Jazzbass

My understanding (that doesn't make it a fact) - is that directional tyres are noisier on the road than others. It certainly seems that way to me. With that in mind, if I wanted quieter tyres, that information (if correct) would inform my decision. I also have Bridgestone E30s on my car and they are a good riding, quiet tyre, but I have no idea how they hold for fast cornering. It is my understanding that they are designed more as a touring/performance tyre than a straight performance tyre. I must admit, I'm shallow - when I buy a new set of tyres - looks help to make the decision. I had a set of asymetric directional tyres on my first BMW and they just didn't look right... hopefully, you are less shallow than me...

Take your pick :

> I gained about 3 hp from removing my fogs AND saved myself the chance of getting a 100 fine. Hi Andrew, I must admit to being intrigued by that statement. Could you please explain to a thicko (me) how that works?? By not operating the lamps, assuming them to be 55W each = 110W and one HP being 746W, I can see a saving of about 0.15 HP, about a seventh of HP, assuming 100% efficiency, of course. Removing the lamps physically would remove about 1 kg of weight from the car, which I can't see making a huge difference. Are you calculating wind resistance in there?? Rog, having a pedantic Monday morning - back at work after a short holiday and not very pleased about that!

Sparkle gets them! You've got mail, mate! Cheers, Rog

Shortly before I sold my 1995 325, I changed all the front lamps to xenon. Consequently, I have a full set of halogen H1 lamps (sorry, I'm a sparky - I have to call them lamps, even though most people call them light bulbs - that's the rules ) left over, which do not fit my 528 (H7s). So if anyone in Palmy wants a used set of 55W H1 lamps for spares - you can have them for free. Palmy area only please, as you need to pick them up, or meet me somewhere in PN. I'm not keen on sending lamps through the mail. That's 6 lamps - heads and fogs. Please email me at [email protected] of you want them - I'll take the date stamp on the email as proof of first in first served, if there are more than one. Cheers, Rog

I fell in love with a little Msport E36 in Fiji Green once (that was in the bunch of special Msports brought in from South Africa). Definitely a love it or loathe it colour. I also like the metallic purple (Teckno Violet??). I think the brighter colours suit the 3 series more than the bigger cars. Otherwise I like all the BMW colours except grey and the colour wouldn't stop me buying if the other conditions were right, unless it was black or white (when I bought my present car there was one with lower mileage, comfort seats etc, but it was white, so turned me off). many people love black or white, but I just prefer more colour. One thing I've noted is that the darker colours show the stone chips (and I seem to get LOTS of stone chips) more than the lighter ones.

This works for me: if it doesn't for you - ignore it... Resetting E36 service indicator lights Tools: · 1 paper clip · ability to count to 11 (borrow a kid if this is too difficult) Procedure: 1 Car keys OFF 2 Remove plastic screw cover from diagnostic plug 3 Turn ignition key to position 2 (engine not running) 4 Using the paper clip, short pin 7 (ground) to pin 19 (reset) on plug & count 5 To reset oil service lights – count to 4 6 To reset inspection light – count to 11 7 Remove clip when time is up 8 Turn ignition off 9 Turn ignition on and check lights 10 If lights have not reset, repeat as required – vary your timing – it will work 11 Replace plastic cover on diagnostic plug All done! Why pay for a resetting tool??

LOL - the beetle look got to me, too! The first pic was better (smeg knows why it won't load anymore). I'm not a geek, but I wouldn't want any mouse or keyboard which had wires attached anyway...

> No matter what revs or throttle they you get the feeling they are capable of eating small children. ROTFLMAO - great quote, mate!!! :thumb:

The manual/automatic box is a very old argument and once upon a time I was firmly in the manual-only camp saying "you'll never see me in an auto - ever" - how naiive I was..... Personal circumstances can change perpectives. I also used to say I'd never (btw - I've learned not to use never - LOL) be seen dead in a Honda again. I've been seen driving one for the past week on work business. Nowhere to hide in Palmy.. Good job my daughter didn't see me (she lives in Auckland) - she's threatened to disown me if she sees me in a Honda.. horses for courses....

Ah - can't do that - I'm at work at that time. I'm quite happy to take your word for it, mate. STOP Leighton Smith! Hanging's too good for the bastard!! LOL

> Automatics are shithouse whichever way you look at them. That's an opinion I don't share. Ever since I stuffed my left ankle, autos are all that's allowed me to drive, as I don't have any power to depress a clutch. Therefore I love automatics. As for the name - sorry to offend you :-) UR correct - BMW call them Steptronic. > This is counter intuitive and they have since corrected it. Obviously it is to many people, but not to me... Its all personal opinions....

Ah - a radio announcer. I see. He has strange views???

Although they suggest a fused jumper wire - I 've used a paper clip for the past 7 years without any problems...

Why would you have anything else? BMW Mouse BMW Mouse: Cool looking black BMW USB wired mouse. The BMW mouse is a wired optical, 800dpi with headlights and taillights turn on when you move the mouse. This cool looking BMW mouse would make a good gift for the compute geek in your life. You can pick your color: Choose between: Blue, Black, Silver, Red and Yellow! Company: logisyscomputer.com Price: $ 13.00

LOL - to be honest - I don't even know who he is....

It seems many agree with you - here's a procedure to swap the sequence round so that + is toward the back of the car. Steptronic pattern shift procedure I guess I must be wired differently - although maybe, since BMW bring them out 'my way' I'm just wired into the BMW way??? It is interesting how we (people) think differently about things... I can see your point of view and how it would work. I guess if mine was round that way I'd get used to it.

BTW - why are we stopping Leighton Smith???

Mine's NZ new - does that make a difference normally?

LOL - that's brilliant, mate!! too funny...

OK - a quick Google and ur all right - 12A it was! :bowdown: I'll get it right next time!! Doh!

Apologies if this is old ground - I did a search and couldn't find anything on this. My current car is my first with steptronic. A friend has just bought a Mazda 6 and his version of steptronic is the opposite way to mine. Mine has upshift = tilt forward and downshift = tilt back. His is the other way round, which I find counter-intuitive. For me, pulling the lever back is like shifting from 3rd to 2nd in a normal gate and pushing forward is like shifting from 2nd to 3rd or 4th to 5th. Which way works best for you?

Grant - I take your points and would just like to expand on something which was implicit (I think) in your posts: If you don't vote - don't bitch!

Enjoyed the read - thanks, mate. Good advice about leaving the doors open to dry out... I've recently started using Meguiar's Show Car Glaze, followed with BMW citron wax -gives an amazing finish. I also use the Meguiar's Leather Cleaner/Conditioner wipes - they seem to do a decent job on the interior.