Cammsport

Thats real nice. It has been very hard to stick to budget once you start browsing. I had to draw the line somewhere however if the car is right, i dont mind stretching a couple pennies. Also, thanks everyone for the recommendations and TM links. Apart from the member saying to stay away from the BMWs ?. I'll digress by saying I've had years of trouble-free (TOUCHING WOOD) motoring from the aging fleet. The M52 E36 I currently daily is an absolute tank and hasn't missed a beat from the last 60,000kms I've owned it. Rigorous inspections, research and preventative maintanence are to blame I reckon with perhaps a touch of luck. With the current cars being the M52B28 swapped E30, E91 N52B25 & E36 M52B28 and 10 years as an aircraft technician, I'm no stranger to budgeting for maintenence (I wasn't triggered, I promise ?). Indeed I can see where you're coming from, but 95% of Japanese cars just don't do it for me and i'll be damned if i drive something and don't look back at it in the carpark. So far I'm looking for a facelift M54 E46 touring or an E87 with a sidewards glance at the odd golf/polo (blasphemy).

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Mk5 GTIs?

More and more research into the N47 has put me off. I guess any motor has its issues if you dig deep enough but the timing chain seems to be a catastrophic one if it hasn't been serviced every 10,000kms and/or hasn't had the updated repair kit. Both of which is a mystery in this one.

I'm assuming this one is cheaper due to the combination of mileage, no service history and the N47 timing chain and wastegate issues? Could be a risk I'm willing to take. Timing chain replacement looks to be an engine out jobby. Owner/dealer looks to be short on details in the question but probably just busy.

From memory (posts on this page if I recall correctly) people are very wary of the e60 generation 5 series? E87 ticks 90% of the boxes. Will line up a viewing.

This would be the sensible choice @Olaf, but here I am ?

Do you mind if I ask how much you ended up buying this for?

When we bought our E91, it was a toss up between that and an E87. The E87 had a surprising amount of room. The E87 is probably the #1 contender at the moment.

An M54 touring would definitely be on the cards if I could find one.

I have 3 euros at the moment and I don't regret it. More car for your buck IMO. Or maybe it's my subconscious-spanner-swinging side of me that wants another car to work on ?

Oh man, my dream would be to find what @M3AN found ?

I'm on the hunt for a commuter (250km a week, open road). My budget is $7,000. $8,000 at an absolute push. I have a few points that I'd like it to meet, please let me know your thoughts and options. - I'd like it to be Euro, if not BMW - <160,000kms - Economical (better than 11L/100km) - 4 doors (car seat occasionally) - Modern ish (newer than 2000) - Reliable (subjective I guess) We've been looking at E87s and MK5 Golf's. Even got curious at a diesel Peugeot hatch. Very interested in everyone's thoughts!

Fitted some OE tan "leather" rears into the coupe today. It's the small updates that count right? ?. Now to track down something better suited than the tired comfort seats in the front.

How bad are the other two? If they're just horribly curbed etc I'd like one as a spare of they're for sale?

I just flicked an email through to our broker (we use Swann and Star). She replied: "No additional cost, we just need to submit an application. Once the application is accepted, you just need to notify us each track day you wish to attend and we'll notify your insurer and let you know once they've confirmed. Main thing with track cover is third party liability is deleted but before each track event drivers normally sign a waiver to their right to pursue a third party. I'll flick you through the relevant form tomorrow." Will enquire tomorrow about if there's an increase in excess etc, otherwise it sounds too good to be true.

This thread has made me pro-1-series. Such an awesome example.

Both sets are 17" x 8" et 20 as they're essentially the same barrel/lip, with different faces. Feel free to message. Will have to wait a couple days to be able to get more recent photos of the RC090. However, this is a photo before I polished the lips.

Just took this now. Can take better ones in the daylight if you like.

What wheels are you after? 17"x8" BBS RT (Style 19) or RC090 with polished lips, painted barrels and fresh faces. Let me know if they tickle your fancy. I'm a after a diesel commuter.

Slightly off topic but I've got an order almost ready to go with FCP. The summary doesn't look to include tax, and when calculating the duty on the "what's my duty" website it says no duty on shipments <$1000nzd. I thought the new rules stated GST is to be applied to everything? Probably an easy question for someone.

How did you get on with this @Brendog?

Last round of Night Speed was binned understandably. But fortunately at the round I did attend, the local photographer (Mark Waterson) was able to snap some pics. The above mid-skid photo seems to show that rear valance is dented? Had never noticed it. Pretty sure I chopped this guy...

Keep me posted @Jacko!

I see EuroSurgeon has just made an update.

Apologies if this had been discussed on here already but I can't find any mention of what to do with regards to car maintenance during lockdown. We were given notice today that we are classified as essential, so the commute to work will resume. We were wondering what the story is if you were unfortunate enough to have a flat, water pump give up etc. Public transport isn't an option for us (remote power station). Are ALL mechanics closed? Anyone in the parts supply industry on here? Shipping of parts still available? I'm typically not a take-your-car-to-the-shop kind of guy so would prefer access to parts. I understand this is super low priority for some and hope everyone gets through this tough time as well as possible. Thought this would be the best place to ask some people who may be in the know.