Olaf

So thoughts on rates. They may not call it this these days - in fact when we first got mortgaged in the 90’s, it wasn’t disclosed... but it was ‘mortgage lender’s insurance’. This was an additional cost the bank passed on to the borrower, there the loan value to equity didn’t meet a certain threshold, and they insured the loan due to the higher risk. Fortunately for us, our bank manager looked after us, disclosed the threshold, and the figures so we were able to bump up our deposit and avoid this. oh, and back then retail 2 and 3 year mortgage rates were 10.25%... and they climbed above 12% for a while. When they hit 7.75% on the way down we were stunned. The last 4-odd years have been a cakewalk at sub-5%.

That might be their way of attracting punters, who then upsell themselves on the basis of “only one in stock”. Happened to me a while back; I keep my business local in Wellington, still get decent pricing. YMMV edit: try Auto 38 in Newtown tell Jon you’re on Bimmersport. worth talking with Kelvin at Bridgestone Torrens Tce also.

Welcome, Simon! take a look at the Wellington Room - maybe subscribe (follow) and you'll get notified when there's new local meetups/runs etc, if you're interested.

Wheel god. Yes, I think that suits you. I expect you’ll need a t-shirt with appropriate graphic! hell, I have just three sets of wheels in my basement workshop, Mrs Olaf and the Olaf juniors have been prodding me about “so many wheels”. I must remember to mention “Kyu, God of Wheels” for appropriate perspective! ?

You bought more wheels?! ???

Bridgestone RE003. Please, don’t put sh*t tyres on your capable German car. There’s no coincidence that wreckers observe a good proportion of their custom from BMWs equipped with rubbish rubber! The RE003 is reasonably priced, performs well on e60, brilliant in the wet, sticky enough yet give reasonable wear too. The difference in grip and braking distance between a decent tyre and a cheap shitty tyre will be marked in the pedestrian you may well hit on the cheap tyres in an emergency stop. The few dollars saved won’t seem worth it, then.

And in today’s news, this: ... I’ve never had a car that someone liked enough to try to buy! Think I’ll dust off my sheepskin coat, put on my best Arthur Daley, and see if he’d like to buy a classic 855-T5 instead ?

Hi Mark, yes indeed! And thank you ? I’m about to install the wheel. Being a fastidious bstard, I ordered a new locknut. Yes, I have 51mm Koni Yellows, and have sourced 51mm housings. I have all the hardware for new shock build and new wheel bearings too. Just waiting on finalizing spring choice and source them. ? And refinishing the housings. That’s after the wheel refurbishment, coming soon. Looking forward to seeing your build thread!

you after the 1.9 version that works with the G240 in e30? I sourced mine from FCP. BMW Manual Trans Shift Lever - Genuine BMW 25117527252 if that helps?

gotta hand it to you, you don't mess around Dan! Congrats on your latest purchase. I'm sure you'll move on the 2dr 130i in no time.

IMHO, if it's on the shelf, they've got inventory costs... and then I don't mind paying 'a little extra' on the basis that it's there for me, and they're a business and they need to make a profit. What I find difficult to reconcile is where the part isn't in NZ, so it's indent order - no inventory costs - and it'll take two weeks and cost you an arm and quite possibly a leg or part of your reproductive system... and it's way more speedy and way slower than ordering it yourself from USA or Europe. EDIT: and most of the time, when it is on the shelf, it's still rather pricey.

Hang on, Dan. Did you subtract 10% discount on the NZ dealer retail for showing your membership card of BMW Car Club NZ?

That's awesome, Allan! best Richard

thanks! it's not too late, mate. you'll find another ?

Sorry @qube Kyu, it's been so long. Here's something approximating a rear 3/4 shot, from November 2018... Lachsilber goodness ?

now you've gotta show us some pics of your col, Chris. Welcome.

brilliant, thanks Allan!

great result, Dave!

20 February 2019. 172937kms 1. Replaced rear ARB bushes and associated fasteners (Genuine BMW) for the Dynamic Drive. 2. Replaced rear ARB endlinks (TRW OEM). They were showing signs of cracking around the boots. 3. Aircon service, drain, re-fill including dye. Monitoring. Car is a little sharper again, as a result of the rear-end preventative maintenance. Have only driven urban roads and speeds so far, though the rear feels a little more alive, as though it’s more engaged and responding to changes in the road more actively. Odd! Overall: “better”. ? Auto38 great service. You should use them too!

Grey Thunder is more 'girl next door' ? ? The Biturbo is that supermodel's sister you lusted for, and she's out of rehab, takes her meds infrequently, and hasn't been taking care of herself; she'll lead you astray and then cast you aside, wrecked. Can't deny a man his dreams! Though these threads on Retro Rides make somewhat sobering reading. http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/203380/1988-maserati-biturbo-late-arrival http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/195267/1992-maserati-222-4v http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/181696/another-maserati-biturbo-build-say http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/175233/82-maserati-biturbo-coupe now this is the one you *really* want to see for heroic dedication: http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/37171/xbolx-blog-2016-fleet-update?q=maserati

The other advantages of the Maser is that they are self-recycling in the way that they are predisposed to returning to earth. Coupling that with Italian reliability and electronics, and you get to realise the third efficiency: emptying your wallet like (insert your favorite similie here). ultimately a kitschy 80’s Box with little merit in today’s world. I’ll get me coat, then.

Last time I saw this car it was a stunner. Not tempted, @Herbmiester?

Look @Jono51 another Baur for the Register...

Detroit Diesel?

Looking sharp, Sam!