Jazzbass

I agree with the snowplow comment. Way too low for me. Way too ugly for me. I'd be very embarasassed to be seen driving it and having everyone laugh at me...

Topic Header: These are BMWs???:

I have four cup holders in my car. I've owned the car for 18 months and they've never been used... a totally unecessary accessory for me.

As far as reliability goes. If that is your prime consideration, I'd advise you to go for the Toyota. Their reliability is the milestone against which others are measured. If you prefer to drive a car which acts like a real car, is great fun to drive and makes you want to drive it, I'd advise you to consider a BMW. A Toyota doesn't do that for me. If you have your heart set on a BMW - buy one, or you will always wonder. Personally, I would advise against the 4-cyl models and would be looking at a 325i. You can pick these up at Trademe or Turners car auctions for around the price you wish to pay. As far as parts costs etc go, yes BMW parts are a little pricey, but then I said the same of Ford when I used to drive them ($249 for ONE hubcap for my wife's Laser in 1990 - needless to say we bought a $14 set from the Warehouse for it), or $600 for the electric window switches in my TX5 etc. E36s do have common problems, such as the steering rack may be worn out at around 130k (cost around $1200), rear shock mounts have packed up (cost around $350), brake light switch dies (cost around $100 fitted), electric window actuators crap out ($250+) etc All cars have their problems. It is my personal opinion that one of the reasons BMW fares less well in reliability stakes, is due to the owners more than the cars. For instance, I am a fussy prick and if I hear any noise at all that I consider abnormal, or any squeak in the plastic etc - I can't hack it and it just HAS to be fixed. When I drove Japanese, I simply didn't care about such things. BMW somehow make me care. I don't like old cars and although many here have E30s, they are not for me. But for you, I do believe it may be worthwhile driving a few to form your own opinion. Bottom line - its your money and your choice. All the best of luck whichever way you jump. First cars stay with you forever - my first was a 1960 PA vauxhall.

Funeral in Levin on Monday. I can't tell you how much I hate funerals...

Reality - its an old car, spares are not stocked as well as they are for newer cars. Its not just a BMW problem - ask anyone with an old car about spares. Although your point about them being a dual agent with xxxxx (I'm not allowed to say the name in case I turn into a frog) may be valid - people I know who've dealt with xxxxx agents have reported similar frustrations. However, I have memorised my vehicle ident BVxxxxx 'cos its easy to do and saves time and frustration when I deal with BMW or when I read my TDK or whatever. I suggest you do the same.

Jordan was one of my wife's cousins - he was 17 - he was bulletproof - he liked to drive hard and fast and was a perfect driver -according to him - after all he was 17, he knew everything about everything. Don't emulate him, please! Killing youself is not a problem for you, but it sure is for everyone else - your family - your friends - anyone you injure when you lose control and all their families etc. You might be an a**hole to the world (and most teens are), but there are people who love you... Police have released the name of a Tauranga teenager who died in a fiery crash near Bethlehem on the outskirts of Tauranga last night. Jordan Evan Crockett, 17, was killed when the car he was driving collided with a four-wheel drive on State Highway 2 about 9.30pm Both vehicles bursting into flames on impact. Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said police were still investigating the crash, but it appeared speed was a factor. Mr Crockett had overtaken an associate's car in a passing lane, lost control and crossed the centre line, he said. The Nissan Skyline he was driving collided with the rear of the four-wheel drive rupturing the fuel tank, which caused both cars to burst into flames. Another driver and a nearby resident saved Mr Crockett's 16-year-old passenger, pulling him through a window and rolling him in wet grass to put out the flames, he said. "It was only the quick thinking and unselfish acts of those two men that saved the boy's life, and they are to be commended." The teenager underwent surgery today and he was still in a serious condition in hospital, Mr Campion said. All six people in the four wheel drive, from the same Tauranga family, were injured in the crash. Two women, aged 42 and 47 were still in intensive care, a 45-year-old woman and nine-year-old boy remained in hospital, and two girls, aged 11 and four had been released.

Damien, you're a hairdresser? I thouight you were a ninja, mate!!

That horrid, dirty thing is a differential unit? You mean I have one of those under my car? Eeeeewwww...

Oooh, I forgot that one. Man that sure makes us all feel like women, doesn't it!!

Damien, I know what you mean. When I rode bikes, I used to wear the writing off the side of the front tyre. They started out saying 'Avon Speedmaster Mk 2' but ended up as ________ __ _

LOL - and rusted floor? I had a mate with one like that - you could see the road through the floor of the car.

Amen! My climate control is set on 18 normally.

For me, if ever my tyres squeal or screech or whatever, I know that my driving is below where I want it to be. Any time I lose traction is a time when I have failed to drive the car correctly. Any time I have to hit the brakes hard is another time when I have failed as a decent driver. Anticipation and awareness are paramount to driving. As I've aged, I don't think my driving has actually become a shitload worse, I've just grown up and realised that the things I used to do were sometimes very poor driving. I'm just more aware of those bad driving techniques now, but 42 years of having a driving licence does instill some bad habits, which can take a bit of correction. What do you do which makes you think about your driving? If you're under 25, its a given that you already drive perfectly and everyone else on the road is an idiot who got their licence in a Weetbix packet.

Miller, I can't remember which specific fuses, just the ones labelled as the headlights and fogs (I did all 6 lamps as a replacement). From memory, they were 5A and I replaced them with 10A. IMO, as an Electrician and an Electrical Engineer, the wiring was able to cope adequately with the extra current. However, I really don't think that it made a huge impact upon illuminating the road ahead... I wouldn't bother doing it again, myself.

Jochen, btw - I'm Roger from Palmy - E39 Radio...

I put a set of the 100W blue lights in my E36 - they lasted fine. Mind you, I did upgrade the fuses accordingly.

Jochen, did the above answer your questions, or is there something more specific we could help with?

IMO a daily driver needs to be totally reliable, so anything modified or with a M designation wouldn't make my list. Common sense says a Toyota Corolla would be the best bet in that regard. However, since I'd rather walk than be seen in a Toyota, I'll stick with my current E39 528 which is easy on the petrol (full tank normally lasts 2-3 weeks), comfortable and stylish (imo, of course)

LOL - we're ever so helpful, aren't we!!

duct tape... $2.

OK, 'fess up - how many d/l that one with the blonde with the cellulite??

LOL. Maybe just stop some nearby kid - he'll be into it in about 3 seconds.

Thanks, mate. I had forgotten that. I do remember reading about it in the handbook, but age being what it is ....

(Alice in Wonderland) The Caterpillar instructs Alice that eating one side of the mushroom will make her larger and that the other will make her smaller. Alice grabs a handful from each side, and throughout the rest of her adventures, whenever she wants to grow or shrink to a particular size, she nibbles at the appropriate handful of mushroom. Maybe that'll work for you - eat the reducing mushroom and fit through the hole...