considering that government procurement is based on a solidly defined set of (fleet) requirements (in this case, aspects such as space, safety, running costs, emissions, reliability, cost, servicing, threat, driver scoring, etc); the scoring criteria will be decided before the RFP is released, and the result is decided by scoring the proposals from each supplier against the specified criteria. The Greens, as all parties, could access reporting on the procurement, and would know full-well that the Tesla would not be an option for NZ Governmental use. Still, why should the Greens - or any other f(l)ailing opposition party - let that get in the way of a sound-bite that could possibly attract popular opinion. Or, at least the interest of those who don't critically examine what is printed or read out in the media. EDIT: I saw what you did there. Imagine the headline: "Opposition Parties claim National slipped it in the back door".

Congratulations Glenn, quite the milestone. For others kicking the habit, go hard, keep at it. Having to apologise for being a reformed smoker is generally acceptable to your friends and family, and far preferable to your best 'Puffing Billy' impressions! Interesting perspective provided in Hollywood movies "The Insider" (nicotine delivery system, get you hooked) and "Thank you for smoking" (plenty on the product-placement aspect). I saw an interesting (print media) campaign at the movies yesterday; at least they're trying to target youngsters, as I'm sure those actively trying to quit will appreciate. It was in the form of a wanted ad: effectively "wanted: risk taker for controlling relationship, spend your money, health, and shorten your life" as though cigarettes were advertising for someone to prey upon. Keep up the hard work, it will reward you!

looks like loads of fun to me, Ray. Nice one!

excellent idea!

yes, the S2000 is an awesome little car. having to rev the nuts off it to drive around is not my idea of fun. yes VTEC unicorns are all good. it's a honda. SLK? Underwhelming IMHO, fit and finish pretty average. matches the 4cyl. not my idea of fun. you know how it goes, one man's meat is another man's poison. YMMV etc.

superb.

awesome, Glenn. good on you for making time for this. I recall finding work experience with an auto electrician back when I was in the 4th form. 2 days of working in their workshop, reconditioning starter motors and alternators, getting the smoko, learning a bit about working in a workplace! Invaluable experience, and they bought me lunch to boot. I didn't end up training as an auto-sparks, though it gave me insight into that job. ++ Kudos. I trust you attract someone who appreciates the opportunity.

12k you can get a Z4. 10k you can get a decent Z3. I'd not touch an SLK, nor the Honda S2000. no Audis. No frenchies. Yep, it'd be the Bimmer - eaither or. I'm not biased.

agreed. I spoke with the repairer who did the mirrors on my e46, after they were nicked. Insurance job. I wasn't entirely impressed; however, fixed price from insurance company, used parts from down south, freight costs, painted mirrors, installed - one didn't work. needed to get another mirror, another call out for the auto sparky to fit the mirror. No extra money from the insurers. I asked him about his business sources, and the margins. I asked him how he made any money - he said they didn't. Hard to make money as an approved insurance repairer. No car-yard business (too low margin). They're trying to survive on low-margin insurance work. Where they make their money is on the walk-ins, and return business. It's a 13 year old car; yes, I'm an enthusiast... no, they're not. I won't be engaging them for the additional work I had them quote on (bumper touch-ups/repaints, small dent in guard, a few minor items); no repeat business there from me.

what's the gen on the Morels, Charles? Straightforward replacement with factory head unit? Time I was looking for something suitable for my e46, standard japanese aftermarket need not apply!

outstanding.

what, you mean like the claim to Radio Spectrum? Clearly, telecommunications existed in godzone before it was even invented in the northern hemisphere! Marconi, Edison... they all hailed from northern iwi, eh.

looking good Dan!

yes indeed, should be cool when you get it on the road. kudos!

but ya know, if he gets some, like, stickery rubber on them rims, it'll be a, suitable, errr mitigant, yeah? Pedantry. it's how we roll.

man, it still has Rego you can cash in. Score!

I put a full set of KYBs into my VW Golf A2 GTi 16v. they lasted a year and a half. replaced them with Boge Turbo - ride transformed. Conclusion - the KYBs were sh*t. I replaced factory oil filled shocks on A32 Maxima with KYB Excel. Stiffened up the ride, improved handling. Were still on it when I sold the car 4 years later. They're okay. For the effort of changing shocks, and all the cost of mounts, bushes, fasteners etc - I think KYB's are a false economy. I'd be going OEM (Sachs) or Koni or Bilstein. my $0.02 worth.

get under it - when safely supported. take rag and can of WD40. find part numbers on your shocks. write them down. good start.

I dig the e46 touring, have had mine for 2.5 years and done about 38,000 kms (it's now on 148k). It was a fresh import with Japan service history. Not convinced of the argument buying at 110k kms providing for 40-odd kms of low-maintenance motoring! I've spent two years catching up on deferred maintenance, and discovering the numerous 'common failures' of the e46. Don't get me wrong, I really like driving it. I am left wondering if the e90 touring is a significant improvement - I hope it will be! I now have what is a pretty well-maintained example! Just need to get that new AC compressor sorted, and it's time for new shocks and mounts/bushes etc. Do your homework before you buy up, it could cost you plenty.

south of the bombay hills, mate. in the dim and distant past, I used to leave my vehicle parked at the Top of the Bruce on Whakapapa for 4-5 days at a time, it was often buried in snow. Poor little A12, ISTR it was 15w40 or 15w50 back then! ooooh, high-tech multigrades! Duckhams Hypergrade 15W50, and that recycled low-sulphur BP oil 'Envron'.

maaaaaaate. did you run a magnet over what came out of the sump afterwards?

for a tape from japan you'll need one with NTSC playback capbility. more common on the later kit. or luck-out with a full multi-system unit.

how was it that Sheryl Crow song started? "I like a good beer buzz, early in the mornin'.." just the time to be researching vehicles I guess.

I'm much happier with the way my M54B25 is running on Penrite HPR5 than the last 2 or 3 changes on Castrol Edge 0W40. I know it's LL (something) certified, don't matter much to me as I'm changing oil and filter at 10k intervals. I've been a loyal Castrol user for more than 20 years, I've changed to Penrite synthetics on both my vehicles (HPR10 in the other), better value and improved performance (reduced noise, use) for street use over the main players. I'm not an oils engineer; I did a lot of reading and then decided ultimately to make a consumer decision and get on with it. If I was racing or nurturing a newly rebuilt engine, it might be different. If I were having my oil changed by my trusted independent, I'd be going with their recommendations (such as Glenn's recommendation, above). +1 on the bulk-buying front. I bought 20l Fuchs DexIII ATF to flush my Volvo trans, significant $ saving over buying 5l packs at retail. cheers, hope that helps. Olaf

it was Nikasil that was the problem - Alusil was the solution. it's worth reading up on, as you suggest.