Olaf

Graham, when I next run into it in my (somewhat disorganised) workshop, I've got an e30 service light reset tool. It's yours if you'd like it, gratis. best R

last week the good folks at Winger BMW kindly fitted my new NZ-legal plates, in place of the (cool, stylin', though not legal) German plates that were on the car when I bought it. I went in looking for fasteners and brackets, to do the job myself... and came out with the job done, gratis! And Winger BMW plate frames too. A very nice touch, and they exceeded my expectations.

$200 - bargain. You're heading to Quebec? I see you've got the engine shroud off; new plugs? Coils?

PS: if you're looking to get replacement plates: https://www.licensys.com/general_purpose.php

I'm all sorted. I went in to Winger BMW to buy bolt kit and any parts I needed. They checked it out, then they removed my old plates, drilled and fixed the new plates to the car and fitted number plate frames and caps to the screws. While I waited. Complementary. Went well beyond my expectations, great service! So now I'm legal, I just need to return my old plates (or face a fine).

and what about those new 'mini' plates, very classy on the front of your Maserati or what have you. Are they pricey?

yep, $150 to $200 fine ($1000 if you're a company) if you get pulled over with them as non-compliant. It's the luck of the draw - based on anecdotal evidence from many contributors here and their related experience of being stopped, fined, or warned. the safest and least expensive way to put euro plates on your wagon is to watch personalised plates on sale on trademe, pick a pair up for $150-200. HTH

it's great to have a theory... I live in a small village (Wellington) and never had any trouble. I was passing through a town so small on the south island, it barely rated above 'intersection' status, and I was pulled. A good cop who knew his rules and wasn't sleeping on the job. I don't feel aggrieved, and enjoyed our discussion. You have an interaction with "the law" and come away feeling positive; they've done their job well; regardless of the law they were observing/enforcing. Contrast that with (say) calling Sky Television? When did you last have a positive interaction with them?

yep. but hey, what you putting those on, Kyu? You sold your mini already?

why would you bother? you're looking at around USD700 for four black circles and freight, add your GST and charges, and you're paying more than you'll pay on the street - GST included - In Niu ZIld. Given you can get a square set of RE003's in 17" here for well under a grand... why would you?

I agree with what you say, in principle, Kyu. Still, the law is the law, my D plates don't meet the NZ standardard, and are defective. I'm making amends. Rather that, than a fine. Funniest thing was, I wasn't speeding, wasn't hooning, and the talking to I got from my 14 year old son (sat in the passenger seat) afterwards, made my pleasant discourse with the Officer seem mild!

A quick call to Winger BMW and they'll be able to provide what I need. Easy.

Greetings fellow Bimmersporters. I couldn't find the last discussion thread via the search bicycle, apologies for starting a new one. My e60 was acquired sporting a set of German number plates, and very nice they are too. An eagle-eyed member of the constabulary pulled me over in October, and enquired as to why. Car had just received a new WoF, and "officer it was what the car came with; how do I obtain replacements?". Treated with courtesy and respect, the officer kindly waived the $150 fine, and I promised to obtain replacements. With valuable guidance from @eliongator, I've obtained replacement plates. I now need to fit them. It appears the German plates may have been afixed with double-sided tape. QUESTION: Are there standard kits (cap screws, with white and black concealment caps) available for fixing plates to our vehicles - particularly the e60? Where do I get them - from the dealership? Any hints on how to sort this out? I figure this is a straightforward item to address - as long as I have the right kit. Many thanks in advance for your assistance Olaf

nice buying, Tim! ++ like the crazy Pirelli edition interior.

welcome. good to see one more e60 join the fray.

at least two different versions for the wiring, according to the panel beater who replaced mine when they were stolen. uncertain if there's a diff between pre facelift and LCI versions.

161785km: Vacuum pump replaced this week. (thanks Page European and Autosure Extreme). Seems different sound - though as my ears are still full of fluid from the flu - I can't tell at the moment. Brake pedal is more progressive. Will see how this works with the fuming at idle. Needs a damned good clean, so it does.

Fuel pump relay, or fuel pump. assuming your filter is good. that'd me my $0.02. I started with filter, then did relay. Still had intermittant hot start issue. AA man tapped tank - started. Replaced fuel pump, no issues since.

looks sharp. nice one.

in e30 land, 325i has bigger rotors than 320i, and fatter ARBs to boot. The 320i was the heavier than the 318i, less economical, and lacked the flair of it's atheletic bigger brother (the 325i).

thanks Jared, appreciate you taking the time to help me understand. Wow, dropping both the idler cog and duplex chain, *plus* chocolate guides? Yeah, that looks less than ideal!

I'm confused. it's "far superior", whilst being "basically the exact same config"? M60 vs M62 cam timing engineering and implementation differences. Discuss.

possibly not to same degree as the N42 motor crapping out, though my workshop has seen a few of these V8s suffering from chocolate cam chain guides... some caught before major damage, some afterwards. Perhaps more M62 V8's have attracted the right level of service in more instances based on more costly toy to begin with (deeper pockets for maintenance), compared with N42. Given our collective understanding of BMW plastics, and knowing these items (the chocolate cam-chain guides) are a weak point, if maintenance is ignored it's more a 'when' rather than 'if', surely?

Yep, WCD are at the top end of pricing... though you won't find crappy tyres, and will frequently find brand new rotors and pads all round (as an example). Bigger market in Auckland, greater competition for your $, lower prices.

man, it does look awesome! well done, Kyu!