Jazzbass

That's mint, mate. I am constantly amazed and gratified to see the condition of some of those old BMWs. Some people have really looked after their cars. Some are like new - then the ricers get hold of them.... and next thing, cut springs, chromies, big bore, tints and they might as well be Jappos. Sounds like your planned upgrades will be very tasteful, though. Good on ya!

Man, you are right on that! I buy stuff ex USA quite often and the shipping really bites!! All that said, I can still land stuff I want for about half NZ price.

Same here - I was very surprised at those comparative results.

Hey, thanks! That link looks great. Damien - she's 31, way too old for a black car

My son's fiancee has an old ('89) red Honda Civic. We all know how red fades more than any other colour, but hers had faded dreadfully. It was disgusting! On the weekend, I gave half of the bonnet the Meguires 4 step and the difference was HUGE. The red looks brilliant. I think shiny red is one of the best colours, but faded red is one of the worst. Anyway, some parts of the car have faded almost to a white. Can the colour be restored from there, or is it time for a respray?

Done. Much repetition of similar questions in places. What you studying?

Aha, now we know what sort of music Damian sings - he's a Michael Jackson clone!!

Sparkle would have turned up wearing his beach clothes - pity you didn't invite him

I hate it when the power goes off at 5am and the neighbour's house alarm won't stop smegging blaring until the power goes back on again....

That's coming up really well. I'm impressed. Looking at photo #1, I wouldn't have thought it could be done. As you may guess, I have no idea about panel beating - never dented anything. I have seen the odd car offered cheap and wondered if it would be worthwhile doing up..... Is it cost effective?

When I was learning to drive, my Dad was firm on the old 10 and 2 hand positions on the steering wheel. All the BMWs I've owned have had the four spoke wheel, which looks as though it was derived from a aeroplane wheel (like a Cessna 172, but with a top and bottom piece to complete the circle). I wondered whether driving holding the wheel by the 9 and 3 positions would work for everyday driving (sort of like the Cessna wheel)? It feels uncomfortable to me, but since most of you are a few generations removed from me, I wondered what is usual to you? I have, of course, driven by holding on with just a finger or two at 6 when cruising, but that's rather unsafe and not to be recommended.

I had two E36: 318 and 325. What surprised me was that, overall, the fuel consumption was very similar - I had each car for about 3 years and they averaged around 30mpg over that time - I'm old: l/100kms means bugger all to me I decided that the 318 had to be driven much harder and the 325 less hard, thereby accounting for the expected differences. For instance, I had to floor the 318 to get off from a stop, but just had to squeeze the 325 to get similar acceleration. Yesterday I drove to Wellington and back (at one point doing 180kph in overtaking a couple of trucks and getting an earful from my wife and daughter in the process) and my car reported 9.1 l/100km (E39, 528). I think that translates to about 31 mpg. I commonly get 700km from a tankful on a trip and around 600km around town. So, I deduce that fuel consumption figures for the 4 pot and 6 pot engines, under 'normal' (if there is such a thing) NZ driving conditions are not that far apart.

BTW - great to see another Palmy member. I drive an E39 - Glacier Green with Europlates - flash if you see me around. Rog

I thought the E stood for Evolution - translated from Entwicklung? The E # means BMW's series of model designs. eg: E60 means that this is BMW's 60th model design since the beginning of the company. NB: Not all designs are put into production, such as concept cars, which also receive an E designation. This helps to explain the 'gaps' in E series. I stand to be corrected, but that is my understanding anyway.

On one car I had, I just cut off the offending protruding bits with a hacksaw and the rest of the holder was invisible. No drilling extra holes or whatever. What I couldn't see didn't bother me.

Looking really nive, mate. Now to get all the same style wheels.... This is a true story: I was playing at a wedding gig in the '80s and the three wedding cars were all of similar vintage. When lined up like your shot above, they read IM xxxx, IN xxxx, IT xxxx (I'm in it!). We didn't carry cameras around in those days, but it appealled to my sense of humour.

unless they're gay - all men hate Greenday and ... Creed sux!

Many should have been!!

Good!! I hate beer! Beer is a kiddies drink .... real men drink lattes..

Cool! Let's get more people around here doing it. IMO meeting others from the forum is a great way to stimulate the forum's discussions. I know I feel better being able to put people to their alias. It is hard to do as we all have our own lives and constraints, but well worth doing imo. However, Cam - please clean your car next time -

LOL - they are truly WRONG!! But I bet someone will buy them. Watch out for a wrx M3 in your town, soon!

LOL - when I was 17 I had a Triumph Bonneville and the only big dreams I had involved getting off work to surf, playing in my band or getting laid...

I totally agree - half the fun of having a car is getting to know it mechanically. It stands you in good stead later. Also, learning with your Dad helping is a joy that most people reflect on favourably later in life. I think Martyn's son is a lucky lad who is going to enjoy this learning experience.

Maybe a nice set of spinners and some fluffy dice?

LOL! BFH through the window and you'll have far better access.