Olaf

no question a proper smoker is the way to go, I have trouble getting temps stable at 90c with the Cap'n-cook***... I understand with the purpose-built smokers you can get 65c for loooooooong and slow smoking? *** though I have slow-smoked a cube-roll with rub over 3.5hrs to great effect, measuring internal beef temp with Weber meet thermometer.

Come on man, where's the build thread on that?! Looks very interesting, and probably significantly less pricey than a Giant Green Egg or Kamado Joe. @Driftit I like the idea of the Oklahoma Joe you mentioned, but lack the space. I've been running an old BBQ Factory 4 burner Capt-n-cook that I refurbed (including flame tamers, enameled grilles, cleanup, reg, and sand-back, repair, re-oil the frame) for 5 or 6 years now, including smoking with a pair of smoker boxes that I cycle through (hint: soak your chips in cleanskin Cab/shiraz/merlot - whatever's cheap!). I'm about to assemble family xmas present Weber Family Q3200 as key alternative while kitchen replacement is in-play Feb-Apr. When one's better half suggests 'we should get a Weber Q to cook on while the Kitchen is in pieces', there's no need to question.

I have to disagree. 20 or 30 years ago they weren't doing 30x30cm patches on roads, they were doing half a lane-width and trying to fix the substrate, so at least a temporary repair would give 3-4 months safe service. There is no evidence of this kind of repair being done poorly. If it is a question of quality workmanship, it's down to contract management - something a quality commercial procurement department will resolve. Honestly, I saw better roading in Ireland and Mexico in the 90's than I'm seeing here these days.

I drove SH2 to Napier, and SH50/SH2 back to Welly after xmas. Apalled at the state of the roads, I've not seem them in that state of disrepair in more than 30 years! Crumbling small quick-and-dirty patches, breaking surfaces, drops/compactions... I guess the govt is spending elsewhere?

Well said, Jo. After working in the UK for a few years, I learned that NZ - particularly in tech - under-invested in management training. Thrust into senior roles without the requisite skills, and lacking the development to be successful. NZ continues to promote people good at their job to lead, rather than talent-spotting leadership and developing it. In comparison, in UK I found genuinely talented managers! Dirty secret: some of NZs largest companies continue with large PG budgets, as they recognise it's cheaper to defend or settle than to train. The counselling is very useful; sleep is essential so don't be afraid of resetting the sleep cycle with the aid of your GP. Exercise to help the body and mind. And some excellent legal advice to set your mind at ease with a solid understanding of what is unlikely and how to control your situation. Then you can make a plan. Put it all together - functional trajectory back to a new normal. Jo is right - it's not the end of the world. Once you're into the planning to find a new environment, flip through 'what colour is your parachute' again. The support of friends amidst all of this is very important. HTH

Sorry Nathan, nothing to report. It got well and truly parked. We still have the e46 Touring, going well, though it's my wife's daily and the rattly tweeter really needs sorting.

yeah, cool car though way over-priced. It's a $19k car IMHO.

One wonders how it works on a commercial level. eg, where a franchisee might have franchise license withdrawn, or be directed to sell; and a proven operator is subsequently installed? Not suggesting this has happened in this case. Or if a franchisee wants to step out, one expects that BMW NZ would have a large say in who takes it on. Continental are part of the Symes Group, they're large and effective. The Continental BMW team on the shore are excellent to deal with, we're hoping that things improve in Wellington.

was about to say the same thing Julian @C-130 Hercules 😀 You're very welcome @Jun all part of the community spirit

Not sure I follow that logic. Sales set prices, not asks. Their space on the yard will owe them something like $1200-2000/month, so this car has cost them more sitting there for three years than they’ll ever realise by selling it. Money laundering operation right there, yeo.

agree. compare SH16 to the Kapiti Expressway. All that engineering and they couldn't successfully build a road over a swamp. It's like a rollercoaster. I too have very low expectations for Transmission Gully. Prepared to eat my words, though I doubt it will open in 2021. Vehicles were being sold off and workers contracts finished back in May; downsizing as the contracts went into dispute. Word from the earthmovers is that some parts were laid with the agregates in the wrong order, necessitating significant rework. It's a big ambitious project, and its benefits when completed will be significant. Especially if it joins with a completed Kapiti Expressway extension that bypasses Otaki at last. There. We don't argue about *everything*!? Merry Xmas! 😊

what could possibly go wrong?! 😎

I bought the tool on sale - Powerbuilt - for $15. never used it!

Sounds like you’re winning. Could it be Oetikker Clamps you’re referring to? Faster and more secure for manufacturing or repair - just not reusable.

I'll be in touch, Chris, thanks!🙂

I had the opportunity, prioritising expenditure on other parts of the car right now.

"Provided a resolution". GARDX are paying you off? Auckland City BMW are buying the car back from you? They're transferring the warranty, and in six months they'll skin you for a re-application? Come on man, don't be so cryptic.

Mate, you were nearly there! Like mine, the M42 conversion is on the cards for next year along with exhaust, LSD, purple tag, and then cert. The only other thing for iS replica in my case is interior - may have to make do with just upholstery rebuild. One step at a time eh?

congrats Chris @slideways, good selling. To think people were laughing at me a year ago talking $7-8k for a 316i faccy manual coupe 😉 Looks tidy, got more pics you'd care to share? I missed your listing. Had you done much to it?

Yeah welcome to Bimmersport @SteveJx. You should post in new members and introduce yourself. Your principal issue is not with GARDX, but with Auckland City BMW. They made a promise and haven't delivered. Get them to pay for the cost of GARDX, as it was a selling point. Still, gotta laugh at GARDX suggesting you pay for the whole thing again. What a have.

great score, Lee!

"schmee again. torda tolja ta gahngetfahked". on a more serious note, was the ad about that new wheel? I couldn't tell. I liked the ad, thought it was all style over substance. plenty of fun though.

this stuff really is sh*t-hot.

That's *very* dodgy. I'd be rejecting the car if there remains any option to, but you may be happy to ride it out. I hope you get a satisfactory outcome. Is the transmission issue related to the accident?