ThreeOneEight

I can't see prices going up too much in NZ. Whilst I don't work in the insurance business (fortunately some might say!), the NZ market is so different from Australia and the UK. We're more like the USA in terms of the automobile scene/market, and think nothing of younger people enjoying their fun cars, rather than a Hyundai Accent (AUS) or a Citroen Saxo 1.1 (UK). The consumer will decide. It's the same with new car prices in the UK- the UK consumer loves to be ripped off! New Zealanders won't stand for it!

Doesn't changing the original NZ New plates detract from the value of the car?

I'd love a rear ashtray please.

Are you dc2r on NZHondas as well? If so, the Hainsworths say hi! Check out my "rides" posts, I've had two very reliable M40 318i manuals. Great cars. M40s are fine as long as well maintained... but there is the problem of knowing whther it has been or not, of course. If you want to have a look at my current 318i sometime to see what a minter should look/run like, PM me. Will

Given her genetic difficulty due to her gender, anything to do with maps will be beyond her... good luck! Oh and good choice, I was voting E60 all the way.

I vote Sparkle and Cam for the good looking under 25 male.

I had a test- drive of this while it was for sale- seemed a very tight car for the age and mileage, but those same miles put me off in the end. I hope you didn't pay what he was asking! Love the iS btw. If you ever want to sell, PM me!

Age: Twenty- one Location: Waterloo, Lower Hutt Car Year/Model: 1990 BMW 318i four door saloon manual Insured value: $4500 Driving Record: Spotless, five years no claims bonus. Insurance company: ASB Bank Insurance type (3rd party or full): Full Additional features of insurance (road side rescue, windscreen): Windscreen Yearly premium (inc GST): $500ish, I keep poor records. It should be lower for people not afflicted by the disease of being common, however such protests have proved futile. Excess: $750 Comments on customer service: Very occasionally lacklustre, but always prompt and responsive upon tongue lashing. Overall, quite good. Though I hate the term 'Customer Service Representative', and have insisted that they change it to 'phone-bitch', to no avail.

Time for a vasectomy, Martyn?!

This is what I can remember: 1978 Ford Escort 1.3L 1987 Daihatsu Charade Turbo 1985 Isuzu Piazza XL (The only (and last) automatic car I will own) 1990 Citroen AX GT 1983 Honda City Turbo 1984 Toyota Starlet Sprint 1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1984 Fiat Uno 70S 1985 Mazda Familia BFMR 4x4 Turbo (Homologation special version) 1972 Datsun 1200 Sedan 1991 Honda Civic ETi 1992 Honda CRX VTi-R (Rare NZ DOHC VTEC) 1988 BMW 318i 2 door manual 1990 BMW 318i 4 door manual Plus a succession of parent sanctioned late model bland-box daily drivers in between some. I've only just turned twenty one, too!

Engine looks pretty. Steering wheel looks Repco?!

Is that body not facelift, or do my eyes decieve me?

My dullard brother decided to park his godawful oldschool Toyota Celica on the driveway, where it has left a mess of battery acid, rust and antifreeze (Blown Headgasket). My driveway is only a few months old, and made of scarily expensive light coloured exposed aggregate. Can anyone recommend something to get the stains out, or a commercial/industrial concrete cleaner that may be able to help me out? Much thanks, Will.

Why doesn't the NZ new, newer and half as many km's travelled 530i have a warranty, yet the imported, older, higher mileage 735i does? Is the 530i at a non-BMW dealer? Personally, I think E60s have hot styling, wheras the E65 is a bit taxicab.

E30 318iS. This also has some badassness going for it: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.as...amp;key=1220365

What kind of pirates? Historically dastardly ones, or boat-person importing, cruise ship fire setting modern Asian pirates? If it was old style Pirates, I'd say that Ninjas would win, due to most pirates being Catholics and therefore lazy. The Japanese work ethic is far superior to that of the common papist.

The decision should not be on merely whether it is a 328i or a 325i. Buy the car with the best history, body, engine and drivetrain. BMWs are nice to drive, regardless of the model, and unless your priority is straight out speed off the mark, then a well maintained, sound 316i is by all accounts better than a 328i with suspect history and a funny noise from the suspension. Don't buy a 325i because it is cheaper, or a 328i because it is faster. Inspect, test-drive, and make a decision informed by experience.

If you haven't sold it by the next show and shine, I'll haggle with you for it then, Martyn.

What a terrible shame that the gearbox is made of gay.

Completely tasteless. Will be bought by Victoria for David's birthday.

Hooning? With Aunty Nathan? Very nice. Because it's the first time everyone has seen pics, and all

Exactly- there are some very careful owners out there, and tend to have the cars for a long time. A BMW bought new by a retired couple treating themselves to a nice car is the one that lasted longer than the one the godawful yuppie bought and kept for six months until he saw a Delorean. Provincial towns and quiet suburbs have a lot of pleasant surprises lurking in garages!

Hello all- it's been a little while- but I'm back to the Bavarians, after a short marriage of convenience with a young Japanese lass. This is the new lady in my life, Brunhilde. She's much quieter than Claudia, my last piece, though less sporty with her extra weight in the back doors and power steering rack- not to mention her full electrics including sunroof. I love her all the same, though, and she really knows how to accessorize, with those original 'basketweave' wheels, tail spoiler and shiny foglights. As you can see, like any practical old girl, she's right at home in the suburbs.

Congrats on the purchase mate! As I said earlier, the leather looks uber-comfy. Will post pics of my new ride tomorrow and upstage you