Estoril X5 D Sport

I think if memory serves me correctly that on an E90 the plastic cover slips past the airbag by taking out 3 T20 screws located from behind the steering wheel, they are located at 3 oclock, 6 oclock and 9 oclock., not difficult just a fiddle. Stephen

Fluid getting old or needing a top up and the belt needs replacing. Stephen

Good advice for a common fault. Stephen

The smart repair guy we use does them in place but bear in mind he uses a very low pressure air pencil, its not going to be easy to use an aerosol in a confined space and get even coatings and no runs, probably best to remove it for prepping and painting. Stephen

Hi Stephen that sounds a lovely car you have, an E30 in Zinnobar Red must look stunning, would love to see pics when you get her up and running. Stephen

Hi John its a fault with a BMW steering wheel covers, give it a good rub down with a piece of scothbrite all over, de grease it, let it dry then a few light coats of matt black aerosol, comes up nice and will last a few years with care. Stephen

Alpina B12 cant count its not a BMW its an Alpina! E39 is still winning then? Stephen

I just went out to the garage to look and yeah my jack is where that space is in your photo is, my car just has 19" wheels but if it had a 20" spare wheel my jack wouldn't fit so it may be a 4.8 has a different place for the jack location Stephen

Does a 4.8 have 20" wheels/ Stephen

Sorry mate then I cant help, that is where mine is, fits in long ways with the base plate facing the back of the car. Stephen

The jack goes there Geoff, slips in sideways Stephen

An E90 330d has no real issues so if it looks right, drives right, pulls well chances are your on a winner, .if any dashboard warning lights are on they are expensive to put right, a passanger airbag ECU costs £850, ABS pumps and moduals are common so watch for ABS or DSC lights on, body control moduals when failing do weird stuff so make sure central locking works on all doors and boot, both keys operate the locking and start the car and just make sure it all works as it should, dashboard has all instruments illuminated, instrument cluster should all light up and do no weird stuff, in short electrical failings are the biggest pain in the ##### and something that appears to be very little can be mega expensive to sort, just use your eyes and ears and am sure you will be fine, REMEMBER to HPI the car check the paperwork (V5, MOT, servicebook etc) and let me know what you think if you buy it, they are a great car, great performance and great on the juice when driven with respect. Stephen

Hahahahahaha Dabsy the bus driver, FARES PLEASE Stephen

It was a Z4 at 9.35pm and no its not individual Stephen

Just an idea and its a bit radical but................measure the hole! Stephen

I hope its a fire breathing throttle bodied red top with side exit exhausts spitting fire at passers by? Stephen

Just read Jeffs post again, A VAUXHALL ZAFIRA, do you have a pipe and slipper for using when your driving LOL Stephen

DABSY you have to tell!!!! You cant leave us hanging, is it a Micra or something even more nasty? A Nissan Juke, bet its Juke? Stephen

Whilst all the cars you have mentioned above are in there own way brilliant or even better than brilliant, only an E39 will move 5 people in speed and comfort with luggage for a week to the south of France on holiday,,,,,,,,,,,so does an E39 win??? Stephen

Yeah am aware that most will vote for their own car but we all bought what we drive for a reason, the data may not be without bias but I think its a bit of fun and may encourage more members to take part in the forum and generate a bit of banter...........and the E46 is a brilliant car and I reckon it will be a hot contender but its not in the class of the ultimate driving machine which is and always will be the E39..........but I will have to think of my favourite engine. Stephen

How about starting a poll from members to find the all time ultimate BMW, but you clever peeps behind the scenes would have to find a way to coaralate cooralate coralate to find a f^%^&g way to show the data in such a way that you can see.... say the top ten at a glance. Just an idea. Stephen

They split expansion tanks over time for no reason, the caps fail because of old age, is the thermostat opening and heat going to the matrix, has the radiator got a hole????? Whats it doing to make you think it is???? Stephen

Put the money in a fund for something with 6 cylinders Stephen

Hi mate and welcome Stephen

Are you to young to remember CDs, its got a loader in the boot. Stephen