Too busy to update this - so about time :-(

BMW 330iTouring went to the UK to have some bodywork and mechanical repairs............... usual Houston life moto applies "if it wasn't for bad luck I would have no luck at all..............."

Basic summary - took three times as expected cost twice as much and not all the work was completed :-(

Litany of problems - parts did not turn up on time, had to reschedule welder, paint reacted, delays meant other jobs then clashed with mine, loan car bust a coolant hose, mechanic's mother sadly died so he could not finish the work, wrong parts - exhaust and lambda sensors!

Also on the way over going through Belguim at 2am in the morning a tyre blew at 180 klm/hour yikes - so 200 miles on a space saver at 50mph............................

Some Pictures of the bodywork restoration :-

 The paint reacted badly and needed a "base" coat!!!

 The Angel eyes that were fitted broke so I got a set of ebay with a remote which alawys you to change the colour.... ha ha just a bit of fun. I like the mean red eye look.

I have put it up for sale as I want to get a coupe version now. The sale photo

I have had the ST220 TUVed and German registered and it is now on German plates - STMY220 was taken so I went with the bhp instead MYST230 :-) Here are both on the drive :-

AS usual (boring) the ST neede work - new rear shochs, drop links, front drop links, wishbone, tie rods and now ARB bushes......................I got some ST225 Focus front brakes - calipers,carriers, discs and pads for £165! Bolt straight on and about 100% improvement :-) The pads which came with the purchase were crap so I replaced them with standard ATE and they are very good. However, I have bought some higher spec ones Black diamond Predators :-) great name, So when the ATE's are done I will fit these.

Lotus went for it's MOT - was not expecting it to fail.........................5 ball joints, drop link, rear brake imbalance, handbrake and a couple of minor things! nothing wrong with all the ball joints but the rubber boots were perished and split - which is a failure. So much poorer but got an MOT now. However the tracking needs doing and the nut on the near side is "welded" to the steering rack shaft!!!! will need to be cracked off and the threads "cleaned".............................never ends.

Finally got a chimmney sweep (Schornsteinfeger) in and got told off - he is supposed to come three times a year by law - oops - six bucket loads of soot yikes. Tried the Kamine I fitted in the lounge and it generates a lot more heat now..... Also had to by a new plinth for it as the one I had was not legal - so got a glass one - so you can see the parquet floor through it and it is easier to clean. New and old below:-