captain

"bum chum" Love it. Haven't heard that for years. Are you over 40 like me Mr Biscuit?

Somebody been watching Zeitgeist? Nope - never heard of it. EDIT: Just read the synopsis on Wikipedia. Wouldn't be interested. Conspiracy theorists are usually so one-eyed and their theories so ridiculous "9/11 was palnned by the CIA" that I'm not interested. I do believe in the Butterfly Effect or Chaos Theory which is much more interesting and can be used to logically point out the uselessness and impotence of central government once "something" i.e. the banking crisis, happens.

Last voted in 1983 and soon realised that it makes NO difference who is in power. The world is dominated by economic market forces which individual states (or governments) cannot control. Voting is more an expression of frustration and/or anger with a current incumbent and the results follow quite easily predictable patterns. Perhaps with the exception of the Labour landslide in 1945. Labour will lose today (simply because we are bored of them) And because Gordon Brown is a very peculiar man, unpleasant and detached. The Tories will win but it will be very close to a hung Parliament. All the candidates are political pygmies (with the exception of Brown who has some gravitas) and I wouldn't trust them to run a tennis club, let alone a country.

Arrived today but I cannot read the instructions as they're too small and I've lost my glasses! Anybody able to write a quick 3 line "how to use" guide? Ta. PS - Does it need charging first??

1st dibs if you don't mind

+1

He was v. good. TCS was making me lose loads of time (too frightened to turn it off on first track outing doing 105 round corners) but Dave showed me some smooth lines a la Button and I did several laps without it kicking in. When I go back it will be turned off permanently.

Thanks. Going again in June. Here's another one with an instructor having just passed a 323i and an MR2. Only got "beaten" on the day by a much newer M3 and a brand new Subaru Impreza STi so pleased enough. Need to reduce weight (prob take out spare wheel and tools next time) and add (more useable) power with high flow cats, plenum spacer and re-map.

Try the Buleflame. £492 cat back - stainless steel all the way - pulls much better and sounds

Yep. Square rear number plate. Also, beeps like a lorry when you put it in reverse and no rear lip.

Thinking of getting one of these. Anybody got any proof (and by that I mean a BHP/torque reading before and after fitting) which shows gains? Thanks in advance.

Don't even think about it - do it. Everything is cheaper than my old 323i and insurance for me is £450 fully comp (I'm 46 though ) This is how much fun you can have for £8.55k

Cheers bud. Little bit of rubbing - literally about 2mm and one of the instructors reckoned the best solution was to get the centre spindle of the Rotas machined back 2-3mm setting the wheels in slghtly.

New drug in town.......................it's called: TRACK COCAINE. OMG That should be illegal it's so much fun. 3.6 km/l Average speed (on track) 106km/h Estimated best time for 2.97km lap = 1m 40sec More piccies later once I've stopped bouncing off the ceiling.

Thanks chaps. Not planning to go mental, just would like to see what the car can really do and then onwards to Germany.................Nurburgring later Heath?? Will deflate tyres when I get there and put the tow hook in. It's a limit of 20 cars on the track and not ability based. Track open from 9 to 5:30 with an hour for lunch. I'm guaranteed 15 mins per hour but more if less cars turn up I guess. So roughly 100 minutes on track. Just hope the Blueflame meets the Db test. Should do otherwise it's an expensive day. PS - Oil a tiny bit low. Got 5W/30 fully synthetic in there. Will a couple of glugs of 10W/40 do any harm??

Going on my first ever track day tomorrow. Any advice from experienced (not guessers) track day members? I've cleared the car, had brakes and fluids checked and tyre pressure is standard (35) I know to put a full tank in and something about not putting on the handbrake afterwards but besides that know nothing. Much appreciated in advance.

You need RAW files as a base. You can shoot 5 or 7 or 9 files using a good SLR which will "auto-HDR" by taking the shots at different exposures. But this needs a tripod........... I prefer to take one, underexposed shot, and then create 6 or 7 new pictures by altering the exposure in Lightroom. The shot below was very overexposed but managed to rescue a decent shop in Lightroom. Then merge in Photomatix (not keen on the CS3 or 4 software) and fiddle to your heart's content. You've used far too much gamma (I think) on the piccie of the Azure - hence the glow around the aerial and the trees. PS - Yep. Just a rough and ready clone tool. Could make it perfect in 20 mins or so but I ain't getting paid.

Got to go out. Few tips: Download Phomatix for HDR http://www.hdrsoft.com/ Keep the ISO low Get rid of noise in CS3 Sharpen Get rid of background "mess" (mate's cars ) Crop Took 5 mins but could be done a lot better with patience.

What software are you using and what type of photo (jpeg or RAW) is your source? Also, what ISO were you shooting at?

All Brembos now fitted. Bumper tuck done. Pictures of finished motor to come.

mmmmmmmm. Ferraris and Lambos. Me likey - probably see you there.

115 to 140 in 48 hours - anybody sticking their £10,200 allowance in would have made £2,300 "overnight" Thats heavy investment though. I was thinking of throwing £500 in I cant match the big rollers Nothing wrong with working with £500 - you'd have still made £115 on MERE. Open an account with TD Waterhouse or similar and see how you do. Maybe buy 3 stocks ranging from blue-chip (Tescos, ICI, Vodaphone) to mildly risky (Lloyds) to speculative. I'd go Centamin Egypt (CEY) for this. Gold miner with potential.

115 to 140 in 48 hours - anybody sticking their £10,200 allowance in would have made £2,300 "overnight"

Read the whole thread - I've given all the info you want twice.