Olaf

I take my business to Kelvin at Bridgestone Torrens Terrace. His alignment work is consistently very good, he knows his onions, and takes a no bs approach. Be clear up front what you’re looking for, and expect the ‘why are you dropping runflats with no spare’ question. In NZ a hole in your sidewall won’t be helped by a can of slime and a compressor, when you’re between regional towns. HTH

Don't be afraid, Dave; It's my experience. I don't bother with travel insurance as it's included in my credit card (yes I have had to use it), and I've not found a comparable rental car deal that beats what Air NZ plonks in front of me as an add-on when I've booked my flights, despite scouring Expedia and rental car aggregation sites.

28 Oct 2018. 258,165kms 4. Radio Antenna. Ya'll recall the old antenna (earlier in this thread); I scored a NOS (New Old Stock, not Nitrous Oxide Systems ?), Hirschmann AUTA 2050 automatic antenna. Not perfect (the originals were AUTA6000's), though it was there and the price was right. I've fitted it this afternoon. Had to find my smouldering iron and some heatshrink. It's not a perfect fit, hopefully it's more weather-tight that the previous Alpha. I think I'll get some longer tube, I can route the drain to that outside vent... right then, the "lawns" are calling. Next jobs: testing the radiator, and taking care of a bit of spot-rust on the rear ARB.

I see the point you're trying to make, though it's not working for me. If I book direct myself with the airline on-line, I usually get the best price on my trip, including the additional stuff like travel insurance, rental car, hotel. I can buy the same thing from the travel agent, and may get the benefit of some local experience (if the agent has been on a travel-bookers junket), or even booking tours for me at the destination; though I now pay a premium to have the agent do something I can do myself direct with the airlines or with online aggregators like Webjet or Expedia. Thus the travel agent's offering these days is not such a unique benefit, and it comes at a cost which I don't need to pay as I can do it myself online for less. I think the better comparison re preying on the vulnerable and uninformed would be the pay-day loans shops; legalised loan-sharking IMHO.

28 Oct 2018. 258,165kms I've sorted a few things from the list already. 1. Windscreen Washers. I recently found this handy little bag that I purchased from the nearby BMW dealer in London (Milcars in Golders Green) in 2001. It had been in hiding in a box in the attic. Always knew it would come in handy. And I now have a spare airbox clip, for a 325i anyway. Not sure it's any good for the 316i airbox. Anyway, I did some fault-finding on the washers... the left one was completely non-functional. I disconnected the line at the tee-valve, and it cleared out... I got it working though it was a bit average. Decided to replace both washer nozzles, and the tee-valve. I had the parts, might as well fix it properly. Result. A proper sh*t of a job when you're just on average height, and doing it on the side of the road. Being 6 ft tall with long arms would make this much easier! The black plastic BMW elbows clip on to the nozzles, and the feed line clips into the bottom of the tee with the same kind of fitting. I used two of the jubille clips to replace the Oettiker clamps that I'd cut away. 2. Wiper Blades. I replaced the wiper blades, as the ones on the car were crusty and as much use as a chocolate teapot. Bosch units, nice. 3. Pedal Rubbers One of those "these are inexpensive and I've room in the shipment" purchases; I replaced the brake and clutch pedal rubbers. Safety first and all that. Before: After: Now I'm onto the replacement antenna, and may get to the fuel filter this afternoon, as well as cleaning and testing that radiator. The lawns are calling, though... update later.

you've both hit the nail on it's head. ? I'm enjoying driving a simple car, though it is a little more 'work' at the wheel. Some of that is down the just-about-worn-out clutch, old tyres, etc etc. The experience will significantly improve as each item is rectified/remediated.

I agree. And you don't need to pay, if you take advantage of the IRD system. Aren't we lucky, though, to have the choice here in Godzone? That you can engage a service if you want to. In the same way I can book and buy my own air travel, or use a travel agent to do it for me.

Howdy fellow bimmersporters I seek a 20mm front ARB for e30, preferably in good nick. And preferably in Wellington area. I've new rubbers and endlinks to go on, so just need the bar, really. What you got? HMU. cheers Olaf.

Are lawyers in the same category? I mean, you can get legal aid for free...

No; it's a service. You have options, and can make a choice. If the service was uncalled for, market economics would spell its demise.

Everyone has the opportunity to practice tax efficiency (minimisation). Pay an accountant, or if you’re claiming poor just read and understand the rules that are freely available on the IRD website. You can even call the IRD to verify your understanding; they’re very helpful. It’s not exciting work, though foregoing a few nights in front of the goggle-box to understand how to structure your affairs efficiently can pay dividends. Pardon the pun. I’m certain that the great proportion of NZ residents believe in paying their fair share of taxes. Ensuring one pays the right amount - not too much, not too little - is not purely the preserve of the uber-rich. The NZ media love to push this left-wing “all rich people are nasty tax-dodging citizens” agenda, I’m amazed it continues to be lapped up.

Bieber. Oh dear. The 80's wasn't perfect, try 'Bang your head' by Quiet Riot and you'll see what I mean. Still, I can spout 80's music all day long. Here's a good 'un... Why not a new rad and full cooIing system re-do right now? It's an excellent idea. I've purchased a large quantity of parts that has quickly added up to more than I paid for the car; needed to economise on the rad for the moment. I'll revisit next year after it's had some more fettling. Am currently working on the logistics around the how to get it all sorted so I can make it to e30 megameet (cambelt, clutch, cooling, fit rear ARB, wheel bearing, and some ever-so-slightly better rubber than what's on it now). ?

this arrived in the mail today...so I'll be fitting it this weekend. Not black chrome sadly, but hey, I'm happy.

I picked up an old truck tyre tube from a tyre shop in town. I have a cunning plan to use rubber and hose clamps on the rad to fill it with water this weekend after a (clean water, no chemicals) flush, see it's water-tight as hoped. I have a new cap. Jon has suggested some hot water sitting in it to help the old o-rings in their old-ish age, a brilliant idea. I guess I could put the valve on it and give it a gentle 10-15psi (from my bicycle tyre pump with gauge) by way of a (low) pressure test? Speaking of no chemicals, here's a little Thomas Dolby, featuring Magnus Pike... I'd better dig out some of my authentic 80's cassettes given I'm going e30 retro 80's eh?

tow-hooks as a requirement for WoF? not as far as I know.

lock barrel repair kit ordered...

17 Oct 2018. 258,153kms (yestrday I collected used M40 rad from Jon at Auto38). Ordered top hose. Collected the new genuine BMW key and code that I'd ordered. Turns out I'd misunderstood; for the (not insignificant) price, I still needed to find a locksmith to cut the key. I was fortunate that Beveredge Locksmiths were still open (new location on Cambridge Tce. Yes, they could cut it (trap for new players: leading zero placeholders on BM computer screenshot confused key cutting system. I also got a spare (Silca, ugly, functional). Beveredges were really excellent. Now I'm ordering the lock barrell repair kit. Antenna: spent time with a scotchbrite, WD40, rags, trying to get the electric antenna working. I made a small difference. EDIT: Note to self. Purchased 3 very pricey keys from Winger, still no Winger BMW keyring. Odd.

AWESOME! Look forward to seeing you at some events soon.

great score, Aaron! ?

13 Oct 2018. 258,101kms It's been to visit Jon Mechaniker at Auto38 in Newtown, for some further diagnosis. Jon gave it a thorough going-over, stethescope and all. If you're in Wellington, bring this man your business! I enjoyed the pickup, had a nice talk to a local gent with a e61 550i; we shared notes on the lovely V8. Back to Grey Thunder. The good: the engine's a 'keeper'. Shiny cam, good oiling [edit: with good compressions]. The not so good: It needs a rad, there were more smallish things it needs, and it needs a wheel bearing, and some other bigger stuff. I already have the clutch kit and some of the cooling stuff, and the stuff for the rear bar, but still need a top hose and a radiator, as well as a bunch of small items. And the cambelt kit. And a wheel bearing x2 (I guess best replaced in pairs?). Today, I: Changed the spark plugs. I already had these, so not your secret sauce recommendation sorry Jon! Bosch FGR7DQP+. Now it idles when cold! And pulls well. And runs far more smoothly at motorway speeds. Happy days! ? Checked the air filter, and found it's close to brand-new. A Hengst E41L. Adjusted the throttle cable. Measured my new rear ARB - it's a 13.5mm, so need to get bushes for it (I bought 12mm Gen BMW) Measured my front ARB: it's 19mm. I'm looking for a 20mm, so if someone has one in good nick please let me know. And if anyone has a Hirschmann power antenna for e30, let me know.

It's not *full* poverty spec; it's auto and has a rev counter, and sunroof! Nice, tidy e30. If you particularly wanted a PFL 318i, it's probably cheaper than fully restoring one. Shame the service history has been separated from the car.

Today this arrived. Like meeting an old friend. I last bought one of these in 2001, it was softcover then. I kept it many years after I sold my e30 Touring. so, reunited?

I had an interesting experience some ten years ago. Bought inexpensive gas springs for my volvo tailgate from FCP. They’re under extreme pressure in that design. 1 year later they sh#t the bed, foul smelling hydraulic oil yecchh. Fortunately I had not tossed the originals. Found the service agents, yes he could rebuild the Stabilus units. He did so in the back of his van, and here we are more than ten years later and they’re still working, and it cost little more than the cheapies. so my recommendation? Buy OEM, or talk to Gas Strut Services Ltd. Dunno if they’re still around in the Wellington region...

30 Sept 2018. 258,046kms ... and today I got stuck into the boot, revealed the no-name electric antenna that needs a replacement mast, tidied up the jack and wheel brace, and also deep polished the windscreen and Rain-X'd it. Little jobs. Now, where to get a proper leccy antenna? Or figure out the generic mast for mine (ALPHA 21-EXD)? Put that one on the back burner, get the mechanicals sorted... it's off for a little more diagnosis this week with Jon Mechaniker.

John, I think to be fair he's seeking a refund on the basis that his consumer rights have not been met, and this is an opportunity to sever that relationship and get his money back. He's lost confidence in that particular vehicle, and has no confidence in the dealer providing remedy to the issues to his satisfaction. I think in those circumstances one would feel galled every time one made a payment, saw a CEL code, or even drove said vehicle. Getting a full refund under the law is the path less travelled, but is ultimately the best. One might then go shopping for a good, trustworthy, reliable vendor, and then find a similar vehicle through their trusted supplier; also the path less travelled! ?