Palazzo

I think (hope) it is that hose, although how you replaced it in half an hour is beyond me! I can't even get my hand near it. I'll have a chat to Glenn tomorrow and see if he thinks it can make it to Botany. Thanks.

This morning, the low coolant light came on (FL 325i E30), nothing too unusual there, kept an eye on the gauge, didn't move until I got into the driveway at home. Got out to a hissing sound, checked under bonnet and there is a leak/steam coming from around the top of the engine, under the inlet manifold. Are there any pipes under there, or is this impending disaster? Any ideas? There is coolant visible in the hollows of the top of the motor.

Bellars is on the Shore off Constellation Drive (I think). I will never cross the door of Civic again and told them so. the place next door doesn't necessarily do a bad job, but they will milk you for every cent. Alan Giess should be back next month.

Master cylinder? I had this problem in the convertible in April and to top it off got two (!) dud masters from Autostop. Got a working one from one of our sponsors, EuroItalian. I assume it still works, haven't driven it since. Glenn from BotanyMW was most helpful.

Alan is a good guy and he sold the business 2-3 years ago. The new guy is not so good. Alan still works out of Whangaparaoa (sp?), but is in the UK for 3 months. I had a ridiculous quote for work from Civic Auto in the Strand 2 years ago ($930 + GST), done for $440 incl at Bellars and I know there is another place in the Stand that charges you by how much money he thinks you have.

If those are $20 as described above, I'm keen for some.

How much do you think for the Basketweave centre caps, the screw in ones? Cheers.

I always drive away from a place that insists on pre pay. Middle of the day in the city, WTF? Their loss at $150 a tank.

Personal favourite, REKNAW, used to be on a Citroen in Wgtn years ago.

There is at Toyota, not sure that that will help though.

Sold for $8.5k, reserve was $7.2k. Bit rough, as you'd expect, but seemed to drive OK.

As before, it looks lovely and each to their own. Incidentally, the E30 325i did have motorsport pedigree, it won either the WTCC or German equivalent in '85-'86 (bit vague as I can't remember the dates/series), beating the Cosworth 190E in the process. What series did the E36 M3 win? Good luck with the sale.

Some of the early 911s did have lead in the bumpers, basic fix towards what has become today the 911 GT3 RS. Almost all of the Porsche family are great, we've had a 944 (standard) which is no quicker really than a good 325i, but is a far better (IMO) driving experience and certainly much quicker, across a winding road. Driven various different 911s, 928s and 944 Turbos and S2s. They're all great. It's like the Honda/BMW thread, sort of pointless. There are great cars available both ways. Just your opinion, which is great, beacuase you're never wrong.

Curse the lack of grip in the M325i, wonder why my convertible is sitting in the rain at the mechanics, work to pay for the convertible at the mechanics. Thank my lucky stars I talked to Glenn regarding the repair and think how lucky we are to have someone so knowledgable and helpful on the forum.

Lada was based on the 124 Fiat, a '60s design. Apart from appalling aerodynamics, the 131 wasn't too bad. My mate had a 131R in Wellington, at 110km/h on the motorway, the aerodynamics were so bad, a wind gust would knock it back to 90.

Have a look on the link above, think it's one disc and 2 bolts to be made, no issues with clearance.

I had a lengthy drive in that model Merc 2 weeks ago. For stealth fun in a big car, it was fantastic. The Alpina would have to be something special to be better, which according to that boring narrator, it wasn't, I'll have the Merc please.

It's probably easy to slag people for washing their cars when you have a loaner from various manufacturers, with a free tank of gas and never have to wash it before returning.

$1250 for a Z3 rack was my best quote, or $5,600 for a new one. . . . .

Strangely back for sale at the same place after being sold "no reserve". Does strat1 work there or something?

Cool. I'm all for increasing E30 values and I happen to think the M3 convertible looks quite good, having seen this and the one in Total BMW 2-3 years ago. Very surprised by the price though, but that's the beauty of an open market.

Warlocks in Akld (if they are still going) have it.

Thanks guys. The bush on the right hand side of the rack is stuffed and flogging out the brake disc as it moves. Either a recon for the rack, or a new ( 2nd hand) rack. Wil prob try the E36 route by the look of it.

Do I remember reading somewhere that this is an easy swap and gives a faster steering rack/ratio than standard? Anyone done it? Does an M325i have a faster rack than standard (thought I read this somewhere)? Any ideas on prices for an E30 or E36 rack? You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I've seen it in the flesh, both before and after and it's a truely lovely car, but in my opinion, not worth anywhere near $100k, maybe $65k? As I said, each to their own.