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Finally finished installing BMW programming and diagnostic software - nearly 250GB all up . Took me a while to figure out how to adjust the rear air suspension, got it sorted in the end, even gaps all round now. Also found out that all control modules (like 20+ of them including ECU, TCU etc.) have very recent late 2016 firmware, must have been updated in Japan before it left for New Zealand.

You might drive an old man car but you're not that old...

That is an excellent point. Here is a new NEW one.

It is a full-on dealerships/workshops kit - Rheingold Ista-D and Ista-P, Subaru also have one but it's impossible to get afaik. Majority of it is firmware databases for all the F-series vehicles and I think the latest versions will have G-series in it too. Plus you get model related workshop manuals/how to's/diagnostics and troubleshooting. It basically tells you what and when to do in a rather easily digestible way. You just need to know where to look. I was playing around with the self-levelling suspension module - you can go into troubleshooting mode and make it to raise/drop each corner individually and both at the same time, it can show you how many mm each corner is off the recommended height etc. Makes your life much easier when troubleshooting. Basically a good way to save yourself a dollar or two on visits to the dealership. E-sys is another piece of soft and mainly used for codding. From basic software level options like DRLs (how bright, what lights will act as DRLs i.e squid rings only or/and low beams or/and fogs, front only or front+rear etc), enable/disable all sorts of beeps/gongs/other annoyances, sensitivity of rain sensors to more complicated codding of retrofitted/upgraded hardware like LED dash panels or LED headlights. Going to have a look at Alpina TCU flash, apparently gives faster less noticeable shifts and can go all the way up to the 8th gear in sports mode (stock only goes up to 7th).

I have an old BH5 Legacy that I use for towing the rally car and once I used it as the zero car on Targa for a day. I have 4 pots with EBC Blue pads (which are nothing like yellows), and on good tyres it was quite good to use on Targa. Bearing in mind as the safety car and with no notes I couldn't go as quickly as the competitors, but we also have to stay in front of them, so plenty of hitting speed limiter and carrying as much corner speed as a 20 year old car with stock suspension will let you. Even found a pic of it: http://www.proshotz.com/p170609214/e235944cb Anyway, I found 4 pots with good pads sufficient. Track maybe a little different depending on how tight it is for getting sufficient cooling on the straights, but brake ducting makes a massive difference with that and is cheaper to do than upgrading pads. Only thing I found is the race pads aren't much use on public roads, noisy and dirty and a bit lazy on the first couple of applications. So best to only use them when racing. SP500 pads I have only used once, years ago in a friends STI at Manfield and they were fine on road tyres. I think you would cook them if you push them on semis.

Most manufactures program in a small under reading of the speedo head ( so there is no comeback on them for speeding offences) most are 10% under. If you get the speed reading from what the ecu sees you will find it is pretty smack on with your gps reads ( as long as you are running a similar size tyre to factory)

You don't want to increase rolling diameter too much, otherwise your spare tyre is useless I only remember this after getting new tyres. +/- 3-4% difference should be okay tho.

good info thanks, its amazing how much you can control there @sobanoodle have heard about the alpina tcu flash, everyone who has a compatible beemer raves on about it.

Hi guys Im after a white subaru wagon similar to the one below. What model is this one? it has extra options on the steering wheel for hands free which is what im after. Any other models people would recommend? Can anyone recommend a car yard in Auckland that would be able to source one or does anyone on here have one they are thinking of selling?

my 98 GTB was my newest ever car! just looking for now, will miss the V8 rumble of the BMW tho (1994) The Avenger will never go tho

Car had a wash. Also got both headlights completely finished and they look very good now. Removed intake silencer for the turbo noises. Taking that out took me ages with a lot of swearing, cuts and bruises. Car is getting there, I think I need to do something about the excessive turbo lag, boost drop off and knocking at high rpm. I think not getting a tune would be silly